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Easy Crochet Tote Bag – Free Pattern for Beginners
Introduction
A crochet tote bag is one of the most useful and beginner-friendly crochet projects you can make. Handmade tote bags are perfect for grocery shopping, carrying books, beach trips, or everyday use.
In this tutorial, I will show you how to crochet a simple and sturdy tote bag using basic crochet stitches. This pattern is beginner-friendly and easy to customize with your favorite yarn colors.
If you are looking for a practical crochet project that also makes a great handmade gift, this crochet tote bag is a perfect choice.
Why Make a Crochet Tote Bag?
Crochet tote bags are popular because they are:
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Reusable and eco-friendly
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Strong enough for daily use
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Easy to customize with colors and decorations
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A great beginner crochet project
Many tote bag patterns use basic stitches such as chain, single crochet, and double crochet, making them ideal for crocheters who are still learning the craft.
Materials Needed
To crochet this tote bag, you will need:
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Medium-weight cotton yarn or acrylic yarn
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Crochet hook (size 4 mm – 5 mm recommended)
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Yarn needle
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Scissors
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Stitch marker (optional)
Cotton yarn is often recommended for tote bags because it is durable and holds its shape well.
Crochet Abbreviations
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ch – chain
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sc – single crochet
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dc – double crochet
dc2tog- double crochet two together
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sl st – slip stitch
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st – stitch
Step-by-Step Crochet Tote Bag Pattern
Now let’s do our project in making the crochet bag. You can use yarn as your preference. But cotton yarns are easily entangled with dirt and difficult to wash away and take time to dry.
First, we have to think of the size of our bag. I have shown the bottom of the bag here to show you how to get the measurement. Herewith my yarn I have taken the length of the foundation chain as 13” and its ended up with a width equal to 15” or 38cms.
Step 1 :Frist make a long chain by counting and measuring it to see if it has the needed length. Then get the nearest number of multiple of 7. That is the final number of chains should be divided by 7. Further, it should be an even number, that is should be divided by 2 also. For example, 168 chains, 182 chains, 196 chains, etc.
Actually, the thickness of the yarn also affects the size. If you want a big bag, you can use thick yarn, and then you can have somewhat less number of chains. If the yarn is thin, you have to make more chains to get a large-sized bag.
Now you have the foundation chain.
Round1: Make 3 dc into the third chain from the hook. Then make double crochets (dc) to each of the remaining chains except the last chain, into the last chain make 6 dcs. Then work on the backside of the foundation chain. Make 1 dc into each of the chains and into the last chain make 3 dcs. Then join the first dc with a slip stitch.
2: Chain 2, make 2dc to each of the next 3 stitches. Then
make 1 dc along each of the next dcs until you come to the set of
6dc stitches. Then make 2dc into each of the 6 dc. Then make 1dc
along each of the next stitches until you come to the 3 sets of 2dc
stitches. . Make 2dc into each of the 3 sets of dcs. Join the first dc (2ch)with a slip stitch
3: Chain 2. Make *(2dc),1dc* alternately to each of the next 6 stitches. Then make 1 dc along each of the next dcs. Then make *2dc,1dc* into each of the set of 12 dc. Then make 1 dc along each of the next dcs until you come to the 3 sets of 2dcs. Into each of these 6 dc make *2dc,1dc* alternately. Then join to the 1st dc.
4: Chain 2, make 1dc (into the back loop) around and join with a slip stitch to the first dc made.
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| Half way of 4th round |
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| Finishing the round |
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| Joining to the 1st dc |
Now the base/bottom of the bag is made.
7: Make 5 chains and make 1 dc into the same stitch. Chain 5 skip 6dc. Dc in the next stitch, chain 2 dc in the same stitch. (V stitch) *Ch5, skip 6, (dc, ch2, dc )* repeat. From * to * around. Join with a slip stitch to the 3rd chain of the 5 chains made at the beginning of the round.
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| Round 7 |
How to do 2dc.tog. stitch: This is done in the V stitch of the previous row.
Yarn over insert the hook into the V stitch and pull up the yarn now
you have 3 loops on the hook. Pull up the yarn and release 2
loops. Now you have 2 loops on the hook. Again yarn over, insert
the hook and pull up the yarn and release 2 loops. Now you have 3
loops on the hook. Pull through all three loops.
We should do it 4 times in the space of V stitch. In between each 2dc tog. stitch there should be 1 chain.)
