The Best Tote Bag Crochet Pattern
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.In this post, you will see a tote bag crochet pattern.
This crochet project is not only a summer staple you can use again and again but it’s also an easy crochet pattern to make in your favorite color.
Using only double crochet throughout the pattern, this is an easy one to follow.
Scroll down to view the free pattern or purchase the inexpensive ad-free PDF in my shop here.
Crochet Something For Summer!
If you love crocheting, summer is the perfect opportunity to make beautiful crochet items for yourself!
From summer garments like beach cover-ups, dresses, ponchos, shawls, blouses, and bathing suits you can wear all summer long from the beach to your outings.
You can also make beautiful accessories like summer sun hats, bucket hats, bags, beach bags, market bags, sunglasses cases, headbands, and everything else you might need.
There are many free crochet patterns you can make with simple crochet stitches that are ideal for new makers.
Or find more intermediate and complex patterns that require a bit more experience.
Weekly news, free patterns, tutorials, and more.
Crochet Bags For Summer
Crochet bags are the ideal crochet projects for summer.
You can make easy tote bags to take with you to your beach days and to the farmers market.
This cute bag is the perfect size for your spring and summer nights out.
There is an abundance of free crochet bag patterns online for all skill levels.
Easy patterns are made with basic crochet stitches like single crochet stitches, double crochet stitches, and half double crochet stitches perfect for beginner crocheters.
Or you can search for more complicated stitch pattern designs like granny squares that are perfect for intermediate makers.
Tote Bags Are The Way To Go!
A crocheted tote bag is a completely functional tote bag you can take with you everywhere, and carry your stuff safely in, the crochet stitches create a sturdy fabric.
A great choice for the grocery store, or for work and it can make an amazing beach bag.
Plus you can easily make one in many different colors to match all of your outfits!
More Bag Patterns
Check out more free patterns here.
Or grab the ad-free bag pattern bundle here
The bundle includes 13 crochet bag patterns.
Including the drawstring crochet bag pattern, the raffia circle crochet bag pattern, and many more.
Frequently Asked Crochet Bag Questions
The yarn you are going to use depends on the pattern you are going to recreate and what you will do with your bag.
Market bags and beach bags can be made with cotton yarn for durability.
Raffia is also an excellent material to make your bags from.
All yarn-made items can stretch as the strands of yarn stretch from the tension when we are working on our stitches.
There are some things you can do to avoid the extra stretching like being mindful of your tension.
Choosing the right yarn for our bags – yarn is stretchy but some like wool-acrylic yarns have a higher elasticity which makes them perfect for garments but not for bags.
There are yarns just for crochet bags.
And if you want to make a beach bag raffia is an excellent option.
Blocking your project after you are done can boost your project and help it maintain its shape.
Having sturdy handles will also help your bag from stretching.
Yes! You don’t need to be an intermediate maker to make your own crochet bag.
You can crochet one using only the basic crochet stitches like the single crochet, the double crochet, and the treble crochet stitch.
A crochet market bag or a tote bag will be a good project for new makers.
An Easy Tote Bag Crochet Pattern
This pattern is for anyone who is an advanced beginner.
The bag is a simple design, you create an oval base first then continue to double crochet for the main body of the bag.
Once the bag reaches the height you want, you stop working and prepare to add the bag handles.
Shop the printable PDF pattern…
Scroll down to view the free crochet tote bag pattern or purchase the inexpensive ad-free PDF in my shop here.
Grab The Ad-Free Printable PDF Pattern Here
Crocheting With Raffia
I used raffia from King Cole in a natural color and worked with two strands together.
If you have never crocheted with raffia before, it is quite an easy material to work with.
However, you can use raffia alternatives as there are many around, like Ra Ra Raffia from Wool and the Gang.
There are also other gorgeous color choices from King Cole Raffia, including browns, greens, and reds.
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This pattern is great for advanced beginners.
- You should be comfortable making a slipknot and creating a chain.
- You should know how to double crochet.
- You should also be comfortable reading crochet patterns.
- And understanding of crochet abbreviations and terms.
Tote Bag Crochet Pattern
Grab the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.
