FREE PATTERN WITH VIDEO TUTORIAL
Starting the year with literally, a lovely pattern. Both cute and easy, with a print that has a geometric trait, resulting in a more classic look, to match many outfits. The Cuore Tote, will be an inspiration to experiment with color combinations and another great chance to practice DIY skills.
To carry comfortably over the shoulder, with the perfect medium size of the everyday bag. And made of one main round, seamless body, for a quicker project. Plus, including instructions to add lining and snap bands, if you prefer a super complete structure.
With tapestry crochet, for color changes, with back loop single crochet variation, in a spiral. If you have already done tapestry, you know this is not only a good choice for color work, but also to give more strength to the piece, by carrying a second thread in between stitches. Easy skill level though, for hearts pattern is repetitive. And additional details are kept as simple as possible to make finishing process smooth for you.
SPECIAL STITCHES AND TECHNIQUES
Tapestry Crochet: In this technique, you crochet with one yarn while one or more threads are carried and wrapped in between the stitches. Colors are switched throughout rows/rounds to make a drawing. Depending on the project, you will make one or more foundation rows/rounds with one color only and then move on to the tapestry crochet portion of the project.
Back loop single crochet: Single crochet, made in back loop of stitches from last round. Insert the hook in back loop of next stitch, yarn over, pull through the stitch, yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook.
Practice color work in a larger project. Suitable for crocheters with basic knowledge of crochet and tapestry. If you’ve never tried it before, I suggest you watch the video below first, to have previous notions of carrying an additional yarn and making color changes. Giving it a little try beforehand, in a small sample, will allow you to move forward with a lot more ease once you start the actual bag. PLEASE NOTE that this beginner video, shows tapestry with back loop single crochets, in the round, in CLOSED ROUNDS. The Cuore Tote is made in a SPIRAL so, beginning and end of rounds will change a bit.
The Cuore Tote video tutorial displays most important steps of the process, on how to shape the rectangular bottom, by increasing in each corner and then, how to start first rounds of tapestry hearts’ pattern. This will make it clearer for you, to follow written instructions and/or chart below this same post. Also, full guidance to make and attach the lining, if you wish to make it extra long lasting.
If you want the formatted, ad free, 10 page PDF document (with written instructions, chart and more than 60 images in photo tutorials) of the Cuore Tote this is available in my pattern stores (Ravelry, Etsy, Lovecrochet) for USD $3.60.
Chose worsted weight yarn for the design, for defined shapes and thicker looking stitches. And in consequence, you get a more agile make too. Complete list of materials is included, for you to gather all you need and begin without interruption.
SUGGESTED MATERIALS
- 4.5 mm (G7) crochet hook
- Two 70.9 gr/ 2.5 oz (109 m/ 120 yd) skeins of worsted weight Lily Sugar N’Cream yarn (100% cotton) in TEA ROSE (MC)
- One 70.9 gr/ 2.5 oz (109 m/ 120 yd) skein of worsted weight Lily Sugar N’Cream yarn (100% cotton) in OVERCAST (CC)
- 0.4 yd/ 0.4 m of fabric for lining
- 1 set of magnetic clasps in SILVER
- Stitch marker
- Regular sewing thread in MC and CC
- Pins
- Tapestry needle
- Sewing needle
- Square ruler
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
FINISHED SIZE: 12.4” x 11”/ 31.5 cm x 28 cm
GAUGE (back loop single crochet, with tapestry crochet): 16 sts x 12 rnds= 4”/ 10 cm
SKILL LEVEL
Easy: This design includes basic crochet stitches, an easy level tapestry crochet pattern, simple shaping and finishing techniques.
STITCH GUIDE
- R: row
- Rnd: round
- Ch: chain
- St(s): stitch(es)
- Sl st: slip stitch
- Sc: single crochet
- Bl: back loop
- Rep: repeat
- Sk: skip
- MC: main color
- CC: contrasting color
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
NOTES
- When crocheting in the round, in a spiral, with sc, place a marker in first st of the Rnd and move up as work progresses.
- When crocheting in the round, in a spiral, with bl sc, place a marker in first st of the Rnd and move up as work progresses.
- When crocheting back and forth, with sc, ch 1 to begin every R, this ch does not count as a st.
CUORE TOTE
Crocheted in the round, in a spiral, starting from the bottom. With MC, ch 31.
Rnd 1: Starting in second ch from the hook, sc 29, 2 sc in next ch, continue on the opposite side of the ch, sc 29= 60 sts
Rnd 2: From this round on, carry and wrap CC. Continue crocheting with MC, by wrapping CC in between the sts.
3 bl sc in first st, bl sc 28, (3 bl sc in next st) twice, bl sc 28, 3 bl sc in next st= 68 sts
Rnd 3: Bl sc 1, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 30, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 2, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 30, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 1= 76 sts
Rnd 4: Bl sc 2, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 32, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 4, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 32, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 2= 84 sts
Rnd 5: Bl sc 3, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 34, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 6, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 34, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 3= 92 sts
Rnd 6: Bl sc 4, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 36, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 8, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 36, 3 bl sc in next st, bl sc 4= 100 sts
Rnd 7: From this round on, start tapestry crochet part. Continue crocheting over 100 sts, by following Cuore Chart (below this post) or written instructions. Make necessary color changes to shape the drawing, by working with one yarn while wrapping unused color in between sts.
