Easy to confident beginner
What the pattern's own author called it. Nothing here is graded again.
Crochet Bags 14 Laid out for paper No account, no download
Pastel stripe crochet tote bag with structured handles
Pastel striped crochet tote: flat base, 144-st joined rounds, sc/hdc body, 4.5mm hook.
- Skill
- Easy to confident beginner
- Time
- 4-6 hours
- Yarn weight
- Medium (Worsted/Cotton)
- Hook
- 4.5 mm
- Rounds
- 14
Medium (Worsted/Cotton)
What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.
14
Each one is typed out whole and gets its own line.
This tote starts flat: a rectangular base of 60 stitches worked back and forth for twelve rows, giving the bottom a stable shape before anything is joined. The body is picked up directly from the base edges and worked in joined rounds of 144 stitches, moving between single crochet and half double crochet as the color changes. Two flat straps are worked separately and sewn on last. Before starting, have 900 yards of medium-weight cotton in four colors, a 4.5 mm hook, stitch markers, and a yarn needle within reach.
Common mistakes and their fixes
- Uneven edges
- Count stitches at the end of every round to maintain the rectangular shape.
- Loose handles
- Sew handles across multiple rows instead of attaching them with only a few stitches.
- Bag stretching
- Use cotton yarn and avoid making the fabric too loose.
- Uneven stripes
- Change colors at the same point each round for a cleaner appearance.
The materials list
- 900 yards (823 meters) medium weight cotton yarn in four colors:
Color A
- Cream, 350 yards (320 meters)
Color B
- Mint green, 250 yards (229 meters)
Color C
- Blush pink, 200 yards (183 meters)
Color D
- Soft yellow, 100 yards (91 meters)
- 4.5 mm crochet hook (US 7)
- Yarn needle
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
Listed by the pattern's own author, in their words.
Key to this pattern, 10 short forms
Base
With Color A, ch 61. The base is worked back and forth in rows to build a stable rectangular bottom. The turning chain does not count as a stitch, and slip stitches are not counted as stitches either. Once the base is complete, do not fasten off — stitches are picked up around all four edges of the rectangle to begin the joined-round body.
Row 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. (60 sts)
Rows 2–12
Ch 1, sc across, turn. (60 sts) Do not fasten off. Continue around the rectangle edge.
Body
Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round, since slip stitches used to join are not counted as stitches. The body is worked upward in joined rounds picked up directly from the base edges, moving between single crochet and half double crochet and changing colors every few rounds to build the horizontal pastel stripes.
Round 1
Ch 1. Sc around all four edges of the base. Place approximately 12 sc along each short side and 60 sc along each long side. Join with sl st to first sc. (144 sts)
Round 2
Ch 1, sc in each stitch around. Join. (144 sts)
Rounds 3–5
Hdc in each stitch around. Join. (144 sts) Change to Color B.
Rounds 6–8
Hdc in each stitch around. Join. (144 sts) Change to Color C.
Rounds 9–11
Sc in each stitch around. Join. (144 sts) Change to Color A.
Rounds 12–14
Hdc in each stitch around. Join. (144 sts) Change to Color D.
Rounds 15–17
Sc in each stitch around. Join. (144 sts) Change to Color B.
Rounds 18–20
Hdc in each stitch around. Join. (144 sts) Fasten off and weave in ends.
Handles
Make two identical handles. With Color A, ch 121. Straps are worked flat rather than in the round, which keeps them single-layer and leaves a long yarn tail on each one for sewing it to the bag body afterward.
Row 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. (120 sts)
Rows 2–5
Ch 1, sc across. Turn. (120 sts) Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.
Final Border
Join Color A to the top edge.
Round 1
Sc evenly around the opening. Join with sl st.
Round 2
Sc in each stitch around. Join. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Assembly, in order
Step 1Place one handle end about 4 inches (10 cm) from each side seam.
Step 2Sew each handle end securely over several rows using a yarn needle.
Step 3Attach the second handle evenly on the opposite side.
Step 4Reinforce each attachment area with extra stitches for durability.
Check these before you start
- The 4.5 mm (US 7) hook is sized to keep single crochet and half double crochet tight enough to support the bag's own weight without the fabric going rigid.
- Because turning chains and slip stitches are not counted as stitches, a stitch marker on the first stitch of each round is the only reliable way to confirm you have 144 stitches at every check point.
- Color changes land at set round breaks rather than mid-round, so plan to carry or cut yarn only at those transitions to keep the stripe edges clean.
- 16 single crochet stitches x 18 rows = 4 inches (10 cm).
- Approximately 15 inches wide x 12 inches tall x 4 inches deep (38 x 30 x 10 cm).
On one line
| Rounds | 14 |
|---|---|
| Parts | 4 |
| Level | Easy to confident beginner |
| Time | 4-6 hours |
| Hook | 4.5 mm |
| Yarn | Medium (Worsted/Cotton) |
Set-up
- Check yardage against the project: 350 yards cream, 250 yards mint green, 200 yards blush pink, and 100 yards soft yellow before winding any color changes into the plan.
- Set aside stitch markers now; the pattern uses them to flag the first stitch of every round once the body stops being worked flat.
- Work a small swatch in sc and hdc with the 4.5 mm hook to confirm the fabric is dense enough to hold its shape without becoming stiff.
- Read through the body's first round before starting the base, since it tells you how many stitches to place along each short and long edge when you pick up around the rectangle.
Finishing
- Weave in every yarn tail left at a color change point, working each end along the inside of a stitch rather than across the stripe line so it stays hidden.
- Hand washing with mild soap is recommended for handmade cotton crochet bags. Allow the tote to air dry flat when possible to help preserve its structure.
- Dampen the finished bag lightly, square off the corners and sides by hand, and let it dry flat so the rectangular base and stripes hold their shape.
Construction
The base is worked flat because a back-and-forth rectangle gives a firm, square bottom; the body then picks up stitches around all four edges of that rectangle (about 12 along each short side, 60 along each long side) and joins into rounds, which is the point where the bag changes from flat fabric to a tube.
The handles are worked as flat strips of 120 stitches rather than in the round, since a flat strap sewn on afterward keeps the strap single-layer and lets the sewing tail double as the attachment method.
Time per section
| Base | about 30-40 minutes because it is twelve straightforward rows of single crochet at a fixed 60-stitch count |
|---|---|
| Body | about 2-2.5 hours because it covers many joined rounds at 144 stitches each, with several color changes to track |
| Handles and finishing | about 45-60 minutes because two flat straps need to be worked, then sewn on and the bag blocked |
Common questions
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.