by Let’s crochet a vibrant and wonderfully textured Bubble Style Tote Bag in a cheerful orange color! This bag will not only be eye-catching but also sturdy and practical, perfect for carrying your essentials with a fun, tactile twist. The “bubble style” refers to the delightful, raised texture created by the bobble stitch, making this bag a joy to touch and admire.
How to Crochet a Bubble Style Tote Bag in Orange: A Detailed Step-by-Step Tutorial
This comprehensive guide will walk you through creating a charming and functional tote bag using the captivating bobble stitch. We’ll cover everything from building a solid base to forming the bubbly texture and attaching sturdy handles, all in a beautiful orange hue.
Skill Level: Intermediate
This project assumes you’re comfortable with:
- Chain (ch): The basic foundation.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining rounds.
- Single Crochet (sc): A dense, sturdy stitch, great for bag bases and stability.
- Half Double Crochet (hdc): A good intermediate stitch.
- Double Crochet (dc): A common stitch for height.
- Bobble Stitch (Bo): The star of this design! We’ll explain it in detail.
- Working in rounds: Both continuous and joined rounds.
- Increasing and Decreasing: Essential for shaping the bag.
- Weaving in ends securely.
What is the Bobble Stitch (Bo)?
The bobble stitch is a textured stitch that creates a raised, spherical “bubble” on the surface of your crochet fabric. It’s typically made by working several partial double crochet stitches into the same stitch and then closing them all together.
- Bobble Stitch (Bo) using 5 DC: Yarn over, insert hook into designated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). *Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops* (Repeat from * to * 3 more times – you will have 5 partial double crochets, and 6 loops on your hook). Yarn over, pull through all 6 loops on your hook. To “pop” the bobble forward and secure it, typically you work a single crochet or slip stitch in the next stitch (or chain 1, depending on the pattern, but for a bag, a securing sc is best).
Finished Bag Dimensions (Approximate):
This pattern creates a versatile, medium-sized tote bag, typically around 12-14 inches (30-35 cm) wide and 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) tall (excluding handles). You can easily adjust the size by modifying your starting chain and the number of rounds for the bag body.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn: Approximately 400-600 yards (365-550 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton or Cotton Blend Yarn.
- Why Cotton? Cotton yarn is highly recommended for bags due to its durability, minimal stretch (which helps the bag maintain its shape), and excellent stitch definition – perfect for showcasing those bobbles!
- Color: Bright, cheerful orange! You’ll likely need 2-3 skeins of worsted weight yarn for a bag of this size.
- Crochet Hook: Size H/5.0mm or I/5.5mm. A 5.0mm hook generally creates a denser fabric, ideal for a sturdy bag. If your tension is very tight, you might prefer a 5.5mm.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for seamlessly weaving in all your loose yarn tails.
- Scissors: For cutting your yarn.
- Stitch Markers (Optional but Highly Recommended): These are incredibly helpful for marking the beginning of your rounds and specific bobble placements if you want precise patterns.
Understanding the Bag Construction:
We’ll build this tote bag in a seamless manner, starting with the base and working upwards. The bobble stitch will be incorporated into the bag’s body, creating a wonderful texture.
The process involves three main stages:
- Creating an Oval Base: This foundation gives your bag stability and shape.
- Building the Body with Bobble Stitch: Working upwards in rounds, incorporating the bubble texture.
- Crocheting and Attaching Handles: Adding sturdy carrying straps.
Let’s Crochet Your Bubble Style Tote Bag!
Part 1: Crocheting the Oval Base (Orange Yarn)
A solid, flat base is crucial for your tote bag to sit upright and hold its contents without sagging. We’ll use single crochet (sc) for a dense and sturdy foundation.
- Starting Chain:
- With your orange yarn, make a slip knot and place it on your hook.
- Chain (ch) 31. (This chain forms the initial length of your bag’s base. If you want a wider bag, chain more stitches; for a narrower one, chain fewer. Keep the number odd for easier symmetry in later rounds.)
- Round 1:
- Work 2 single crochet (sc) stitches into the 2nd chain from your hook.
- Work 1 sc into each of the next 28 chains across.
- Work 3 sc into the very last chain. (This forms the smooth, curved end of your oval, allowing you to turn your work around the corner.)
- Now, working down the opposite side of the foundation chain (into the bottom loops of the chains you just worked into): Work 1 sc into each of the next 28 chains across.
