Make a Granny Square Tote Bag With a Free PDF Pattern

There is something deeply satisfying about carrying a bag you made with your own two hands. It says something about you before you ever open your mouth — that you are creative, that you value craftsmanship, and that you are not afraid to stand out in a world full of mass-produced everything. A granny square tote bag does all of that and more. It brings together one of crochet’s most beloved motifs with a practical, everyday accessory that you will actually use. Better yet, you do not need to be an advanced crocheter to pull this off. With a little patience and the right guidance, this project is well within reach for beginners and satisfying enough to keep experienced makers interested.

This post walks you through everything — the materials, the stitch pattern, the construction method, assembly tips, and finishing details. By the end, you will have a full understanding of how to make this bag, along with a downloadable free PDF pattern you can print and keep at your hook for reference.

Why Granny Squares Are the Perfect Choice for a Tote Bag

Granny squares have been around for generations, and they are not going anywhere. What started as a thrifty way to use up yarn scraps has evolved into one of the most versatile and recognizable elements in the fiber arts world. The classic square construction gives you a modular building block that can be arranged, mixed, and matched in endless configurations. For a tote bag, this modularity is a huge advantage.

Rather than crocheting the entire bag in one continuous piece — which can be tricky to size and shape correctly — granny squares let you build the bag panel by panel. You make a series of squares, join them together, and the structure of the bag emerges naturally from the grid. The result is stable, holds its shape well, and has a wonderful textured drape that soft, solid-stitch bags sometimes lack.

The spaces in traditional granny squares also mean the bag breathes, which is ideal if you are using it as a beach bag, a market tote, or a craft project carrier. You can choose to line it with fabric for more structure and privacy, or leave it unlined for a lighter, more casual feel. Either way, this is a bag that works.

Materials You Will Need

Before you start, gather everything so the project flows without interruption. Here is what you need for a finished tote measuring approximately 13 inches wide by 14 inches tall, not including the handles.

Yarn: Choose a worsted weight cotton yarn for the best results. Cotton is sturdy, washable, and holds the granny square structure beautifully. You will need approximately 400–500 yards of your main color and 100–150 yards each of any contrast colors if you are going with a multicolor design. If you prefer a monochrome look, 600 yards of a single color will be sufficient.

Recommended yarn weights are size 4 (worsted), and brands like Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Simply DK (held double), or Paintbox Simply Chunky all work well depending on the look you want.

Hook: A 5.0 mm (H/8) crochet hook pairs well with most worsted cotton yarns. If your tension runs tight, go up to a 5.5 mm. If it runs loose, try a 4.5 mm. Always swatch before committing.

Other supplies:
A yarn needle for weaving in ends and joining squares, scissors, stitch markers (helpful but not essential), and a ruler or measuring tape. If you plan to line the bag, you will also need half a yard of cotton quilting fabric, a sewing needle, thread, and straight pins.

Understanding the Basic Granny Square

If you have never crocheted a granny square before, now is a wonderful time to learn. The classic granny square is worked in the round from the center outward, using chains and double crochet clusters to build up four distinct corners and the shell-like sections between them.

Here is how to make a standard granny square in four rounds. This version measures roughly 4 inches by 4 inches using worsted cotton and a 5.0 mm hook.

Foundation ring: Make a magic ring, or chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.

Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as first double crochet), work 2 double crochets into the ring, chain 2, then work 3 double crochets into the ring. Repeat the sequence of chain 2 and 3 double crochets two more times, then chain 2 and join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3. You will have four clusters of 3 double crochets with a chain-2 space at each corner. Fasten off if changing color, or continue for round 2.

Round 2: Join yarn in any corner chain-2 space. Chain 3, work 2 double crochets in the same space, chain 2, work 3 double crochets in the same space (first corner made). Chain 1, then in the next corner chain-2 space, work the following: 3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets (another corner). Chain 1. Repeat around for the remaining two corners. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3. Fasten off or continue.

Round 3: Join yarn in any corner chain-2 space. Work the same corner sequence as before (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc), chain 1, then work 3 double crochets in the chain-1 space along the side, chain 1, then work a corner in the next corner space. Continue around. Join.

Round 4: Repeat the same process as Round 3, working 3 double crochets in each chain-1 side space and a 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc cluster in each corner space. Join and fasten off.

Block your finished square gently by spraying it lightly with water and pinning it to a foam mat or ironing board until dry. This step makes assembly much easier and gives your finished bag a polished, even look.

How Many Squares You Need

For this tote bag pattern, you will make 12 granny squares total — six for the front panel and six for the back panel. Arrange them in a 3-square-wide by 2-square-tall grid for each panel. If your squares measure 4 inches each, your panels will be roughly 12 inches wide by 8 inches tall before joining. The joins add a small amount to the overall dimensions, bringing you close to the 13 by 14-inch finished size once the side and bottom panels are added.

If you want a deeper bag, make an extra row of squares on both panels, bringing the total to 16 squares arranged in a 4 by 2 grid. This is a great choice if you plan to use the bag for grocery shopping or beach trips where you need to fit larger items.

Joining the Squares

There are several methods for joining granny squares, and the one you choose will affect the look and drape of your finished bag. The three most popular options are the flat slip stitch join, the flat single crochet join, and the join-as-you-go method.

Flat slip stitch join: Hold two squares with wrong sides together and work a slip stitch through both layers along the edge. This creates a very flat seam that is nearly invisible from the front. It is the most discreet of the joins and great for a neat, modern look.

