With summer fast approaching, I ought to get this gorgeous crochet tote bag pattern published and shared with all of you. Just like the rest of the beautiful designs on Craft Passion, feel free to use the free patterns to crochet it as a gift for your friends and family or as a bag for yourself.
Once again, thank you for the bountiful affection and responses towards the yellow beach bag crochet pattern and the wide-brim beach hat crochet pattern I shared recently on Craft Passion. If you happen to have missed out on these beautiful crochet patterns, click on the respective links to get them for free.
Ever since a picture of this blue oversized tote bag crochet pattern was featured on the previous beach bag pattern, I have been receiving inquiries asking for this crochet bag pattern. So let me put an end to the wait and present to you this absolutely free pattern.
A DISTINCTIVE CROCHET TOTE BAG PATTERN
Similar to the previous crocheted bag I made, this bag has a rather unique pattern. This crochet tote pattern is made up of multiple diamond shapes. Hence, the name diamond stitch technique. The base of the bag is an oblong shape, and the shoulder straps are connected to the top edge of the bag with flat circle rings.
I made this tote bag in Arctic blue as my daughter requested it to match the beach hat I made for her in the same color for our beach vacation in the Maldives. But you could make it in many different colors. She loves it so much! I am a happy mom with a happy daughter and a happy vacation. What more can I ask for?
CROCHET TOTE BAG DIMENSIONS
This free crochet tote bag pattern makes an oversized tote similar to the yellow beach bag pattern. The body of the bag measures 21” wide and 29” tall, including its shoulder straps. It is the perfect size to store all your daily essentials. On our beach vacation, it held all the necessities for our beach trip, including sunscreen, sun hat, swimsuit and coverups, towel, book or Kindle, and most importantly, drinking water.
I also love using it on my weekly trips to the farmers market. It holds my fresh produces sturdily, and its large base provides stability, preventing my groceries from toppling over in the car while I drive home. Moreover, using a market tote helps reduce the amount of plastic bags we use and, in turn, contributes to the efforts to save our precious planet.
Oversized Crochet Tote Bag Pattern
scroll ⬇️ to get the free pattern & tutorial
HOW TO CROCHET BEACH BAG
This written pattern is suitable for crocheters of advanced beginners skill level and above. Although this might not be regarded as an easy crochet pattern per se, it is still possible for avid beginners with some basic crochet knowledge to complete this project.
I do have a post on the basics of crochet if you ever need a revision. Furthermore, I would recommend watching a video tutorial on the basic stitches and putting it into practice to further improve your skills. Who knows, you might even pick up a new technique along the way.
Some basic crochet stitches to master for this crochet tote bag pattern include chain stitches, single crochet stitches, double crochet stitches, skip, slip knot, slip stitch (sl st), split single crochet.
I would like to point out that the shoulder straps are specifically crocheted with the split single crochet stitch (abbrev as SSC), also known as crochet knit stitch or waistcoat stitch. SSC is done by inserting the hook between the legs of the next stitch. Here is a tutorial video that demonstrates it clearly. This crochet stitch will produce a more substantial strap that will not get stretched with weight.
DETAILS ON CROCHET BAG PATTERN
This may seem like a ‘detail heavy’ bag design but do not worry as we break it all down in the photo tutorial below. To crochet this cute bag, you will need some crochet items such as raffia yarns, flat circle rings, a 2.5 mm crochet hook, a tapestry needle, and an iron with a steam function.
For a crochet tote bag of this size, I utilized approximately 3.5 rolls of raffia yarn. You may replace the yarn with others as long as it produces a tension gauge of 21 sts x 9.5 rows. It won’t hurt much if it doesn’t come out with the exact tension; your completed bag will just be in a different size.
One other detail that is of equal importance is that this oversized crochet tote was written in American crochet terms and if you need to convert to UK terms, please refer to this.
FUSS-FREE CROCHET TOTE BAG
As a beach bag, I intentionally made this oversized tote without any lining; just in case the sand gets into the bag, we can quickly shake them off. However, you may add fabric lining to this raffia tote and need not have to worry about your items falling out from the gaps between the crochet stitches. Check out my popular crochet pattern of raffia tote that I shared on how to add a lining to the bag (please scroll to find it if the link didn’t point you to the correct section).
WHAT’S NEXT:
- Start crocheting and share your completed handmade on Facebook and/or Instagram. Remember to tag us, @craftpassion, so that we are able to see them.
- Pin it to Pinterest for a future To-Crochet List.
- Share with your crochet groups for a crochet-along event.
