Crochet Everyday Tote Bag | Free Crochet Pattern & Video Tutorial | VivCrochet
There is something deeply satisfying about carrying a bag you made with your own two hands. It draws compliments at the grocery store, starts conversations at the farmers market, and every time you reach inside it you get that quiet little reminder that you are more capable and creative than you sometimes give yourself credit for. Today I am sharing one of my all-time favorite makes: the Crochet Everyday Tote Bag. This is a free pattern that works up beautifully for beginners and experienced crocheters alike, and I have paired it with a full video tutorial so you can follow along stitch by stitch if you prefer to learn by watching.
Let’s get into everything you need to know, from materials to finishing touches.
Why You Will Love This Tote Bag Pattern
Before we dive into the pattern itself, I want to talk about why this particular tote has become such a staple in my crochet rotation and why I think it will become one of yours too.
First, it is genuinely practical. This is not a tiny decorative bag that holds your phone and nothing else. The Crochet Everyday Tote is roomy enough to carry your groceries, your library books, your gym gear, or your own crochet project when you are on the go. The sturdy base and reinforced handles mean it can actually hold weight without stretching out of shape or feeling like it is about to give way.
Second, it is endlessly customizable. Once you understand the basic structure of the pattern, you can adjust the size, switch up the yarn weight, add stripes, change the handle length, or embellish with flowers and buttons to create something that feels completely unique to you. I have made this bag in chunky cotton for a beach look, in a soft pastel for a spring brunch aesthetic, and in a bold jewel tone for everyday errands. Every single version looked like a different bag entirely.
Third, it works up faster than you might expect. Many people are intimidated by the idea of crocheting a bag because they assume it will take forever. With the right yarn weight and hook size, you can have a finished, usable tote in a single weekend. Some experienced crocheters have knocked it out in a single long afternoon.
Materials You Will Need
One of my goals with every pattern I share is to keep the materials list simple and accessible. You should not have to hunt down obscure notions or spend a fortune before you even start stitching.
For the Crochet Everyday Tote Bag, here is what you will need.
Yarn: I recommend a cotton yarn in a worsted or bulky weight for this project. Cotton holds its shape well, is durable enough for daily use, and washes easily. Some of my favorite options are Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in worsted weight for a slightly dressier look, or Paintbox Simply Chunky Cotton if you want the bag to work up faster and have a more textured, relaxed feel. You will need approximately 300 to 400 yards depending on your yarn weight and your gauge. If you go with a bulky yarn, you can expect to use closer to 200 to 250 yards.
Hook: For a worsted weight cotton, I recommend a 5.0mm or 5.5mm hook. For a chunky or bulky cotton, step up to a 6.0mm or 6.5mm. Always check your gauge before you begin if you want your finished bag to match the dimensions I describe below.
Additional supplies: A yarn needle for weaving in your ends, scissors, stitch markers (these are optional but they help a lot when you are working in the round), and if you want to add a lining to the inside of your bag, you will need a fat quarter of fabric, a sewing needle, thread, and basic sewing supplies. I will talk more about lining later in this post.
Finished Dimensions
The finished bag measures approximately 14 inches wide by 13 inches tall, not counting the handles. The handles add roughly 10 to 12 inches of length, making them comfortable to carry both in hand and over the shoulder.
If you want a smaller bag, you can reduce your starting chain by six stitches on each side. If you want a larger bag, add six stitches. Every six stitches you add or remove will change the width by approximately one to one and a half inches, depending on your yarn and hook size.
Gauge
For worsted weight cotton on a 5.0mm hook: 14 stitches and 16 rows equal 4 inches in single crochet.
Gauge is especially important in bag making because it affects not just the size but also the density of your fabric. A fabric that is too loose will stretch under the weight of your bag contents and quickly lose its shape. A fabric that is too tight will feel stiff and be hard on your hands as you work. Aim for something in the middle — a fabric that holds its structure but still has a little give.
Understanding the Construction
This tote bag is worked from the bottom up, beginning with a flat oval base that we then build the sides up from in continuous rounds. The handles are worked last, crocheted directly onto the body of the bag so there is no sewing required to attach them. This is one of my favorite construction methods because it gives the handles incredible strength and a clean, professional finish.
