The Ultimate Summer Crochet Tote Bag
Get ready to hit the beach in style with this gorgeous, lightweight, and durable summer crochet tote bag! Whether you’re packing your favorite read, sunscreen, or a fresh towel, this roomy tote has you covered. It’s constructed with beautiful worsted weight cotton yarn, keeping it sturdy and easily washable after a day in the sand.
This bag features stunning wide stripes in gorgeous sunset and beachy hues, making it the ultimate warm-weather accessory. Best of all, it folds completely flat for easy packing when you’re jetting off on holiday. Let’s dive right into making your new favorite bag!
Finished Size
The finished tote measures approximately 15 inches (38 cm) wide, 6 inches (15 cm) deep, and 13.5 inches (34 cm) tall.
Gauge
13 stitches and 8 rounds of the main pattern = 4 inches by 4 inches (10 cm x 10 cm).
Construction Overview
This bag is worked from the bottom up. We start by crocheting around a foundation chain to create a flat oval base. Then, we work in continuous rounds for the body of the bag, building up the height with gorgeous colorful stripes. Once the body is complete, we use a clever folding and seaming technique at the top edge to give the bag its distinctive shape. Finally, we attach twisted cord handles.
Supplies
- Yarn: Worsted Weight (Category 4) cotton yarn. The sample uses Rico Design Creative Cotton Aran (85m/50g) in 6 colors: Pearl Grey, Silvery Grey, Salmon, Powder, Nude, and White. You’ll need 2 balls of each color. Note: The yarn is held double throughout the pattern.
- Hook: 6.0 mm (US J/10) crochet hook.
- Notions: Stitch markers, scissors, and a tapestry needle.
- Hardware: 4 meters of 0.5cm sash cord (rope) for the handles.
Stitches & Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- ss: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- HBhdc: Herringbone half double crochet
- BL: back loop
- RS: right side
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rep: repeat
Special Stitches
Herringbone Half Double Crochet (HBhdc): Yarn over hook, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. Pull that same loop straight through the first loop on your hook (two loops remain on hook). Yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops.
Pattern Instructions
Note: Use 2 strands of yarn held together throughout the entire pattern. The starting ch-3 counts as a stitch. From Round 5 onward, you will work in continuous spiral rounds without joining.
Foundation: With Pearl Grey, ch 27.
Round 1 (RS): 5 dc in the 4th ch from the hook. dc in the next 22 chs. 6 dc in the last ch. Rotate your work to crochet along the opposite (unworked) side of the foundation chain. dc in the next 22 chs. Join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3. (56 sts)
Round 2: ch 3, dc in the same st. 2 dc in each of the next 5 sts. dc in the next 22 sts. 2 dc in each of the next 6 sts. dc in the next 22 sts. Join with a ss to the first st. (68 sts)
Round 3: ch 3, dc in the same st. 2 dc in each of the next 11 sts. dc in the next 22 sts. 2 dc in each of the next 12 sts. dc in the next 22 sts. Join with a ss. (92 sts)
Round 4: ch 3, dc in the same st. dc in the next st. *2 dc in the next st, dc in the next st; rep from * 10 more times. dc in the next 22 sts. *2 dc in the next st, dc in the next st; rep from * 11 more times. dc in the next 22 sts. Join with a ss. (116 sts)
Round 5: Working in the back loops (BL) only for this round, HBhdc in each st around. Do not join at the end of the round; continue working in a spiral.
Round 6: Continue working HBhdc in both loops of each st. At the end of the round, change to Silvery Grey.
Rounds 7-11: With Silvery Grey, HBhdc in each st around. At the end of Round 11, change to Salmon.
Rounds 12-16: With Salmon, HBhdc in each st around. Change to Powder.
Rounds 17-21: With Powder, HBhdc in each st around. Change to Nude.
Rounds 22-26: With Nude, HBhdc in each st around. Change to White.
Rounds 27-31: With White, HBhdc in each st around. At the end of Round 31, break yarn and weave in all ends.
Assembly/Finishing
We are going to shape the top of the bag by pinching and seaming sections of the final round.
Counting from the first stitch of your final round, place stitch markers in the following pairs of stitches to hold them together: 4th & 18th, 19th & 33rd, 62nd & 76th, and 77th & 91st. This creates four folded “corner” sections, each containing 15 unworked stitches.
With the RS facing, leave the very first stitch unworked. Seam the marked sections together using slip stitches (7 ss per seam). Continue along the straight top edge of the bag with 28 ss. Seam the next corner together with 7 ss. Leave the last stitch unworked. (42 sts on this side)
Repeat this same slip stitch edging and seaming process for the other side of the bag. Weave in all remaining ends.
Hardware/Closures
Creating the Handles: Cut your 4m sash cord into four 1-meter lengths. Take two sections of cord for the first handle. Push one end of both cords through the fabric from front to back, about 3 rows down and 6 stitches in from the top edge of the bag. Tie a secure knot on the inside, leaving a 10cm tail.
Twist the two cords around each other tightly until you are about 10cm away from the other end. Push this end through the corresponding spot on the other side of the bag front, and tie another secure knot inside.
Repeat this process with the remaining two cord sections to attach the back handle.
Styling Tips
Pair this vibrant tote with your favorite flowy sundress, a pair of oversized sunglasses, and some strappy sandals. The colorful stripes look phenomenal against neutral outfits, bringing a fun pop of summer brightness to your look!
Quick Reference Notes
- Double up your yarn! Don’t forget to hold two strands together to achieve the correct stiffness.
- Use stitch markers liberally when shaping the top edge to ensure your folds are perfectly symmetrical.
- Melt the ends of your sash cord (if using synthetic cord) to prevent fraying inside the bag.
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