CROCHET BASIC TOTE

FREE PATTERN WITH VIDEO TUTORIAL

There may be several reasons why a particular design has a special place in the heart. The Basic Crochet Tote was the first project that I planned as my first for sale pattern. It gave me the inspiration that I needed to start this beautiful journey so it has become memorable for me.

And now, I have decided to share it as a free pattern through the blog as well, because it is a crochet project that can inspire new crocheters. With the perfect large size for the everyday needs to be completed with simple stitches and construction.

It is all easy skill level, to practice back and forth and simple in the round techniques. With intuitive assembly as well, to finish the bag and give it the design touches to make it stand out.

If you are already familiarized with basic crochet, this is a good pattern to keep learning. As with other projects, if you do not feel prepared enough you may also turn to some additional resources, like my Crocheting from scratch clip, to have a clearer idea of the essentials.

Every important step for the bag is covered within the Crochet Basic Tote tutorial. Video is in Spanish, but you have the option to see the Closed Caption in the language of your choice, by selecting the settings icon on the video then, select Closed Caption, Automatic Translation and select your language. And you also have the row by row directions (below this same post), to follow every detail step by step.

The yarn choice is macrame cord this time, because this gives great resistance to a large bag and also avoids the need for a lining, in case you are not a big sewing fan. But you can also try beautiful cotton yarns for the project, which will give softness to it and elasticity.

Finishing touches that become part of the design, like the slip stitches used for joining the pieces and also give strength to the handles, that become super resistant for a long lasting accessory.

If you want the formatted, ad free, 7 page PDF document (with written instructions and more than 40 images in photo tutorials) of the Crochet Basic Tote, this is available in my pattern stores (Ravelry, Etsy, Lovecrochet) for USD $3.60.

SUGGESTED MATERIALS

• Five 200 gr/7 oz (145 m/158 yds) skeins of 100% polypropylene macrame cord Macrame Midi Craft by Master Knit
• 3.5 mm crochet hook
• 1 set of magnetic clasps
• Stitch markers
• Big pins
• Yarn needle
• Transparent glue or lighter
• Long nose plier
• Measuring tape
• Scissors

FINISHED SIZE (width x height x side)

14.6” x 13.4” x 4.7” / 37 cm x 34 cm x 12 cm

GAUGE
(single crochet, back and forth)
13 sts and 14 rows= 4”/10 cm

SKILL LEVEL

Easy: This design includes basic crochet stitches, simple shaping and finishing techniques.

STITCH GUIDE

• Rnd: round
• R: row
• Ch: chain
• St(s): stitch(es)
• Sl st: slip stitch
• Sc: single crochet
• Rep: repeat
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side

 NOTES 

• Pieces of the bag are started with a slip ring, to prevent the cord from sliding/unraveling from the first stitch.
• Because of the thread type, it is suggested to seal the tips by carefully burning with a lighter or adding fabric glue. This will prevent the thread from unraveling.
• When crocheting in the round, in a spiral, with sl st, place a marker in first st of the Rnd.
• When crocheting back and forth, with sc, ch 1 to begin every R, this ch does not count as a st.

BAG

FRONT/BACK OF THE BAG (MAKE 2)  

Crocheted back and forth, starting from the bottom. Make a slip ring and ch 49.

R1(WS): Starting in 2^nd ch from the hook, sc 48, turn= 48 sts

R2-48: Ch 1, sc 48, turn= 48 sts

Fasten off.

SIDES AND BOTTOM OF THE BAG

Crocheted back and forth, in one piece, starting from one end. Make a slip ring and ch 15.

R1(WS): Starting in 2^nd ch from the hook, sc 14, turn= 14 sts

R2-148: Ch 1, sc 14, turn= 14 sts

Fasten off. 

Place markers in the 1^st and last st of rows 48 and 100.

HANDLES (MAKE 2)

Crocheted back and forth, starting from one end. Make a slip ring and ch 3, leaving a long tail at the beginning to sew afterwards.

R1(WS): Starting in 2^nd ch from the hook, sc 2, turn= 2 sts

R2-151: Ch 1, sc 2, turn= 2 sts

R152: Ch 1, sc 2= 2 sts

Don’t turn. Make one Rnd of sl st all around the edge of the handle. Sl st in the 1^st st of the round to close. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

BANDS FOR THE CLASPS (MAKE 2) 

Crocheted back and forth, starting from one end. Make a slip ring and ch 4, leaving a long tail at the beginning to sew afterwards.

R1(WS): Starting in 2^nd ch from the hook, sc 3, turn= 3 sts

R2-14: Ch 1, sc 3, turn= 3 sts  

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

FINISHING

Start with a slip ring. Join front/back of the bag to the long piece for the sides and bottom with sl st, going through both pieces, by inserting the hook on the RS of front/back of the bag. Join 48 rows of the front/back with 48 rows of one side, until reaching the marker.

Pin the bottom of front/back of the bag with the bottom portion of the long piece, until reaching the next marker. Continue joining with sl st, by making one st in every st of the bottom of front/back of the bag. Finally, join 48 rows of opposite edge of front/back of the bag with 48 rows of the side of the long piece, until reaching the upper edge again. Fasten off and weave in all ends. Rep for the other side of the bag.

With yarn needle, sew each handle to the front and back of the bag, by sewing 48 rows of each end of the handle to 48 rows of front/back of the bag, 13 sts from the edge and leaving the center 56 rows of the handle without sewing, for the opening.

Place each side of the clasps on one band. Sew the bands to the inner part of the bag, centered and one row from the upper edge. Weave in all ends.

The Crochet Basic Tote will become your favorite one, as it practically goes with any outfit and you can just carry as much as you need for a busy day out.

Try making it in your favorite color and enjoy the richness of texture which is made through just simple construction and stitches. Let me know about your own version by using #crochetbasictote or tagging me as @chabepatterns on my Instagram.

All written instructions and images in this pattern are protected by Copyright. This pattern is for personal use and not to be copied or reproduced, partially or totally, for any purpose. It may not be redistributed or shared anywhere, either online or offline. Finished items made from this pattern may be sold, in small quantity. But they cannot be promoted using the images contained in this pattern. Proper credit for the original design must be given to Chabepatterns and link back to this post and/or designer’s pattern shop.