Pickwick Cotton Tote Bag
About the Designer:
Hi! I'm Cindy, a full-time web developer, wife, and mom who fills every other free moment making all the crafty things! Crafting is my creative outlet and also helps me to calm my mind and relax after a long day. I learned to crochet in 2013 and to knit in 2016. I love making hats, scarves, and bags, and am drawn to soft, chunky-weight yarns in muted colors.
The look of a jute bag without the scratchiness. This sturdy tote bag is crocheted from the bottom up, using two strands of soft cotton yarn held together. This is a beginner/intermediate level crochet pattern and the techniques involved are single crochet, increasing, slip stitches, and working in the round.
Notes
Bag is worked from the bottom up. Crochet with 2 strands of yarn held together. Crochet rounds in a spiral; do not join rounds.
Finished Dimensions 15” x 15” with an 8” handle drop Gauge 12 stitches and 12 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
Abbreviations (US terms)
SC = single crochet
SL ST = slip stitch
BLO = back loop only
Materials
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links.
Pattern
Bag Base:
Make a magic ring (or chain 4 and join with a sl st into the first chain to form a ring) Chain 1
Round 1: work 6 SC into the ring
Round 2: 2 SC into each stitch (12 stitches)
Round 3: *2 SC in next stitch, 1 SC* (repeat steps in*)
Round 4: *2 SC in next stitch, 2 SC*
Round 5: *2 SC in next stitch, 3 SC*
Round 6: *2 SC in next stitch, 4 SC*
Round 7: *2 SC in next stitch, 5 SC*
Round 8: *2 SC in next stitch, 6 SC*
Round 9: *2 SC in next stitch, 7 SC*
Round 10: *2 SC in next stitch, 8 SC*
Round 11: *2 SC in next stitch, 9 SC*
Round 12: *2 SC in next stitch, 10 SC*
Round 13: *2 SC in next stitch, 11 SC*
Round 14: *2 SC in next stitch, 12 SC*
Bag base should measure about 10 inches (2.5 cm) across
Bag Body Rounds 15-49: SC in each stitch around in a spiral; do not join rounds
Round 50: Slip stitch in back loop only, all the way around
Handles:
Lay bag flat and place markers on the top edge 4” (10cm) in from either side. Do this for both the front and back sides of the bag (place 4 markers total). This marks where your handles will be attached.
Rnd 51: Beginning at the first marker on the right, chain 55. Without twisting the chain, slip stitch to connect it to the bag where the next marker to the left is. This makes your first handle. SL ST around until you reach the next marker on the other side of the bag. Chain 55, slip stitch to connect it to the bag where the next marker to the left is. SL ST the rest of the way around the bag.
Rnd 52: *SC into each chain on the handle. SL ST around the edge of the bag body.* Repeat * for the other handle and side of bag.
Rnd 53: SL ST around the entire bag and handles.
Cut yarn, fasten off, and weave in the ends.
If you have any questions about this pattern, please reach out to me at allthecraftythings@gmail.com.
