Intermediate
What the pattern's own author called it. Nothing here is graded again.
Bags & Totes 13 Laid out for paper No account, no download
Herringbone Stitch Tote Bag With Rolled Rose Trim
Flat 61-sc base, G-6 herringbone sides, E-4 rolled roses and vine appliqué trim.
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Time
- 6-8 hours
- Yarn weight
- Worsted
- Hook
- 4.0 mm
- Rounds
- 13
Worsted
What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.
13
Each one is typed out whole and gets its own line.
This tote starts flat: a rectangular base of 61 single crochet worked over 18 rows gives the bag a proper bottom that sits upright. From there, stitches are picked up around the entire perimeter and worked upward in continuous rounds using a herringbone half double crochet that produces a diagonal chevron texture across the body without changing the stitch count. Two handles are worked flat, folded into tubes, and sewn on, while rolled roses and leaves made on a smaller E-4 hook form the top-edge garland and vine trim. Have both hook sizes, five colors of worsted cotton, and stitch markers ready before starting.
Common mistakes and their fixes
- Pulling through both loops in herringbone
- Step 3 of the herringbone stitch calls for drawing through only the loop closest to the hook tip, leaving two loops before the final pull-through. Completing it like a normal sc removes the offset that creates the diagonal slant.
- Losing track of the 18 base rows
- Count rows against a marker placed every few rows along the edge rather than relying on measuring alone. Stopping short or working an extra row throws off the Setup Round stitch counts for Body Sides.
- Using one hook for both body and florals
- Working the roses and leaves on the G-6 hook instead of the E-4 loosens the coil and makes it hard to roll tightly. Reserve the E-4 hook for Section 4 and 5 trim pieces only.
The materials list
- Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Peach, Succulent, Terracotta, Ecru, and Pumpkin. This mercerized cotton holds stitch definition beautifully and washes well.
- Paintbox Yarns Simply DK used at a tight gauge in Blush Pink, Grass Green, Melon Sorbet, Vanilla Cream, and Tangerine. Excellent stitch clarity with a matte finish.
- WeCrochet Comfy Worsted in Tutu, Clover, Conch, Bare, and Grapefruit. The cotton and acrylic blend makes it soft, durable, and perfect for a bag that will see regular use.
- Choose a smooth, plied cotton yarn. Avoid fuzzy or halo yarns because they will hide that gorgeous herringbone texture.
Yarn
- Main Color (MC): Peach or Salmon, approximately 650 yards of worsted weight cotton or cotton blend yarn
- Color A (CA): Sage Green, approximately 80 yards worsted weight
- Color B (CB): Coral or Terra Cotta, approximately 30 yards worsted weight
- Color C (CC): Cream or Off White, approximately 20 yards worsted weight
- Color D (CD): Burnt Orange, approximately 20 yards worsted weight
Hooks
- US Size G-6 (4.0 mm) for the body and handles
- US Size E-4 (3.5 mm) for roses and leaves
Notions
- Yarn needle or tapestry needle
- At least 6 stitch markers
- Scissors
Optional
- bag stiffener spray or plastic canvas for extra structure
Optional
- lining fabric and sewing supplies
Listed by the pattern's own author, in their words.
Key to this pattern, 17 short forms
Special Stitches Explained Step by Step
Herringbone Single Crochet (HBsc) This stitch creates the diagonal texture across the bag body. Here is how to work it:
Step by step: Step 1: Insert your hook into the designated stitch. Step 2: Yarn over and draw up a loop. You now have 2 loops on your hook. Step 3: Instead of completing a normal single crochet, draw through only the first loop on your hook (the one closest to the tip). You still have 2 loops. Step 4: Yarn over and draw through both remaining loops to complete the stitch.
The offset pull-through creates a diagonal slant. When you work this stitch continuously in rounds, you get that beautiful chevron texture.
Rolled Rose
With your rose color and E-4 hook, ch 16. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, (2 dc in next ch) 6 times, (2 hdc in next ch) 3 times, sc in last 3 ch. (21 sts) Fasten off, leaving a 10-inch tail.Step by step: Starting from the sc end, roll the strip tightly into a coil. Thread the tail onto a yarn needle and stitch through the base of the coil multiple times to secure the rolled shape. Keep the tail attached to sew the rose to the bag later.