- Browse more free crochet patterns to make, particularly for bags & purses and summer-themed crafts.
- Get more free crochet patterns for Raffia Yarn Projects.
Happy crocheting!
Oversized Crochet Tote Bag Pattern
This free crochet tote bag pattern makes an oversized tote similar to the yellow beach bag pattern. The body of the bag measures 21 inches wide and 29 inches tall, including its shoulder straps. It is the perfect size to store all your daily essentials.
Materials
- Crochet raffia yarns, 3.5 rolls
- Flat Circle Ring, 4 pcs
Tools
- Crochet hook 2.5 mm
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
- Iron With Steam Function
Instructions
ABBREVIATIONS:
in American crochet terms
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
sk = skip
sl knot = slip knot
sl st = slip stitch
ssc = split single crochet/knit stitch/waistcoat stitch
st = stitch
R= Row
Rnd = Round
CROCHET GAUGE
21 sts x 9.5 rows (4 inches square), double crochet stitches after blocked
CROCHET TOTE BAG PATTERN
This crochet pattern begins from the base and works upward.
BASE (Oval-shaped)
Foundation chain: sl knot, ch 67 sts.
Rnd 1: ch3 (count as first dc stitch), 2dc in 3rd st from hook, dc in next 65 sts, 5dc in the last st of the foundation chain. Crochet around the foundation chain, dc in next 65 sts, 2dc in next st. sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {140}
Rnd 2: (ch3, dc in first st), 3dc in next st, dc in next 67 sts, (3dc in next st) 3 times, dc in next 67 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next st. sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {152}
Rnd 3: (ch3, dc in first st), dc in next 2 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 69 sts, (3dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts) 2 times, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 69 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts. sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {164}
Rnd 4: (ch3, dc in first st), dc in next 4 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 71 sts, (3dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts) 2 times, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 71 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts. sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {176}
Rnd 5: (ch3, dc in first st), dc in next 6 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 73 sts, (3dc in next st, dc in next 6 sts) 2 times, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 73 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 7 sts. sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {188}
Rnd 6: (ch3, dc in first st), dc in next 8 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 75 sts, (3dc in next st, dc in next 8 sts) 2 times, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 75 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 9 sts. sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {200}
Rnd 7: (ch3, dc in first st), dc in next 10 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 77 sts, (3dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts) 2 times, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 77 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts. sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {212}
Rnd 8: (ch3, dc in first st), dc in next 12 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 79 sts, (3dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts) 2 times, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 79 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 13 sts. sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {224}
BODY
Diamond Stitch Array Pattern
There will be 224 stitches at every round. sl st stitch at the end of the round is not counted as a stitch.
Rnd 1: ch4, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 2: ch3, dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 11 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 3 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 11 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next st, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 3: ch3, dc in next 2 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 9 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 5 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 9 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 2 sts, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 4: ch3, dc in next 3 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 7 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *27 times, dc in next 3 sts, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 5: ch3, dc in next 4 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 5 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 9 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 5 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 4 sts, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 6: ch3, dc in next 5 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 3 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 11 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 3 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 5 sts, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 7: slst in next st, ch3, dc in next 5 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 8: slst in next st, ch3, dc in next 5 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 9: ch3, dc in next 4 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next st, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 10: ch3, dc in next 3 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 3 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 11 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 3 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 7 sts, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 11: ch3, dc in next 2 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 5 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 9 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 5 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 12: ch3, dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 7 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *27 times, dc in next 5 sts, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 13: ch4, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 9 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 5 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 9 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 4 sts, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 14: slst in next st, ch3, dc in next 10 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 3 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 11 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 3 sts, ch, sk 1 st, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 15: ch3, dc in next 4 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next st, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 16: ch3, dc in next 3 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 2 sts, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 17: Repeat Rnd 15.
Rnd 18: Repeat Rnd 14.
Rnd 19: slst in next st, ch3, dc in next 8 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 5 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 9 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 5 sts, ch, sk 1 st, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 20: slst in next st, ch3, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 7 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *27 times, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 21: slst in next st, ch3, dc in next 4 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 9 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 5 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 9 sts, ch, sk 1 st, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 22: slst in next st, ch3, dc in next 2 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 11 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 3 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 11 sts, ch, sk 1 st, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 23: slst in next st, ch4, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, *(dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch, sk 1 st, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st) repeat *13 times, dc in next 6 sts, ch, sk 1 st, sl st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 24: Repeat Rnd 7.
Rnd 25: Repeat Rnd 8.