- Work 1 sc into the very first chain (the same chain where you placed the initial 2 sc).
- Slip stitch (sl st) into the first sc of the round to join.
- [Total: 62 sc] (This completes your first oval base round.)
- Round 2:
- Ch 1 (this chain does NOT count as a stitch, it just gives height).
- Work 2 sc into the first stitch (your first increase on the curve).
- Work 1 sc into the next 29 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the next 3 stitches (increases evenly spaced around the curve).
- Work 1 sc into the next 29 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the last 2 stitches (increases around the final curve).
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- [Total: 68 sc]
- Round 3:
- Ch 1.
- Work 2 sc into the first stitch.
- Work 1 sc into the next 30 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the next 3 stitches.
- Work 1 sc into the next 30 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the last 2 stitches.
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- [Total: 74 sc]
- Round 4 (Optional for a larger base):
- Ch 1.
- Work 2 sc into the first stitch.
- Work 1 sc into the next 31 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the next 3 stitches.
- Work 1 sc into the next 31 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the last 2 stitches.
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- [Total: 80 sc]
- Crucial Base Check: Your base should lie perfectly flat at this point. If it bowls (curls up), you might need one more round of increases. If it ruffles, you might have too many increases. Adjust if necessary.
- Do not fasten off your yarn.
Part 2: Building the Bag Body with Bobble Stitch (Orange Yarn)
Now we’ll transition from the flat base to build the upright sides, incorporating our delightful bobble texture.
- Transition to Body (Establishing Verticality):
- Ch 1 (does NOT count as a stitch).
- Work 1 sc in the Back Loop Only (BLO) of each stitch around. (This is a key step! It creates a sharp ridge where the base seamlessly transitions into the bag’s upright sides, helping the bag stand up nicely.)
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- [Total: 80 sc] (Your stitch count remains exactly the same as your final base round).
- Bobble Stitch Pattern Rounds: We’ll create a pattern where bobbles are spaced out by single crochet stitches, and then offset in subsequent bobble rounds for a pleasing “staggered” effect. This ensures the bobbles pop out beautifully.
- Round 1 (Background Round):
- Ch 1.
- Work 1 sc into each stitch around.
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- [Total: 80 sc]
- Round 2 (Bobble Round 1):
- Ch 1.
- *Work 1 sc into the first stitch.
- Work 1 Bobble Stitch (Bo) into the next stitch (remember to close the bobble and then secure it by working the following sc).
- Work 1 sc into each of the next 3 stitches.*
- Repeat from * to * around the entire round. You should have 16 bobbles evenly spaced.
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- [Total: 16 Bobbles, 64 sc]
- Round 3 (Background Round):
- Ch 1.
- Work 1 sc into each stitch around. (Work into the top of the bobble stitches as if they were regular stitches.)
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- [Total: 80 sc]
- Round 4 (Bobble Round 2 – Staggered):
- Ch 1.
- Work 1 sc into each of the first 3 stitches.
- *Work 1 Bobble Stitch (Bo) into the next stitch.
- Work 1 sc into each of the next 3 stitches.*
- Repeat from * to * around. This offsets the bobbles from the previous bobble round.
- Work the remaining sc stitches to the end of the round.
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- [Total: 16 Bobbles, 64 sc]
- Continue Repeating:
- Repeat Round 3 (Background Round) and Round 4 (Bobble Round 2) until your bag reaches the desired height (e.g., 10-12 inches / 25-30 cm).
- You’ll essentially alternate between a plain sc round and a bobble round, ensuring the bobbles are staggered for that lovely textured effect.
- Always finish with a Background Round (plain sc) before moving to the top border.
- Round 1 (Background Round):
- Finishing the Top Edge:
- After completing your final background round (plain sc):
- Ch 1.
- Work 1 sc in each stitch around.
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- Repeat this sc round for 2-3 more times. This creates a very tight, dense, and firm top border for your bag. This firmness is crucial to preventing the top of your bag from stretching out over time and provides a solid base for securely attaching your handles.
- Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail.
Part 3: Crocheting and Attaching Handles (Orange Yarn)
We’ll crochet sturdy handles in matching orange yarn.
- Crocheting the Handles (Make 2):
- With your orange yarn, Chain (ch) 8. (This will be the width of your handle. Adjust for wider or narrower handles.)
