Beginner Tote Bag

An easy crochet pattern from Bernat Yarns is this tote bag for beginners. Bernat Softee Chunky yarn is used for a nice solid bag. The metal belt buckle is a great closure that you just have to sew on. Crochet totes like this one are so fun to make because they're practical and roomy. Use this as your everyday bag and keep all of your essentials inside. It's the perfect bag to bring to and from work or even on errands. Bags make excellent gifts, too, because person can never have too many purses. Get started on a fun and practical project when you make this beautiful tote.

Beginner

Crochet HookL/11 or 8 mm hook

Yarn Weight(6) Super Bulky/Super Chunky (4-11 stitches for 4 inches)

Crochet Gauge9 dc and 4 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] with 2 strands of yarn.

Finished SizeApprox 14 ins [35.5 cm] square (excluding Handles).

Materials List

Bernat® Softee Chunky (100 g/3.5 oz) - Contrast A (Black) 3 balls; Contrast B (Purple) 3 balls
Size 8 mm (U.S. L or 11) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge. Metal belt buckle 4 ins [10 cm] in diameter.

INSTRUCTIONS

Front and Back (make alike)

With 1 strand each of A and B tog, ch 32.
Foundation row: (WS). 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. 31 sc. Turn.
1st row: Ch 3 (counts as dc). 1 dc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each dc to end of row. Turn.
Rep last 2 rows until work from beg measures 14 ins [35.5 cm], ending on a 2nd row. Fasten off.

Flap

With 1 strand each of A and B tog, ch 9.
Foundation row: (WS). 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. 8 sc. Turn.
1st row: Ch 3 (counts as dc). 1 dc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each dc to end of row. Turn.
Rep last 2 rows 5 times more.
Next row: (RS). Ch 1. Draw up a loop in each of next 2 sc. Yoh and draw through all 3 loops on hook - Sc2tog made. 1 sc in each of next 4 sc. Sc2tog over last 2 sc. 6 sts. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1. Sc2tog over first 2 sts. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. 4 sts. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1. Sc2tog over first 2 sts. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. 2 sts. Fasten off.

Handles (make 2)

With 1 strand each of A and B tog, ch 69.
1st row: (RS). Ch 1. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
Rep last row until work from beg measures 4 ins [10 cm]. Fasten off.

FINISHING

With WS of Front and Back tog, sew side and bottom seams. Place markers on upper edge 3 ins [7.5 cm] in from side seams.
Fold each Handle in half lengthwise and sew foundation row and last row tog. Sew Handles to upper edges of Bag centering handles on markers.
Center foundation row of Flap on back of Bag approx 2 ins [5 cm] below upper edge. Sew in position. Fold Flap over upper edge of Bag and mark position of buckle on front of Bag using picture as guide. Sew buckle to front of Bag.

Abbreviations

Approx: Approximately

Beg: Beginning

Dc: Double Crochet

Rep: Repeat

RS: Right Side

Sc: Single Crochet

St(s): Stitch(es)

Tog: Together

WS: Wrong Side

Yoh: Yarn over hook

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elocin1104 2800379

May 22, 2018

I love this tote bag pattern! It looks like such a durable bag, it would be great for carrying around your current work in progress. If I make this, I will most likely make the straps a little bit thinner. They look awfully bulky to me compared to the rest of the bag.

desertmermaid1111

Jun 17, 2020

I thought the exact thing about the straps looking really bulky, but otherwise it's a cute bag. Did you make it with thinner straps? If so, how did it turn out?

Knittingdancer on Ravelry

Nov 13, 2017

Dishcloths

maryellenstorm 680 6713

Nov 12, 2017

I like making afghans. My goal is to make one for each of my children and their spouses and my grandchildren.

kimlennie 9336847

Nov 09, 2017

I love anything Christmas especially stockings. I have done many tote bags and this looks like a nice to try. Thanks for the chance to win. Good Luck to All.

tgruy

Nov 07, 2017

This seems easy enough to be my first bag project. My favorite thing to crochet is vests and cardigans.

ridiculosity 67303 43

Nov 06, 2017

This looks pretty easy, but my favorite thing to crochet must be lace shawls. And nobody can tell if I make a small mistake!

Laura P

Apr 06, 2017

What cool tote bag! I love the color! This seems like it would be a good book bag.

KathrynAllison

Nov 04, 2016

This tote bag looks very chic. I love the idea of being able to make something that looks just as good or even better than something you can find at a department store.

ttaylor5455 312376 4

Oct 13, 2016

I am a beginner at Crocheting. What does it mean where in the pattern it says "Row 1- Ch3 ( this counts as a Dc) I have seen this in other patterns where it says something in brackets that you count as.....or don't count as...for the rest of the pattern. I don't know what the significance of these terms mean in relation to the patterns. I don't know if I've explained my question very well but I would really appreciate your help with this. Thank You Teresa

Editor Dana

Oct 13, 2016

Hi there! Thanks so much for asking! Because you chain 3 at the beginning of the row, that height counts as a double crochet. So when you count your stitches at the end of the row (say you're supposed to end up with 20 stitches), that chain-3 counts for one of the 20 stitches. Another way of looking at it might be to chain 3, then do 19 double crochets to equal a row of 20 stitches. I hope that helps clarify! Let me know if I can be more clear. Thanks! -Editors of FaveCrafts