Flat single crochet join: Similar to the slip stitch join, but you use single crochet instead, which creates a slightly raised ridge on the right side of the work. When done intentionally, this ridge becomes a design feature — it adds a linear texture that frames each square.

Join-as-you-go (JAYG): In this method, you attach each new square to the previous one during the final round of crocheting, rather than after the fact. It is more efficient and eliminates the need to sew pieces together afterward, but requires a bit more planning and concentration.

For this pattern, the flat single crochet join is recommended. It is easy to learn, works up quickly, and adds a lovely structural detail to the bag exterior.

To join, lay two squares right sides together. Using your working yarn and hook, insert your hook through the corner chain-2 space of both squares simultaneously, draw up a loop, and begin single crocheting through both layers, working through each stitch or space along the edge. When you reach the next corner, work a chain stitch and continue. Finish off and repeat for each join in your panel.

Building the Bag Body

Once your front and back panels are assembled, it is time to build out the full three-dimensional bag. You will do this by crocheting the sides and bottom directly, using single crochet rows worked along the edges of the joined panels.

With right sides facing out, place the front and back panels side by side. Using your main yarn color, join with a slip stitch to one of the bottom corner spaces. Work a row of single crochet evenly along the bottom edge of the front panel, then continue around the side, across the bottom of the back panel, and up the opposite side to connect everything. This forms the base of your bag and creates the gusset.

Work additional rows of single crochet for the sides and bottom until the gusset measures approximately 2 to 3 inches wide. This adds depth to the bag and lets it sit flat and open when loaded. Use stitch markers to mark the four corners and keep everything even as you work around.

Once the gusset is the right width, fold it so the front and back panels face each other and use your yarn needle to whipstitch or mattress stitch the bottom edge closed. This creates the base of the bag. Then fold the gusset over the sides and seam it in place along the outer edges of each panel. The result is a bag with clean, continuous sides and a stable flat bottom.

Making the Handles

The handles on a granny square tote need to be strong. Because you are working with a grid structure rather than a solid fabric, the handles must be reinforced to bear weight without pulling the squares apart at the seam.

The simplest and most durable handle is a long chain of slip stitches or a tightly worked i-cord in single crochet. For each handle, chain 80 to 90 stitches (or to your preferred length), then work a row of slip stitches or single crochets back across the chain. Repeat for three to four layers. You will end up with a dense, rope-like handle that is both strong and comfortable to hold.

Attach the handles by threading the ends through two adjacent corner spaces or seam points at the top of the bag and stitching them down securely with your yarn needle. Work several passes of the yarn through the attachment point and tie off firmly. For extra security, you can also use a piece of leather or faux leather strap material from a craft store in place of a crocheted handle, punching holes at each end and looping them through the top edge of the bag.

A third option is to crochet a row of single crochet all the way around the top opening of the bag first, creating a firm border, and then sewing the handles to this border rather than directly to the squares. This distributes the weight more evenly and protects the granny square structure.

Optional: Lining Your Bag

Lining is optional but highly recommended if you plan to carry small items that might slip through the spaces in your squares. Cut two rectangles of cotton fabric the same size as your bag panels, plus a half inch on all sides for seam allowance. Sew the side seams and bottom seam of the lining fabric with a simple straight stitch, leaving the top open. Turn under the top edge of the lining by a half inch, press it with an iron, and slip the lining inside the bag with wrong sides together. Use a whipstitch or slip stitch to attach the top edge of the lining to the interior of the bag’s top border. The lining will stay neatly hidden, keeping the exterior looking clean while protecting your belongings.

Color Ideas and Design Variations

One of the greatest joys of this project is how easy it is to personalize. Here are a few directions you might take it.

A classic rainbow gradient bag uses a different color for each round of each square, cycling through red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. When the squares are joined, the colors create a joyful, vibrant mosaic effect that is impossible to miss.

A neutral tonal bag in shades of cream, sand, and warm gray has a sophisticated look that pairs with almost any outfit. This is a wonderful choice if you want something that works as a daily carry bag.

A two-color design with a dark main color and a bright contrast for the final round creates a bold geometric pattern. Navy and mustard, forest green and terracotta, or black and blush pink all look striking.

You can also experiment with different granny square variations — try the solid granny square (which uses double crochets without the chain-1 spaces between clusters) for a denser, more opaque fabric. Or use the sunburst granny square, which features long treble crochets radiating from the center for a more intricate look.

Finishing Touches

Weave in all your ends securely with a yarn needle before assembling the final bag. Weaving each tail in two directions — once diagonally and once back — ensures it will never come loose with use.

Give the finished bag a gentle hand wash in cool water with a small amount of wool wash or gentle dish soap. Roll it in a towel to remove excess water, then reshape it and lay it flat to dry. Cotton bags benefit enormously from this final blocking step, which evens out any slight tension differences and gives the whole piece a unified, polished look.

Download Your Free PDF Pattern

To make following this pattern easier while you work, download the free PDF version below. The PDF includes a full materials list, step-by-step instructions for each granny square round, assembly diagrams, handle construction details, and a finished size chart with options for small, medium, and large versions of the bag. Print it out, keep it in your project bag, and check off each step as you go.

Whether this is your first granny square or your five hundredth, this tote bag is a project worth making. It is practical, it is beautiful, and every time someone stops you on the street to ask about your bag, you will get to say the most satisfying four words in a crocheter’s vocabulary: I made it myself.