It is a brand new year, and let me start the year by sharing this beautiful Star Stitch Crochet Tote Bag pattern & tutorial, crocheted from jute twine.
This Star Stitch crochet pattern is the recent inspiration I got from a Japanese magazine. At first glance, I knew I got to crochet a project with this stitch, so I began to design a bag months ago. I tried a few designs, but they never get to the finish line, except this crochet tote bag which I have gotten perfected to my liking. I purposely split the rows of the star with a row of single crochet in between. This gives the crochet star a better definition while creating a stripy look on the tote.
Star Stitch Crochet Tote Bag Pattern
scroll ⬇️ to get the pattern & tutorial
How To Crochet A Tote Bag With Star Stitch?
This 16″ (W) x 9″ (H) x 7″ (D) (exclude handles) jute star stitch tote bag is crocheted from 3-ply of jute twine. The total yardage you need to complete a jute tote bag is about 250 yards (including the handles). Besides jute twine, you will need a 5mm crochet hook, support materials for the handles, pins, and needles.
The crochet tote bag pattern begins from the tote base and works upward with the Star Stitch crochet patterns, and ends with another few top-edge rounds. You may add or reduces the number of rounds for the tote body to create a tote bag of different lengths.
In this free crochet pattern, the handles are crocheted from jute twine too. However, you may replace it with some ready-made handles. The ready-made handles will give a different look and feel to this jute twine star stitch tote bag.
Why Jute Twine?
The main reason why I chose it is because I love the rustic presence of the jute twine. It is pretty to crochet into many projects, even a doily for the table. Besides, it is great for DIY crafts for your homes, especially weaving, macrame and wrapping; get more ideas here.
Additionally, crochet with jute twine is relatively cheaper than yarn. I bought them from a local dollar shop which cost something like US$1.50 every 100 yards (a roll). The project called for 250 yards, so I need 3 rolls. That adds up to a total cost of only about US$4.50. Darn cheap for a stylish crochet tote!!!
However, as you may know, natural jute twine has a light scent of diesel. Likewise, jute twine is rough and hard, and you may have some sore fingers if your tension is too tight. Aside from these 2 issues, I find that it is pretty fun to crochet with it. Be sure to choose good-quality jute so that it doesn’t smell bad and is not too harsh on your fingers.
Alternative To Jute Twine
If you can’t take the smell and jute’s roughness, please substitute it with another similar material. Raffia yarn is an excellent replacement next to jute twine to crochet this tote bag, and you may crochet it with a 3mm or a 3.5mm hook. However, by changing the yarn to raffia and smaller hook size, the crochet tote bag will be slightly smaller. If you want to maintain it to the same size, you may crochet with 2-strand raffia yarn and a 5mm hook.
Similarly, you may use the traditional yarn Worsted-Weight yarn or DK yarn, again, be aware that the finished size of the star stitch tote bag might be different from what has been stated in the crochet pattern.
Happy crochet!
If you would like to have more other free bag and purse patterns, get them from the link.
Star Stitch Crochet Tote Bag Pattern
Crochet pattern of a beautiful rustic look star stitch tote by using jute twine. Picture tutorials and video links are available to make the instructions easy to understand & follow.
Dimension:
Tote: 16 (W) x 9 (H) x 7 (D) inches (exclude handles)
Handle: approx. 24 inches, 1 pair
Materials
- Jute twine (3-ply), 250 yards. The diameter of the twine is between 2-3mm
- Rubber tubing (for handles support, optional)
- Cord or batting (for handles cushioning, optional)
Tools
- Crochet hook, H / 5mm
- Tapestry needle
- Safety pins
Instructions
Abbreviations:
sl knot = slip knot
st = stitch
slst = slip stitch
ch = chain
hdc = half double crochet
fo = fasten off
Rnd = round
(Crochet Pattern is written in American Crochet Terms)
STAR STITCH TOTE CROCHET PATTERN
This pattern begins from the base and works upward.
