by Let’s create a charming and practical crochet tote bag with a beautiful puff flower closure! This project combines the utility of a sturdy tote with the whimsical elegance of a floral detail. It’s a fantastic way to personalize your accessories and add a handmade touch to your everyday carry.
How to Make a Crochet Tote Bag with Puff Flower Closure
This detailed guide will walk you through crocheting a versatile tote bag, complete with a secure and decorative puff flower closure. We’ll focus on a sturdy stitch pattern for the bag’s body to ensure it holds its shape well, and then create the delightful floral element that doubles as a fastener.
Skill Level: Intermediate
This project is suitable if you’re comfortable with:
- Chain (ch): The basic foundation.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining rounds and neatening.
- Single Crochet (sc): A dense stitch, great for sturdy bag fabric.
- Half Double Crochet (hdc): A good intermediate stitch for height.
- Double Crochet (dc): A common stitch for taller elements.
- Puff Stitch: A textured stitch that forms the “petals” of our flower.
- Magic Ring (MR): An adjustable ring to start circular projects neatly (alternative provided).
- Working in rounds: Crocheting in a continuous or joined circular/oval manner.
- Working into specific stitches or chain spaces.
- Creating a strong, even tension.
- Weaving in ends securely.
Finished Bag Dimensions (Approximate):
This pattern creates a medium-sized tote, typically around 12-14 inches (30-35 cm) wide and 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) tall (excluding the handles). The puff flower closure will be about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) in diameter. You can easily adjust the bag’s size by changing your starting chain and the number of rounds.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn:
- Main Bag Color: Approximately 500-700 yards (450-640 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton or Cotton Blend Yarn. Cotton is highly recommended for bags due to its durability, minimal stretch, and excellent stitch definition.
- Puff Flower Colors: Small amounts (approx. 5-10 yards each) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Yarn in 2-3 colors for your flower (e.g., yellow for the center, pink/red for petals, green for leaves if desired).
- Crochet Hook: Size H/5.0mm. This size creates a dense fabric suitable for a sturdy bag.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for seamlessly weaving in all your loose yarn tails and for sewing on the flower.
- Scissors: For cutting your yarn.
- Stitch Marker (Optional but Highly Recommended): Very helpful for marking the beginning of your rounds.
- Button (for flower closure): A sturdy button, about 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) in diameter, that complements your bag and flower colors.
- Fabric Lining (Optional but Recommended): About 0.75-1.5 yards (0.7-1.4 meters) of coordinating fabric, needle, and thread/sewing machine for a more professional finish and added durability.
Understanding the Bag Construction:
We’ll build this tote in a seamless manner, starting with a sturdy oval base and working our way up. The puff flower will be crocheted separately and then attached as the decorative closure.
- Creating a Sturdy Oval Base: This foundation gives your bag stability and shape.
- Building the Body: Working upwards in rounds using a simple, dense stitch pattern.
- Adding the Top Border: Finishing the bag’s opening with a neat and firm edge.
- Crafting and Attaching the Handles: Creating comfortable and secure straps.
- Crocheting the Puff Flower: Making the decorative and functional closure piece.
- Assembling the Closure: Attaching the flower and button to the bag.
Let’s Crochet Your Tote Bag with Puff Flower Closure!
Part 1: Crocheting the Sturdy Oval Base
A solid, flat base is key for your tote to sit nicely and hold its contents without sagging. We’ll use single crochet (sc) for density.
- Starting Chain:
- With your Main Bag Color yarn, make a slip knot and chain 36. (Adjust this number for a wider/narrower bag. Keep it an even number for symmetry in later steps.)
- Round 1:
- Work 2 sc into the 2nd ch from your hook.
- Work 1 sc into each of the next 33 chains across.
- Work 3 sc into the very last chain. (This creates the first curved end, turning 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 33 chains across.
- Work 1 sc into the very first chain (the same chain where you placed the initial 2 sc).
- Sl st into the first sc of the round to join.
