How to Crochet a Tote Bag: Free & Easy
Are you looking for a crocheted tote bag to replace plastic bags? (Who isn’t?) or just wanting to learn how to crochet a tote? If so, you’ll love this free crochet bag pattern.
You can make this crochet market bag today with the free pattern below to take to the store, farmers market and wherever you need to go. If you enjoy this bag, be sure to check out the Milo Tote! It’s a similar crochet project which I think you’d enjoy as well.
I am so excited for you to try this simple and eco-friendly crochet bag pattern. Happy Crocheting!
Also, A Crochet Beach Bag Too!
This free crochet tote bag pattern is fun to make and is the perfect size for a beach bag! Just think, no sand-filled bags! This cute bag is also suitable for a trip to a farmers market or the grocery store.
Tote bags are always fun to make, and our family always seems to get a ton of use from them. If you are looking for even more crochet tote bags to make, I also designed the Milo tote, which is also a great one to take to the shore too!
I did finish this tote earlier in the month, just in time for my daughter to tote her books back and forth to the beach! And It worked perfectly! I was thrilled when the sand fell out through the bottom of the market tote bag, which meant less mess in my truck and beach house.
The Yarn I Used for This Crochet Tote Bag
I used Lily’s Sugar N Cream Yarn in the colors Ecru and Jute, but any cotton (#4 weight) yarn will work! Live wild and crochet a tote that is lined and one that is unlined!
Lily Sugar’n Cream
This yarn is made by Yarnspirations, and is a Weight 4 – Medium yarn.
Fiber: 100% Cotton
Yardage: 645 meters / 706 yards (varies)
Hook: 5 mm (H-8)
Substitute: Bernet Handicrafter
If you wish, you could quickly line this tote with fabric to make it more useful for smaller items that you may want to carry. And since the design calls for cotton yarn, you can throw it in the wash too!
Now that we know all that is needed to crochet his project, it’s time to get started! If you are ready to make this simple tote, then scroll on down to find the full free crochet bag tutorial.
Happy Crochet Bag Making!
How to Crochet a Tote Bag
Skill Level: Intermediate
Materials
- Lily Sugar’n Cream Cotton Yarn or any brand of cotton yarn
- 2 balls of Ecru (Color A) & 1 ball of Jute (Color B)
- Size J crochet hook 6.00 MM
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch Marker (optional) to help mark your stitches
Crochet Terms
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- sk = skip
- st= stitch
- rep = repeat
Finished Size
- The finished size is approximately 12″ wide X 15″ length (31 x 38 cm) without handles, but they will stretch since cotton yarn is being used.
Notes
- Written in standard US terms
- If you wish to reduce the stretching of this bag, I recommend lining it, there are some great tutorials on how to line crochet bags. Have a look at a tutorial on how to line a crochet bag.
- You MAY sell items made from the Market Tote Bag Pattern. If you choose to sell items made from any of my patterns, please link back to me at Easy Crochet for credit. Do not use my photos to sell any items. Thank you for respecting my work.
The Crochet Tote Bag Pattern Steps
Round 1: Starting with Color A ch 3, 10 dc In 3rd ch from hook, sl to the first dc. (10)
Round 2: Ch 3, in first st dc, ch 1, * dc, ch 1 rep around from *, sl st to first dc. (chain 1’s count as a st here and throughout the pattern) (20)
Round 3: Ch 3, dc, 2 dc in ch 1 space, * dc on top of dc from previous round, 2 dc in ch 1 space, rep around from *, sl st to first dc. (30)
Round 4: Ch 3, dc, ch 1, * dc, ch 1 rep around from *, sl st to first dc. (60)
Round 5: Ch 3, *dc, 1 dc in ch 1 space, dc, 2 dc in ch 1 space, rep from * around, sl st to top of first dc. (75)
Round 6: Ch 3, * Ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next st, repeat from * around, ending with a ch 1 and sk st, sl st to top of first ch 1, (76)
After this round the purse should start to take shape since there are no more increase rounds.
Round 7: Ch 3, 2 dc in every ch 1 space around, sl st to first Dc (76)
Round 8: Ch 3, * Ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next st, repeat from * around, sl st to top of first ch 1, (76)
Round 9: Repeat round 7 (76)
Round 10: Repeat round 8 (76)
Round 11: Repeat round 7 (76)
Round 12: Repeat round 8 (76)
Round 13: Repeat round 7 (76)
Round 14: Repeat round 8 (76)
Round 15: Repeat round 7 (76)
Round 16: Repeat round 8 (76)
Round 17: Repeat round 7 (76)
Round 18: Repeat round 8 (76)
Round 19: Change color to Jute, ch 1, *2 sc in ch 1 space, repeat from * around (76)
Round 20: ch 1, sc in every st, sl st to the top of the first st (76)
Round 21: Repeat round 20(76)
Round 22: Repeat round 20 (76)
Round 23: Repeat round 20 (76)
Making the Handles
Make sure you crochet up two handles. Each handle should measure approximately 24 inches (61 cm) long. Note that it will stretch as it is used, so be mindful of that.
Row 1: Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and every ch across, turn (5)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in every ch across (5)
Row 3-60: Repeat row 2 (5)
Putting the Tote Bag Together
Finishing: Attach handles on inside of bag with yarn by using yarn needle and sewing a square and X to make secure (see picture)
To finish your tote weave in the loose ends throughout the bag with a yarn needle.
You’re done!
I hope you enjoyed this Market Tote Bag Crochet Pattern! It would really make the perfect crochet summer bag or even crochet grocery bag!