- Work 1 sc into the 2nd chain from your hook and in each chain across. (You should now have 7 sc).
- Ch 1, turn (this is your turning chain for the next row).
- Work 1 sc into each of the 7 sc across.
- Repeat the last step (Ch 1, turn, sc across) until your strap reaches the desired length. For a comfortable tote, aim for approximately 18-24 inches (45-60 cm).
- Fasten off, leaving a very long tail (at least 12-18 inches / 30-45 cm) on each end of the handle for sewing.
- Attaching the Handles:
- Lay your completed bag flat and gently flatten it out so the side “creases” are even. This helps ensure your handles are symmetrically placed.
- Position your first handle. On one side of the bag, measure in approximately 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) from each flattened side crease along the top edge. These points mark where you’ll attach the handle. You can use stitch markers to temporarily mark these spots.
- Thread one of the long tails of the handle onto your yarn needle.
- Align one end of the handle with one of your marked spots on the inside of the bag’s top border.
- Using your yarn needle, firmly sew the handle end to the bag’s top border. Pass your needle through multiple layers of the bag’s sturdy sc stitches. Make several passes and criss-cross stitches to ensure the handle is incredibly secure and can withstand weight.
- Repeat for the other end of the first handle, attaching it to the second marked spot on the same side of the bag.
- Repeat the entire process for the second handle on the opposite side of the bag, taking care to ensure it is positioned symmetrically to the first.
Part 4: Finishing Touches
- Weave in ALL Remaining Ends: This is crucial for a clean, neat, and durable bag. Use your yarn needle to meticulously weave in all remaining tails from your base, body, and handle attachments.
- How to Weave Neatly: Weave the tails into the stitches of the same color as the tail. Weave in one direction for about 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm), then subtly change direction and weave back through some of the same stitches. This “locks” the tail in place and prevents it from unraveling. Be patient and thorough; well-woven ends are practically invisible and significantly contribute to your bag’s longevity and appearance.
- Blocking (Optional but Very Helpful): Blocking is a process that sets your stitches, evens out tension, and helps your bag take on its intended shape. It can make a huge difference in the final look and how well the bobbles pop.
- Gently stuff your bag with towels or crumpled paper to fill it to its desired shape. Ensure it’s plump and even.
- Using a spray bottle, lightly mist the entire bag evenly with water (especially if using cotton yarn).
- Gently shape the bag with your hands while it’s damp, ensuring the base is flat and the sides are even.
- Allow the bag to air dry completely and thoroughly before removing the stuffing. This can take 24-48 hours.
- Add a Fabric Lining (Highly Recommended for Durability & Functionality): While optional, a fabric lining dramatically improves the functionality and longevity of any crochet bag. It provides significant structure, prevents the bag from stretching out, helps it hold its shape even when filled, and, crucially, ensures small items (like keys, pens, or coins) don’t slip through any tiny gaps in your crochet stitches.
- Measure: Carefully measure the finished dimensions of your crochet bag: its height, its width, and the length/width of its oval base.
- Cut Fabric: Cut fabric pieces to match the inside dimensions of your bag. You’ll typically need a main body piece (a large rectangle that will wrap around the inside) and a separate oval piece for the bottom, mirroring your crocheted base. Remember to add a generous seam allowance (e.g., 1/2 inch or 1.2 cm) to all edges of your fabric pieces.
- Sew Fabric Lining (using a sewing machine is easiest): Stitch the fabric pieces together (right sides facing each other) to create a fabric “bag” that will fit snugly inside your crochet bag. Press all seams open for a neat finish. Create a neat hem around the top edge of the fabric lining.
- Insert and Secure: Carefully place the completed fabric lining inside your crochet bag. Align the top edges of both the crochet bag and the lining. Fold the hemmed top edge of the lining over the top edge of the crochet bag slightly (if needed) to create a clean finish. Then, using matching thread and a hand-sewing needle, hand-stitch the lining securely to the inside top edge of the crochet bag. Stitch carefully so the stitches are not visible from the outside of your beautiful bag.
Congratulations! You’ve now completed a fun, textured, and wonderfully vibrant Bubble Style Crochet Tote Bag in orange! This handmade accessory is a great way to add a pop of color and personality to your style.
What exciting adventures will you take your new bubbly bag on?