Three-Leaf Cluster
With CA and E-4 hook, ch 10. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next ch. (8 sts for first leaf) Ch 10 again from the same base point. Repeat Step 2 for a second leaf. Ch 8 from the same base. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next 2 ch, sc in next ch, sl st in last ch. (6 sts for smaller third leaf) Fasten off leaving a 10-inch tail for attachment.
Single Leaf
With CA and E-4 hook, ch 9. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in last ch. (8 sts) Ch 1, do not turn. Working back along the opposite side of the foundation chain: sl st in first ch, sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next 2, hdc in next, sc in next, sl st in last. Fasten off leaving a tail for attachment.
Section 1: The Base
The base is rectangular and worked flat in rows.
Foundation: With MC and G-6 hook, ch 62.
Round 1
(RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (61 sc)
Rounds 2–18
Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (61 sc) After Row 18, do not ch 1 and do not turn.
Your base should measure approximately 14 inches wide x 4.5 inches deep.
Section 2: Body Sides
Now you will pick up stitches around the entire perimeter of the base and work upward in continuous rounds.
Setup Round
With RS facing and continuing from the last stitch of Row 18: Work 1 sc in the end of each row along the right short side: 18 sc. Work 1 sc in each of the 61 foundation chain stitches along the bottom: 61 sc. Work 1 sc in the end of each row along the left short side: 18 sc. Work 1 sc in each of the 61 sts across Row 18: 61 sc. Place marker, sl st to join. (158 sc total)
Round 1
Ch 1 (does not count as a st). HBsc in each st around. Pm at beginning of round. (158 HBsc)
Rounds 2–30
HBsc in each st around. (158 HBsc)After Round 30, your body wall height should be approximately 6 inches. Total bag height including base should be approximately 11 inches.
Round 31
Top Edge Preparation Sc in each st around. Sl st to join. (158 sc) Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail. Weave in the tail.
Section 3: Handles (Make 2)
Foundation: With MC and G-6 hook, ch 62.
Round 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (61 sc)
Rounds 2–4
Sc in BLO of each st across. Ch 1, turn (except after Row 4). (61 sc) After Row 4, do not turn. Work around the entire piece: Work 3 sc in the last st (corner), sc in the end of each of the 3 rows along the short edge (3 sc), 3 sc in corner st at the foundation chain end, sc back along the opposite side of the foundation chain for 61 sc, 3 sc in corner, sc in the 3 row ends along the other short edge, 3 sc in corner, sl st to join.Fold the strip lengthwise so the two long edges meet. Sl st through both layers along the entire length to create a rounded tube. Fasten off.Attachment: Position each handle centered on the front and back panels. The inner edges should be approximately 3 inches apart. Sew handle ends securely with whipstitch, reinforced with cross-stitches for durability.
Section 4: Top Edge Floral Garland Trim
Garland Row 1
Join CA to any st of the top edge with sl st. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st to join. (158 sc)
Garland Row 2
Leaf Tab Row Ch 1. Working into Garland Row 1 sts: Ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in last ch of ch-5, sl st in same base sc, sl st in next sc. Repeat around. Sl st to join. Fasten off CA. (79 leaf tabs around)Rose Placement: Make the following roses: 7 roses in CB (Coral)
5 roses in CC (Cream)
6 roses in CD (Burnt Orange)
Space these 18 roses evenly around the top edge, approximately every 8 to 9 stitches. Alternate colors so no two adjacent roses match.
Make 9 Three-Leaf Clusters in CA and sew them between rose groupings with leaves extending slightly downward.
Section 5: Diagonal Vine Applique
The diagonal vine runs from the upper left of the front panel to the lower right.
Components needed: 9 Single Leaves in CA 3 roses in CB (Coral)
2 roses in CC (Cream)
2 roses in CD (Burnt Orange)
Mark your diagonal path with pins before sewing. Start approximately 1 inch from the top edge and 1 inch from the left side seam. End approximately 1 inch from the bottom edge and 1 inch from the right side seam.
