Mohave Slouchy Tote Bag Knitting Pattern

The Perfect Everyday Bag You Can Knit in a Weekend

There is something deeply satisfying about carrying a bag you made with your own hands. Every time someone stops you in a grocery store aisle or at the farmer’s market to ask where you got that beautiful bag, you get to smile and say, “I made it.” The Mohave Slouchy Tote is exactly that kind of project — the kind that becomes your signature piece, the one your friends beg you to make for them, and the one you find yourself knitting again and again in different colorways.

This pattern is designed with real life in mind. It is spacious enough to haul your knitting project, your water bottle, your kids’ snacks, and your wallet without looking overstuffed or shapeless. The slouchy silhouette gives it that effortlessly cool boho vibe that works equally well at the beach, the library, or a casual lunch date. And despite how impressive it looks when finished, this is a beginner-friendly pattern that any knitter who knows their basic stitches can tackle with confidence.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know to cast on your very own Mohave Slouchy Tote.

Why You’ll Love This Pattern

Before we get into the materials and instructions, let’s talk about what makes this pattern special.

First, it uses a chunky yarn, which means you are working on larger needles and the project grows quickly. There is nothing more motivating than seeing real, visible progress every time you sit down to knit. With the Mohave Slouchy Tote, you will move through the rows fast enough to keep things exciting but slowly enough to stay mindful and enjoy the process.

Second, the stitch pattern is straightforward but not boring. A combination of stockinette and a simple texture stitch gives the bag its beautiful, relaxed character without requiring you to follow a complicated chart or count endlessly. This is the kind of pattern you can knit while watching a show or sitting in the school pickup line.

Third, it is extremely customizable. The colorway options are endless, and you can easily adjust the size by adding or subtracting rows. Want a smaller bag for a quick errand run? Knit fewer rows. Need a truly giant market tote? Add a few more. The pattern scales beautifully.

Materials You Will Need

Getting your materials together before you cast on makes the whole experience smoother and more enjoyable. Here is what you will need for the Mohave Slouchy Tote.

Yarn: You will need approximately 200 to 250 yards of chunky weight yarn (weight category 5 or 6). Cotton or cotton-blend yarns are ideal for tote bags because they are sturdy, washable, and hold their shape well over time. That said, a wool-blend chunky yarn will give you a softer, squishier result if you prefer that feel. Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, Paintbox Simply Chunky, and WeCrochet Brava Bulky are all wonderful options that are budget-friendly and widely available. For a true desert-inspired colorway that matches the Mohave name, look for warm terracotta, rust, sage, or warm cream shades.

Needles: US size 10.5 (6.5mm) or US size 11 (8mm) circular needles, 24 inches in length. You will not be knitting in the round for most of this pattern, but circular needles make it much easier to manage the width of the bag without the stitches falling off the ends. You can absolutely use straight needles if you prefer.

Notions: A tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers (optional but helpful), and a measuring tape.

Handles: You have two great options here. For a polished, structured look, pick up a pair of bamboo or wooden bag handles — the kind with a slot at the top that you fold your fabric through and sew down. These are readily available on Etsy and Amazon and typically run between eight and fifteen dollars for a pair. For a softer, more handmade feel, you can knit or crochet your own handles directly from your yarn, which this pattern also covers.

Lining (optional): A fabric lining is not required, but it does extend the life of your bag and prevents small items from slipping through if your gauge is looser. A fat quarter of quilting cotton in a coordinating color works perfectly.

Gauge

Gauge matters more for wearable garments than it does for bags, but it is still worth checking before you cast on so your finished tote ends up close to the intended dimensions.

The gauge for this pattern is approximately 12 stitches and 16 rows to 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US 10.5 needles with chunky weight yarn. Work a quick swatch, wash and block it the same way you plan to care for your finished bag, and measure. If your gauge is significantly off, go up or down a needle size until you land in the right neighborhood. A slightly larger bag or slightly smaller bag is perfectly fine — it is a tote, after all, not a fitted sweater.

