Crochet Longchamp Bag Free Pattern: Make Your Own Designer-Inspired Tote

If you’ve ever admired the sleek, structured silhouette of a Longchamp Le Pliage tote and thought, “I wish I could make that myself,” you’re in exactly the right place. The iconic French handbag has inspired crafters all over the world, and the good news is that you absolutely can recreate that elegant shape with yarn, a crochet hook, and a few hours of your time. This free crochet Longchamp bag pattern will walk you through everything you need to know, from materials and gauge to assembly and finishing, so you can carry a handmade piece that looks every bit as polished as the original.

Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter looking for a new challenge or an intermediate maker ready to level up your skills, this project is both achievable and deeply rewarding. Let’s dive in.

Why Crochet a Longchamp-Style Bag?

The Longchamp Le Pliage is one of the most recognized tote bag silhouettes in the world. Its clean trapezoidal shape, structured base, long shoulder handles, and zippered top have made it a staple in fashion circles for decades. Crocheting your own version means you get complete control over color, texture, and size — and you end up with something truly one of a kind.

Beyond the aesthetic appeal, crocheting your own bag is also a practical choice. High-quality crochet bags can be just as durable as their store-bought counterparts when made with the right yarn and stitch structure. You can tailor the dimensions to fit exactly what you carry every day, add interior pockets or a lining, and choose colors that match your wardrobe perfectly. The handmade version also becomes a great conversation starter — there’s something special about telling someone “I made it myself” when they compliment your bag.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you cast on your first stitch, gather everything you’ll need so the process flows smoothly from start to finish.

Yarn: The key to achieving that structured, polished Longchamp look is choosing a firm, tightly spun yarn. Cotton yarn is the most popular choice for this type of bag because it holds its shape well, doesn’t stretch excessively, and comes in a stunning array of solid colors. Look for a worsted weight or aran weight cotton yarn. You’ll need approximately 400 to 500 yards for a medium-sized tote. Popular choices include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, We Are Knitters The Wool (though this is a wool blend, it works wonderfully for structured bags), or Paintbox Simply DK Cotton if you prefer a slightly lighter fabric.

Crochet Hook: A 5.0mm (H/8) or 5.5mm (I/9) crochet hook works well with worsted weight cotton. Going slightly smaller than the yarn label suggests is a good idea for bags, as a tighter gauge creates a firmer fabric that holds its shape better.

Notions: You’ll need a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming, a pair of fabric scissors, stitch markers to mark rounds, and a measuring tape. For the handles, you can either crochet them or purchase a pair of 18- to 20-inch leather or faux-leather bag handles, which elevate the finished look considerably and give it that authentic designer feel. If you want to line the bag (highly recommended for structure and durability), you’ll need half a yard of cotton lining fabric, a sewing needle, thread, and optionally a zipper.

Optional Extras: A magnetic bag clasp or zipper for the top closure, a bag base insert to keep the bottom firm, and D-rings or hardware for attaching handles.

Understanding the Gauge

Gauge matters more for bags than for most other crochet projects because it directly affects the final dimensions and the firmness of the fabric. For this pattern, aim for 14 stitches and 16 rows over a 4-inch square in single crochet using worsted weight cotton and a 5.0mm hook. If your swatch comes out larger, go down a hook size. If it’s too small and stiff, go up half a size.

Don’t skip the gauge swatch. A bag that turns out 30% larger or smaller than intended because of gauge differences is frustrating, and with a project of this size, yarn usage can vary significantly too.

Pattern Overview and Construction Method

This Longchamp-inspired tote is worked in the round from the base up. The base is an oval, which gives the bag its distinctive shape — wider than it is deep, with gently rounded ends. The body grows upward from the base in continuous rounds of single crochet. The top is shaped with a slight taper to mimic the original bag’s silhouette.