TOTE
Base (work on the right side only)
Base chain – sl knot, ch 16.
Rnd 1 – ch 1, 2sc on next st, sc each ch on next 14 sts, 3sc on next ch (the first ch of the base chain). Turn sideways and continue along another side of the base chain, sc each ch on next 15 sts, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [34 sts]
Rnd 2 – ch 1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 14 sts, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [38 sts]
Rnd 3 – ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc each on next 2 sts, sc each on next 14 sts, 2sc each on next 2 sts, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [46 sts]
Rnd 4 – ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc each on next 2 sts, sc each on next 18 sts, 2sc each on next 2 sts, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [54 sts]
Rnd 5 – ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 20 sts, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [62 sts]
Rnd 6 – ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 18 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [74 sts]
Rnd 7 – ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 24 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [86 sts]
Rnd 8 – ch1, sc each on next 86 sts, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [86 sts]
Rnd 9 – ch1, *{sc each on next 3 sts, 2sc on next st,} repeat 3 times, sc each on next 17 sts, repeat {} 3 times, sc each on next 2 sts, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [98 sts]
Rnd 10 & Rnd 11 – ch1, sc each on next 98 sts, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [98 sts]
Body (work on the right side only)
Rnd 1 – Star Stitch on back loops only (A complete start stitch pattern is made of 2 rounds of patterns: Star Bottom, and Star Top. View below for Star Stitch Crochet Pattern.). Take a complete star stitch pattern as 1 round in the tote pattern
Rnd 2 – ch1, sc on next st around for 98 sts. slst to the ch st at the beginning round.
Repeat Rnd 1 and Rnd 2 for 5 times, then Rnd 2 again for another 7 times.
Remark: If you want a different depth of tote, you may increase or reduce the number of repeats.
Handle (make 2)
Base chain – sl knot, ch 60.
Rnd 1 – ch 1, sc each ch on next 59 sts, 5sc on next ch (the first ch of the base chain). Turn sideways and continue along another side of the base chain, sc each ch on next 58 sts, 4sc on next ch slst to the ch st at the beginning round.
Rnd 2 – ch 1, *sc each on next 60 sts, 2sc each on next 3 sts, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round.
Rnd 3 – ch1, *sc each on next 60 sts, {2sc on next st, sc on next st} repeat 3 times, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round.
fo, keep a 30″ or more of yarn for sewing.
STAR STITCH PATTERN
Star Bottom (crochet on the right side)
First Bottom Star of the round:
ch 3, pull up a total of 5 loops through each of the following st: 2nd ch from hook, 3rd ch from hook, st before the 3 chains at the beginning of the round, each on next 2 sc st. Check: you should have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, ch (deem as the star center).
Subsequent Star Bottom of the round:
Pull up a total of 5 loops through each of the following st: the top loop of the previous star, star center, the st of the last loop of the previous star, each on next 2 sc st. Again, you should have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, ch.
Last Star Bottom of the round:
Pull up a total of 5 loops through each of the following st: the top loop of the previous star, star center, the st of the last loop of the previous star, next sc st, st before the 3 chains at the beginning of the round. Again, you should have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, slip st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the round.
Star Top: (turn your work around and crochet on the wrong side)ch 2, 2hdc on the star center for all the 49 Star Bottom. slst to the 2nd ch at the beginning of the round.
If you are feeling confused reading the written pattern, watch the video on How To Crochet Star Stitch might be able to help. Please keep in mind that this video shows a star stitch pattern in row format, you will need to adapt it to crochet it in a round style (as written pattern above).
MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO CROCHET STAR STITCH TOTE
Crochet the Star Stitch tote according to the pattern below.
Install the handles.
Hide all yarn ends.
- Crochet the base according to the written crochet pattern given.
This is how the oblong base of the jute twine tote looks like after complete 11 rounds.
- Begin to crochet the star stitches pattern accordingly. Refer to the written crochet pattern (Star Bottom) for the details.