Finished Dimensions

The finished Mohave Slouchy Tote measures approximately 14 inches wide by 13 inches tall (before adding handles), with a natural slouch of about 2 to 3 inches when loaded. The bag has a generous opening and no closures, keeping it easy to toss things in and out of quickly. If you want to add a simple button closure or a snap at the top, that is an easy modification to make after the fact.

Abbreviations

CO — Cast on
BO — Bind off
K — Knit
P — Purl
St(s) — Stitch(es)
RS — Right side
WS — Wrong side
Rep — Repeat
PM — Place marker
SM — Slip marker

The Pattern

Getting Started: The Base

The Mohave Slouchy Tote is worked flat in two identical panels that are then seamed together at the sides and bottom. This construction method makes the bag easy to seam and gives you a clean, sturdy edge on all sides.

CO 42 stitches using the long-tail cast on method. The long-tail cast on creates a neat, stretchy edge that looks polished at the base of your bag. If you are not familiar with this method, there are dozens of excellent video tutorials available online, and it is well worth learning for this and future projects.

Row 1 (RS): Knit across all 42 stitches.
Row 2 (WS): Purl across all 42 stitches.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 (stockinette stitch) for 6 rows total. This creates a small stockinette base at the bottom of the bag that helps it sit flat when set down.

The Body: Texture Section

Now comes the part that gives the Mohave its distinctive, relaxed texture. This simple four-row repeat creates a subtle woven-looking pattern that is beautiful in person and incredibly easy to work.

Row 1 (RS): K2, P2, K2; repeat from to end.
Row 2 (WS): P2, K2, P2; repeat from to end.
Row 3 (RS): Knit across.
Row 4 (WS): Purl across.

Repeat these four rows until your panel measures approximately 13 inches from the cast-on edge, ending after a WS row. This will take approximately 16 to 18 repeats of the four-row sequence, depending on your gauge.

If you want a taller bag, simply continue repeating until you reach your desired height. If you want a shorter, more structured silhouette, stop a few rows early.

The Handle Opening (for Knitted Handles Only)

If you are using bamboo or wooden bag handles that you will attach later, skip this section and proceed directly to the bind-off.

If you want to knit your own handles, you will create two handle openings at the top of your panel. Here is how to do it.

On your final RS row before binding off, work as follows:

K9, BO 6 stitches (this creates your first handle opening), K12, BO 6 stitches (this creates your second handle opening), K9.

On the following WS row, work across, CO 6 stitches over each bound-off section using the backward loop cast on to close up the openings into loops.

Work 4 more rows in stockinette, then bind off all stitches.

This creates two sturdy loops at the top of your panel that will become your handles when the panels are seamed and the loops are paired together.

Binding Off

Bind off all stitches on a RS row using a standard bind-off. Try not to bind off too tightly — leave your tension relaxed and even. If you tend to bind off tightly, go up one needle size for the bind-off row only.

Repeat the entire pattern to make your second panel. You now have two identical pieces that will become the front and back of your Mohave Slouchy Tote.

Seaming the Bag

Place your two panels with wrong sides facing each other (right sides facing out). This is the key difference from garment seaming — for bags, you want your seam on the outside, or you can choose to seam with right sides together and turn the bag right side out for a hidden seam. Both approaches work beautifully.

Using your tapestry needle and a length of matching yarn, seam the bottom and both side edges using the mattress stitch. Mattress stitch creates an almost invisible join on the right side of your work, and it gives the bag a clean, professional look. Work slowly and consistently, picking up one bar from each panel as you go.

When you reach the top corners, leave the top open (this is where your tote opens). Weave in all ends securely on the inside of the bag.

Attaching Wooden or Bamboo Handles

If you are using pre-made handles, this step gives your bag a polished, boutique-worthy finish.