Rnd 26: Repeat Rnd 14.
Rnd 27: Repeat Rnd 19.
Rnd 28: Repeat Rnd 20.
Rnd 29: Repeat Rnd 21.
Rnd 30: Repeat Rnd 22.
Rnd 31: Repeat Rnd 23.
Rnd 32: Repeat Rnd 7.
Continue to crochet the 5 rounds of the top trim.
Top Trim
Rnd 1: ch, sc in next 224 sts, sl st to the ch st at the beginning of the end.
Rnd 2 to 4: ch, ssc in next 224 sts, sl st to the ch st at the beginning of the end.
Rnd 5: ch, ssc in next 12 sts, ssc in next 7 sts with Ring, ssc in next 41 sts, ssc in next 7sts with Ring, ssc in next 57 sts, ssc in next 7 sts with Ring, ssc in next 41 sts, ssc in next 7 sts with Ring, ssc in next 45 sts, sl st to the ch st at the beginning of the end.
Fasten.
SHOULDER STRAPS (Make 2)
R1: slip knot, ch 8, sc into 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 6 ch, ch, turn.
R2: ssc in next 7 sts, ch, turn.
Repeat R2 until the strap is 20" long (about 115 rows). Width of the strap is about 1.25".
Leave a long yarn end for sewing.
Finishing Up
HOW TO CROCHET AN OVERSIZED TOTE BAG
- Crochet the oversized tote according to the pattern above.
This is the oblong base of the tote, it will look a little wavy, and a bit curled up before blocking. Don’t worry if you see your oblong base look like this too.
Press it with a warm iron to block it. It will stay flat and nice like this.
Block it before continuing to crochet the body.
If you plan to make a fabric liner or bag insert for the tote bag, trace the outline of the base on a piece of paper. It is useful to get the correct size for the base. Refer to this tutorial on how to add a lining to a tote (please scroll to find it if the link didn't point you to the correct section).
- Follow the crochet pattern to complete the diamond stitch array for the tote's body.
A closer look at the diamond stitch on the tote.
- Followed by crocheting the trim with 5 rounds of the split-single-crochet stitch.
Crochet 4 numbers of handle ring in the last round of the top border.
You may refer to the How-To add ring to the top trim of the yellow tote I shared previously. Please scroll down to Picture 23 on that page if the link didn't point to the correct position.
- Make 2 shoulder straps by following the crochet pattern above. You may adjust the length of the straps to your liking by simply adding more rows to lengthen or reducing some rows to shorten.
Sew the straps to the Rings to complete this beautiful oversized crochet tote bag.
Weave all yarn ends into the stitches to neaten the work.
- Block the tote by pressing it with a warm iron (with a steam setting) to complete it.
Add fabric lining or bag insert if you prefer to have it in your crochet tote.
Crochet the wide-brim hat to complete a set of tote and hat for your summer wear!
(Click the link to get the free crochet sun hat pattern )
Notes
Always pull the sl st (slip stitch) at the end of the round tight to make it as small as possible, as it is not counted as a stitch. However, the sl st as the beginning of the round is crochet with normal tension.
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/beach-tote-crochet-pattern/.
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Erin
Wednesday 20th of July 2022
I am having trouble with row 8 on the body and not having the diamond spaces line up. Any suggestions?
Angela
Sunday 6th of December 2020
I am making the diamond tote but scaling it down. What multiples of stitches should the body be in?
Craft Passion
Sunday 6th of December 2020
It is 16 stitches per pattern.
Crochet Beach Hat (Wide Brim) • Free Crochet Pattern | Craft Passion
Sunday 27th of September 2020
[…] Diamond Stitch Oversized Tote Crochet Pattern […]
W
Friday 7th of June 2019
Hello again with a question regarding the base. So far on rounds 4, 5 and 6 I have ended up 3 stitches short. I see that we are increasing 12 stitches each row, however the 3 dc stitches in same stitch equal 15 stitch increases. I'm hoping you can clarify or add some insight to my dilemma? Thanks again!
Craft Passion
Tuesday 11th of June 2019
It seems like you have missed out some stitches but I am not sure where it is, the pattern is correct and I have it check over and over again. That's weird. 3 dc stitches in the same stitch is a 2 sts increment, just in case you thought that it is 3 sts increment. Hope this helps.
W
Friday 7th of June 2019
Hello, I also made the shell bag and love it.
How long and wide should the base be when finished with round 8?
Thank you!
Craft Passion
Tuesday 11th of June 2019
The base is about 7" x 21" after blocked.