Very Versatile Tote Bag

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This is a FREE Pattern for you to enjoy!

Makes a great gift for Mom, Sister, Teacher or Best Friend — Mother’s Day, Birthday, Holiday or Vacation Get-Away! You may even delight in making one of these for YOURSELF!

Create this fun tote bag in a striped or solid pattern. The handles and bottom of the tote bag are crocheted using a double strand of yarn to make them sturdy. The body of the bag will be floppy and unable to stand on its own when empty, but that makes it easy to fold the empty bag for transporting on shopping sprees or packing in a suitcase! The bottom of the bag is approximately 13 inches by 6 inches. Height laying flat is also approximately 13 inches.

Materials:

  • 2 skeins Red Heart Super Saver yarn – I or more colors depending upon the design you desire. (364 yards each skein will give you plenty to work in a nice stripe design)
  • H / 5.00 mm Crochet Hook
  • Yarn needle

Stitches:

  • Ch = chain stitch
  • Sc = single crochet
  • Sl st = slip stitch
  • Dc = double crochet

BOTTOM of TOTE BAG

You will begin crocheting the bag with double strands of yarn to create a sturdier base.

Row 1: Using one strand of yarn from each skein to make a double strand, ch 17. Sc in back bump of first ch from hook and across, Total of 16 sc with double stranded yarn.

Rows 2 – 38: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across. Total of 16 sc.

Row 39 around the outside of base: This should result in a total of 108 sc. Ch 1, 2 sc in same sc. Do not turn. Sc in end of each row. (39 sc)

Sc in each ch stitch of beginning row. (16 sc)

Sc in end of each row. (38 sc)

Sc in next 15 sc. (15sc)

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Very Versatile Tote Figure 1: Completed bottom of tote bag. (Note: this base is 17 single crochet wide rather than 16 as indicated in the pattern).

Join with sl st into beginning sc of round. At the joining stitch, YO with one strand of yarn only (choose the color you want for the bottom stripe). Cut off the remaining strand. Be sure to leave a good 6-inch tail on the second strand to weave in later. Total of 108 sc around.

V Tote Around the base
Very Versatile Tote Figure 2: First 2 photos illustrate how to begin Row 39. Third photo illustrates beginning of Round 1 of bag body which transitions to a single strand of yarn.

BODY OF TOTE BAG

The body of the tote bag will be worked in rounds in whatever solid or striped pattern you desire. Be sure to save enough yarn from the second skein of yarn to crochet the handles with double strands. Otherwise, use the same color throughout the body or use your imagination to create a bag with 2 or more stripe colors!

Round 1: Working with one strand of yarn for remainder of tote bag body, Ch 1. Do NOT Turn. Sc in same sc. Sc in each sc around. Join with sl st into beginning sc. Total of 108 sc.

Round 2: Ch 1. TURN. Sc in same sc. Sc in each sc around. Join with sl st into beginning sc. Total of 108 sc.

Round 3: Ch 2. TURN. Dc in each sc around. Join with sl st into top stitch of beginning ch 2. (Change color, if desired, with joining stitch at the end of dc round.)

Round 4 — 33: Repeat rounds 2 and 3 fifteen more times. Bag will take shape the more rounds you complete.

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Very Versatile Tote Figure 3: The body of the tote bag will begin to take shape in the first few rounds.

Round 34: Ch 1, turn. Sc in same stitch and in each sc around. Join with sl st into beginning sc.

Round 35: Ch 1, Do not Turn. Sc in same sc. Sc in each sc around. Join with sl st into beginning sc. Fasten off. * The total number of stitches should be consistent for each round, but don’t panic if a few extras sneak in there before reaching round 35! I have designed the handles to be independent of the final number of stitches! 😉

Fasten off, tuck tails, and trim all loose end throughout bag.

HANDLES FOR TOTE BAG – Make 2.

Using one strand of yarn from each skein to make a double strand, make a slip knot, leaving a nice long 12-inch tail. This will be used to attach the handle to the bag body. Ch 5. Sc into back bumps of first 4 sc.

Row 2 – 41: Ch 1 turn. Sc in next 4 sc. (Note: Make more or less rows depending upon the desired length of the handles.)

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Very Versatile Tote Figure 4: Be sure to leave a nice long tail on both ends of the handles.

End of Last Row: Fasten off, leaving a nice long 12-inch tail to sew handle to bag body.

Center handles on bag body. Use pins or stitch counters to hold handles in desired position. Use the remaining 12-inch tails to SECURELY whip stitch handles to bag body, aligning V shapes of single crochet stitches on handle with those on the bag body. Fasten off, tuck tails, and trim.

V Tote Handles
Very Versatile Tote Figure 5: Center Handles on each side of bag. Use the excess yarn tails to SECURELY whip stitch the handles in place.

Embellish your tote bag or use it as is. ENJOY!!!

Pattern and photos (c) 2018 to present Patricia J. Angus of Granny’s Crochet Shoppe

All rights reserved. Pattern and photos may not be reproduced or distributed in any manner. Please make as many tote bags as you desire to sell in your shops and for fundraisers! Please include a link to http://grannyscrochetshoppe.com when possible.
THANK YOU!