Crochet Tote Bag Pattern - Large Sturdy Purse

Classic meets modern in this crochet tote bag free pattern. Made with very basic crochet techniques, this tote is a perfect project for a confident beginner to practice seamless color changes and crocheting in the round. The free bag pattern is below or you can purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

This free crochet tote bag pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand. This post contains affiliate links.

Useful Crochet Tote Bag Pattern

The Audrey Tote pattern was born out of the desire to make a crochet tote bag that could really be useful. Like for your real life. Not just for holding down the hooks in your closet. 🙂

Best Sturdy Yarn for a Crochet Bag

Thanks to this totally tubular Lion Brand Fast-Track yarn, this bag feels strong, soft, and appropriate for the beach, the mall or even, work.

Really, I can't think of a better yarn to make a bag like this because Fast-Track is more sturdy than stretchy. Tt's flat tube shape compresses nicely, creating great stitch definition.

Related: 30+ Best Crochet Crop + Tank Top Patterns

How to Strengthen a Crochet Shoulder Bag

Even loaded down with a day's worth of necessities, this crochet tote bag really doesn't feel like it's going to stretch to be six feet long by the time you arrive home in the evening.

Add a Fabric Lining

If you want to make your crochet bag even stronger, you can always add a simple fabric lining on the inside, which will keep the bag from stretching at all.

Add Leather Straps

I'm a big fan of mixing different materials with yarn, so of course I had to try an option of this bag with some DIY leather handles. Don't they add such a pretty mix of color and texture to this bag?

I'm so in love with these handles that I  kind of want to see what else I can hammer leather to!

(If you love the look of crochet & leather look too, you'll definitely want to check out the free Urban Gypsy Boho Bag pattern and the free Dollar Store Twine + Thrifted Belt Basket pattern.)

How To Crochet Jogless Stripes in the Round

Since changing colors in the round can be a little tricky (I literally screw it up almost every time I try), I put together a little photo tutorial about the way I like to change colors to create jogless stripes. If you have a favorite way of changing colors, feel free to do it your way and just scroll down for The Audrey crochet tote free pattern below.

If nothing else, this tutorial will be here next time I need to reference it for my own project!

• Check out the video tutorial below if you need to see someone's hands in action doing these jogless color changes.

• In photos above, marker is in sl st at the end of the round previous round.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Work last single crochet of round.
2. Remove hook. Insert hook in first single crochet of round.
3. Place loop back onto hook. Yarn over with new color.
4. Pull yarn-over through loop on hook and first single crochet to create a slip stitch. (Rounds joined.) Proceed with next round as instructed.

More Free Crochet Bag + Purse Patterns

From modern granny square bags to mesh market totes to circle purses, we've got lots more free crochet bag patterns for you to enjoy. With sturdy straps and stylish details, you might just become a crochet bag-a-holic.

See more free crochet bags & purses patterns →

Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell with this pattern. In exchange, please link back to this post. Do NOT use my photos as your own sales photos. ­­You can read my policies here. 

Audrey Crochet Tote Bag - Free Pattern

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

Add this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.

Pin this pattern for later here.

Explanation:
This classic crochet tote bag is sure to become a staple of your wardrobe. Very simple techniques combine with Lion Brand Fast-Track yarn to make a bag that transitions between seasons effortlessly and looks like something from a high-end store—only better. Add basic crochet straps or snazz up your bag with leather and gold accents, either way, you’ll have a functional and stylish beach bag, work bag or everyday-life bag.

Tote Bag Supplies:

• Lion Brand Fast-Track (Weight: 6/super bulky - 149 yds, 8 oz)|
- Color A: Jet Black (2 full skeins)
- Color B: Airstream White (1 full skein)
• Tapestry needle
• Size L (8 mm) crochet hook
• Stitch markers or safety pins
• Needle and sewing thread to match Color A (if adding crochet handles)
• Straight pins (if adding crochet handles)
• Approx 50” long,1.5” wide leather strap (if adding leather handles--see the detailed tutorial here)
• 16 gold rivets + rivet tools, size: 8mm cap, 10mm post (if adding leather handles)
• Hammer (if adding leather handles)
• 6” square of plastic canvas (if adding leather handles)

Measurements:

19” wide
13” tall
handle height: approx. 9.5”

Gauge:

11 sc = 4”
12 rows = 4”

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
st – stitch
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
rep – repeat
PM – place marker

Overall Pattern Notes:
• The bag base is worked first and the body is added on top.