- [Total: 72 sc]
- Round 2:
- Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).
- Work 2 sc into the first stitch.
- Work 1 sc into the next 34 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the next 3 stitches.
- Work 1 sc into the next 34 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the last 2 stitches.
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- [Total: 78 sc]
- Round 3:
- Ch 1.
- Work 2 sc into the first stitch.
- Work 1 sc into the next 35 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the next 3 stitches.
- Work 1 sc into the next 35 stitches.
- Work 2 sc into each of the last 2 stitches.
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- [Total: 84 sc]
- Base Check: Your base should be a flat oval. If it curls, you may need one more round of increases. If it ruffles, you may have increased too much.
- Do not fasten off.
Part 2: Building the Bag Body
We’ll use a simple yet sturdy stitch for the body – single crochet (sc) throughout – to create a dense fabric.
- Transition to Body (Establishing Verticality):
- Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).
- Work 1 single crochet in the Back Loop Only (BLO) of each stitch around. (This creates a distinct ridge, helping the bag stand upright from the base.)
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- [Total: 84 sc]
- Body Rounds (Continuous Single Crochet):
- Ch 1.
- Work 1 sc into each stitch around (now working through both loops as usual).
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- Repeat this round (Ch 1, sc in each stitch around, sl st to join) for approximately 25-30 more rounds, or until your bag reaches the desired height (e.g., 10-12 inches / 25-30 cm).
- Maintain consistent tension for an even fabric.
- Do not fasten off.
Part 3: Adding the Top Border
A firm border prevents stretching and provides a strong edge for the handles and closure.
- Border Round 1 (Single Crochet):
- Ch 1.
- Work 1 sc into each stitch around.
- Sl st into the first sc to join.
- Repeat this round for 2-3 more times. This creates a very dense and firm border.
- Optional Firm Edge (Crab Stitch / Reverse Single Crochet):
- For an exceptionally firm and decorative edge, add a round of Crab Stitch.
- Ch 1.
- Insert your hook into the stitch to your right (working backward). Yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through both loops on your hook.
- Repeat this around each stitch until you reach the beginning.
- Sl st into the first crab stitch to join.
- Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail for weaving in.
Part 4: Crafting and Attaching the Handles
We’ll make two simple, sturdy crocheted handles.
- Crocheted Handle (Make 2):
- With your Main Bag Color yarn, ch 70. (Adjust for desired strap length.)
- Row 1: Work 1 sc into the 2nd ch from hook. Work 1 sc into each remaining ch across. [Total: 69 sc]
- Ch 1, turn.
- Row 2: Work 1 sc into each sc across the row. [Total: 69 sc]
- Repeat Row 2 for 2-3 more rows until your handle reaches the desired width (e.g., 4-5 rows total for a sturdy handle).
- Fasten off, leaving a very long tail (at least 15-20 inches / 38-50 cm) at each end of the strap for sewing.
- Make a second identical strap.
- Attaching the Handles to the Bag:
- Placement: Lay your bag flat. Position the handles on the inside of the bag’s top border. Typically, each handle is centered over the side curve, approximately 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) in from the side edges.
- Securing: Thread one long tail from a handle onto your yarn needle. Stitch firmly back and forth through the handle end and the bag’s top border multiple times to ensure a very strong attachment.
- Repeat for all four handle ends. Weave in any remaining handle tails very securely into the inside of the bag’s border.
Part 5: Crocheting the Puff Flower Closure
This decorative flower will also serve as the closure mechanism.
- Flower Center (Puff Flower Color 1 – e.g., Yellow):
- Create a Magic Ring (MR).
- Round 1: Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch). Work 12 hdc into the MR. Sl st to the first hdc to join. Pull MR tail tight. [Total: 12 hdc]
- Fasten off Color 1, leaving a 6-inch tail for weaving.
- Flower Petals (Puff Flower Color 2 – e.g., Pink/Red):
- Join Color 2 with a sl st into any hdc stitch from Round 1.
- Round 2 (Petals):
- Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).
