Easy All-Purpose Tote Crochet Pattern

All Purpose Tote Pattern: A Crochet Guide

Crocheting an All Purpose Tote is a fantastic way to showcase your skills while creating a functional and stylish accessory. Whether you’re planning a beach day, shopping trip, or just need a handy bag for daily use, this tote is perfect for you. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know to create your very own bag, including materials, instructions, and finishing touches.

this Pattern

Materials Required

For this project, you will need the following supplies:

• Yarn: RED HEART® Classic™
  • Color A: 3 skeins (0334 Tan)
  • Color B: 2 skeins (0401 Nickel)
• Crochet Hook: Susan Bates® 3.75mm [US F-5]
• Leather Straps with Rings: 2, each 20-22″ [51-56 cm] long
• Yarn Needle

Special Abbreviations

• sc2tog: Draw up a loop in the next stitch twice, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

Instructions

Base (Make 2)

1. With Color B, chain 71.
2. Row 1: Single crochet (sc) in the second chain from the hook, sc in each chain across – 70 sc.
3. Rows 2-19: Chain 1, turn, and sc in each sc across.
4. Fasten off one Base piece, but do not fasten off the second Base piece.

Joining Base Pieces

1. Round 1: Holding the wrong sides of Base pieces together, line up stitches and work through both layers.
   • Chain 1, turn to work down one short edge,
   • [sc 17 stitches evenly along short edge, turn to work along one long edge, 3 sc in first stitch of next long edge, sc 68 stitches evenly to last stitch, 3 sc in last stitch] twice,
   • Slip stitch in the first sc to join – 182 sc.

Body

1. Round 2: Chain 2 (does NOT count as a half double crochet (hdc) here and throughout), working in back loops only, hdc in each sc around, slip stitch in first hdc.
2. Round 3: Chain 2, hdc in each horizontal bar on back of hdc around, do not join.
3. Rounds 4–7: Hdc in each horizontal bar on back of hdc around. Fasten off.
4. Round 8: Change to Color A, chain 1, sc in each horizontal bar on back of hdc around, slip stitch in first hdc.
5. Round 9: Chain 1, sc in each sc around, do not join.
6. Rounds 10–60: Sc in each sc around.
7. Round 61: [Sc in next 12 sc, sc2tog] 13 times – 169 sc.
8. Round 62: Sc in each sc around.
9. Round 63: [Sc in next 11 sc, sc2tog] 13 times – 156 sc.
10. Round 64: Change to Color B, chain 2, hdc in each sc, slip stitch in first hdc.
11. Rounds 65–67: Chain 2, hdc in each horizontal bar on back of hdc around. Slip stitch in first hdc. Drop Color B and change to Color A.
12. Round 68: Chain 2, hdc in each horizontal bar on back of hdc around, slip stitch in first hdc. Cut Color A.
13. Round 69: Change to Color B, chain 2, hdc in each horizontal bar on back of hdc around, slip stitch in first hdc. Fasten off.

Side Tabs (Make 2)

1. With Color B, chain 10.
2. Row 1: Hdc in the second chain from the hook, sc in each chain across – 9 hdc.
3. Row 2: Chain 2, turn, working in the back loop only, hdc in each hdc across.
4. Row 3: Chain 2, turn, hdc in each horizontal bar on back of hdc across. Fasten off.

Sew one Side Tab to the middle of the lower edge of each short side.

Pocket

1. With Color A, chain 21.
2. Row 1: Sc in the second chain from the hook, sc in each chain across – 20 sc.
3. Row 2: Chain 1, turn, sc in each sc across. Cut Color A.
4. Row 3: Change to Color B, chain 1, turn, sc in each sc across.
5. Row 4: Chain 1, turn, sc in each sc across. Cut Color B.
6. Row 5: Change to Color A, chain 1, turn, sc in each sc across.
7. Rows 6–28: Chain 1, turn, sc in each sc across.

Trim Round: Turn to work along one long edge, sc evenly spaced along the edge to the corner, turn to work along the opposite edge of the foundation chain, (sc, chain 1) in the first chain, slip stitch in each chain across to the last stitch, (chain 1, sc) in the last stitch, turn to work along the opposite long edge, sc evenly spaced along the edge to the corner. Fasten off. Do not work the last row for the bottom of the Pocket.

Use a yarn needle and a photo reference to sew the Pocket to the Tote Body.

Tassel (Make 2)

1. Cut 25 lengths of Color A, each 12″ [30 cm] long.
2. Use one length to tie the remaining lengths together in the center securely.
3. Fold the lengths in half at the tied center and hide the ends of the knot in the center.
4. Cut a 12″ [30 cm] length of Color B.
5. Wrap around the folded length, 1″ [2.5 cm] from the secured end. Trim the ends evenly.
6. With Color A, slip stitch in the top of the tassel, chain 40, slip stitch in the top of the second tassel. Fasten off.

Top Cuff

1. With Color A, chain 17.
2. Row 1: Sc in the second chain from the hook, sc in each chain across – 16 sc.
3. Row 2: Chain 1, turn, sc in each sc across. Fasten off.

Sew the Top Cuff over the slip stitch joins on top of the Tote.

Finishing

1. Sew the handles onto the bag.
2. Add the tassels to the handle rings.
3. Weave in all ends to clean up your work.

With just a bit of time and these straightforward steps, you’ll have a handmade tote that’s not only stylish but also practical! Happy crocheting!