Requiring only single and double crochet and a very simple construction, this free crochet bag pattern is perfect for beginners. Neutral colors and a beautiful texture combine to form the perfect modern tote.
Calling all beginning crocheters! (Or more intermediate crocheters who like to zone out and watch Netflix while you’re hands mindlessly make something beautiful!) This tutorial is for you!
This free crochet tote bag pattern is worked in the Suzette stitch, which I first came across on Potter & Bloom. (UPDATE: I created a simple video tutorial that shows you how do this stitch!)
Even though the resulting texture of this stitch is gorgeous, the only skills you need to know to crochet this bag is how to single and double crochet and how to crochet a rectangle. Let’s be honest, this tote bag is not a whole lot different from a really lovely giant crocheted washcloth sewn in half.
Which is awesome because speaking of sewing in half, the construction of this bag is super simple. Like, you don’t have to have any crochet bag experience, crochet joining experience or really any other sort of experience to put it together. Just fold it and sew it.
Related: 30+ Best Crochet Crop + Tank Top Patterns
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Have you queued up a movie yet? Because you have some wonderfully mindless, yet satisfying crocheting ahead of you.
“Suzette” Free Crochet Bag Pattern For Beginners
Crochet Bag Supplies
So you can spend more time crocheting and less time shopping, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
• Bernat Maker Home Dec - 1 skein cream and 1 skein clay (Use your 40% off coupon!)
• size J/10 hook (I love this inexpensive set.)
• stitch markers
• 2.5 yds thick home decor rope (I found it in the curtain supplies section of JoAnn’s. My Hobby Lobby and Michael’s don’t carry it.)
• tape (clear or masking)
• sharp scissors (I got these for xmas and they're fantastic.)
• measuring tape
• (4) ⅝” washers from a hardware store (Or curtain grommets from a craft store. These aren't essential, but they'll be helpful if you plan to carry heavy loads in your bag.)
white thread or Fray Check
Abbreviations - US Terms
fsc - foundation single crochet
ch - chain
sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet
sk - skip
st - stitch
Gauge
7 (sc, dc) groupings = 4”
12 rows = 4”
To work a gauge swatch in Suzette stitch, make a multiple of 2 ch for the foundation chain. 18 ch will be sufficient. Work rows 1 and 2 of the pattern, then repeat row 2 until the swatch measures approximately 5” high. If you’d like, save this swatch and sew it inside your bag as a convenient pocket.
To Make the Crochet Bag
Watch the Suzette stitch video tutorial if you prefer video learning!
Wanna save this pattern?
We'll email you this so you can come back to it later!
Using “Clay” color, Fsc 81. (If you are overwhelmed by the idea of foundation single crochet, just ch 81 and progress with the pattern as written. The difference will be negligible.)
Begin the Suzette stitch pattern as follows:
Row 1: (1 sc, 1 dc) into second st from hook, *skip next st, (1 sc, 1 dc) into next st; repeat from * to last st, 1 sc in last st; turn.
Row 2: ch 1, (1 sc, 1 dc) into first sc, sk next dc, *(1 sc, 1 dc) into next sc, sk next dc; repeat from * to end finishing with 1 sc in turning ch; turn.
Repeat Row 2 to form the stitch pattern and continue until work measures 11.5” (about 29 rows). Switch to “Cream” color and continue for 7 more rows.
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To form handle holes (in 8th “Cream” row), place stitch markers in the 6th, 32nd, 48th and 72nd st. Work in pattern until marked stitches. At each marked stitch, sk the marked st and the 2 st that follow, ch 2 and resume pattern (sc, dc) in the 3rd st from the marked st. (Each hole should be 3 total unworked st with 2 ch spanning the gap above them.)
Cont in pattern for 4 more rows; fasten off, leaving a 12-15” tail.
Crochet Bag Finishing
Fold rectangle in half. The RS and the WS are essentially the same, so just press the sides together that look the prettiest to you.
Thread tapestry needle using the tail of the last cream-colored row. Seam the cream section of the bag with a mattress stitch, being sure to keep the tension even so that your bag doesn’t have any holes or puckers. Err on the side of more, smaller stitches to make your seam more secure.
When you reach the clay-colored section, weave in the cream yarn and seam the rest of the bag side and bottom with clay yarn; fasten off and weave in ends. Turn bag right side out.
Add inside pocket out of fabric or crocheted swatch if you’d like.
Related: 30+ Free Crochet Dress Patterns: Beginner to Advanced
To Add Rope Handles
1. Measure 36” of rope. Wrap a piece of tape tightly around the rope where you plan to cut it. Then cut down the middle of the tape, leaving both freshly cut ends of rope wrapped in tape. Repeat to create a second 34” handle. Don’t remove the tape because your rope will immediately begin to unravel.
2. From the inside of the bag out, thread rope through handle holes and place a washer on each end of the rope.
3. Tie a tight knot in the rope at the very end of each handle. Repeat for the second side.
4. Apply Fray Check to the end of each rope before removing tape. Alternatively, gently remove tape and tie a piece of thread tightly around each rope end to prevent fraying.
Hit the beach, the farmer’s market or your lunch hour feeling awesome because you made something useful and beautiful with your own two hands!
That was so fun! Now what?
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Come discuss crocheting easy purse patterns and lots of other projects and techniques in our Make & Do Crew Facebook group. Here thousands of helpful crocheters answer each others questions and share their stitches. Come join us here.
