by Let’s create a stylish and practical Crochet Tote Bag with Striped Colors! This project is a fantastic way to combine functionality with a pop of color, making a versatile bag for groceries, beach days, or everyday essentials. It’s suitable for beginners comfortable with basic stitches and color changes.
How to Make a Crochet Tote Bag with Striped Colors
This detailed guide will walk you through crocheting a sturdy and attractive tote bag. We’ll build it from a strong base up, incorporating color changes to create eye-catching stripes and finishing it with comfortable handles.
Skill Level: Beginner
This project is ideal if you’re comfortable with (or ready to learn!):
- Chain (ch): The basic foundation.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining rounds.
- Single Crochet (sc): A dense stitch, great for sturdy bags.
- Half Double Crochet (hdc): A slightly taller stitch, providing good fabric.
- Working in rounds: Crocheting in a circular fashion.
- Color changes: Neatly switching between yarn colors.
- Fastening off: Securing your yarn.
- Weaving in ends: The essential finishing touch.
Finished Tote Bag Dimensions (Approximate):
Using worsted weight yarn and the suggested hook, your finished tote bag will typically measure around:
- Base: 12 inches (30 cm) wide by 4 inches (10 cm) deep oval
- Height: 13-15 inches (33-38 cm) (excluding handles)
- Handles: 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) tall loop
You can easily adjust the size by changing the starting chain length for the base or the number of rounds for the body.
Materials You’ll Need:
Gathering your materials beforehand ensures a smooth and enjoyable crocheting session.
- Yarn: Approximately 600-800 yards (550-730 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton or Cotton Blend Yarn.
- Why Cotton? Cotton yarn is excellent for bags due to its durability, good stitch definition, and minimal stretch, which helps the bag maintain its shape.
- Color Choices for Stripes: Select 2-4 colors. Contrasting colors will create bold stripes, while analogous colors will give a softer, more blended look.
- Color A (Main Body Color): Approx. 300-400 yards (275-365m) – e.g., a neutral like white, cream, navy, or black.
- Color B (Stripe Color 1): Approx. 150-200 yards (137-183m) – e.g., a contrasting bright color or a pastel.
- Color C (Stripe Color 2 – Optional): Approx. 150-200 yards (137-183m) – e.g., another complementary color.
- Crochet Hook: Size H/5.0mm. This hook size works well with worsted weight cotton yarn to create a firm, dense fabric that will hold up to daily use.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for seamlessly weaving in all your loose yarn tails. It has a blunt tip and a large eye.
- Scissors: Any sharp pair of scissors.
- Stitch Marker (Optional but Recommended): Helpful for marking the first stitch of each round when working in continuous spirals, especially for the base.
Let’s Crochet Your Striped Tote Bag!
We’ll build this bag from the bottom up: starting with an oval base, then working the body of the bag in stripes, and finally adding sturdy handles.
Part 1: The Oval Base (Color A)
We’ll start by creating a sturdy oval shape that will form the robust bottom of your tote bag. We’ll work around a starting chain to achieve this.
- Starting Chain (with Color A):
- Make a slip knot with Color A and place it onto your H/5.0mm crochet hook.
- Chain (ch) 25. (This length determines the initial width of your bag. For a wider/narrower bag, adjust this chain length. It should be an odd number.)
- Round 1 (Working around the chain):
- Work 2 single crochet (sc) stitches into the 2nd chain from your hook. Place a stitch marker in the first sc you just made (this will be the first stitch of your round).
- Work 1 sc into each of the next 22 chains.
- In the last chain (the 25th chain from your hook): Work 4 sc into this single chain. This neatly turns the corner.
- Now, you’ll work back down the other side of your starting chain, into the bottom loops.
- Work 1 sc into each of the next 22 stitches.
- In the last stitch (the same chain where you placed your first 2 sc): Work 2 sc into this chain. This turns the other corner.
- You should now have a total of 52 sc stitches (2+22+4+22+2). Do NOT join with a slip stitch yet. You will be working in continuous rounds for the base to avoid a visible seam.
- Round 2 (Continuing the Oval Shape):
- Work 2 sc into the first stitch of the round (where your stitch marker is). Move your stitch marker to this new first sc.
- Work 1 sc into the next stitch.
- Work 1 sc into each of the next 22 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the next 3 stitches.
- Work 1 sc into each of the next 22 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the next 2 stitches.
- You should now have 60 sc stitches. Continue working in continuous rounds.
- Round 3 (Final Base Round – for a wider base):
- Work 2 sc into the first stitch of the round (where your stitch marker is). Move your stitch marker to this new first sc.
- Work 1 sc into the next 2 stitches.
- Work 1 sc into each of the next 22 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the next 3 stitches.
- Work 1 sc into each of the next 2 stitches.
- Work 1 sc into each of the next 22 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the next 2 stitches.
- You should now have 68 sc stitches.
- Stop here! When you finish the last sc of this round, remove your stitch marker.
- Slip stitch (sl st) into the first sc of this round to join. This flattens the end of the round and prepares for working up the sides of the bag.
- Fasten off Color A, leaving a 4-inch (10 cm) tail for weaving in.
Part 2: Building the Body of the Bag (Stripes with Color A, B, and C)
Now we’ll work up the sides of the bag, incorporating your chosen colors to create the striped pattern. We’ll switch to working in joined rounds to maintain a neat seam.
- Round 4 (First Side Round – with Color B):
- Join Color B with a slip stitch (sl st) into the same stitch where you just fastened off Color A.
