Crochet Tote Bag

Crochet your own tote bag to go with any outfit with this free pattern from Bernat Yarns.  This quick and easy bag is both adorable and practical because it is strong, durable, and large enough to hold all of your essentials.

Measurements:

12" [30.5 cm] wide x 15"
[38 cm] high x 12" [30.5 cm] deep.

Materials:

• Bernat® Handicrafter Cotton or yarn of your choice.
  • 22 balls of #00002 (Off White).
• Size 4 mm (U.S. G or 6) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge:

13 1/2 sc and 16 rows = 4" [10 cm] with 2 strands of yarn.

Pattern:

Note: Bag is worked with 2 strands of yarn tog throughout.

FRONT and BACK Panels (make 2):
With 2 strands of yarn tog, ch 41.
1st row: (RS). 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of ch. Turn. 40 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.
Rep last row until work from beg measures 15 ins [38 cm], ending with a WS row. Fasten off.

Side Panels (make 2).
Work from to as given for Front and Back Panels.
Rep last row until work from beg measures 14" [35.5 cm], ending with a WS row.

Next row: (RS). Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 11 sc. Ch 4. Miss next 4 sc. 1 sc in each of next 10 sc. Ch 4. Miss next 4 sc. 1 sc in each sc to end of row.
Turn.
Next row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 11 sc. 4 sc in next ch-4 sp. 1 sc in each of next 10 sc. 4 sc in next ch-4 sp. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.

Work a further 2 rows in sc. Fasten off.

Join Panels: Arrange Panels to form a box, having Side Panels opposite each other.
With WS of 2 Panels tog, join 2 strands of yarn with sl st at top left corner. Ch
1. Working through both thicknesses, work 1 row of sc evenly along side edge. Fasten off.
Rep for rem Panels.

Base: Work from to as given for Front and Back Panels.
Rep last row until work from beg measures 12 ins [30.5 cm], ending with a WS row. Do not fasten off.

Join Base to Panels:
With RS of Base facing, place lower edge of joined Panels behind Base with WS of work tog, aligning corners of Base with joining rows of Panels.
Next rnd: Ch 1. Working through both thicknesses, work 1 rnd of sc evenly around all 4 sides of Base. Join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Top edging:
With RS of work facing, join 2 strands of yarn with sl st to any
corner of top edge. Ch 1. Working from left to right instead of right to left as usual, work 1 rnd of reverse sc evenly around top edge. Join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Handles (make 2):
With 2 strands of yarn, ch 95 loosely.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each sc across. Turn. 94 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.
Rep last row once more. Fasten off.

With RS of Basket facing, push ends of Handle through slits on Side Panel to WS. Sew ends tog. Bring halves of Handle tog and taking 2 strands of yarn tog, wrap center 4" [10 cm] of Handle as shown in picture. Fasten ends securely.
Click here for diagram.
 

For other fantastic picnic essentials, be sure to check out our collection of 7 Picnic Accessories and Essentials!