• IMPORTANT: The gauge is intentionally quite tight so as to create a bag that won’t be too stretchy. Please check gauge to ensure you will have enough yarn to complete the pattern.

Bag Base Instructions

Foundation Row: Using Color A, ch 37.

Row 1: Sk first ch, sc in each ch; turn. (36 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc; turn.

Rep Row 2 ten more times for a total of 12 rows. Do not cut yarn.

Bag Body

Notes:

• The bag body is worked in the round, beginning with Round 1 which is crocheted along all four sides of the bag base.

• Follow instructions above for crocheting jogless stripes for each color change.

• Work with the RS of the bag facing you as you crochet so as not to make an inside-out bag.

• I find it helpful to place a stitch marker in the sl st at the end of each round in order to keep track of where the round began. (See Photo B.) Be sure not to crochet into this sl st when you come back around to it.

• When beginning Rounds 2 and on, begin single crocheting into the first single crochet (the same st you slip stitched into the previous round.)

Round 1: Using Color A, ch 1, sc 1 into the same corner st the last sc of Row 12 was worked into, sc 10 along shorter rectangle side, sc 2 into corner st, sc 34 along longer rectangle side, sc 2 into corner st, sc 10 along shorter rectangle side, sc 2 into corner st, sc 34 along longer rectangle side, sc 1 into same corner st round began in, sl st to first sc of round to join (PM in sl st). (96 sc)

Round 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc in each sc around, sk marked sl st from previous round, sl st to first sc of round to join (PM in sl st).

Rep Round 2 six more times for a total of eight rounds in Color A. At the end of Round 8, switch to Color B using the technique described on page 7.

***
Using Color B, rep Round 2 three times. At the end of the third round, switch to Color A using the jogless stripes technique described above.

Using Color A, rep Round 2 three times. At the end of the third round,switch to Color B using the jogless stripes technique described above.

Rep from *** four more times to create a total of five Color B stripes and five Color A stripes (plus the Color A base). Do not switch to Color B at the end of the final round. Instead, fasten off and weave in tails.

Handles

Notes:

• You may choose to crochet handles with the instructions below or add leather handles with this step-by-step tutorial.

• If you crochet your handles and plan to carry very heavy items, you might like to sew webbing similar to this to the back of the handles before sewing them onto the bag.

• Handles measure about 30” each. To adjust the length, create additional or fewer chain stitches in the foundation.

• Round 1 is worked in the round, first along foundation chain and then along the underside of the chain. Row 2 is worked similarly to the first half of Round 1, but ends before working the underside.

Make 2.

Foundation Row: Using Color A, ch 74.

Round 1: Sk first ch, 2 sc in second ch, 1 sc in each ch until 1 sc remains, 2 sc in last ch, (PM) (now begin working along bottom side of chain), 2 sc in first ch, 1 sc in each ch until 1 sc remains, 2 sc in last ch, sl st to first sc of round to join.

Row 2: 2 sc in first sc, sc in each sc until 1 sc remains before marker, 2 sc in next two sc, 1 sl st. Fasten off.

Finishing

Using straight pins, pin handles to bag as pictured in photo below. Space handles so that they line up with the bottom of the third black stripe and there is about 8” between the handles.

With sewing thread that matches Color A, securely sew handles to bag.

Weave in remaining ends. If planning to line bag, there is no need to weave in the remaining ends inside the bag. (Hooray!)

Fill your new stylish tote with…your next crochet project, of course!

More Free Crochet Patterns for Bags + Purses

• Finger Crochet Bag Pattern + Video - no hook, no problem!
• Free Crochet Bag Pattern For Beginners - very simple construction
• Boho Crochet Bag Pattern - creative construction + style
• Crochet Lunch Bag Pattern - also fun gift for kids
• Lacy Crochet Shoulder Bag Pattern - summery tote bag
• Fringe Crochet Purse Pattern - bohemian flare!
• Beginner Crochet Tote Bag - fun crochet geometry
• How to Add Leather Handles to Any Crochet Bag - easy upgrade

If you're a bag lady or a leather lover, you might also enjoy these free crochet patterns from Make & Do Crew:

1. Dollar Store Twine + Leather Belt Basket free pattern

2. Clothesline Rope Trivet free pattern

3. Urban Gypsy Boho Bag free pattern

4. Suzette Bag free pattern (excellent for beginners!)