Hi friends,

There are probably a million different tote bag crochet patterns out there – well, maybe not a million, but there are A LOT! And I’m going to add one more. 🙂

I thought it would be fun to try my hand at designing a simple Color Block Tote Bag and this is what I came up with. It’s super easy to make and goes quickly because the bag is stitched holding 2 strands of worsted weight yarn together. I’ve written the pattern below.

Crochet Color Block Tote Bag

Finished size is approximately 17 by 17 inches plus the handles.

Worsted weight yarn – size 4

2 (5 oz, 232 yards) skeins of each color

I used Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek yarn from Hobby Lobby in Teal Blue and White

Cotton yarn would work great for this bag!

N/9mm hook

Gauge is not important for this project. My bag measures about 17 inches wide by 15 inches high (without the handles) and 3 inches wide across the bottom.

Stitches used: US terms

Chain – ch

Single crochet – sc

Half double crochet – hdc

Slip stitch – ss

Back loop only – blo

Note: Bag is crocheted using 2 strands of yarn held together

Note: By alternating which stitch you begin the rounds with, it helps to keep your seam straighter.

Ch 36 with blue (holding 2 strands together)

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Ch 1 and turn. (35 stitches)

Rows 2-5: sc in each stitch across. Ch 1 and turn. (35 stitches)

Row 6: sc in each stitch across. Ch 1. DO NOT TURN (35 stitches)

Begin working in rounds.

Round 1: Work 4 sc across end of rows. Work 2 sc in next stitch. sc in next 33 stitches. (This is the opposite side of the beginning ch.) 2 sc in last stitch. Work 4 sc across end of rows. 2 sc in next stitch. sc in next 33 stitches. 2 sc in last stitch. Join with ss to 1st sc. (82 stitches)

Round 2: ch 1. sc in blo only of same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to 1st sc. (82 stitches)

Round 3: ch 1. Skip stitch that has the ss. sc in next stitch and in each stitch around, ending with final sc in skipped sc at the beginning of the round. Join with ss to 1st sc. (82 stitches)

Round 4: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to 1st sc. (82 stitches)

Rounds 5-10: Repeat rounds 3 and 4 (3 times). Change to white (holding 2 strands together) at the end of round 10. (82 stitches)

Round 11: ch 2. Skip stitch that has the ss. hdc in next stitch and each stitch around, ending with the final hdc in skipped stitch at the beginning of the round. Join with ss to 1st hdc. (82 stitches)

Round 12: ch 2. hdc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to 1st hdc. (82 stitches)

Rounds 13-26: Repeat rounds 11 and 12 (8 times). Change to blue (holding 2 strands together) at the end of round 26. (82 stitches)

Rounds 27-32: Repeat rounds 3 and 4 (3 times). (82 stitches)

The next round will form the handles of the tote.

Round 33: ch 1. Skip stitch that has ss. sc in next 13 stitches. Ch 40. Skip next 14 stitches. sc in next 28 stitches. Ch 40. sc in next 12 stitches. End the round with a sc in the stitch that was skipped at the beginning of the round. Join with ss to first sc. (134 stitches)

Round 34: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and each sc and ch around. Join with ss to first sc. (134 stitches)

Round 35: ch 1. Skip stitch that has the ss. sc in next stitch and in each stitch around, ending with the final sc in skipped stitch at the beginning of the round. Join with ss to first sc. (134 stitches)

Round 36: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (134 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Click on the link below if you’d like to print out a copy of the pattern.

This Color Block Tote Bag is a great size to take to the beach, farmers market, or to carry your current crochet project!

Happy Stitching!

Anita