How to Crochet a Beautiful Tote Bag: A Beginner-Friendly Tutorial

This beginner-friendly tutorial will guide you through crocheting a lovely tote bag with a rectangular base and beautiful textured sides. The bag is perfect for everyday use, and you can even add a lining and zipper if you wish.

• Yarn/Cord: 400 meters of 3mm thick polyester cord (or any yarn of similar thickness)
• Crochet hook: 4mm (or corresponding size for your yarn)
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers (at least 5)
• Handmade tag (optional)

Step 1: Create the Foundation Chain

Make a slip knot and chain 26 stitches.

Step 2: Work the First Round

1. Skip the first chain from your hook.
2. Insert your hook into the second chain and work a single crochet (US terms).
3. Mark this first stitch with a stitch marker.
4. Continue working one single crochet into each chain until you reach the last chain.
5. In the last chain, work 5 single crochets. Mark the 2nd and 4th of these stitches.
6. Now work along the back of the chains, putting one single crochet into each chain.
7. When you reach the end, work 4 single crochets into the back of the first stitch. Mark the 2nd and 4th of these stitches.
8. Join the round with a slip stitch into the first stitch.

Count your stitches: You should have 56 stitches (a multiple of 8).

Step 3: Build the Base (Rounds 2-6)

Round 2:

1. Chain 1 (this does not count as a stitch).
2. Work one single crochet into the first stitch. Mark this stitch.
3. Continue with one single crochet in each stitch until you reach a marked stitch.
4. In each marked stitch, work 3 single crochets. Mark the middle stitch (the 2nd one) of these 3.
5. Continue around, repeating this pattern at all four marked corner stitches.
6. Join with a slip stitch.

Rounds 3-6:

Repeat Round 2. After each round, your stitch count increases by 8. After 6 rounds, you should have 96 stitches. Your base should measure approximately 30cm long and 9cm wide.

Tip: If you want a larger bag, simply add more rounds here.

Step 4: Start the Sides – Round 1 (Treble Crochet Round)

1. Remove all stitch markers except the one marking your starting point.
2. Chain 4 (counts as your first treble crochet). Mark the 4th chain.
3. Work 2 more treble crochets into the same stitch.
4. Chain 1, skip 3 stitches, then work 1 single crochet into the 4th stitch.
5. Chain 1, skip 3 stitches, then work 3 treble crochets into the 4th stitch.
6. Chain 3, then work 3 more treble crochets into the same stitch.
7. Chain 1, skip 3 stitches, work 1 single crochet into the 4th stitch.
8. Chain 1, skip 3 stitches, work 3 treble crochets into the 4th stitch.
9. Repeat the pattern: chain 3, 3 treble crochets, chain 1, skip 3, single crochet, chain 1, skip 3, 3 treble crochets, chain 3, 3 treble crochets all around.
10. To finish the round, work 3 treble crochets into the space where you began, chain 1, then slip stitch into the marked 4th chain of the beginning.

Step 5: Sides – Round 2 (Front Post Treble Round)

1. Mark your starting point and chain 4.
2. Work unfinished front post treble crochets across the next 6 treble posts:

• Yarn over twice, insert hook from front to back around the post, pull up a loop.
• Yarn over, pull through 2 loops. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops (leave last 2 loops on hook).
• Repeat for the next 5 treble posts.

1. You should have 7 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops.
2. Chain 4.
3. Work 1 single crochet into the chain-3 space peak.
4. Chain 4.
5. Repeat the front post cluster pattern all around.
6. Join with a slip stitch at the end.

Step 6: Sides – Round 3 (Treble Crochet Round)

1. Chain 1 and mark this stitch.
2. Work 3 treble crochets into the center space of the cluster below.
3. Chain 3, then work 3 more treble crochets into the same space.
4. Chain 1, work 1 single crochet into the V-shaped space between clusters.
5. Chain 1, then repeat: 3 treble crochets, chain 3, 3 treble crochets in the next center space.
6. Continue around, joining with a slip stitch at the end.

Step 7: Continue the Pattern (Rounds 4-14)

Alternate between:

• Front post treble round (like Round 2)
• Treble crochet round (like Round 3)

To start a front post round, you need to begin at the peak. Use slip stitches to move your starting point to the correct position.

Repeat until you have 14 rounds total from the base. The bag should measure approximately 33cm wide and 24cm tall.

Step 8: Add the Edging

1. Work single crochets around the top edge:

• Place 4 single crochets in the first space.
• Place 1 single crochet in each small center space.
• Place 8 single crochets in each large space.

1. Continue around and join with a slip stitch.
2. Fasten off, leaving a 30cm tail.

Step 9: Make the Handles

1. Leave a 30cm tail, then make a slip knot.
2. Chain 2.
3. Skip the first chain, insert hook into the 2nd chain, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
4. Turn your work. You'll see two back loops. Insert your hook through both back loops, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
5. Turn and repeat: insert hook through both back loops, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through.
6. Continue until the handle measures 70cm (or your desired length).
7. Cut the yarn, leaving another 30cm tail. Pull through to secure.

Make a second handle exactly the same length.

Step 10: Attach the Handles

1. Decide where you want the handles on your bag (through the holes in the pattern).
2. Thread one tail of a handle through a yarn needle.
3. Insert the handle end through the bag hole from inside to outside.
4. Sew the handle securely to the bag, making sure it lies flat and isn't twisted.
5. Repeat for the other side of the same handle.
6. Attach the second handle on the opposite side of the bag.

1. Count your stitches regularly – especially in the base rounds. The stitch count must be a multiple of 8 before starting the sides.

1. Use stitch markers liberally – they help you identify corner stitches and starting points, which is crucial for maintaining the pattern.

1. Keep your tension consistent – this is especially important for the handle, which needs to be sturdy and even.

1. Check your starting point – when beginning a front post treble round, use slip stitches to move to the correct position at the peak of the pattern.

1. Block your bag – if the edges curl, lightly block the finished bag to help it lie flat.