It’s Memorial Day weekend and with plans to be poolside for the next few days, I decided to whip up a festive Crochet Patriotic Tote Bag! I used double strands of Bernat Super Value in Royal Blue, Berry Red, and White which not allows for quick crocheting, but a super sturdy bag! It’s approximately 20 inches wide and 15 inches tall which allows for at least 4 towels, sunblock, goggles, snacks, and all the poolside (and beach bathing) necessities. A great project for the 4th of July holiday as well!
Materials:
– Bernat Super Value in Royal Blue, Berry Red, and White. I suggest getting two skeins of each so you can easily pull from the center and while crocheting with two strands at once. Shop these colors HERE at Yarnspirations.com.
– Size I (5.5mm) Crochet Hook
– Large Tapestry Needle
Tote Bag Pattern:
Starting with two strands of Blue yarn…
Chain 41, SC in second chain from hook and rest of the way down chain making 4 SC in last chain.
Now working on the other side of chain, SC in each chain making 4 SC in last chain, join to first SC, chain 1
Round 2: SC in first 39, 2 SC in next 4 stitches, SC in next 38, 2 SC in next 4 stitches, join, chain 1 (93 SC).
Round 3: SC in first 41, 2 SC in next 4, SC in next 42, 2 SC in next 4, SC in last 2, join, chain 1 (101 SC)
Round 4: SC in first 42, 2 SC in next 8, SC in next 41, 2 SC in next 8, SC in last 2, join, chain 1 (117)
Round 5: In back loops only, SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (117 SC)
Round 6-13: Now working in both loops for the rest of the project, SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (117 SC)
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 14-16: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (117 SC)
Switch to two strands of Red yarn…
Round 17-19: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (117 SC)
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 20-22: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (117 SC)
Switch to two strands of Red yarn…
Round 23-25: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 26-28: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of Red yarn…
Round 29-31: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 32-34: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of Red yarn…
Round 35-37: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 38-40: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of Red yarn…
Round 41-43: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 44-46: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (115 SC)
Round 47: SC in first 15, chain 50, skip 25, SC in next 32, chain 50, skip 25, SC in last 17, join, chain 1
Round 48: SC in each stitch around and in each of the chains (these become the handles), join, chain 1
Round 49-50: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Even my Sister-in-laws 10lb pomeranian named Apollo was enjoying the tote bag!
Thank you to all who served in our armed forces! Happy Memorial Day!
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Does this really begin with a chain 4?
Yes I was wondering if she meant chain 40?
My print off pattern states a starting chain of 41.
I’m not çlear on how many to chain. It says 4. That can’t be right, can it???
I think it should 40 as well, 4 must be a typo…
“should BE 40” see how easy it is to make a typo? Lol
I really like your bag.
Hi Sarah, can you explain how to switch from red yarn to white yarn and vice versa. I’m a newbie so i’m still learning.
Thank you
Wondering if this can be made with only 1 ball of each color…trying to be cost efficient and don’t want leftovers.
Has anyone already made it and can advise? Thanks!
I bought 2 skeins of each color and there’s a lot of blue leftover. It’s harder to tell with the red. I either used a little more or a little less than half. So you can get by with just one skein of blue. Possibly just one of the red. Like I said, it might get kind of close. But you’re definitely going to need 2 skeins of the white. I’m finishing the handle now and my skeins are getting pretty flat.
Love the pattern! Works up really fast too. Thank you so much!
Melissa, I just finished mine using RedHeart super saver 7 oz skein. It took 2 complete skeins, 364 yards in each. I used Carrot and Soft White. Hope that helps! I absolutely love my new bag!
Did you make it using two stands held together or did you use just a single strand?
Question: I started one yesterday, but I am either counting it wrong or it’s right but it’s turning kind of funky. Are the increases always on the corners or do they change (sometimes in the middle of a side)?
Mine started going wonky too. One side looks fine but the other looks more like the sole of a shoe. In round 4, I ended up playing around with the stitches and doing some decreases because I had more than 117 stitches. After that, I started using stitch markers to ensure I wasn’t adding stitches anymore.
Muy chula
Did this bag murder your hands?? I’m on weekend #2 and I’m dying. Lol
Yes…yes it did.
Simply Gorgeous Sarah! Thanks for sharing this great project. I’ve just included it in our latest craft inspiration roundup. https://craftylikegranny.com/take-life-one-stitch-at-a-time/ Cheers Emily
Lovely and easy pattern. We have featured one of your patterns Stars & Stripes Lanyard in the 4th July patterns blogpost 🙂
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LarryBeer Paris Saint Germain MariaDitt
ChassidyB Manchester United LeopoldoL
ElizbethC Uruguay AlfonzoBi
Enriqueta Barcelona Dannielle
Ernestina Colombia RSWIsisdj
ChloeLavi AC Milan NigelNav
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Thanks for sharing this pattern. It is beautiful. I love it.
I loved this bag, it can be used on several occasions. You explain very well. Congratulations on your wonderful work. I have a crochet website, I’m going to make this beautiful bag. Bolsa de praia
How do you make it smaller?
Hey Sarah!!
I just adore all your patterns ! Thanks so much for sharing, I’ve made several of them 😀 You are one talented crocheter !
Just a quick question – how did you get to 115 sc on Row 44 without decreasing when stitch count was 117?
Thanks a bunch!!
Erin 🙂
Hi Erin, I am wondering if you ever got a response to your question, or ever figured this out. I am about 15 rows before getting to this point and am wondering about this very thing. Thanks.
I noticed that too. I added a decrease to end with 116. Then, for the handle row I added a stitch on both sides of the handle
Thanks Sarah for all your patterns, they are SO cute! I agree with the question above, how did you get to 115 sc on Row 44 without decreasing when the stitch count was 117?
Thank you,
Tina
Seam on side is uneven as you go along making the tote which in turn off sets the handles. I’ve made two and both did the same thing. The pattern from all indications is off somehow. Anyone else have same problem. It looks like chain 41, but could be chain 4 with 1 a.c. around??? confused
Sara, you never replied to everyone who asked “how do you get to 115 sts, when you started with 117 sts.” Do you decrease one each row, or two in the same row?
It’s a great pattern, but a reply would be nice.
Lovely! Does this bag have a gusset, giving it a depth measurement?
Also, I hope you will be adding this gorgeous tote to your Ravelry pages where I can fav it! It’s stunning! 🙂
How did rows 20/22 be 117 then row 44/46become. 115. How did I loose two
Is so pretty thanks for sharing