The 5 red points in pictures 8 and 10 are the positions to pull the loops for the star stitch.
Slip stitch at the end of the round for Star Bottom.
Half a star (Star Bottom) completed.
- Turn your work to the wrong side to crochet the Star Top. Refer above written crochet pattern (Star Top) for the details.
Follow by a row of single crochet on the right side. It is both loops single crochet (picture 7).
- Continue to crochet until you have completed the Star Stitch Tote body.
- Crochet a pair of handles with the pattern above.
You may cushion the handles with a tiny rubber tube or just leave them empty. I salvaged the rubber tube from a hat packaging, you may buy them from a hardware shop (compressed air section) or get a slightly larger diameter and softer material from the aquarium section. Or, you can use resilient plastic strips (some call it a corset bone or fishbone).
Gather and sew the sides of the handle together 2″ from the rounded end.
- Pin the handles in place on the tote, about 7″ apart at the center of the tote. Sew the handles onto the tote, hide twine. You may line the tote with fabric.
This completes the Star Stitch Tote in jute twine.
Notes
Gauge / Tension:
4″ x 4″ = 12 sts x 15 row
Natural jute twine has a light whiff of diesel, if you can’t take the smell please substitute it with other similar material.
Depending on the speed and hours you are spending on the project, the total time needed is only an approximation.
Get the full article at https://www.craftpassion.com/crochet-star-stitch-tote/
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Monica
Wednesday 30th of August 2023
I want to say thank you for all your wonderful patterns and also the fact that you explain every step so clearly and precisely. It is always a great experience when you find a site and all these unexpected treasures are revealed.
I absolutely love it.
Donna
Thursday 30th of September 2021
Love this pattern , Thankyou! I made it with chunky cotton (50% cotton 50% acrylic )and it still came up very nicely . Everyone loves it! Will put up a pic on Instagram
Craft Passion
Friday 1st of October 2021
Can't wait to see it, please tag us @craftpassion.
Norraine
Saturday 6th of July 2019
Hi, I just finished my base and it doesn't measure 13.5" x 6.5", it slightly smaller. I'm quite new in crocheting. What should i do, should i add rounds (i think 2 or 3 rows to get the same base measurement as yours) or should i change hook to slightly bigger, perhaps 5.5mm? Appreciate your reply.
Craft Passion
Sunday 7th of July 2019
Maybe your tension is too tight or your yarn is too thin. If you are fine with this smaller size, then you should go ahead with the body. If you alter the base by adding another few rounds, it will change the total number of stitches per round, you will need to alter the pattern of the body as well. I would prefer you to change to a bigger hook if your tension is tight. If your yarn is thin, I would suggest you yarn is thin but the tension is not tight, then perhaps you can use double strands to crochet. Hope this explanation helps. Let me know should you have further question.
mhiquey
Friday 28th of September 2018
Thank you for this one.. I found it easier to understand compared to others... Anyway, I made an extended version of this instead of 16, I made it 30... I like big bags...
Ani
Saturday 22nd of September 2018
Hi, Do you have a simplified explanation of row 9. Was going great till this and now cannot get the right number of stitches. I’ve got 86 stitches for row 8 but cannot figure out row 9?
Craft Passion
Sunday 23rd of September 2018
OK. I will try to explain since I do not know your exact problem with it but I could guess. When it says "repeat {}", you just repeat what is quoted in the {}, then you repeat the whole thing from * when it says "repeat *". I break down the number of sts as following hopefully it helps to make it clearer on how we obtain the total stitches of 98. {sc each on next 3 sts, 2sc on next st,} repeat 3 times = 15 sts sc each on next 17 sts = 17 sts repeat {} 3 times = 15 sts sc each on next 2 sts = 2 Before repeat *, we have 15+17+15+2 = 49 sts repeat * 2 times means that you just repeat the above another time which gives you another 49 sts. That total up the stitches to 98. Hope I explain well in your question.