Crochet Straw Tote bag

Have you ever wanted to make a plain white straw tote bag that only needed a little experience in crochet? Come on, let’s pick up your crochet hook and try out this straw tote bag crochet pattern. This crochet tote bag is done by using raffia yarn but you may adapt the pattern with your other favorite yarn. It measures 14.5″ wide, 6″ depth and 13″ tall, just the right size to carry around for both your daily fashionable wear and casual outfit.

Some people like their bags with linings and pockets but some doesn’t bother much about it. However, we include the lining pattern in this crochet tote bag as an option, you may just leave it out if you find it not important. There is 2 pockets pattern on the bag lining, an 8″ open pocket and a 9″ zipper pocket.

Straw Tote Bag – Free Crochet Pattern

scroll ⬇️ to get the free pattern & tutorial

Paint the plain white tote bag with colorful raffia yarns. I used Chocolate, White, Sea Blue, Daffodil, Orange and Kraft yarns for this spring/summer tone striped tote.

Embellish the tote bag with fall leaf and Fox charm. The fall leaf crochet pattern is available here, while the Freddy the fox sewing pattern is here. You may buy the leather Freddy the Fox here.

A quick bag to lug on when you are out for a coffee, just dunk in a book or your WIP craft and you are good to go. Enjoy your ME-TIME, relax and re-energize.

Tote Bag

Size: 14.5″ x 6″ x 13″ tall (excluding the shoulder straps)

Skill level: Intermediate / Avid Beginner

Download and print separately: Lining Pattern

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
ssc = split single crochet / knit stitch / waistcoat stitch
inc = increment stitch / 2sc in a stitch
slst = slip stitch
st = stitch

Materials:
1. Crochet raffia yarn, Raffia With Passion, 170 gram / 250 m, 3 rolls
2. Crochet hook 3.5mm
3. Leather shoulder straps, Brown or Black
4. Fabric for lining, approx. 3/4 yard, 43″ bolt width (optional)
5. Magnetic closure (optional)

Tools:
1. Sewing needle and matching thread for lining
2. Wax coated thread or strong thread (for sewing the straps)
3. Tapestry needle

Tension gauge:
Approx 19.5 sts x 22 rows split single crochet in 4 inches square

Crochet Pattern

in American crochet terms

Purse Base (Oval bottom)

sl knot, ch 29
Round 1: 2sc to second st from hook, sc in next 26 sts, 4sc in last ch, rotate the piece and work around on the back loop of the foundation chain, sc in next 26 sts, 2sc in next st, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {60}
Round 2: ssc, 2ssc, ssc in next 26 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 2 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 26 sts, 2ssc, ssc, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {64}
Round 3: ssc, 2ssc, ssc in next 27 sts, [2ssc, ssc] 3 times, ssc in next 26 sts, 2ssc, ssc, 2ssc, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {70}
Round 4: [2ssc, ssc in next 2 sts] 2 times, ssc in next 26 sts, [2ssc, ssc in next 2 sts] 3 times, ssc in next 26 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 2 sts, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {76}
Round 5: 2ssc, ssc in next 2 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 28 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 5 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 2 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 28 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 5 sts, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {82}
Round 6: ssc, [2ssc, ssc in next 2 sts] 2 times, ssc in next 30 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 4 sts, [2ssc, ssc in next 2 sts] 2 times, ssc in next 30 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 3 sts, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {88}
Round 7: 2ssc, ssc in next 4 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 30 sts, 2ssc,  ssc in next 7 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 4 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 30 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 7 sts, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {94}
Round 8: [ssc in next 4 sts, 2ssc] 2 times, ssc in next 28 sts, 2ssc,  ssc in next 12 sts, 2ssc,  ssc in next 4 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 28 sts, 2ssc,  ssc in next 8 sts, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {100}
Round 9: ssc in next 2 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 38 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 10 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 38 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 8 sts, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {104}
Round 10: ssc in next 7 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 37 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 5 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 7 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 37 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 5 sts, 2ssc, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {110}
Round 11: ssc in next 5 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 43 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 10 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 43 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 5 sts, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {114}
Round 12: ssc in next 3 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 49 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 6 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 49 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 3 sts, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {118}
Round 13: 2ssc, ssc in next 5 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 45 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 6 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 5 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 45 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 6 sts, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {124}
Round 14: ssc in next 3 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 53 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 7 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 53 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 4 sts, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {128}
Round 15: ssc in next 11 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 41 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 9 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 11 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 41 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 9 sts, 2ssc, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {134}
Round 16: ssc in next 8 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 49 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 16 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 49 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 8 sts, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {138}
Round 17: ssc in next 13 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 41 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 26 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 41 sts, 2ssc, ssc in next 13 sts, slst to first st, ch1, turn. {142}

Purse Body (vertically upward)

Round 1 – Round 72 (or, until the tote measure 13″ tall): ch1, ssc around, slst to the first st of the round, turn. {142}
Fasten off and hide yarn ends.

Important Note: Pull the slst and chain stitches snug at the end and beginning of every round to tighten these transition stitches in order to give a less obvious seam.

Crochet Chart

Click chart to enlarge

More Details on how to crochet the Straw Tote Bag

The oval base of the tote upon completion of round 17. Press it with a warm iron to block it in shape.

Trace the outline of the oval base on a piece of paper, this is the initial stage of drafting the lining pattern.
Set the traced pattern aside and continue with the crochet.

Continue to work on the crochet pattern. This is the yield of a roll of raffia yarn. Join yarn and continue with the crochet.

Crochet in an upward round direction until you reach round 72 or the tote measures about 13″ tall. Fasten and weave in all yarn ends.

Sew the leather shoulder straps to the center of the tote, about 7″ apart.

Sew the shoulder straps to the bag through the pre-punched holes by using strong thread.

Download the Lining Pattern, follow the template to measure the lining pieces.
Shrink the oval base pattern you have traced about 1/2″ smaller by deducting 1/4″ from each side. Adjust the shape by making it more symmetrical. Measure the circumference of the oval base, this will be the width of the tote lining. Check with the actual width measurement of the tote, the lining width shall be a little smaller than the measured width.
Add the necessary seam allowances to the fabric pieces before cutting them out.
Sew pockets to the lining. You may refer to this tutorial on how to sew a zipper pocket.

Join the sides of the lining together, seam the oval base to it.
Fold the top and stitch in place.

Install the magnetic closure to the lining. If you are using capped rivet, increase the fabric thickness by adding some layers of felt so that it is thick enough for the rivet to sit properly.

Insert the lining into the tote, make sure the magnetic closure is at the center of the tote and the straps are aligned.
Clip or pin the lining to the tote in place.

Hand stitches the lining to the tote at the top edge.

Lastly, topstitch these few places with a sewing machine so that the lining stays nicely and neatly. Not forgetting the bottom of the lining, make a few stitches so that the bottom stays at the bottom.

Paint the plain white tote bag with colorful raffia yarns. I used Chocolate, White, Sea Blue, Daffodil, Orange and Kraft yarns for this spring/summer tone striped tote.

Embellish the tote bag with fall leaf and Fox charm. The fall leaf crochet pattern is available here, while the Freddy the fox sewing pattern is here. You may buy the leather Freddy the Fox here.

A quick bag to lug on when you are out for a coffee, just dunk in a book or your WIP craft and you are good to go. Enjoy your ME-TIME, relax and re-energize.