Thread your handles onto the top edge of the bag by folding the top 1.5 inches of knitting through the slot in the handle. Use your tapestry needle and matching yarn to whip stitch the folded edge down to the inside of the bag, securing it firmly. Repeat for the second handle on the other panel. Make sure both handles are centered evenly before you stitch them down.

Give the handles a gentle tug to make sure they are secure. If you plan to carry heavy loads, double-stitch the attachment for extra reinforcement.

Adding a Fabric Lining (Optional but Recommended)

Cut two pieces of lining fabric to match the dimensions of your knitted panels, adding half an inch on all sides for a seam allowance. Sew the two fabric panels together at the sides and bottom with a half-inch seam. Press the seams open.

Fold the top edge of the lining down by half an inch and press. Slip the lining inside your finished bag with wrong sides together (so the lining’s right side faces you when you look inside the bag). Pin it in place so the folded top edge sits just below the handle attachment line, and whip stitch the lining to the inside of the bag using a sharp hand-sewing needle and thread in a coordinating color.

The lining keeps the bag’s shape even when it is only half full and prevents small items like coins or lip balm from poking through the knit fabric.

Finishing Touches and Blocking

Wet blocking your bag before attaching handles or lining makes a significant difference in the finished result. Submerge the knitted panels in cool water, gently squeeze out the excess water without wringing, and lay flat to dry. Gently shape the panels with your hands as they dry, smoothing out any uneven rows and making sure the edges are straight. Allow them to dry completely before seaming.

Once your finished bag is assembled, you can give it one final steam block if needed, hovering your iron just above the surface without pressing directly onto the yarn.

Tips for Success

Working with chunky yarn for the first time can feel a little unwieldy, but you adjust quickly. Here are a few tips to make your Mohave knitting experience as smooth as possible.

Keep consistent tension throughout your work. Chunky yarn shows tension inconsistencies more visibly than finer weights, so try to maintain an even, relaxed grip on your yarn. If you notice your tension changing between sessions, try to always stop at the end of a row so you are starting fresh each time.

Use stitch markers at the edges if you tend to accidentally add or drop stitches. Place one marker after the first two stitches and one before the last two stitches to help you keep track of your edges.

Check your stitch count at the end of every four-row repeat, especially in the texture section. It is much easier to catch a missing stitch early than to discover it ten rows later.

If you are making this as a gift, choose a cotton-blend yarn for the recipient’s bag. Cotton is machine washable and holds up beautifully with regular use, which makes it practical and long-lasting.

Colorway Ideas for Your Mohave Tote

The name Mohave calls to mind the American Southwest — warm sands, deep rust canyons, sage brush, and dusty turquoise skies. But your tote can be anything you want it to be.

For a true desert palette, pair a warm terracotta main color with cream-colored handles. For something fresh and summery, try a bleached white or sage green. For a bold, graphic statement, try a deep navy or forest green. The texture pattern in the body reads beautifully in solid or semi-solid colorways, and the simple geometry is also stunning in a variegated yarn if you want color without the work.

You can also make the bottom panels in a contrasting color, switching yarns after the first six stockinette rows for a color-blocked effect that looks incredibly intentional and stylish.

Care Instructions

Hand wash in cool water with a gentle soap or machine wash on a delicate cycle in a mesh laundry bag, depending on your yarn’s care instructions. Lay flat to dry, reshaping as needed. Avoid putting your knitted tote in the dryer, as heat can cause shrinkage and distortion, particularly in wool-blend yarns.

Final Thoughts

The Mohave Slouchy Tote is more than just a functional bag — it is an expression of the slow, intentional craft that makes knitting such a meaningful hobby. Every stitch is made by your hands, at your pace, in colors you chose, for a purpose you decided. Whether you are knitting this for yourself, for a friend, or as a creative challenge to try something new, the finished bag will be something you reach for again and again.

Cast on, settle in, and enjoy the process. There is a beautiful tote waiting at the other end of those rows, and you are going to love carrying it.

Happy knitting from Mama In A Stitch — where every pattern is designed for real mamas living real, beautifully crafted lives.