- Chain 2 (ch 2 – counts as your first half double crochet (hdc)).
- Work 1 hdc into the back loop only (BLO) of each stitch around the entire round. (68 hdc)
- Why BLO? Working into the back loop creates a nice defined edge that helps the bag sides stand up straight from the base.
- Slip stitch (sl st) into the top of the beginning ch 2 to join the round.
- Do NOT fasten off Color B yet!
- Round 5 (Second Side Round – with Color B):
- Chain 2.
- Work 1 hdc into each stitch around the round. (68 hdc)
- Crucial Step: Color Change! When you make the very last half double crochet of this round (the 68th hdc), stop when you have two loops left on your hook.
- Drop Color B. Pick up Color A.
- With Color A, yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook to complete the stitch. Color A is now active on your hook.
- Now, complete the round by doing a slip stitch (sl st) with Color A into the top of the beginning ch 2 you made at the beginning of this round.
- Fasten off Color B, leaving a 4-inch (10 cm) tail for weaving in.
- Round 6 (Third Side Round – with Color A):
- Chain 2.
- Work 1 hdc into each stitch around the round. (68 hdc)
- Slip stitch (sl st) into the top of the beginning ch 2 to join the round.
- Do NOT fasten off Color A yet!
- Round 7 (Fourth Side Round – with Color A):
- Chain 2.
- Work 1 hdc into each stitch around the round. (68 hdc)
- Color Change! When you make the very last half double crochet of this round, stop when you have two loops left on your hook.
- Drop Color A. Pick up Color C (if using three colors, otherwise switch back to Color B).
- With Color C, yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook to complete the stitch. Color C is now active on your hook.
- Now, complete the round by doing a slip stitch (sl st) with Color C into the top of the beginning ch 2 you made at the beginning of this round.
- Fasten off Color A, leaving a 4-inch (10 cm) tail for weaving in.
- Continue Stripes:
- Repeat the stripe pattern (e.g., 2 rows of Color B, 2 rows of Color A, 2 rows of Color C, then repeat) until your bag reaches your desired height (approximately 25-30 rows total for the body, after the base).
- Always remember to change colors on the last yarn over of the last hdc of the last row for that color segment.
- End with the color you want your handles to be (often your main color, Color A, or a complementary color).
Part 3: Creating the Handles (Last Active Color, e.g., Color A)
The handles will extend from the top of your bag, integrated into your final color choice.
- Round for Handle Placement:
- After your last body round (with your final desired color active on your hook, e.g., Color A), chain 1 (does not count as a stitch).
- Work 10 single crochet (sc) stitches. (This places the stitches for the first handle’s attachment point on the front of the bag).
- Chain 30 (ch 30 – this creates the length of your first handle. Adjust this number to make the handle longer or shorter).
- Skip the next 14 stitches (this creates the opening for the bag).
- Work 20 sc stitches (this will take you across the back/front to the other side for the second handle).
- Chain 30 (ch 30 – this creates the length of your second handle).
- Skip the next 14 stitches.
- Work 10 sc stitches (this should bring you back to the start of the round).
- Slip stitch (sl st) into the first sc of this round to join.
- Round for Handle Finishing (Strengthening):
- Chain 1.
- Work 1 sc into each of the 10 sc stitches from the previous round.
- Now, work 30 sc stitches around your chain-30 handle loop. Make sure to work into the chain itself and not just the top. This reinforces the handle.
- Work 1 sc into each of the 20 sc stitches between the handles.
- Work 30 sc stitches around the second chain-30 handle loop.
- Work 1 sc into each of the remaining 10 sc stitches.
- Slip stitch (sl st) into the first sc of the round to join.
- Fasten Off:
- Cut your yarn, leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail.
- Yarn over with your hook, pull the cut tail completely through the loop left on your hook, and gently tug to secure the knot.
Part 4: Final Finishing Touches
- Weave in All Ends:
- This is the most crucial step for a neat, professional-looking bag, especially with multiple color changes. You’ll have tails from your starting chain, all your numerous color changes, and the final fasten-off.
- Use your yarn needle to meticulously weave in every single loose yarn tail.
- How to Weave Neatly: Thread the yarn tail onto your yarn needle. Weave the tail into the stitches of the same color as the tail. Go in one direction for at least 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm). To truly secure it, subtly change direction (e.g., weave along a stitch, then turn and weave back through some of the same stitches diagonally or perpendicularly) to “lock” the tail in place and prevent it from unraveling. Trim any excess yarn close to the fabric, being careful not to cut any of your actual stitches.
- Blocking (Optional):
- Blocking can significantly improve the drape, even out any tension inconsistencies, and give your bag a more polished, professional look.
- Method: Gently mist the bag evenly with cool water using a spray bottle until it’s damp but not soaking wet. Stuff the bag lightly with tissue paper or a clean towel to help it hold its intended shape. Allow the bag to air dry completely and thoroughly in a well-ventilated area.
- Optional: Bag Lining:
- For extra durability and to prevent small items from slipping through the stitches, consider adding a fabric lining. This is a separate sewing step. Measure the finished dimensions of your crocheted bag. Cut fabric pieces slightly larger, sew them into a matching pouch, and then hand-stitch or machine-stitch it inside your crocheted bag.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully crocheted a beautiful and unique Crochet Tote Bag with Striped Colors! This project is not only practical but also a fantastic way to showcase your creativity and crochet skills. What will you fill your new tote with first?