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! I am more than happy to assist in any way possible.
More Free Crochet Patterns
Want more patterns similar to this? Try some of our favorite free crochet pattern designs to make below!
- Modern Baby Ripple Blanket Pattern
- Rainbow Cluster Blanket Crochet Pattern
- Beach Glass Clutch Crochet Pattern
- Plant Holder Crochet Pattern
Here are some other patterns or tutorials that you may find helpful:
- 13 DIY Easy Yarn Ornaments for Christmas
- Single Crochet Dishcloth Pattern for Beginners
- 10 Cute Crochet Dog Hat Patterns to Make For Your Pup
- 32+ Spring Crochet Patterns Ideas
- Crochet the Perfect Temperature Blanket: A Guide
- 27 Free & Easy Crochet Patterns for Beginner Crocheters
- Waffle Stitch Crochet Scarf
- 13 Free Crochet Cake Patterns
- How to Crochet a Triangle
- 10 Crochet Bikini Top Patterns (Bralette Patterns)
- Micro Crochet Patterns
- 17 Crochet Garland Patterns
- Rainbow Crochet Blanket Pattern
hello
i was wondering how much yarn you used for this bag.
thank you
Hi!
This tote bag took less than 240 yards of yarn or two skeins of Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Yarn.
Happy Crocheting!
Krista
Thank you for the free pattern. Worked up a couple for my kids for teacher appreciation week! Needed to use what cotton yarn I had left and this did the trick!
Hi Amanda,
You are very welcome! I hope the Teachers enjoy them! 🙂
-Krista
Hi
I am on round 9 and I still just have a huge circle. Is that what I should have?
Hi Amy,
The increases stop at round 6 so after that round it shouldn’t lay flat like a circle anymore. If you are on Facebook there I have a group that is dedicated to helping with EC patterns here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/easycrochet/
Happy Crocheting!
Krista
Great pattern! It was very easy and came together really quickly.
Thanks, Ellen! I am so glad you liked it!
Krista
Hi Krista.
Working on the bag but, having trouble w rd 6. But, riw says Ch 3, *Dc, 1 dc in ch 1 space, Dc,2 dc in ch 1 space, repeat from * around.
Then rd 6 says
*Ch 3, ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in next ch, repeat from *
Problem is there is no ch 1 space in rd 5.
Please help!
Hi Edie,
That should have read sk 1 st not (ch), dc into next st, repeat from * I fixed it in the post. Thank you for finding this.
Krista
Could you please tell me are the patterns in English or American patterns, thanking you .. jean
They are written in Standard US Terms. 🙂
I am also having trouble understand round 6. Should it read CH1, sk 1 st, dc in the next st? It is driving me crazy!
Hi Carol,
No It should read like written. 🙂 The chain 3 is to bring the height of the round to where it needs to be and the chain 1 is the first st of the new round. 🙂
I am having trouble understanding round 5 also. Should it read CH 1, sk 1 st, dc in the next st? it is driving me crzzy
Hi,
No it should read as written. CH 3 is to bring up the round to the height of the row.
Help! Round 20 says to repeat Round 19. But after Round 19, there are no ch 1 sp, because we are not ch 1 between the 2 sc.
Hi Angela,
I fixed that! I should have read sc in every st around and sl st to the top of the first sc for the rounds after 19. 🙂
Thanks!
Krista
On row 6 it says to work the stitches in the row 5 ch1 spaces, but there are no ch1 in row 5.
Hi Mary,
Round 6 is worked like follows:
Ch 3, * Ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in next ch, repeat from * around, ending with a ch 1 and sk st, sl st to top of first ch 1, (76)
Hello! I love the bag but it is only 11” deep not 15. I don’t understand why. I’m using a j hook.
Hi Krista,
BEAUTIFUL BAG!! I’m excited to start this project! Dumb question for you – This bag takes two of the big balls of Sugar n’ Cream yarn, or two of the smaller ones? (Two plus the one for the band and handle, obviously.)
My JoAnn Fabrics is running a sale on yarn so I’m going to head over and I want to get the right stuff!
Thanks for the great pattern!
XO,
Katie
Hi Katie,
Thank you for the nice compliment! 🙂 This pattern uses the smaller balls that are 200 yards I believe. 🙂
Hope you enjoy the pattern!
Krista
hi…confused on what ecru means???
Hi,
That is one of the yarn colors I used to make this tote.
-Krista
Working on it right now! Though I’ve made a couple mistakes that have changed it a lot! I must’ve increased my rounds by a couple because it is wider than yours. Also i used an arcrylic yarn (black) i had on hand so it has an interesting texture. Makes it look more like a fashion bag than a grocery bag. Oh well! Thanks all the same.
I bet it looks awesome with the black yarn! I usually stay away from it because it is so hard to see all the stitches. You are brave! 🙂
I am making this beautiful bag and so far I absolutely love it! I have a question about the handles. I guess I crochet very tight stitches. My handles are starting to spiral. I tried looking at your pictures and was wondering if a double crochet might work as well as singles and help the twisting. This is only the second pattern I’ve ever used, so I’m very open to suggestions. Thank you so much.
Hi Paula,
Thank you for the kind words and I am so glad you like the bag so far! I would guess that it may be the type of yarn you are using (if its different than suggested) or that you are crocheting tight like you said. You could try a Dc I think it would work just as good. 🙂
Thank you. I will let you know how it turns out 🙂
Great pattern, thank you! Really easy to follow. Have made a bag for a new friend for her birthday.
Thank you and I am glad you liked it! : )