“Ocean & Sand” Small Crochet Tote Bag

With all of the reusable bags out there, most of them being made of plastic, it’s nice to have one that is handmade of more natural fiber. At some point, this one can be thrown into the wash. You shouldn’t worry or feel guilt that micro plastics are being released into the water supply.

   I was sitting during my meal break at work, thinking that it would be nice to have a smaller bag to shop with, to either buy a few items or small ones (like cosmetics, jewelry, etc.), rather than the usual full-sized ones.

  To crochet this bag, I used (more natural) cotton yarn, “Denim” by the Peaches ‘n’ Cream brand. If you buy each ball of it at Walmart, it’s under $2 each. It’s easier to make each piece (sides, bottom, handles) separately, before stitching together. To get a prettier texture, I alternated between the single and double crochet stitches. 

SUPPLIES

*Cotton Yarn (Worsted Weight 4)

*Size G6/4.00 MM (US) Crochet Hook

*Scissors

*Blunt-pointed big needle (optional)

ABBREVIATIONS

CH – Chain

DC – Double Crochet

SC – Single Crochet

SL ST – Slip Stitch

ST – Stitch

STEPS Bottom (1 Piece) Row 1: CH 26 and turn.

Row 2: Starting in 1st CH from the hook, SC in each ST across (26).

Rows 3-11: *Starting in 1st ST, SC, then DC in the 2nd ST; alternate between these 2 types of STs to the end of the row.* 

Row 12: Repeat row 2 then tie off, leaving 2 inches of yarn.

Sides (Thinner-2 Pieces) Row 1: CH 12 and turn. 

Row 2: Starting in 1st CH from the hook, SC across in all 12 STs. 

Rows 3-35: Alternate between SC and DC across: SC-DC. *

Row 36: Repeat row 2, then tie off, leaving 2 inches of yarn. 

Front/Back Panels (2 Pieces) Begin like the Bottom Piece, only there will be 36 rows. CH 26 and turn.

Row 1: SC in each ST across (26). Turn. 

Rows 2-35: *SC in first SC stitch, DC in second ST.* Repeat in row until the end (you should finish with a DC). Turn.

Row 36: Repeat row 2, then tie off, leaving 2 inches of yarn. 

Straps (2 Pieces) With each piece, CH 44, and turn. 

Rows 1 & 2: SC in first ST, DC in the second ST. Repeat across the row and turn. (Make sure with both rows that you finish with a DC. Tie off with 2 inches of yarn.

ASSEMBLY To  assemble the purse, line up all the other pieces to the bottom one, to make sure they are the same height. To attach the sides, you have the option of stitching with the needle, or using the SL ST with the hook (I used the hook and SL ST).

   I recommend attaching the front / back panels to the bottom, first; then the thinner sides. Make sure that the same-sized sides face directly opposite each other.  

   Once the sides are attached to one another, attach the straps on top of the stitches. Count 4 STs in, and by using the remaining 2 inches of yarn, weave it up and down, through the STs. This will attach each end of the handle to the bag. Repeat with each remaining end of the straps. Tie off with a knot, and weave in any remaining yarn. 

Congratulations on making your own reusable small shopping tote bag! Now you can show it off to anyone you’d like. In fact, I encourage you to proudly show it to all the cashiers, at checkout.