Simple Crochet Tote
This is a pattern for the bag itself, not the colour pattern as I made that up as I went. You can make this bag in whatever colour pattern you want. For instruction on doing tapestry crochet, please see videos like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wGsqonucco&t=242s
This bag works with a multiple of 10 which makes for easy geometric designs.
Materials:
4.5mm crochet hook
Bernat Handicrafter Cotton yarn
Scissors
Yarn Needle
1 large Button
Stitch Markers
Pattern:
Round 1:
Ch 22
Ch 1, sc x 3 in 2nd ch from hook
Sc in next 20 ch
Sc x 4 in last ch, turn
Sc in next 20 ch (on opposite side)
Round 2:
Work directly into next round by doing 2sc in intial ch 1 (mark 1st st of new round with a stitch marker, move it up with every round to keep place)
Work directly into next round by doing 2sc in intial ch 1 (mark 1st st of new round with a stitch marker, move it up with every round to keep place)
2sc in next 3 st
Sc in next 20 st
2sc in next 4 st
Sc in next 20 st
Round 3:
(sc, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
(sc, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
Round 4:
(sc in next 2 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
(sc in next 2 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
Round 5:
(sc in next 3 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
(sc in next 3 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
Round 6:
(sc in next 4 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
(sc in next 4 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
Round 7:
(sc in next 5 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
(sc in next 5 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
Round 8:
(sc in next 6 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
(sc in next 6 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
Round 9:
(sc in next 7 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
(sc in next 7 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
Round 10:
(sc in next 8 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
(sc in next 8 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
You should have 120 stitches around in total now, and that is the last of the increasing rows, though if you want a larger bag you could continue in the same manner. Now just continually sc around, remembering to keep your stitch marker to mark the beginning of your round so you know where to finish off. Keep going until the bag reaches desired height and change colours as desired to create whatever pattern you want, whether making stripes, solid colour, tapestry patterns, etc.
When at about the height you want, stop. Lay bag flat and use stitch markers to mark the halfway point on each side of the bag. Count your stitches - you should have 59 stitches between each marker (60 including marker).
On the front side of the bag (not the side your row changed when working up, especially if changing colours), mark the centre 3 stitches.
Sc around again, this time when you get to those middle 3 stitches, chain 3, skip the 3 stitches, and then continue to sc around. This will be a button hole. If you don't want a button you can skip this part.
Sc around again, and this time sc in your 3 chain spaces as you work around. Move your side stitch markers up because you will still need them for the next part. Tie off your yarn.
From your side markers, count over 15 stitches on each side (not including the marked st), and mark the next st (the 16th). This should give you 4 more markers, and you can remove the side markers now.
Start a new row in either the same or a different colour by tying on your yarn next to your stitch marker (not toward the middle, but toward the side on the left). Sc until you get to your next marker, then ch 70 (you can do more or less depending on how long you want your handles to be). Skip the space between that st marker and the next, then on the other side of the next, join with a sc and continue to sc until you get to the next maker. Again, ch 70 (or however many you wanted). Skip the space between markers again and join with a sc where you started this row.
For your next row, sc around, including in each of your chains. For the next row, sc around.
At this point I like to change colours, and sc around again, making your straps 3 rows wide (not counting the chains). Tie off.
In the last colour, join your yarn on the inside of your handle space and sc around the entire inside space, including along the opposite side of your chains. This is optional, but it makes the straps sturdier. Sl st when you make it around and tie off. Repeat on other side.
Remember that you have a button space if you included that step, and sew a button to the inside of the bag opposite to the button hole. This just makes it so you can close the bag if you want to.
Weave in and tie off any loose ends, and you're done!
As for lining the bag with fabric, that is beyond my skill at this point but you can find that info on other sites.
If you need any clarification, want to point out an error, or if you want to give me any feedback, please leave a comment.
Round 6:
(sc in next 4 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
(sc in next 4 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
Round 7:
(sc in next 5 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
(sc in next 5 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
Round 8:
(sc in next 6 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
(sc in next 6 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
Round 9:
(sc in next 7 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
(sc in next 7 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
Round 10:
(sc in next 8 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
(sc in next 8 st, 2sc) x 4
Sc in next 20 st
You should have 120 stitches around in total now, and that is the last of the increasing rows, though if you want a larger bag you could continue in the same manner. Now just continually sc around, remembering to keep your stitch marker to mark the beginning of your round so you know where to finish off. Keep going until the bag reaches desired height and change colours as desired to create whatever pattern you want, whether making stripes, solid colour, tapestry patterns, etc.
When at about the height you want, stop. Lay bag flat and use stitch markers to mark the halfway point on each side of the bag. Count your stitches - you should have 59 stitches between each marker (60 including marker).
On the front side of the bag (not the side your row changed when working up, especially if changing colours), mark the centre 3 stitches.
Sc around again, this time when you get to those middle 3 stitches, chain 3, skip the 3 stitches, and then continue to sc around. This will be a button hole. If you don't want a button you can skip this part.
Sc around again, and this time sc in your 3 chain spaces as you work around. Move your side stitch markers up because you will still need them for the next part. Tie off your yarn.
From your side markers, count over 15 stitches on each side (not including the marked st), and mark the next st (the 16th). This should give you 4 more markers, and you can remove the side markers now.
Start a new row in either the same or a different colour by tying on your yarn next to your stitch marker (not toward the middle, but toward the side on the left). Sc until you get to your next marker, then ch 70 (you can do more or less depending on how long you want your handles to be). Skip the space between that st marker and the next, then on the other side of the next, join with a sc and continue to sc until you get to the next maker. Again, ch 70 (or however many you wanted). Skip the space between markers again and join with a sc where you started this row.
For your next row, sc around, including in each of your chains. For the next row, sc around.
At this point I like to change colours, and sc around again, making your straps 3 rows wide (not counting the chains). Tie off.
In the last colour, join your yarn on the inside of your handle space and sc around the entire inside space, including along the opposite side of your chains. This is optional, but it makes the straps sturdier. Sl st when you make it around and tie off. Repeat on other side.
Remember that you have a button space if you included that step, and sew a button to the inside of the bag opposite to the button hole. This just makes it so you can close the bag if you want to.
Weave in and tie off any loose ends, and you're done!
As for lining the bag with fabric, that is beyond my skill at this point but you can find that info on other sites.
If you need any clarification, want to point out an error, or if you want to give me any feedback, please leave a comment.