Round 8: Into the next space of chain two(V stitch) make *Chain 1, 2dc tog. stitch, then ch1*. Repeat from* to*3 more times; Then *ch1, dc in the 3rd dc below, ch1, (2 dc together x4) in the V stitch *
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| dc on the 3rd dc below in between 4 dc together groups |
Repeat from* to*around. Now you have reached the 2 dc together stitch made at the beginning. Now add (chain 1, (2 dc together) 3 times to the same space. Join with a slip stitch to the first 2dc tog. stitch made at the beginning.
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| Round 8 |
9: Make slip stitches into the next 2, chain 1 spaces and then into the dc. Chain 5, dc in the same stitch, chain 5, skip the next (2 dc together x4) group. In to the next dc below, make * (dc chain 2 dc), ch 5, skip the next (2 dc together x4) group*. Repeat from *to*around. Join with a slip stitch to the 3rd chain of the beginning 5 chains.
10: Make a slip stitch into the next chain 2 space of the V stitch. Make a 2 dc together stitch in the same space. Chain 1, into the V stitch 2 dc together 3 more times. * ch1,dc in the middle of the 4, 2dc together group, Chain 1, into the V stitch 2 dc together x4* Repeat around.
From Round 11, you can repeat round 9 and round 10 alternately to get the needed height.
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| Half-finished bag |
Top part and handles.
Now we have the final round which is similar to round 10. This is with an uneven upper edge and as the top, we have to make it even. To do this start from where you finished the last round.
Make ch1 and single crochets in the top of 4 dc 2 tog. stitches. Half double crochets in each of the next ch 1 space, dc, and ch 1 space. * 1 Sc on top of each of the next 4 (dc 2tog.stitches.) (Do not make 1sc into the ch1 space between dc2tog.stitches.) Hdcs in the next ch 1 space, dc, and ch1 space* Repeat from * to *around. Sc in the last four dc2 tog. stitches. Join with a sl.st. to the first single crochet you made.
Next 4 rounds: Ch1 sc in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to the 1st sc you made. Fasten off.
Handles
Now we can make handles. These handles are not separately attached but continue with the top part.
Keep the bag on a flat surface and first select the places you are going to start the handles. From each side of the bag measure equal distance and mark it on both sides of the bag with stitch markers or simply with a piece of another colour yarn. Otherwise, you can count an equal number of 2dctog. groups from either side. (I have counted 6 groups from either side and marked them.) Now join the yarn to the marked stitch of one side and make a chain with a length of 19” or as your liking. (I have crocheted a shoulder bag to keep my hands free. So, handles should be rather long).
To avoid the twisting of this long chain, make 1 single crochet to the 2nd chain from the hook and 1sc to each of the chains remaining. (Working backwardly along the chain). Then again make 1 sc into each of the sc along. Then join the free end of the long chain to the next marking of the same side of the bag. From there you should make single crochets until you reach the next marker of the other side of the bag.
Then start to make the long chain of 19” (2nd handle) and strengthen it by two rows of single crochets. Then join to the next mark of the same side. Then make single crochets along the top edge until you reach the attached point of the first handle. Work 1sc to each of the sc along with the handle. From there, make single crochets along the top edge, along with the 2nd handle, and again the top edge. Likewise, make many rows and stop when you get the desired handle width.
You can attach a bunch of flowers to decorate the bag. In the next post, I will explain to you the crocheting of a flower.
You can personalize your crochet tote bag with:
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Crochet flowers
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Buttons
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Tassels
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Color stripes
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Granny square panels
Adding decorations can turn a simple bag into a unique handmade accessory.
Tips for a Strong Crochet Tote Bag
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Use tight stitches so the bag does not stretch too much.
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Choose cotton yarn for better durability.
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Reinforce the handles with extra rows of crochet.
These small adjustments can make your crochet bag stronger and longer-lasting.
Final Thoughts
Crocheting a tote bag is a fun and rewarding project for beginners and experienced crocheters alike. This simple pattern allows you to create a stylish and practical bag that can be used every day.
Once you learn the basic technique, you can experiment with different yarns, stitches, and designs to make unique crochet bags.
Handmade crochet bags are not only beautiful but also a great way to reduce plastic bag usage and create sustainable accessories.
You may also like:
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Crochet Snowman Pattern
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Crochet Table Mats
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Crochet Baby Sweater
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