Easy Crochet Tote Bag Pattern for Beginners: The Mellow Tote

 

Pattern name: Mellow Tote

Designer: Mirrymas

Difficulty: Beginner

Hook size: 6.00 mm

Size: One size: 34 cm tall and 32 cm wide

Gauge: 9 double crochet x 4 rounds = 4 in (about 10 cm)

Steps: 7

Images: 12

Description

The Mellow Tote is an easy, roomy tote bag for beginners, made entirely in double crochet. It is worked in the round from the bottom up, in one piece. Working into the back loop gives the outside of the bag a lovely ridged texture, and the handles are made as part of the last two rounds, so there is no sewing at all.

Materials

• Hook — 6 mm crochet hook
• Yarn — macramé cord, rope yarn, t-shirt yarn, or any other bulky yarn about 3 mm thick; about 220 metres
• Notions — scissors, 4 stitch markers [icon: notions]

Special Stitch Instructions

• Back loop: the top of every stitch looks like a sideways V made of two loops. The back loop is the loop farthest away from you.
• Back bump: when you turn a chain over, you will see a small bump behind each chain. This is the back bump.
• Join: connect the end of a round to its beginning by working a slip stitch into the top of the stitch named in the pattern.

Step 1: The Bottom, Round 1 (Foundation Round)

The bottom of the bag is made in just one round, worked around both sides of a starting chain.

1. Make a slip knot and place it on your hook.

2. Chain 28.

3. Skip the first 2 chains from the hook and work 1 double crochet into the 3rd chain from the hook.

4. Work 1 double crochet into each chain until you reach the last chain.

5. Work 5 double crochet into the last chain. This takes you around the end so you can work along the other side of the chain.

6. Now work along the back of the starting chain: work 1 double crochet into the back of each chain until only one chain is left. This last chain is the one that already holds your very first double crochet.

7. Work 4 double crochet into that last chain.

8. Join the last double crochet to the first double crochet with a slip stitch to complete the round.

You should now have 58 stitches (25 double crochet along the first side, 5 in the end chain, 24 along the back of the chain and 4 in the last chain). The bottom of the bag is complete.

Step 2: The Sides, Round 2

From now on, work every stitch into the back loop only. This creates the ridged texture on the outside of the bag.

1. Chain 3.

2. Work 1 double crochet into the back loop of the next stitch. Do not work into the stitch at the base of the chain 3 (the stitch the chain 3 is sitting on).

3. Work 1 double crochet into the back loop of each stitch all the way around.

4. As you get near the end of the round, stop before the last stitch. This last stitch is the slip stitch you made to join the previous round. Skip it.

5. Join the last double crochet to the 3rd chain of the chain 3 you made at the start of the round with a slip stitch. Round 2 is complete.

Step 3: The Sides, Round 3

1. Chain 3.

2. Work 1 double crochet into the back loop of the next stitch, just as in Round 2.

3. Work 1 double crochet into the back loop of each stitch all the way around.

4. Skip the last stitch (the slip stitch).

5. Join the last double crochet to the 3rd chain of the chain 3 from the start of the round with a slip stitch. Round 3 is complete.

Step 4: The Sides, Rounds 4 to 12

Repeat Round 3 nine more times, once for each of Rounds 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. When you finish Round 12, the sides of the bag are complete.

Step 5: The Handles, Round 13

In Round 13 you make two long chains that become the handles.

Before you start, count the first double crochet after the chain 3 as stitch 1. Counting from there, place a stitch marker in stitch 7 (the start of the first handle), stitch 23 (the end of the first handle), stitch 36 (the start of the second handle) and stitch 52 (the end of the second handle).

1. Chain 3.

2. Work 1 double crochet into the back loop of the next stitch.

3. Work 1 double crochet into the back loop of each stitch until you reach the first stitch marker (stitch 7).

4. Work 1 double crochet into stitch 7.

5. Chain 50. This chain is the first handle.

6. Skip the next 15 stitches (stitches 8 to 22). Make sure the chain is not twisted.

7. Attach the end of the chain by working 1 double crochet into the next stitch with a stitch marker (stitch 23).

8. Work 1 double crochet into the back loop of each stitch until you reach the next stitch marker (stitch 36).

9. Work 1 double crochet into stitch 36.

10. Chain 50. This chain is the second handle.

11. Skip the next 15 stitches (stitches 37 to 51).

12. Attach the end of the chain by working 1 double crochet into the stitch with the fourth marker (stitch 52).

13. Work 1 double crochet into the back loop of each remaining stitch until the round is done.

14. Skip the slip stitch and join with a slip stitch into the 3rd chain of the chain 3, the same way you did in the previous rounds.

Step 6: The Handles, Round 14

In Round 14 you work stitches along the handle chains to make them strong.

1. Chain 3.

2. Work 1 double crochet into the back loop of the next stitch.

3. Work 1 double crochet into the back loop of each stitch until you reach the first handle chain.

4. Work 1 double crochet into the back bump of each of the 50 chains of the handle.

5. Continue with 1 double crochet into the back loop of each stitch of the bag until you reach the second handle chain.

6. Work 1 double crochet into the back bump of each of the 50 chains of the second handle.

7. Continue with 1 double crochet into the back loop of each remaining stitch until the round is done.

8. Skip the slip stitch and join with a slip stitch into the 3rd chain of the chain 3.

Step 7: Finishing

Cut the yarn and fasten off. Weave in all the loose ends. Your Mellow tote bag is complete!

Author Notes

• You work in rounds, going around and around the bag without turning your work.
• The number at the end of a round (for example, 58 stitches) is the total number of stitches you should have for that round.
• Begin every round of the sides with chain 3. Because the bag uses double crochet, the chain 3 brings your hook up to the height of the stitches.
• The slip stitch at the end of each round does not count as a stitch. Never work a stitch into it.
• When you make the handle chains, make sure they are not twisted.

Customizing

• If you use a different yarn, measure your starting chain (about 32 cm) and the height of the bag before you start the handles (about 34 cm), and adjust the number of chains or rounds to match.
• If you used a different yarn or changed the number of stitches, the stitch at the edge of the bag becomes stitch 1. Count from that edge stitch when placing your handle markers.

Video

Watch the video tutorial

Conclusion

And that's it! The Mellow Tote is such a satisfying first bag: just one stitch, a ridged texture that builds up round after round, and handles made right into the bag. I hope you love carrying yours.

If you have any questions, leave a comment below or email me at mirrymascrafts@gmail.com. I'd love to see your finished bags, so please share your photos and tag me on Instagram, TikTok or Pinterest at @mirrymascrafts.

More patterns to try:

• Forest Green Classic Handbag: a structured handbag with built-in handles, a button and a tassel.
• Crochet Granny Stripe Stitch: the classic granny look worked in rows.
• Crochet Cobblestone Stitch: round bumps made with single and treble crochet.

Thank you for your support, and happy crocheting!