More Free Crochet Patterns for Bags + Purses
- Urban Nomad Boho Bag - 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
- Crochet Tote Bag Free Pattern - with leather handles
- Finger Crochet Bag Pattern + Video - no hook, no problem!
And here are a few more free beginner crochet patterns to keep your hands busy:
"Aspen Socialite" Headband (baby - adult sizes)
Dollar Store Twine + Thrifted Belt Basket (pictured above)
Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern (Hip, modern and great for afghans!)
Alejandra says
Jess, can you tell me please the stichs number for the initial chain?
I´m not capable to see this information in the instructions, sorry.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Sure! You chain 81 stitches to begin. (Or use a foundation single crochet with 81 stitches if you'd like.)
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Happy crocheting!
Jess
anna says
Perfect !!!
Anna
KimberlyRae says
Thank you for the video. I’m trying this pattern for a baby hat right now , with varigated cotton yarn anddo toy have any tips for find this in the round for a hay? Thank you buches
KimberlyRae says
Thank you for the video. I'm trying this pattern for a baby hat right now , with varigated cotton yarn anddo toy have any tips for find this in the round for a hay? Thank you
Megan says
That bag is beautiful! I love the rope handles.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Thanks Megan! I already have plans to update the handles for fall. It's so easy to just swap them out 🙂
Jess
Jane Janda says
I just finished making my bag and it's awesome!! It was easy, and unlike a lot of patterns, it turned out just like the photos. I'm going to make more in different colors - I love this yarn also!!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Jane! What awesome feedback! I'm so happy to hear you've already got a new bag--and more to come 🙂 Isn't that yarn great? I'm already thinking of other things I can make with it. I just like it so much!
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Janet Conkey says
Hi Jess,
I'm struggling with the first row. I'm not comfortable with the FSC, so I chained 81 and then proceeded with the row one instructions. It says to do a Sc and Dc in the second chain from the hook (which places it in the 80th chain). I then followed the pattern across, which placed all the SC and Dc in the even numbered chains, and the skipped stitches as the odd numbered chains. Here is where I ran into a problem| I completed the SC and DC in the fourth chain from the end, and then I wasn't sure what to do. The instructions say to have a skipped stitch and a SC I the last two chains, but that would mean I would have a skipped stitch side by side I. The third and second chain from the hook. Hope this makes sense! Can you help me? I love this bag!
Janet Conkey says
Thanks so much for the quick reply, Jess. I'll let you know how it goes!
Janet Conkey says
Hey Jess,
I finally had time to finish my bag, and I love it! Now my daughter wants one. ? Thanks do much for sharing your patterns. I love your style!
Janet
Tiffany Vaillancourt says
Hey for the rope is it 3/4 inch wide?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yes, it's right about 3/4" wide. 🙂
LINDA PIEKKOLA says
COULD YOU OFFER PDF PATTERNS, IT'S HARD TO TAKE THE PATTERN ON THE GO, USING TO MUCH PAPER. LOVE YOUR DESIGNS .
THANK YOU
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Linda,
Yes! I hear you 🙂 I create pdf patterns for some of my designs and sell them for a small fee. I didn't make one for this post yet. I totally understand why it's nice to have a paper version though. I hope to have more pdfs available soon.
Lizzie says
How do you do a double crochet. I am a real beginner as I am left handed and no one could teach me. The I paid for lessons and the teacher told me to look in a mirror not at her hands. But no one ever showed me a double stitch.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Lizzie,
That doesn't sound like a very good lesson! Have you checked out MooglyBlog.com? Tamara does a great job of including tutorials for both left and right handers. I bet she has a double crochet tutorial. It's quite a simple stitch once you see it a few times. I'm also publishing a video in the next day or two that shows how to do the Suzette stitch, which might help you out. 🙂
Jess
Maria sanchez says
Lizzie you need to check out the site New Stitch a Day. He gives stitch instructions for both left and right handers learn all my stitches From his site.
Manon Fontaine says
esse que il serait possible d'avoir le patron an français S.V P merci
Mandy Williams says
Can't wait to give this a try. I love the stitch pattern and colors and the grommets are brilliant!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yay, Mandy! I hope you enjoy the pattern. I loved using this yarn. I feels great in your hands.
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Momma says
That bag turned out great. I will have to start a new project after I finish the 15 pairs of slippers people have requested!
Rise B. says
You have some really great free patterns. Thank you for them. I am a senior and get bored real quick if
I don't have something to keep me busy. I share what I make with my family and friends. Thank you again. Rose
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Thank you so much, Rose. I'm happy to have you here! Come back often because I post a free pattern each week! 🙂
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Milli says
Jess how can I get the white and grey tote bag pattern printed love it thanks Milli
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Milli,
If there's enough interest, I'll create a printable version that you can download for $2.50. In the meantime, you really only need to know the beginning of the pattern to get started because then you just do the same thing for quite a while. Perhaps you can just start in front of the computer and then move somewhere more comfortable. 🙂 I'm also publishing a video of how to do this stitch in the next day or two. Stay tuned!
jess
Robin says
I haven't crocheted in years and can't go out slot. Are these easy enough for not new beginner but haven't done in years?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Haha, I know, Mom. Word sure gets out when you have a new slipper-making skill.
xoxo
Jess
Cheryl Cone says
May I ask what size this bag ends up being? I don't recall seeing it posted. Thank you in advance.
Cheryl
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Cheryl,
Sorry for the delay in measuring the bag! It's about 12" wide and 14.5" tall. You could customize the size however you like by just adjusting the number of chains, being sure to always start with an odd number. (I used 81.)
Happy crocheting!
Jess