DIY Crochet Cat Bag Pattern | Square & Round Tote Tutorial
There is something deeply satisfying about carrying a bag you made yourself. When that bag also happens to feature the face of a cat — expressive, a little mysterious, entirely charming — the satisfaction doubles. This tutorial walks you through everything you need to know to crochet your own cat-themed tote bag in both a square and a round version, so you can choose the silhouette that suits your style or make both and gift one to a fellow cat lover.
Whether you are a beginner who has just mastered the single crochet or an intermediate crocheter looking for a fun project to show off your skills, this pattern is designed to be clear, customizable, and genuinely enjoyable to work through. By the end, you will have a sturdy, market-ready tote with a whimsical cat face that turns heads at the farmers’ market, bookstore, or coffee shop.
What You Will Need
Before casting on, gather your materials. Having everything at hand before you start makes the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Yarn: For a sturdy tote that holds its shape, cotton yarn is the best choice. Look for a medium weight (Category 4) 100% cotton yarn. You will need approximately 400–500 yards of your main color (the body of the bag), 50 yards of a contrasting color for the cat face features, and small amounts of black, white, and pink for the eyes, nose, and inner ears if you want detail. Worsted weight cotton in a solid or heathered tone works beautifully.
Hook: A 5.0 mm (H/8) crochet hook pairs well with medium-weight cotton yarn and gives you a tight enough gauge to create a structured bag. If your tension runs loose, go down to a 4.5 mm hook.
Other supplies: A yarn needle for weaving in ends and sewing on facial features, scissors, stitch markers (especially important for the round version), a ruler or tape measure, and optional interfacing fabric if you want to stiffen the base.
Optional additions: If you plan to use the bag as a grocery tote or for carrying heavier items, consider sewing in a cotton canvas lining. It takes only an extra hour and extends the life of the bag considerably.
Understanding Gauge
Gauge matters more for bags than many people realize. A looser gauge gives you a drapier, softer bag; a tighter gauge gives you a stiffer, more structured one. For this pattern, aim for 14 stitches and 16 rows per 4 inches in single crochet. Make a small swatch, measure it, and adjust your hook size before committing to the full project. A bag that turns out much larger or smaller than planned can still be beautiful, but it is worth knowing ahead of time.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
Throughout the tutorial, the following standard crochet abbreviations appear. If you are newer to crochet, keep this list handy.
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
st — stitch
sp — space
MR — magic ring
inc — increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
dec — decrease (sc2tog, or single crochet two stitches together)
rnd — round
rep — repeat
pm — place marker
Part One: The Square Cat Tote
The square tote has a classic, boxy shape that is easy to work flat and seam together. It is ideal if you prefer working in rows rather than in the round, and the flat panels give you a great canvas for placing the cat face front and center.
Finished Dimensions
Approximately 13 inches wide × 13 inches tall (not including handles), with a flat base of about 13 × 4 inches.
Step 1: Crochet the Front Panel
Chain 46.
Row 1: Sc in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. (45 sc) Turn.
Rows 2–52: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
At the end of Row 52, fasten off and weave in ends. This gives you a panel that is approximately 13 inches wide by 13 inches tall. Set the front panel aside — you will add the cat face before assembling the bag.
Step 2: Crochet the Back Panel
Repeat the instructions for the front panel exactly. Fasten off and set aside.
Step 3: Crochet the Base and Side Panel (Gusset)
The gusset is a long, continuous strip that wraps around the bottom and both sides of the bag, connecting the front and back panels.
Chain 15.
Row 1: Sc in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. (14 sc) Turn.
Rows 2–112: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming. This strip should measure roughly 4 inches wide and 30–32 inches long. If your gauge is slightly off, measure after about 20 rows and adjust the total row count so your strip is long enough to wrap around three sides of your front panel (bottom plus both sides).
Step 4: Add the Cat Face to the Front Panel
This is the most creative part of the project, and it is where you can really make the bag your own. The cat face is worked in surface slip stitch and embroidery, then accented with small crocheted pieces.
Eyes: Using black yarn and a 4.5 mm hook, make two small oval eye shapes.
