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Granny Square Tote Bag Free Crochet Pattern

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This pattern is written in US Terms
Gauge: Crochet a square in only one color to determine if you will obtain the gauge.
1 x Granny Square with 6 rounds = 12cm x 12cm or 4.7” x 4.7”
If your square is too big, go down a hook size until you reach the gauge. If your square is too small, go up a hook size until you reach the gauge.
Finished Size: Width x Length: 39cm x 40cm / 15” x 15.7”

About the Pattern

  • This pattern is made up out of Basic Granny Squares. You can make them in the specific colorway as shown below or if you are not particularly ready for color changing, you can make the squares in solid colors as well.
  • Finish making all the squares before attaching them.
  • To achieve the same measurements as the above-finished size – the exact gauge needs to be obtained.
  • You can make the straps as long as you’d like. Remember to leave enough space in the middle. You will add the same amount of rows in the middle as you did on the side.
  • If you want to make this bag in Acrylic Yarn you are more than welcome to. You will, however, need to block the bag before you line it.
  • Lining the bag will help your bag to keep its shape when you put your belongings in it. As I am new to sewing - I used this very informative YouTube tutorial that showed me how to line my crochet bag.
  • Please note that I did not come up with the layout of this bag – I am not sure who did – but would love to give credit to that person!
Abbreviations: Ch = Chain. Ch-Spce = Chain Space. Dc = Double Crochet. Nxt = Next. Sk = Skip the stitch. Sl st = Slip Stitch. Sc3tog = Single crochet 3 stitches together. St(s) = Stitch(s). Rep = Repeat. FO = Finish off.
How to sc3tog: Insert your hook into the next three stitches, yarn over, and pull up a loop in each stitch, then yarn over and pull through all four loops on your hook. 

Tools and Materials

  • 50g/1.7oz (100m/109yd) #3 light/ DK Weight yarn 100 % Cotton each in 4 colors. If you are changing color every round.
  • 100g/3.5oz (200m/218yd) in same yarn , which will be the main color of the bag
  • Size 3.5mm Hook US E/4
  • Measuring tape
  • Stitch Markers
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Scissors

Instructions

The Basic Granny Square Pattern with color changes:

    Make 13 squares, change colors every round.

    • (Tip: Change colors in different corners every round, otherwise the corner spaces will stretch)
    • Work your first round in a Magic ring or Chain 4, sl st to the first ch, and work into the middle of the circle created.
    • Rnd 1: Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc, *ch2, 3dc; rep frm * two more times (4 clusters of 3dc), ch2, slst in top of ch3. Slst in the nxt 2 dc and the ch-spce, FO. Change colors. (12dc)
    • Rnd 2: Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc in the same sp, ch2, 3dc,*sk 3dc, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) into the same sp, rep from * two more times, sk3 dc and slst in top of ch3. Slst in the nxt 2dc and the ch-spce, FO. Change colors. (24dc)
    • Rnd 3: Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc in the same sp, ch2, 3dc, *sk 3dc, 3dc in next ch-sp, sk 3dc, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) into the same sp, rep from * three more times. At the end slst in top of ch3, slst in the nxt 2dc and the ch-spce, FO. Change colors. (36dc)
    • Rnd 4: Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc in the same sp, ch2, 3dc, *sk 3dc, 3dc in next ch-sp, sk 3dc, 3dc in next sp, sk 3dc, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) into the same sp, rep from * three more times. At the end slst in top of ch3, slst in the nxt 2dc and the ch-spce, FO. Change colors. (48dc)
    • Rnd 5: Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc in the same sp, ch2, 3dc, *(sk 3dc, 3dc in next ch-sp) x 3, sk 3dc, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) into the same sp, rep from * three more times. At the end slst in top of ch3, slst in the nxt 2dc and the ch-spce, FO. Change colors. (60dc)
    • Rnd 6: Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc in the same sp, ch2, 3dc, * (sk 3dc, 3dc in next ch-sp) x 4, sk 3dc, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) into the same sp, rep from * three more times. At the end slst in top of ch3, slst in the nxt 2dc and the ch-spce, FO. (72dc)
    • Weave in all ends and continue to connecting the granny squares.