If you have never made a bag using an oval base before, do not worry. I walk through it step by step in the video tutorial, and once you have done it once, it becomes second nature. The oval base is nothing more than a foundation chain with stitches worked along both sides of it, then increased at the short ends to keep the fabric flat as you work the first few rounds.
Free Crochet Pattern: Everyday Tote Bag
Abbreviations
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
st(s) — stitch(es)
sp — space
inc — increase (two stitches in one stitch)
BLO — back loop only
MR — magic ring (optional for a cleaner start, or you can use a chain)
Part One: The Base
Begin by chaining 31.
Round 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 1 sc in each of the next 29 chains. When you reach the last chain, work 3 sc in that final chain. Now rotate your work and continue crocheting along the opposite side of the foundation chain, working 1 sc in each of the next 28 chains. Work 2 sc in the very first chain you started with. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of your round. You should have 62 stitches total.
Round 2: Work 1 sc in each of the next 29 sts. Work 2 sc in each of the next 3 sts (the rounded end). Work 1 sc in each of the next 28 sts. Work 2 sc in each of the last 2 sts. You will have 67 stitches.
Round 3: Work 1 sc in each of the next 29 sts. Work (1 sc, 1 inc) across the next 3 sts for a total of 6 sts worked. Work 1 sc in each of the next 28 sts. Work (1 sc, 1 inc) across the next 2 sts. You will have 71 stitches.
Round 4: Work 1 sc in each of the next 29 sts. Work (1 sc, 1 sc, 1 inc) across the next 6 sts. Work 1 sc in each of the next 28 sts. Work (1 sc, 1 sc, 1 inc) across the next remaining sts to the marker. You should have 75 stitches.
Your oval base is now complete. It should lie perfectly flat. If it is cupping upward, you have too many stitches on the curved ends; if it is ruffling or waving, you have too many increases. Adjust as needed before continuing.
Part Two: The Sides
Now we shift from working flat to building the walls of the bag. To create this sharp transition, we work the next round through the back loops only. This creates a visible ridge at the base of the bag, which looks polished and also functionally reinforces where the base meets the sides.
Round 5: Working in BLO, work 1 sc in each stitch around. Do not increase. (75 stitches)
From Round 6 onward, work through both loops as normal.
Rounds 6 through 30: Work 1 sc in each stitch around in continuous rounds. (75 stitches each round)
You are essentially crocheting a tall cylinder now. The sides of your bag grow stitch by stitch, round by round. This is a great portion of the pattern to work on while watching TV or listening to a podcast because it requires minimal counting.
If you want your bag to be taller, simply add more rounds here. If you want it shorter, stop a few rounds earlier. Each round adds approximately half an inch to the height of the bag.
At the end of Round 30, slip stitch to the first stitch of the round and fasten off. Do not fasten off if you prefer to continue directly into the handle row.
Part Three: The Handles
The handles are worked by creating two gaps in the top of the bag and then crocheting chains to bridge those gaps. You will then reinforce those chains by crocheting back over them.
Turn your bag so the opening faces up. Decide where you want your handles to sit. For a symmetrical look, count 12 stitches from each side of the bag and mark those spots. Your handles will sit roughly centered on the front and back panels.
Handle Round 1 (Top Edging and Handle Placement): Join yarn to any stitch at the top of the bag. Work 1 sc in each of the first 12 sts. Chain 20 (this creates the handle loop). Skip the next 15 sts. Work 1 sc in each of the next 23 sts. Chain 20. Skip the next 15 sts. Work 1 sc in each of the remaining 10 sts. Slip stitch to the first sc to join.
Handle Round 2: Work 1 sc in each sc around the top edge. When you reach a chain-20 bridge, work 20 sc directly over the chain (crocheting into the chain itself, not around it). This fills in the handle and gives it structure and strength.
Handle Round 3: Repeat Handle Round 2 for additional reinforcement and a fuller handle. At the end of this round, slip stitch to join and fasten off. Weave in all ends with your yarn needle.
For extra-strong handles, you can work a third reinforcement round or even add a fourth. Cotton handles that are worked over three or four times are remarkably sturdy and will hold up to heavy loads.
Optional Finishing: Adding a Fabric Lining
Adding a fabric lining to your crochet tote is one of those small steps that takes your finished project from handmade to genuinely professional. A lining prevents small items from slipping through the stitches, gives the bag more body and structure, and makes it far easier to find things inside since you can choose a contrasting color or pattern that makes the interior easy to see into.