The pattern uses single crochet almost exclusively, which creates a dense, fabric-like texture. You could substitute half double crochet if you prefer a slightly looser, lighter fabric, but single crochet is recommended for maximum structure.

The Free Pattern

Finished Dimensions (approximate)

Width: 12.5 inches across the widest point
Height: 9.5 inches (not including handles)
Depth: 5 inches

These measurements reflect a standard medium tote. Adjust the number of foundation stitches and rounds to make a larger or smaller version.

Abbreviations

ch — chain
sc — single crochet
sl st — slip stitch
st(s) — stitch(es)
inc — increase (2 sc in same stitch)
BLO — back loop only
MR — magic ring

Part One: The Base

The base is worked as an oval. Start with a foundation chain of 30 stitches.

Row 1 (base setup): Chain 30. Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc in each chain across (29 sc). Work 3 sc in the last chain to turn the corner. Now work along the opposite side of the foundation chain, sc in each chain across (28 sc). Work 2 sc in the first stitch to close the oval. You now have approximately 62 stitches in your first oval round. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of this round.

Rounds 2–4 (expanding the base):

In each of the next 3 rounds, you’ll increase at both ends of the oval to keep the base flat and gradually widen it.

Round 2: Sc across 29 stitches. At the curve, work [sc, inc, sc] in the 3 corner stitches. Sc across the 28 stitches on the other side. Work [inc, sc] at the remaining corner. Total: approximately 66 stitches.

Round 3: Sc around, placing 2 increases evenly around each curved end. Total: approximately 70 stitches.

Round 4: Sc around, placing 2 more increases evenly at each curved end. Total: approximately 74 stitches.

After Round 4, your oval base should measure approximately 12.5 inches long by 5 inches wide. If you want a deeper bag, work one or two more increase rounds. If the base starts to curl up slightly, you have too many increases — just work one plain round to even it out.

Part Two: The Bag Body

Now you transition from the flat base to the upward walls of the bag.

Round 5 (pivot round): Working in BLO (back loop only) across all stitches, sc around. This creates a clean ridge that defines the bottom edge of the bag and helps the walls stand upright. Do not increase in this round.

Rounds 6–35: Work even in continuous rounds of sc, working through both loops as normal. This section forms the main body of the bag. After approximately 30 rounds of sc, the body should measure about 9 to 9.5 inches tall.

If you want to add a stripe of color, this is the easiest place to do it. Switching colors at the beginning of a round creates clean horizontal stripes. The classic Longchamp palette includes navy with tan handles, black with black handles, burgundy with tan, and forest green with tan — but the beauty of making your own is that any combination is fair game.

Part Three: The Top Edge

Round 36: Sc around, decreasing 4 stitches evenly spaced across the round (sc2tog at 4 points) to create a very slight taper at the top of the bag. This mimics the slight narrowing at the top of the original Longchamp silhouette.

Rounds 37–38: Work two more even rounds of sc to finish the top edge with a neat, stable rim.

Finishing the top edge: Sl st to close, fasten off, and weave in ends. If you want a firmer top opening, work one round of slip stitch or a crab stitch (reverse single crochet) around the top edge for a polished finish.

Part Four: The Handles

This is where your bag truly starts to look like the Longchamp inspiration. You have two options.

Option A: Purchased leather or faux-leather handles. This is the most popular option for achieving that designer look. Purchase a pair of bag handles that measure 18 to 20 inches in drop. These typically come with flat ends that have pre-punched holes for attaching. Use a yarn needle and a doubled strand of yarn to sew them firmly to the inside of the top edge, centering each handle on the front and back panels. Space the attachment points about 3 to 4 inches apart.

Option B: Crocheted handles. If you prefer an all-crochet project, make two handles as follows.

Chain 100 (or more if you want a longer drop). Starting in the second chain from the hook, sl st in each chain across for a firm, cord-like handle. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attachment. Sew both ends of each handle to the inside top edge of the bag, mirroring the placement described in Option A.