    Connecting the Granny Squares:

    • I used the join-as-you-go method, which I will show you in the next step.
    • If you want to connect the squares differently than shown in the pattern – you need to crochet 7 rows of the granny square and sew them together using your preferred method.
    • Before you begin, lay your squares out as shown below.
      Granny squares placed out to form a tote bag.
    • After you’ve arranged your squares, you can start joining.

    The Join-as-you-go method:

    • Start in the bottom right corner.
    • Square 1: Connect your main color to the square and crochet a 7th round around the square. Finish off.

    Attach square 1 to 2:

    • These steps are all for crocheting around the square, explained in bullet form for easier reading.
    • Connect your main color to the corner of square 2. Ch3 (counts as a dc), 2dc in the same space, ch1.
    • Place Square 1 and Square 2, wrong sides together, and slip stitch into the corner of Square 1.
    • *3dc in the next ch-sp of square 2, ch1.
    • Slip stitch into the next ch-sp of square 1 (located next to the corner-sp), now jump back to square 2 and insert 3dc into the next ch-sp, ch1.
    • Repeat from * until you reach the next corner-sp.
    • 3dc in the corner-sp of square 2, ch1.
    • Slip stitch into the corner of square 1.
    • 3dc in the corner-sp of square2, ch1.
    • Continue to crochet around the square.
    • At the end, finish off and weave in your ends.
    • Attach the squares as pictured below, starting with the back panel first.
    • Then turn the back panel so the wrong side is facing towards you. Fold square 6 up and pack the remaining 7 squares as pictured below.
      Join as you go method for granny square tote bag
    • Start to join squares 6 to 7 then 6 to 8.
    • Squares 9 and 10 will be attached to the back and front panels.
    • Then attach square 11, 12 and 13.
      Join squares 7 to 12 to your granny square tote bag
    • Tip: When you reach the point where you need to connect four squares, don’t chain after making the 1st 3dc in the 1st corner. Slip stitch into each of the opposite corners you need to connect to. Then continue to crochet as normal with the next 3dc in the same space.
    • After connecting all the squares – weave in all the ends securely and continue to the sides of the bag.

    Sides and straps of bag:

    • You will now work in the round and crochet a row around the entire bag.
    • With your front side facing you, connect your main color to the top right corner (peak) in the ch2-spce. Ch1, *3sc into the same space (Mark the second sc with a stitch marker), 1sc in each of the next 3 stitches, and 1Sc in each ch-space until you reach the next corner-sp, sc3tog in the next 3 corner spaces (valley). Continue to Sc in each st until you reach the next corner.
    • Repeat from * until you reach the beginning of the round. Sl stitch into the 1st sc of the round.
    • Front side facing you, you will now crochet in rows on the right side of the bag.
    • Row 1: Working from the previous round – * Sc into the first stitch, ch1 and turn to work in rows. 1Sc into each stitch until you reach the middle of the bag, sc3tog in the middle of the squares and continue to sc up the row until you reach the stitch marker. 1Sc into the marked stitch, ch1, and turn your work.
    • Row 2: Repeat from * until you have 2 rows of sc and 3 rows including the first round of sc you made around the bag.
    • Finish off.
    • Front side facing you, you will now crochet in rows on the left side of the bag.
    • With your bag lying front side facing you, connect the main color yarn to the left corner where you placed your stitch marker. You will now work in rows as you did on the right side, until you have 3 rows including the first round of sc you made around the bag.
    • DO NOT FINISH OFF

    Straps:

    • You are now working on the back of your bag.
    • Ch120.
    • Connect the chain with a slip stitch to the top of the square next to the one connected the chain. 1sc in each st across, sc3tog in the middle of the bag, and sc across until you reach the corner of the next square.
    • You are now on the front square of your bag.
    • Ch120 and connect with a slip stitch to the top of the next square just as you did in step 1. 1sc in each st across, sc3tog in the middle of the bag and sc across until you reach the chain you made the first time.
    • Now sc in each ch (in 1 loop only) of the strap, when you reach the end of the chain, continue to sc across the bag as you did in the previous step, until you reach the 2nd chain you made. Repeat the same process for this chain and side as you did the 1st one.
    • At the end, slip stitch into the 1 sc of the round and finish off.
    • Weave in all your ends and your bag is finished!