Space leaves and roses at approximately 2 to 2.5 inch intervals along the diagonal. Position 2 leaves flanking each rose, with solo leaves between roses.
Sew each piece through both layers of the bag body for durability.
Total Rose and Leaf Count
Roses needed: Top edge garland: 18 roses (7 CB, 5 CC, 6 CD)
Diagonal vine: 7 roses (3 CB, 2 CC, 2 CD)
Total: 25 roses Leaves needed: Three-Leaf Clusters for garland: 9 clusters Single Leaves for diagonal vine: 9 leaves
Assembly, in order
Step 1Weave in all yarn ends securely. For each rose tail, pass through the base at least twice before weaving in to prevent unrolling.
Step 2Lightly mist the finished bag with cool water. Do not soak. Gently shape by hand to ensure the sides are straight and the base corners are square.
Step 3Insert a folded towel or plastic canvas cut to base dimensions inside the bag to hold its shape while drying. Allow to air dry completely, about 24 hours.
Step 4For extra structure, apply a light spray of bag stiffener to the exterior.
Check these before you start
- Work the herringbone stitch at a firm, even tension in cotton. A loose tension softens the chevron lines and undermines the stiff fabric the bag relies on for shape.
- Mark the four base corners before the Body Sides Setup Round. Picking up 18 sc along each short side and 61 sc along each long side keeps the corners square rather than flared.
- Approximately 14 inches wide x 11 inches tall x 5 inches deep, not including handles. The handles add approximately 9 inches of rise from the top edge.
- Using MC and G-6 hook in Herringbone Single Crochet: 18 stitches x 20 rows = 4 inches x 4 inches. To check your gauge, chain 24 and work herringbone single crochet across for 22 rows. Block lightly and measure the center 4 inches. Adjust your hook size if needed. Gauge matters here: too loose and your bag will be floppy, too tight and it will be smaller than intended.
On one line
| Rounds | 13 |
|---|---|
| Parts | 7 |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Time | 6-8 hours |
| Hook | 4.0 mm |
| Yarn | Worsted |
Set-up
- Wind off the full 650 yards of MC before beginning the base; running short partway through 18 rows means an awkward mid-row join.
- Place a stitch marker at each short-side corner of the finished base so the Setup Round of Body Sides is easy to count: 18 sc, 61 sc, 18 sc, 61 sc.
- Work a small herringbone swatch first to confirm the offset pull-through produces a visible diagonal slant rather than a flat regular sc.
- Read through Section 1 fully before starting; after Row 18 you stop chaining and turning, which changes the rhythm of the row.
Finishing
- Weave in all yarn ends securely; pass each rose tail through the base at least twice before weaving in to keep the coil from unrolling.
- Mist the finished bag lightly with cool water (do not soak) and shape it by hand so the sides run straight and the base corners are square.
- Insert a folded towel or plastic canvas cut to the base dimensions, let the bag air dry about 24 hours, then apply a light spray of bag stiffener if extra structure is wanted.
Construction
The base is worked flat in 18 rows of 61 sc rather than in the round because a flat rectangle gives the bag a true bottom edge to pick up stitches from, rather than a rounded shape that would roll.
The Body Sides Setup Round picks up stitches at a fixed ratio around the base perimeter: 18 sc along each short row-end side and 61 sc along each long side. This matched count is what keeps the walls rising straight instead of pulling the corners out of square.
Time per section
| Base (Section 1) | about 1 to 1.5 hours because 18 rows of 61 sc each is steady, repetitive single crochet. |
|---|---|
| Body Sides in herringbone (Section 2) | about 2 to 3 hours because continuous rounds in herringbone stitch demand close attention to the offset pull-through to keep the diagonal lines even. |
| Handles, roses, leaves, and trim (Sections 3 to 5) | about 2 to 3 hours because rolling and securing each coil tightly, then placing the garland and vine appliqué, is fiddly, detailed work. |
Common questions
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.