Grab The Pattern Bundle
Notes
- For the base – Do not turn at the end of the round, but continue working in a spiral, with the right side (RS) always facing.
- Keep count of the sts by placing a marker (PM) on the last st of each round.
- There are no turning chains in this pattern.
- The bag is worked using two strands of raffia held together.
Copyright Info
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.
Skill Level – Easy (Advanced Beginner)
Gauge
- 9 stitches, 5 rows to 10cm/4″ in double crochet.
Measurements / Size
- Base length = 15 inches
- Base width = 5.5 inches
- Height = 10 inches
- Bag handles = 28 inches
The supplies you need
Yarn
- 4 x King Cole Raffia – in the color Natural – (1456) 100g
- Alternative raffia yarn – Ra Ra Raffia from Wool and The Gang
Crochet Hook
Notions
- Scissors.
- Darning needle.
- Tape measure.
- Closed stitch markers
Other Materials
- Thread or cord for the tassel.
- Keyring clip x 1 for the tassel – 1.5 inch/ring – 1 inch
- Keyring clips x 2 for the bag chain – 1 inch
- Gold bag chain – 43 inches
- Pliers
Tassels
- Make 3-6+ tassels from leftover yarns.
- The tassels will be tied together on a keyring to hang from one handle on the bag. (See photos)
- You can view a tutorial showing you how to make tassels here.
Abbreviations
This pattern is written in US crochet terms.
- CH – Chain
- Cont – Continue
- DC – Double crochet
- Patt – Pattern
- PM – Place marker
- Rep – Repeat
- RS – Right side
- SS – Slip stitch
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
- WS – Wrong side
Tote Bag Crochet Pattern
See notes before you start.
The bag is worked with two strands of raffia together.
The Base Of The Bag
- ch 30
- Round 1: dc into the second ch from the hook, dc into every ch until the end. dc twice more in the final ch (3 dc’s in total in the final ch). Place a closed st marker in the center of the 3 sts. Turn the work and dc into every ch on the other side. dc 3 times in the final st. Mark the center of the 3 sts with a closed st marker.
- Round 2: dc into every st until one st before the marker, 2 dc in next st, remove marker, 3 dc in the next st, 2dc in the next st. Replace the marker in the center st of the 3 st increase. rep to finish the other side of the base.
- Rep round 2 once more.
- Your base should measure 15 inches in length and 5.5 inches in width.
- There should be 6 rounds of double crochet in the finished base.
The Body Of The Bag
- Next Round – dc into all the sts into the back loop only.
*Please note – place a marker to denote which is the beginning/end of the round.
- Continue to work in a spiral – dc all of the sts in every round (in both loops) – until the bag measures = 10 inches (rounds worked- 11)
- You can make the bag taller but you will need more raffia.
- Finish the last st with an ss and cut the yarn, leaving a short length of about 3 inches.
- Secure and weave in the ends.
- Weave in all other loose ends.
The Bag Handles
- The bag handles are worked using two strands of raffia together.
- Join the raffia 9 sts in from the side of the bag, and pull up a loop in each of the next 3 sts to work an I-cord.
- You can watch an I-cord video tutorial here.
- I-cord written instructions: Starting with 3 loops as instructed, *pull up a loop through the second ch from hook and third ch from hook (3 loops on hook), slip these 2 loops onto a knitting or cable needle, 1 ch, (slip 1 loop from needle back onto the hook, 1 ch) twice. Rep from * until I-cord is your desired length.
- The I-cord handles are around 28 inches long / 49 rows worked.
- Miss the next 13 sts, join the end of the I-cord to the next 3 sts (crochet and attach to the bag to match the other strap from the front).
- Rep for the other side of the bag.
- You can see in the image below where closed markers have been placed to make it easier to count out the sts needed for the bag handles.
Tassel Charm
- You may wish to add a tassel charm from leftover yarns in your stash.
- For this, you will need a keyring clip with a ring, so that you can tie the tassels onto the ring.
- The keyring clip can then be clipped to the bag, to one of the handles, or wherever you like.
- Alternatively, you may want to tie a colorful scarf or leave the bag as it is!
You can see more crochet bag patterns here.
Grab The Printable PDF
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