For each eye, chain 5. Working in both loops, sc in the second chain from the hook, hdc in the next 2 chains, sc in the last chain. Do not turn. Working along the other side of the foundation chain, sc in the next chain, hdc in the next 2 chains, sc in the last chain. Sl st to join. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
If you want a glint of light in the eye, use white yarn and make a tiny slip stitch knot, then attach it to the upper corner of each eye after sewing them on.
Nose: Using pink yarn, chain 2, then work 3 sc into the second chain from the hook. Sl st to close. This tiny triangle becomes the nose.
Mouth: Using a length of black yarn and your yarn needle, embroider a simple curved line below the nose — a small upside-down Y shape gives the cat its classic expression.
Ears: The ears are the feature that really sells the cat look, and you can work them directly into the top edge of the bag later, or make them separately and sew them on.
For each ear, chain 2.
Row 1: Sc 2 in the second chain from the hook. (2 sc) Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, inc, sc. (3 sc) Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc, inc, sc. (4 sc) Turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc across. (4 sc) Turn.
Rows 5–7: Ch 1, dec, sc across. (3 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc after each row)
Fasten off. Optionally, make a smaller inner ear in pink yarn and sew it onto the front of each ear. Attach the ears to the upper corners of the front panel so they peek above the bag’s top edge.
Whiskers: Cut three pieces of stiff-ish white yarn or use actual whisker wire if you want dramatic whiskers. Thread them through the fabric on either side of the nose and knot them at the back of the panel. Alternatively, embroider whisker lines using a long running stitch.
Placement: Pin your facial elements onto the front panel before sewing. Center the nose roughly two-thirds of the way up the panel. Place the eyes about an inch and a half above and to either side of the nose. Step back and check the placement from a distance — small adjustments at this stage make a big difference in the final expression of your cat.
Once satisfied, sew all pieces on securely using a yarn needle and matching thread.
Step 5: Assemble the Square Bag
With your front panel face-down and the gusset strip alongside it, use a yarn needle and your main color yarn to whip stitch or mattress stitch the gusset to the front panel, starting at one top corner, going down the side, across the bottom, and up the other side. Repeat with the back panel on the other side of the gusset. Weave in all ends.
Step 6: Make the Handles
Chain 6.
Row 1: Sc in the second chain from the hook and across. (5 sc) Turn.
Rows 2–60: Ch 1, sc across. Turn.
Fasten off. Make two handles. For extra durability, fold each handle in thirds lengthwise and slip stitch the edges together, or sew a piece of ribbon or webbing inside the handle before folding. Attach each end of the first handle to the front panel, about 3 inches in from each side, at the top edge. Attach the second handle to the back panel in the same position.
Part Two: The Round Cat Tote
The round tote has a more organic, boho feel. It is worked in continuous rounds, which makes it a great project for those who love the flow of circular crochet. The cat face on this version wraps around the front of the bag more softly.
Finished Dimensions
Approximately 13 inches in diameter and 10 inches tall (not including handles).
Step 1: Crochet the Base
Make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in the MR, sl st to join. (6 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, inc in each st around, sl st to join. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, (sc, inc) rep around, sl st to join. (18 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, (sc 2, inc) rep around, sl st to join. (24 sc)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, (sc 3, inc) rep around, sl st to join. (30 sc)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, (sc 4, inc) rep around, sl st to join. (36 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, (sc 5, inc) rep around, sl st to join. (42 sc)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, (sc 6, inc) rep around, sl st to join. (48 sc)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, (sc 7, inc) rep around, sl st to join. (54 sc)
Rnd 10: Ch 1, (sc 8, inc) rep around, sl st to join. (60 sc)
Rnd 11: Ch 1, (sc 9, inc) rep around, sl st to join. (66 sc)
Rnd 12: Ch 1, (sc 10, inc) rep around, sl st to join. (72 sc)
Your base should be approximately 6.5 inches in diameter at this point. If you want a larger base, continue the increase pattern for one or two more rounds.
Step 2: Work the Sides
Rnd 13: Ch 1, sc in the back loop only (BLO) of each st around. Sl st to join. (72 sc)
Working in the BLO on this round creates a clean, defined edge where the base meets the sides of the bag — it gives the round tote its structured shape and prevents the sides from splaying outward.
