Summer Tote Bag

I'm very excited to share my first crochet bag pattern! I had purchased some Bernat Outdoor yarn a while back and was originally going to make outdoor pillows (which I will probably still do) but the feel of the yarn (stretchy & durable) made me think it would be perfect for a summer beach bag.

The bag is worked in the round from the bottom up with a J 6mm crochet hook and half double crochet (hdc) stitches. The pattern is simple and works up quickly, making it a great crochet bag for beginners.

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If you prefer to purchase an ad-free downloadable PDF version of this pattern from my Etsy shop, click here!

width= 17.5 inches
height= 12 inches

14 stitches= 4 inches
11 rows= 4 inches

• J 6mm crochet hook
• Bernat Outdoor yarn
• Locking stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

• ch= chain
• ch(s)= chains
• hdc= half double crochet
• sc= single crochet

• bag is worked in the round
• bag is worked from the bottom up
• straps are made separately and then sewn on

CLICK HERE to watch my Tote Bag Tutorial

Bag Bottom: Round 1

Step 1
Round 1: Chain 42 (40 + 2  for turning chain)

Step 2
Round 1: make 2 hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook (the two chains that you skipped are your turning chain)

Step 3
Round 1: make 2 hdc in the next chain. Add a stitch marker to the LAST of the four hdc you made. You should now have four hdc.

Step 4
Round 1: hdc once in each of the next 36 chains (you will have two chains remaining)

Step 5
Round 1: make 2 hdc in each of your last two chains and turn your work (picture shows work already turned). You will now work in the BACKSIDE of your chain(s). Add a stitch marker to the FIRST of the four hdc you made.

Step 6
Round 1: You are now working in the backside of the chains. We are going to repeat what we did in the front of the chains. Make 2 hdc in each of your first two backside chains. Add a stitch marker to the LAST hdc made (this stitch marker is NOT in this photo but can be seen in the photo for step 7)

Step 7
Round 1: hdc once in each of the next 36 chains (you will have two backside chains remaining)

Step 8
Round 1: make 2 hdc in each of your last two backside chains. Add a stitch marker to the FIRST of the four hdc you made.

Step 9
Round 1: Join in the round with a slip stitch to the first hdc of round 1. You should have 88 total stitches at the end of round 1.
Your stitch count between the stitch markers should be 36 (on both sides).
Your stitch count on each end should be 8 (including the stitch with the marker).

Round 1 of Bag Bottom

Bag Bottom: Round 2

Step 10
Round 2: Chain 2, 2 hdc in each of the first two stitches. Move your stitch marker to the LAST of the four hdc you made. You should now have four hdc for round 2.

Step 11
Round 2: hdc once in each of the next 40 stitches (you will have to remove a stitch marker from round 1 to work into the stitch)

Step 12
Round 2: make 2 hdc in each of the next two stitches. Add a stitch marker to the FIRST of the four hdc you made.

Step 13
Round 2: make 2 hdc in each of the next two stitches. Move stitch marker to the LAST of the four hdc you made.

Step 14
Round 2: hdc once in each of the next 40 stitches (you will have to remove a stitch marker from round 1 to work into the stitch)

Step 15
Round 2: make 2 hdc in each of your last two stitches. Add a stitch marker to the FIRST of the four hdc you made.

Step 16
Round 2: Join in the round with a slip stitch to the first hdc of round 2. You should have 96 total stitches at the end of round 2.
Your stitch count between the stitch markers should be 40 (on both sides).
Your stitch count on each end should be 8 (including the stitch with the stitch marker).

Round 2 of Bag Bottom

Bag Bottom: Round 3

Step 17 
Round 3: Chain 2, 2 hdc in each of the first two stitches. Move your stitch marker to the LAST of the four hdc you made. You should now have four hdc for round 2.

Step 18
Round 3: hdc once in each of the next 44 stitches (you will have to remove a stitch marker from round 1 to work into the stitch)

Step 19
Round 3: make 2 hdc in each of the next two stitches. Add a stitch marker to the FIRST of the four hdc you made.

Step 20
Round 3: make 2 hdc in each of the next two stitches. Move stitch marker to the LAST of the four hdc you made.

Step 21
Round 3: hdc once in each of the next 44 stitches (you will have to remove a stitch marker from round 1 to work into the stitch)

Step 22
Round 3: make 2 hdc in each of your last two stitches. Add a stitch marker to the FIRST of the four hdc you made.

Step 23
Round 3: Join in the round with a slip stitch to the first hdc of round 2. You should have 104 total stitches at the end of round 3.
Your stitch count between the stitch markers should be 44 (on both sides).
Your stitch count on each end should be 8 (including the stitch with the stitch marker).

Round 3 of Bag Bottom

Bag Bottom: Round 4

Step 24
Round 4: Chain 2, 2 hdc in each of the first two stitches. Move your stitch marker to the LAST of the four hdc you made. You should now have four hdc for round 2.

Step 25
Round 4: hdc once in each of the next 48 stitches (you will have to remove a stitch marker from round 1 to work into the stitch)

Step 26
Round 4: make 2 hdc in each of the next two stitches. Add a stitch marker to the FIRST of the four hdc you made.

Step 27
Round 4: make 2 hdc in each of the next two stitches. Move stitch marker to the LAST of the four hdc you made.

Step 28
Round 4: hdc once in each of the next 48 stitches (you will have to remove a stitch marker from round 1 to work into the stitch)

Step 29
Round 4: make 2 hdc in each of your last two stitches. Add a stitch marker to the FIRST of the four hdc you made.

Step 30
Round 4: Join in the round with a slip stitch to the first hdc of round 2. You should have 112 total stitches at the end of round 4.
Your stitch count between the stitch markers should be 48 (on both sides).
Your stitch count on each end should be 8 (including the stitch with the stitch marker).

Round 4 of Bag Bottom

Bag: Top Section

Round 1: chain 2, hdc once in each stitch in the BACK LOOP ONLY, join with a slip stitch to the first hdc [stitch count= 112]

Round 1 of Bag Top

Rounds 2- 26: chain 2, hdc once in each stitch, join with a slip stitch to the first hdc [stitch count= 112]

Round 2 of Bag Top

Round 27: chain 1, sc once in each stitch, join with a slip stitch to the first sc [stitch count= 112]

Bag Handles

Make 2.

Chain 7 (5 + 2  for turning chain)

Row 1: hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook (the two chains that you skipped are your turning chain) and hdc in each of the remaining 4 chains, turn [stitch count= 5]

Rows 2- 46: ch 2, hdc once in each stitch, turn [stitch count= 5]

Your handle should measure approximately 18 inches.

Measure in 1 inch from each end. Mark this spot with a stitch marker.

Leaving the 1 inch ends un-worked, fold the strap in half and single crochet the two folded ends together (this will create a tube) between the stitch markers.

Measure in 4.5 inches from each side of the tote bag (front and back). Mark these spots with stitch markers. These are the spots where you will attach your handles.

You should have approximately 9.5 inches between the stitch markers.

Use your tapestry needle to sew the handles onto the bag from the inside.

Weave in your ends.

You are done! ♥ Congrats! I'd love to see pictures of your work. Tag me on Instagram (lovable_loops) to share your pictures and I'll share your photo to my stories!