(With MC bl sc 5, with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 3, with CC bl sc 1) rep ( ) 10 times= 100 sts (close last st of the Rnd with MC)
Rnd 8: With MC bl sc 6, (with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 1, with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 7) rep ( ) 9 times, (with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 1) twice= 100 sts
Rnd 9: With MC bl sc 7, (with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 9) rep ( ) 9 times, with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 2= 100 sts
Rnd 10: With MC bl sc 6, (with CC bl sc 3, with MC bl sc 7) rep ( ) 9 times, with CC bl sc 3, with MC bl sc 1= 100 sts
Rnd 11: (With MC bl sc 5, with CC bl sc 5) rep ( ) 10 times= 100 sts (close last st of the Rnd with MC)
Rnd 12: (With MC bl sc 5, with CC bl sc 2, with MC bl sc 1, with CC bl sc 2) rep ( ) 10 times= 100 sts
Rnd 13: (With CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 3, with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 5) rep ( ) 10 times= 100 sts
Rnd 14: With MC bl sc 1, (with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 1, with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 7) rep ( ) 9 times, with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 1, with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 6= 100 sts
Rnd 15: With MC bl sc 2, (with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 9) rep ( ) 9 times, with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 7= 100 sts
Rnd 16: With MC bl sc 1, (with CC bl sc 3, with MC bl sc 7) rep ( ) 9 times, with CC bl sc 3, with MC bl sc 6= 100 sts (close last st of the Rnd with CC)
Rnd 17: (With CC bl sc 5, with MC bl sc 5) rep ( ) 10 times= 100 sts (close last st of the Rnd with CC)
Rnd 18: (With CC bl sc 2, with MC bl sc 1, with CC bl sc 2, with MC bl sc 5) rep ( ) 10 times= 100 sts (close last st of the Rnd with CC)
Rnd 19: With CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 4, (with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 3, with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 5) rep ( ) 9 times, with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 3, with CC bl sc 1= 100 sts (close last st of the Rnd with MC)
Rnd 20-24: Rep Rnds 8-12
Rnd 25-36: Rep Rnds 13-24 (close last st of Rnd 36 with MC)
Cut CC leaving a 4”/ 10 cm tail.
Rnd 37-39: Sc 100= 100 sts
By the end of Rnd 39, sc 7 (or necessary amount of sts) to reach the nearest fold of the bag.
Rnd 40: Relocate the marker, for beginning of Rnds,in first st of this Rnd. To open up the handles in the correct place, this Rnd should begin from the fold of the bag.
Sc 15, ch 65, sk 20 sts, sc 30, ch 65, sk 20 sts, sc 15= 190 sts
Rnd 41-43: Sc 190= 190 sts
Sl st in next st.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
SNAP BANDS (Make 2)
Crocheted back and forth, starting from one end. With MC, ch 4, leaving a long tail in the beginning, to sew afterwards.
R1: Starting in second ch from hook, sc 3, turn= 3 sts
R2-12: Ch 1, sc 3, turn= 3 sts
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
FINISHING
LINING
Fold the fabric for lining in half, with RS together and press. Lay the crochet bag over the fabric, lining up Rnd 1 of bottom with the folded edge of the lining. Draw small marks for width and length of the bag, over the fabric, up to Rnd 36. Remove the bag and draw the complete outline, by using the square ruler.
Pin the fabric to keep in place and cut out the lining, adding a 1”/ 2.5 cm allowance at the top edge and a 0.6”/ 1.5 cm allowance to the sides. Machine sew the sides only. Mark 2”/ 5 cm, from the fold up, on both side seams and mark.
Unfold one corner by shaping a triangle, lining up the seam with the bottom crease on the opposite side and pin. With the square ruler, draw a line across the triangle base (where you drew the mark). Cut out a notch over the tip of the allowance and unfold the allowance. Machine sew over the triangle base, with the open allowance. Cut out the tip of the triangle, by leaving a 0.6”/1.5 cm. Repeat for the other corner.
Press the 1”/2.5 cm top allowance, all around the edge of the lining, to the WS. Cut out notches on top corners of the lining. Pin and baste with thread in MC. Machine sew all around the opening. Remove baste sts.
Place the lining inside the bag, lining up side seams and bottom. Then, pin from all around the bag opening, from Rnd 36 down. Turn the bag inside out, on the WS. Baste all around the lining edge, with thread in MC. Hand sew all around, to join the lining edge with the crochet work, with thread in CC. Remove baste stitches.
JOINING SNAP BANDS TO THE BAG
Join each snap to one band, right in the middle. Sew the ends of each snap band to the WS of the bag, centered, over the handle openings, from the crochet edge down. Turn the bag inside out, on the RS.
And your Cuore Tote is ready to go! So fun and great to match with relaxed outfits.
Strong or more subtle contrasts will make it look amazing, while carrying all you need for the day too! Already made yours? Or saving the project for later? Let me know, with #cuoretote hashtag or tag my Instagram profile @chabepatterns and I’ll be delighted to see what you came up with.
All written instructions, chart 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.