How to Make a Crochet Tote Bag

Crochet Tote Bag Overview

Crochet tote bags are not only stylish but also practical accessories that can add a touch of charm to any outfit! These handcrafted bags are perfect for carrying your essentials in a unique and eco-friendly way. Whether you're heading to the beach or running errands around town, a crochet tote bag is a versatile accessory that can easily fit all your belongings while making a fashion statement. With their delicate designs and sturdy construction, crochet tote bags are a must-have for anyone looking to add a handmade touch to their everyday style.

Project Details

• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Finished Size: 13” wide and 21” tall with handle

Materials Needed

• Yarn: #4 Medium / Worsted weight / Cotton blend yarn (approx: 350 yards total)
• I used:
  • Yarn: 2 skeins of Ice Yarn Lorena Worsted (55% Cotton, 45% Acrylic; 174 yards [160 meters] / 100g)
  • Hook: (US) H-8 (5mm) crochet hook
  • Tapestry needle for weaving ends

Gauge

15 sc x 15 rows = (4” x 4”) with (US) H-8 (5mm) crochet hook.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• Ch – chain
• Sc – single stitch
• Hdc – half double crochet
• Dc – double crochet
• Ch-sp – chain space
• Sl st – slip stitch
• St – stitch
• Sk – skip
• Beg – beginning
• * to – repeat * to the instructions.
• [ ] – work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
• (RS) – right side
• (WS) – wrong side

Special Stitches

• V-st – (1 dc, ch 5, 1 dc) in indicated st.
• Dc2tog – yarn over, insert the hook in indicated stitch, yo, pull back through the stitch, yo, pull back through first 2 loops on the hook, yarn over, insert the hook in next stitch, yo, pull back through the stitch, yo, pull back through first 2 loops on the hook, yo, pull back through all the loops on the hook.
• Dc3tog – yarn over, insert the hook in indicated stitch, yo, pull back through the stitch, yo, pull back through first 2 loops on the hook, [yarn over, insert the hook in next stitch, yo, pull back through the stitch, yo, pull back through first 2 loops on the hook] 2 times, yo, pull back through all the loops on the hook.

Notes

• This bag pattern is easy to crochet.
• The pattern works from the bottom up.
• Beg ch does not count as stitch.

Crochet Instructions

Crochet chain 52

Round 1: 3 hdc in 2nd ch from the hook, hdc in each of next 49 st, 3 hdc in last ch, working on the opposite side of the foundation chains, hdc in each of next ch across, join with sl st in first st. (104 hdc total)

Round 2: ch 1, hdc in each st around, join with sl st in first st. (104 hdc total)

Round 3: repeat round 2.

Lay the piece of work on a flat surface, and divide the sts one side 52 stitches. Place a stitch marker on one side corner, count stitches forward and add another marker on the 52nd stitch.

Round 4: join the yarn at the marked st with ch 1, dc in first st and 8 sts, sk next 2 sts, V-st in next st, sk next 2 sts, [dc in each of next 5 st, sk next 2 sts, V-st in next st, sk next 2 sts] 3 times, dc in each of next 17 st, [sk next 2 sts, V-st in next st, sk next 2 sts, dc in each of next 5 st] 3 times, sk next 2 sts, V-st in next st, sk next 2 sts, dc in each of next 8 st, join with sl st in first st. (8 V-sts / 64 dc(s))

Round 5: ch 1, dc in first st and 8 sts, ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of the ch-sp, ch 2, sk next ch 2 and dc of the V-st, [dc in each of next 5 st, ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of the ch-sp, ch 2, sk next ch 2 and dc of the V-st] 3 times, dc in each of next 17 st, ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of the ch-sp, ch 2, sk next ch 2 and dc of the V-st, [dc in each of next 5 st, ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of the ch-sp, ch 2, sk next ch 2 and dc of the V-st] 3 times, dc in each of next 8 st, join with sl st in first st. (64 dc(s))

Round 6: ch 1, dc in first st and 8 sts, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next sc, 2 dc in ch-sp, [sk next 2 sts, V-st in next st, sk next 2 sts, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next sc, 2 dc in ch-sp] 3 times, dc in each of next 17 st, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next sc, 2 dc in ch-sp, [sk next 2 sts, V-st in next st, sk next 2 sts, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next sc, 2 dc in ch-sp] 3 times, dc in each of next 8 st, join with sl st in first st. (6 V-sts / 74 dc(s))

Round 7: ch 1, dc in first st and 8 sts, dc in each of next 5 st, [ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of the ch-sp, ch 2, sk next ch 2 and dc of the V-st, dc in each of next 5 sts] 3 times, dc in each of next 17 st, dc in each of next 5 st, [ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of the ch-sp, ch 2, sk next ch 2 and dc of the V-st, dc in each of next 5 sts] 3 times, dc in each of next 8 st, join with sl st in first st. (74 dc(s))

Round 8: ch 1, dc in first st and 8 sts, [sk next 2 sts, V-st in next st, sk next 2 sts, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next sc, 2 dc in ch-sp] 3 times, sk next 2 sts, V-st in next st, sk next 2 sts, dc in each of next 17 st, [sk next 2 sts, V-st in next st, sk next 2 sts, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next sc, 2 dc in ch-sp] 3 times, sk next 2 sts, V-st in next st, sk next 2 sts, dc in each of next 8 st, join with sl st in first st. (8 V-sts / 64 dc(s))

Round 9: ch 1, dc in first st and 8 sts, ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of the ch-sp, ch 2, sk next ch 2 and dc of the V-st, [dc in each of next 5 sts, ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of the ch-sp, ch 2, sk next ch 2 and dc of the V-st] 3 times, dc in each of next 17 st, ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of the ch-sp, ch 2, sk next ch 2 and dc of the V-st, [dc in each of next 5 sts, ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of the ch-sp, ch 2, sk next ch 2 and dc of the V-st] 3 times, dc in each of next 8 st, join with sl st in first st. (64 dc(s))

Round 10 to 21: repeat round 6 to 9 continuously.

Round 22: ch 1, hdc in each st around including chain space, (crochet 2 hdc in every chain space) (104 hdc total)

Handle Making Instructions

First, you will need to find the centre stitch on both side of the bag, front and back. First, find the 5-dc block on the centre of each side, and mark the 3rd dc of the 5-dc block front and back. Place the stitch marker just above the stitch of the last round (see the image above), count 5 sts from the marked stitch (without marked stitch) to the left and right and place the 2 markers on the 5th stitch. There should be 9 stitches apart. Repeat this on the other side of the bag and place 2 stitch markers on there too.

Start from one of the marked st, start to crochet from inside to outside (see the image above).

Strap Rows

Cut the yarn leaving about 10” long yarn and fasten off.

Repeat this on the other side of the bag. Start from the marked st on the other side and repeat from (RS) row 1 to 31. So you will have completed only two straps on both sides (see the image above) and need to make another two straps from row 3.

Complete the other half done two straps by repeating from (WS) row 3 to 31. Start to crochet from the inside to outside and repeat from (WS) row 3. At the end you will have 4 straps. (see the image above)

Place the same side straps together, (be careful not to twist the straps), using a tapestry needle and yarn tail, sew straps together. Repeat this for other straps, too.

Finishing Touches

Complete edging inside and outside of the edge of the two straps. Join with ch 1, work sc in each st around.

Fasten off and weave the ends.