This tote bag was originally designed for Knotions Magazine, March 2019 Issue.

Originally, I was playing with a floral theme for this design, but I wasn’t sure just what I wanted to make. I thought about an afghan similar to the 3D rose ones you may have seen, but with my interpretation of the hydrangea. I started with one square, and then a bunch of ideas hit me - afghan squares are so versatile! But how about a tote bag that I could use to carry around my WIPs (work in progress) in?!

As far as the lining goes, in the past, I have crocheted other tote bags that I chose not to line, and I ended up really disappointed with how much they stretched out, so I made sure with this one that I added a lining to the bag itself, and the strap.

If you don’t want to work a whole tote bag, you can use this pattern to make more of a clutch by simply subtracting rounds on the bag body, and then create a little flap to hold your goodies in, or you could add a zipper.

Materials:

• 450 Yards of Worsted Weight #4 Yarn - I used Red Heart’s Super Saver in Soft White - a full skein, and small amounts of Turqua (Blue) and Tea Leaf (Green)
• H8/5mm Crochet Hook
• Tapestry Needle for Weaving in Ends
• Stitch Marker or Waste Yarn
• Tape Measure
• Optional for Sturdy Bag Bottom, 10.88” Wide by 2.63” Tall Piece of Stiff 7 Mesh Plastic Canvas (or Craftweight Interfacing)
• Optional for Lining, Sewing Pins
• Optional for Lining, Sewing Machine or Sewing Needle & Thread
• Optional for Lining, Less than 1 Yard of Felt (or more of another fabric) - I used Craft Felt Fabric from JoAnn’s in the Sandstone colorway

Materials Notes:
I used Red Heart Super Saver, which is a pretty durable yarn, however, I think a cotton yarn such as Lily Sugar n Cream would have been a better option for something that will keep a lot of use, and dragged around from one place to another. The cotton option will also make the bag a little larger.

Yarn Alternatives similar to Super Saver: Bernat’s Super Value Yarn, Caron’s One Pound.

Yarn Alternatives similar to Lily Sugar n Cream: Bernat Handicrafter, Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran, Rico Creative Cotton Aran

Plastic canvas piece in the bottom panel is optional. This is used to make the bottom of the bag sturdy. Alternatively, you can use a piece of craftweight interfacing in place of the plastic canvas, or you can just join the two panels together without anything in between.

Measurements:
Finished bag body measures 12.75” (32.39 cm) wide by 15” (38.1 cm) tall, and strap measures 2.5” (6.35 cm) wide by 37” (93.98 cm) long (before sewing).

Bag designed to hang at side, with top around natural waistline on a person 5’5” (165.1 cm), but sizing can easily be adjusted.

Gauge:

• In HDC Pattern (Strap): 5 HDC by 11 Rows Back and Forth: 1.38” (3.5 cm) Wide by 3.75” (9.53 cm) Tall OR
• In SC Pattern (Bag Bottom): 40 SC by 10 Rows Back and Forth: 11” (27.94 cm) Wide by 3.5” (8.89 cm) Tall

Abbreviations:

• WS - Wrong Side
• SC - Single Crochet
• TR - Treble/Triple Crochet
• RS - Right Side
• DC - Double Crochet
• HDC - Half Double Crochet
• PLT - Pull Loop Through - Joining method explained in pattern.
• SC3TOG - Single Crochet Three Stitches Together to Decrease
• BLO - Back Loop Only

For Instant Digital Purchase:
This is a 7 page PDF containing written instructions and 1 photo.

You WILL NOT be receiving anything via snail mail - just a PDF.

Digital Purchases are FINAL sale - Due to their digital nature they cannot be returned or refunded.

Copyright 2019 - All EyeLoveKnots, Photos and PDF’s are protected under copyright. They are not to be copied, distributed or sold - doing so is copyright infringement and stealing! DO NOT link to the PDF Download link, rather linking should be done from blog post or shop link. Feel free to use this information to make and sell your own items. Designer credit - Alexandra of EyeLoveKnots - is very much appreciated, but not required. DO NOT use my photos in selling your own products!