A crochet tote can be a structured basketweave bag, a simple one piece carryall, or a larger straw style bag with optional lining. These seven original patterns state their construction and proportions so you can compare the finished use.
Structured totes hold their shape better with a sturdy hook size and a tapestry needle for closing up the base seam.
Tote bag patterns to explore
1. Basketweave Stitch Crochet Tote
Salena Baca’s basketweave tote uses front post and back post double crochet to get its raised woven look, worked in Knit Picks Dishie, a medium #4 cotton, on a 4 mm hook. It measures 12 inches around and 10.5 inches high without handles. The American Crochet Association page also explains the basketweave stitch, how to resize it, and what else you can make with it, and it practices joined rounds, tension and gauge.
2. Simple Crochet Tote Bag
Viv’s tote is made in one piece, with no sewing. Her page lists 200 g of medium weight cotton (24/7 Cotton) on a 4 mm hook, a base of about 26 by 4 cm, and a body about 30 cm wide and 25 cm tall, with a gauge of 19 double crochets and 20 rows in 10 cm. You can customize the bag height and strap length, and there is a video and an ad-free PDF.
3. Crochet Straw Tote Bag
Joanne Loh made this after a plastic bag ban where she lives, and says it is her go-to bag for any occasion. It measures 14.5 inches wide, 6 deep and 13 tall, and she made one plain white and one in bright colors, so you can add pockets or colors. She says it fits daily essentials and makes a good gift.
4. Easy Tote Bag
Jo to the World’s tote holds two strands of size 4 worsted yarn together, on a 6.5 mm hook, in single crochet, chain and slip stitch only, so it is sturdy and confident-beginner friendly. It has both a photo tutorial and a full video, and it works as a shopping, beach or everyday bag.
5. Simple Striped Tote Bag
Jennifer Renaud made this striped tote in cotton yarn, on a 4 or 5 mm hook, and it starts as a tube worked in the round. She says one can never have too many tote bags. An ad-free PDF is sold on Ravelry and Lion Brand sells a kit.
6. Easy Crochet Market Tote Bag
Jennifer at Fiber Flux stitches this tote in the round with a stretchy mesh center section, and suggests bright cotton. It uses 458 yards of medium weight yarn (two cakes of Hobbii Frutta) on a 6 mm hook, and it is 14.5 inches tall with a 25 inch circumference and a 26 inch strap before seaming. You can adjust the size and strap length, and there is a video.
7. Fraîche Crochet Tote Bag
Ashleigh made this because most crochet totes are stretchy and open, and she wanted a structured one that could pass her laptop test, with no sagging. It is a rectangle worked with a thick stitch, in a cotton or cotton blend worsted yarn (she used Re-Up), because cotton is stiffer and stays put. It finishes seamless.
