Turn your leftover yarn scraps into a beautiful and functional accessory with this easy-to-follow crochet tutorial! This guide will show you how to create a vibrant, multicolor tote bag using a simple design and basic stitches. It's a fantastic project for using up all those odd balls of yarn and a great way to practice colorwork without the pressure of a complicated pattern. This bag is perfect for trips to the market, carrying books, or as a fun, everyday tote.
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
This project is ideal if you're comfortable with:
Chain (ch): The foundation of crochet.
Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining rounds neatly.
Single Crochet (sc): A dense, sturdy stitch, perfect for bags.
Double Crochet (dc): A taller stitch that works up quickly.
Working in Rounds: Crocheting in continuous or joined circles.
Increasing: Making your work wider for the bag's base.
Changing Colors: Seamlessly switching between different yarns.
Fastening Off: Securely ending your yarn.
Weaving in Ends: The crucial final step for a polished and durable bag.
Finished Tote Bag Dimensions (Approximate):
Using a mix of worsted weight yarn (Medium #4) and the suggested hook, your finished tote bag will typically be:
Base: 12 inches (30 cm) long by 4 inches (10 cm) wide (oval shape).
Height: 12-14 inches (30-35 cm) (excluding handles).
Handles: 20-24 inches (50-60 cm) tall loop (from bag edge to top of handle).
These dimensions are easy to adjust. Want a bigger bag? Start with a longer chain for the base. Taller? Add more rounds to the body.
Materials You'll Need:
Gathering your supplies beforehand ensures a smooth and enjoyable crafting session!
Yarn Scraps: A collection of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton, Acrylic, or a Blend.
The beauty of this project is that you can use any colors you have on hand! A combination of different colors and textures will make your bag truly unique. You will need approximately 250-350 yards (230-320 meters) in total, but you can simply use what you have until the bag reaches your desired size. Crochet Hook: Size J/6.0mm. A larger hook size with worsted weight yarn creates a fabric with nice drape, which is perfect for a tote bag.
Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for weaving in all your loose yarn tails for a clean finish and for attaching the handles.
Scissors: Any sharp pair for cutting your yarn.
Stitch Marker (Optional but Recommended): Incredibly helpful for marking the first stitch of each round when working the base and body.
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Let's Crochet Your Multicolor Tote Bag!
We'll build this bag from the bottom up, starting with an oval base, then working straight up for the body with a simple stitch pattern, and finishing with sturdy handles. The stitch pattern we'll use is the Granny Stitch, which is a cluster of three double crochet stitches, as it works up quickly and provides a beautiful, slightly open texture.
Part 1: The Oval Base (Using Your Main Scrap Color)
We'll create a flat, sturdy oval that forms the bottom of your bag. This is done by working a cluster of stitches around a starting chain.
Starting Chain:
Make a slip knot with your yarn (use a color you have a good amount of, as it will be the base).
Chain (ch) 26. (This chain length determines the initial length of your bag's base.)
Round 1 (Working Around the Chain):
Work 3 double crochet (dc) stitches into the 4th chain from your hook. (The skipped 3 chains count as your first dc).
Work 3 dc into the next chain.
Continue working 3 dc into each chain across the row until you reach the last chain.
In the last chain: Work 7 dc stitches into this single chain. This creates the rounded corner of the oval.
Now, you'll work back down the other side of your starting chain, crocheting into the unworked loops.
Work 3 dc into each of the next chains across the row until you reach the last chain (where you started).
In the last chain (which is the same one you worked your first cluster into), work 3 dc.
Join with a slip stitch (sl st) to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Round 2 (Continuing the Oval Shape):
Chain 3 (ch 3) (counts as your first dc).
Work 2 dc into the same stitch.
Work 3 dc into each of the next clusters of stitches until you reach the rounded corner (the 7-dc group).
In each of the next 7 stitches, work 2 dc. This increases the rounded corner.
Work 3 dc into each of the next clusters of stitches down the other side.
In each of the remaining stitches, work 2 dc.
Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Fasten Off (FO) and weave in the ends. Your oval base is complete!
Part 2: Building the Striped Body (Using Yarn Scraps)
Now, you'll work straight up from the finished base to create the main walls of your bag. We'll use the Granny Stitch pattern and change colors every two rounds.
Round 3 (First Body Round):
With a new yarn color, join your yarn with a sl st into any space between the 3-dc clusters on the edge of your oval base.
Chain 3 (ch 3) (counts as your first dc).
Work 2 dc into the same space.
Work 3 dc into each space between the 3-dc clusters around the entire bag.
Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Round 4 (Body Round):
Chain 3 (ch 3).
Work 2 dc into the same space (the one created by the sl st).
Work 3 dc into each space between the 3-dc clusters around the entire bag.
Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Change to a new yarn color. To do this, on the last sl st of this round, work the sl st until you have two loops on your hook. Drop the current color, pick up the new color, yarn over with the new color, and pull through the two loops on your hook.
Continuing the Stripes:
Repeat Rounds 3 and 4, changing colors every two rounds. You can use any colors from your yarn scraps! This is where you can get creative and make your stripes thick or thin, depending on your preference.
Continue until your bag reaches your desired height (about 12-14 inches).
After your last round, Fasten Off (FO) and weave in all of your ends.
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Part 3: Creating and Attaching the Handles
Now you'll create two simple handles and attach them to the top of your bag.
Making the Handles (Make 2):
Using a sturdy yarn color (like one of your main scrap colors), Chain 60-70 stitches. This length will be for a single handle.
Row 1: Work 1 sc into the 2nd chain from your hook and into each chain across.
Fasten Off (FO), leaving a long tail (at least 12 inches / 30 cm) at both ends of the handle for attaching.
Repeat for the second handle.
Attaching the Handles:
Lay your bag flat. Decide which two sides will be the front and back.
Using your yarn needle, attach one end of a handle firmly to the top edge of the bag, centered on the front. Weave the long tail through several stitches, ensuring it's very secure.
Take the other end of the same handle and attach it to the other side of the bag's front, directly across from the first attachment point.
Repeat for the second handle on the back side of the bag, making sure it's symmetrical.
Weave in all yarn tails from the attachments.
Part 4: Final Finishing Touches (The Secret to a Professional Look!)
This stage is crucial for making your bag look polished, clean, and truly finished.
Weave in All Ends (Meticulously!):
You'll have yarn tails from your starting chain, from fastening off, and from every color change. This is the most time-consuming part, but it's essential.
Thread each yarn tail onto your yarn needle.
How to Weave Neatly: On the inside of your bag, insert the needle into existing stitches of the same color as the tail. Weave the tail into existing stitches for at least 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm). Subtly change direction to "lock" the tail in place.
Once secured, trim any excess yarn close to the fabric, being careful not to cut any of your actual crocheted stitches.
Congratulations! You've successfully crocheted a beautiful, multicolor tote bag from your yarn scraps! This is a fantastic accomplishment, and you now have a sturdy, handmade accessory that's both functional and stylish.
What other colors will you use to make your next tote?
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