Rnds 14–50: Ch 1, sc in both loops of each st around. Sl st to join. (72 sc)
This gives you about 10 inches of height on the sides. Adjust the number of rounds to reach your preferred height, adding or removing rounds as needed.
Fasten off at the end of the final round.
Step 3: Add the Cat Face
The round version of the cat face is added the same way as the square version, but because the bag has a curved surface, you will position the features slightly lower to account for the rounded top.
Center the face on what will be the front of the bag. Place the nose about 5–6 rounds down from the top edge, and position the eyes an inch and a half above and to either side. Use the same crocheted eye ovals, tiny triangular nose, and embroidered mouth described in Part One.
For the ears on the round bag, you have a fun option: crochet the ears and attach them to the top edge of the bag on the front half, so they sit at roughly ten o’clock and two o’clock positions when you look at the bag from the front. This gives the bag a truly three-dimensional cat silhouette.
Striped or tabby detail: If you want to suggest tabby markings, use a contrasting color to surface slip stitch a few curved lines on the forehead, above the eyes, before adding the ears. It adds a lovely layer of character with very little extra effort.
Step 4: Make the Handles for the Round Bag
The handles for the round version are worked the same way as for the square bag, but you will attach them on opposite sides of the bag’s circumference, using stitch markers to find the halfway points first.
Alternatively, you can crochet a longer single handle for a crossbody style. For this, simply work the handle strip to a length of about 48–52 inches. Attach both ends to the same side of the bag, about 2 inches apart, for a loop handle, or attach each end to opposite sides of the bag for a true crossbody strap.
Tips for a Polished Finish
A few finishing techniques will take your cat bag from handmade to professional-looking.
Block your finished bag by dampening it with cool water, reshaping it, and letting it dry flat. Cotton responds beautifully to blocking and will make your stitches even and your panels crisp.
If the base of your round bag tends to curl, place a piece of plastic canvas cut to a circle inside the base. It is hidden and keeps the bottom flat when the bag is in use.
For the square bag, if you want very defined corners, fold a small square of cardboard covered in fabric and tuck it into each bottom corner before lining the bag.
Sewing a simple cotton lining adds structure, extends the bag’s life, and — practically speaking — keeps small items from slipping out through the crochet stitches. Cut your lining fabric an inch larger than your panels on all sides, fold the edges under, press them, and hand stitch the lining to the inside of the bag along the top edge.
Customization Ideas
One of the greatest things about making your own bag is that you control every detail. Here are a few directions you can take this pattern to make it entirely your own.
Try making the cat face in a different colorway — a black cat with golden eyes is dramatic and elegant, while a ginger tabby in warm orange yarn is cheerful and fun. A tuxedo cat in black and white yarn makes a sophisticated, graphic statement.
Add a button or zipper closure at the top to keep your belongings secure. A single large button and a crocheted loop makes a simple closure that complements the handmade aesthetic.
Use tapestry crochet to work the cat face directly into the body of the bag rather than adding it afterward. This requires working with two colors simultaneously and reading a chart, but the result is seamless and striking.
Make a mini version for a coin purse or gift bag by simply halving the stitch counts and working to a proportionally smaller height.
Caring for Your Crochet Cat Bag
Cotton yarn is wonderfully practical for bags because it is machine washable. Turn the bag inside out, use a gentle cycle with cool water, and lay it flat to dry rather than putting it in the dryer — heat can cause cotton to shrink slightly and may loosen your embroidered facial features over time.
If your bag starts to lose its shape after washing, a quick block while it is still damp will restore it.
Final Thoughts
Making a crochet cat bag is one of those projects that manages to be practical and joyful at the same time. You end up with something genuinely useful — a roomy tote for everyday errands, a gift worthy of any cat enthusiast, or a market bag that people will actually stop and ask you about. And you made it yourself, stitch by stitch, which is a quiet kind of satisfaction that never really gets old.
Whether you choose the classic square silhouette or the boho-round version, the pattern here gives you a solid foundation to work from and plenty of room to experiment. Try different colors, different embellishments, different ear positions. Let the cat have a slightly grumpy expression or a wide-eyed surprised one. Crochet is wonderfully forgiving, and the personality you give your cat face is entirely up to you