For a rounder crocheted handle, chain 8, join to form a ring, and work sc in the round for about 18 inches, then fasten off and attach. This creates a more tubular handle.

Part Five: Lining the Bag (Optional but Recommended)

A fabric lining makes an enormous difference in both the structure and the practicality of a crocheted bag. It protects your belongings from slipping through any gaps in the crochet fabric, prevents the bag from stretching under the weight of its contents, and gives the inside a clean, finished appearance.

To line your bag, trace the outline of the bag body onto your lining fabric, adding a half-inch seam allowance on all sides. Cut two identical pieces for the front and back, and one long strip for the side/base gusset. Sew the lining pieces together with a sewing machine or by hand, press the seams, fold the top edge under, and slip the lining inside the bag. Hand-stitch the top edge of the lining to the top edge of the crocheted bag with a whip stitch, hiding the stitches just below the top rim.

If you want a zippered closure, sew the zipper to the top edge of the lining before inserting it into the bag. This gives the bag a sleek, secure closure much like the original Le Pliage.

Tips for the Best Results

Work tightly and consistently. The firmness of a crocheted bag comes directly from stitch tension. If your tension is loose, the finished bag will be floppy. Take breaks if your hand starts to cramp, but try to maintain even tension throughout.

Block the base before building the walls. After completing the oval base, wet block it (soak in cool water, squeeze out moisture gently, pin to measurements, allow to dry flat). This sets the shape and makes the wall construction much easier.

Use stitch markers liberally. In the body section, it’s easy to lose track of your round beginnings. Place a marker at the start of each round and move it up as you go.

Consider the weight of your yarn. Cotton is heavy. If you plan to carry a laptop or heavy items, be mindful that the handles need to be attached very securely. Leather handles distribute weight better than crocheted ones for heavier loads.

Test your color before committing. Some cotton yarns bleed when wet. If you’re making a two-tone bag, wash and dry your yarn separately before crocheting to prevent color transfer.

Customizing Your Crochet Longchamp Bag

One of the greatest joys of making your own bag is the room for personalization. Here are a few ideas to make your version completely unique.

Try a different stitch texture. The body section of this bag is worked in plain single crochet, but you could substitute moss stitch (alternating sc and ch-1 spaces) for a more open, textured look, or work in herringbone half double crochet for a woven, sophisticated appearance.

Add a front pocket. Before beginning the body section, crochet a small rectangular pocket (about 5 inches wide by 3 inches tall) and attach it to the front of the bag after working a few rounds of the body. A row of sc or slip stitch around three sides attaches it neatly.

Play with color blocking. Use the round structure to work the base in a contrasting color, then switch to your main color for the body. Or reverse the taper colors at the top for a bold blocked look.

Experiment with size. A smaller version with 20 foundation chains makes a perfect crossbody bag. A larger version with 40 chains becomes an oversized beach tote. The construction method scales very easily.

Caring for Your Crochet Bag

Cotton bags can generally be hand washed in cool water with a gentle detergent. Reshape while damp and allow to air dry flat or over a rounded form (a clean bowl works perfectly) to maintain the shape. Avoid machine washing, which can distort the structure and fray the handles, especially if you’ve used leather or faux-leather hardware.

Store the bag stuffed with tissue paper or a small pillow when not in use to help it keep its shape over time.

Final Thoughts

A crochet Longchamp-inspired bag sits at the perfect intersection of accessible technique and impressive results. The construction is straightforward enough that anyone comfortable with single crochet and working in rounds can complete it, yet the finished object looks sophisticated and deliberate. Carried on your arm with a linen shirt and tailored trousers, nobody will guess it came from a skein of cotton yarn and an afternoon of careful stitching — unless you tell them, which, of course, makes it even better.

Take your time with each section, don’t rush the finishing details, and consider investing in a good pair of handles. Those small choices are what elevate a handmade bag from charming craft project to genuinely wearable accessory. Happy crocheting.