- In the same stitch where you joined: Work 1 Puff Stitch.
- How to make a Puff Stitch (5 hdc version): *Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop* (3 loops on hook). Repeat from * to * 4 more times in the same stitch (you will have 5 half-finished hdc’s and 11 loops on your hook). Yarn over, pull through all 11 loops on your hook. Ch 1 to secure the puff.
- Sl st into the next hdc stitch.
- Repeat this sequence *(Work 1 Puff Stitch in next hdc, ch 1 to secure. Sl st into next hdc)* around.
- You will create 6 puff petals.
- After the last sl st, fasten off Color 2, leaving a long tail (at least 15-20 inches / 38-50 cm) for sewing the flower onto the bag.
Part 6: Assembling the Closure
Now, let’s attach the flower and the button to create your functional closure.
- Attach the Button Loop (Optional but Recommended):
- This creates a more secure closure for your bag.
- With your Main Bag Color yarn, make a slip knot.
- Ch 15-20 (or enough chains to comfortably loop around your chosen button).
- Sl st into the 2nd ch from hook and then continue sl st back down the chain to the beginning. This creates a strong, non-stretchy loop.
- Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail.
- Position: Find the exact center of the back of your bag’s top border. Use your yarn needle to securely sew the button loop to the inside of the bag’s border, centered. Weave in ends.
- Attach the Puff Flower:
- Position: Find the exact center of the front of your bag’s top border.
- Thread the long tail from your puff flower onto your yarn needle.
- Position the flower onto the outside of the bag, making sure it’s centered and visually pleasing.
- Sew the puff flower securely onto the bag’s top border using the yarn needle, stitching through the back of the flower and into the bag’s stitches. Make sure it’s firmly attached and won’t pull off when used as a closure. Weave in ends.
- Attach the Button:
- With your needle and matching thread (or a fine yarn tail), securely sew your chosen button to the center of the puff flower. Make sure it’s very firm.
- Test your closure by looping the button loop over the button. It should be snug but not too tight.
Part 7: Final Finishing Touches
- Weave in ALL Remaining Ends:
- This is crucial for a clean, neat, and durable bag. You’ll have various tails from your base, body, handles, and flower. Use your yarn needle to meticulously weave in every single loose yarn tail.
- Weaving Technique: Weave the tail into the stitches of the same color as the tail. Go 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. Trim any excess yarn close to the fabric.
- Blocking (Optional but Recommended):
- Blocking can significantly improve the shape, drape, and overall finish of your crocheted bag. It helps to even out stitches and makes the bag sit more squarely.
- Method (Wet Blocking – Ideal for Cotton/Acrylic):
- Gently stuff your bag with clean towels or crumpled paper to fill it to its desired shape. Avoid overstuffing.
- Using a spray bottle, lightly mist the entire bag evenly with water until it’s damp but not soaking wet.
- Gently shape the bag with your hands while it’s damp, ensuring the base is flat, the sides are even, and the handles are positioned correctly. Smooth out the flower.
- Allow the bag to air dry completely and thoroughly in a well-ventilated area before removing the stuffing. This can take 24-48 hours.
- Add a Fabric Lining (Optional for Professional Finish):
- A fabric lining provides a smooth interior, hides all your yarn tails, prevents small items from slipping through stitches, and adds significant durability and structure.
- Measure the inside dimensions of your finished bag. Cut fabric pieces (typically two main body pieces and one bottom piece) adding a seam allowance (e.g., 1/2 inch or 1.25 cm).
- Sew the fabric pieces together on a sewing machine or by hand to create an inner lining bag.
- Insert the fabric lining into your crocheted bag.
- Fold over the top raw edge of the fabric lining and hand-stitch it neatly to the inside top border of your crocheted bag using a needle and matching thread.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully created a truly beautiful and functional crochet tote bag with a charming puff flower closure! This handmade creation is not just a bag; it’s a statement of your skill and creativity, adorned with a lovely floral detail. Enjoy carrying your unique piece wherever you go!