To line your bag, cut two rectangles of fabric that match the dimensions of your bag plus half an inch on all sides for seam allowance. Sew the side seams and the bottom seam together with right sides facing, then fold down the top edge and press it flat. Slip the lining inside your finished bag with the wrong sides facing outward (the nice side of the fabric should face inward, toward the inside of the bag). Use a needle and thread to hand stitch the lining to the inside of the top edge, just below the handle row. Take small, careful stitches and use a thread color that blends with your yarn so it is invisible from the outside.
Tips for Success
Use stitch markers liberally, especially when you are working the oval base. Mark the beginning of each round and also mark the corners of the oval so you can easily see where your increases should go.
Do not skip gauge. I know I already said this but it really does matter for bags. A single stitch off per inch adds up to an inch or more of difference across the full width of the bag, which can mean the difference between a bag that holds your groceries and one that barely fits a water bottle.
Wet block your finished bag. Cotton yarn responds beautifully to wet blocking. Simply soak your finished bag in cool water, gently squeeze out the excess water without wringing it, stuff it with plastic bags or a rolled towel to hold its shape, and let it dry completely. The finished fabric will relax, even out, and look significantly more polished.
If your handles feel too floppy after finishing, try a round of slip stitches along the inside edge of each handle. Slip stitches pull the fabric tight and create a firm, rope-like feel that many people prefer for everyday carrying.
Video Tutorial
If you are a visual learner or you hit a tricky spot in the written pattern, I have got you covered. The full video tutorial for the Crochet Everyday Tote Bag walks through every single step in real time, with close-up shots of the hook and yarn so you can see exactly how each stitch is formed. I talk through the gauge, the oval base construction, the side rounds, and both handle options, and I share my blocking process at the end.
You can find the video tutorial on my YouTube channel, VivCrochet. If you are reading this on my website, the video is embedded just below this section so you can watch it right here without navigating away from the pattern.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel if you haven’t already — I share new free patterns and tutorials every week, and subscribers always find out first when a new video goes live.
Share Your Makes
One of my absolute favorite things about running this little corner of the crochet world is seeing what you all create with these patterns. Every crafter brings something different to the same stitches — a color combination I never would have thought of, a modification that makes the bag work better for their lifestyle, an embellishment that takes a simple tote to the next level.
When you finish your Crochet Everyday Tote Bag, please share it with me. You can tag me on Instagram using VivCrochet, leave a photo in the comments on the YouTube video, or post in the VivCrochet community group on Facebook. I look at every single one and I share my favorites in my weekly stories round-up.
If you are on Ravelry, you can also add this project to your queue or your finished projects page. Searching VivCrochet Everyday Tote on Ravelry will bring you right to the pattern listing, where you can save it, note your yarn substitutions, and connect with other makers who have completed the same project.
Yarn Substitution Ideas
While I love cotton for this bag, there are plenty of other yarns that work beautifully here. Jute or raffia yarn creates a natural, earthy tote that is perfect for summer. Nylon-blend yarns add extra durability and a slight sheen. Wool works if you felt it after finishing for an incredibly sturdy and water-resistant result. Just keep in mind that any yarn substitution will affect your gauge, so always swatch before committing to the full project.
If you are working with a yarn that is slightly fuzzy or has a halo, like mohair or alpaca, know that the stitch definition will be softer and the texture of the finished bag will be quite different from a crisp cotton version. That is not necessarily a bad thing — it is just a different aesthetic. A mohair tote in a dusty mauve or sage green has a very romantic, dreamy quality that some people absolutely love.
Final Thoughts
The Crochet Everyday Tote Bag is one of those patterns that I come back to again and again because it is useful, it is beautiful, and it never gets old. Whether you are making it for yourself, as a gift, for a craft fair, or simply to practice your skills, it is a deeply satisfying project from the first stitch to the last.
I hope this pattern brings you as much joy to make as it brings me every time I pick it up. Crocheting is one of the most grounding, creative, and genuinely fun things I know how to do, and sharing these patterns with you is one of my greatest pleasures.
Happy crocheting, and I cannot wait to see what you make.
With love,
Viv
