The Orange Tote Bag: Easy Single Crochet Tote Bag Pattern

 

Pattern name: Orange Tote Bag

Designer: Mirrymas

Difficulty: Easy

Hook size: 6.00 mm

Size: One size: 25 cm (about 10 in) tall and 30 cm (about 12 in) wide; base 10 cm x 29 cm

Steps: 6

Images: 11

Description

The Orange Tote Bag is a roomy, simple tote made entirely in single crochet. It is worked in the round from the bottom up, in one piece: an oval base, sides worked into the back loops for a neat ridge round the bottom, and two shoulder handles chained right into the top rounds. Every round is written out in full, with stitch counts and photos.

Materials

• Hook — 6.00 mm crochet hook
• Yarn — macramé cord, rope yarn, t-shirt yarn or any other bulky yarn about 4 mm thick; about 170 metres (186 yards)
• Stitch markers — 7, with 1 in a different colour to mark the start of the round [icon: notions]
• Notions — scissors and a tapestry needle [icon: notions]

Special Stitch Instructions

• Increase: work 2 single crochet into the same stitch.
• Back loop only: the top of every stitch looks like a sideways "V" made of two loops; work into the loop farthest away from you.
• Under both loops: insert the hook under both loops of the "V", as you normally would. Used where the handles join the bag, to make them strong.

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

1. Chain 18.

2. Work 1 single crochet into the 2nd chain from the hook. Place a stitch marker in this stitch. This marker also shows the start of the round, so use a different colour from the other markers if you can, or take note of its colour.

3. Work 1 single crochet into each of the next 15 chains.

4. Work 5 single crochet into the last chain. Place a stitch marker in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of these 5 stitches.

5. Now work along the back of the starting chain: work 1 single crochet into the back of each of the next 15 chains.

6. Work 4 single crochet into the last chain (the one that holds your very first single crochet). Place a stitch marker in each of the last 3 of these 4 stitches. (40 stitches)

You now have 7 stitch markers: the start marker and 3 at each end of the oval.

Step 2: The Bottom, Rounds 2 to 4

The 6 markers at the ends of the oval show where the bottom grows. The start marker is not an increase.

Round 2: (1) Work 1 single crochet into the first stitch (the one with the start marker) and put the marker back into it. (2) Work 1 single crochet into each stitch without a marker until you reach a stitch with a marker. (3) Work 2 single crochet into the marked stitch and put the marker back into the 1st of these 2 stitches. (4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you are back at the starting point. (46 stitches)

Rounds 3 and 4: repeat Round 2 two more times. (52 stitches after Round 3 and 58 stitches after Round 4)

Remove all the stitch markers except the one marking the start of the round.

Step 3: The Sides, Rounds 1 to 16

Work 1 single crochet into the back loop only of the first stitch and put the start marker back into it. Work 1 single crochet into the back loop only of each stitch until the round is done.

 Repeat this for 16 rounds. Do not join the rounds; keep working in a spiral. (58 stitches in each round)

Step 4: Marking the Handles

1. Lay your bag flat and place a stitch marker in the top stitch at one side edge.

2. You have 58 stitches, and half of 58 is 29. Counting from the marked stitch, place a marker in stitch 30. This stitch should be at the other side edge.

3. On the front of the bag, count 9 stitches in from one edge marker, starting with the marked stitch, and place a stitch marker. Do the same from the other edge marker.

4. Turn the bag over and do the same on the back.

5. Remove the 2 edge markers. You now have 5 markers: the start marker and 2 on each side for the handles.

Step 5: The Handles, Round 17

1. Work 1 single crochet into the back loop only of the first stitch and put the start marker back into it.

2. Work 1 single crochet into the back loop only of each stitch until you reach the first handle marker.

3. Work 1 single crochet under both loops of the marked stitch.

4. Chain 45. For a longer handle, chain more.

5. Skip the stitches between this stitch and the next marker. Check that the chain is not twisted, then join it with 1 single crochet under both loops of the next marked stitch. This is the first handle.

6. Work 1 single crochet into the back loop only of each stitch until you reach the marker for the second handle.

7. Make the second handle in the same way: 1 single crochet under both loops of the marked stitch, chain 45, skip the stitches in between, and join with 1 single crochet under both loops of the next marked stitch.

8. Work 1 single crochet into the back loop only of each stitch until the round is done.

Step 6: Round 18

Work 1 single crochet into the back loop only of the first stitch and put the start marker back into it. Work 1 single crochet into the back loop only of each stitch until you reach a handle, then 1 single crochet into each chain of the handle. Carry on in the back loops to the second handle, work 1 single crochet into each of its chains, then finish the round in the back loops.

Cut the yarn and weave in all the ends with the tapestry needle. Your Orange Tote Bag is complete!

Author Notes

• You work in rounds and do not turn your work or join the rounds.
• Mark the first stitch at the beginning of every round, so you never lose your starting point.
• The number at the end of a round is the total number of stitches you should have for that round.
• Join the handles under both loops of the marked stitches, not just the back loop, so they are strong.

Customizing

A longer or shorter bag

• The length of the base comes from the starting chain. Every chain you add puts 1 more stitch along each long side of the oval, so every round gains 2 stitches.
• For example, chain 21 instead of 18 and every count goes up by 6: 46, 52, 58 and 64 stitches in the bottom rounds, and 64 in each round of the sides.

A taller or shorter bag

• Work more or fewer rounds of the sides (the pattern uses 16) before you start the handles.

Handles

• On a different size, halve your total number of stitches to find the opposite edge, then count the same number of stitches in from each edge for the handles.
• Each handle is a chain of 45. Chain more for longer shoulder straps, or fewer for short handles, and make both the same length.

Yarn

• A bigger bag needs more than 170 metres, so buy extra and keep all your yarn from the same dye lot.

Video

Watch the video tutorial

Conclusion

Congratulations, your Orange Tote Bag is ready to carry! It is such a simple, relaxing make, and the back loop ridge gives the base a lovely neat finish. You are very welcome to sell finished bags made from this pattern; please credit Miriam from Mirrymas Crafts as the designer with a link to my shop.

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.
• The Mellow Tote: an easy, roomy double crochet tote with built-in handles.
• Crochet Granny Stripe Stitch: the classic granny look worked in rows.
• Crochet Cobblestone Stitch: round bumps made with single and treble crochet.

Thank you so much for supporting independent crochet design, and happy crocheting!