🧶 How to Crochet an Easy Tote Bag Using the Air Star Stitch (Step-by-Step)

This tutorial will guide you through creating a beautiful and trendy tote bag using the Air Star Stitch. This stitch creates a stunning, textured fabric that is both dense and durable, making it perfect for a bag. While the Star Stitch might look a little complicated, this step-by-step guide is designed for beginners and will break down each part of the process, from the simple oval base to the beautiful body and sturdy handles.

Skill Level: Confident Beginner

This project is a great challenge if you’re comfortable with:

• Chain (ch)
• Slip Stitch (sl st)
• Single Crochet (sc)
• Half Double Crochet (hdc)
• Working in Rounds
• Increasing for the bag base.
• Fastening Off and weaving in ends.

The Air Star Stitch itself is worked over two rows, so we’ll walk through those steps in detail.

Finished Tote Bag Dimensions (Approximate):

Using 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).

Materials You’ll Need:

• Yarn: Approximately 300-400 yards (275-365 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton or a sturdy cotton blend.
• Crochet Hook: Size I/5.5mm or J/6.0mm. A slightly larger hook can help you pull up the loops for the Star Stitch more easily.
• Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): For weaving in ends.
• Scissors: For cutting yarn.
• Stitch Marker (Optional but Recommended): To mark the beginning of your rounds.

Let’s Crochet Your Air Star Stitch Tote Bag!

We’ll build this tote bag in three main parts:

1. The Oval Base: A flat, single crochet foundation.
2. The Body: The star stitch pattern worked in two-row repeats.
3. The Handles: Simple, sturdy single crochet straps.

---

Part 1: The Oval Base

The base of your bag will be a sturdy single crochet oval, which provides a firm foundation for the star stitch body.

1. Starting Chain:
   • Make a slip knot.
   • Chain (ch) 26.
2. Round 1 (Working Around the Chain):
   • Work 2 single crochet (sc) stitches into the 2nd chain from your hook.
   • Work 1 sc into each of the next 23 chains.
   • In the last chain, work 4 sc stitches.
   • Now, work back down the other side of your starting chain. Work 1 sc into each of the next 23 stitches.
   • In the last stitch, work 2 sc.
   • Do NOT join with a slip stitch. You will work in a continuous spiral for the base. Use your stitch marker to mark the first stitch of the next round.
3. Round 2 (Continuing the Oval Shape):
   • Work 2 sc into the first stitch.
   • Work 1 sc into the next stitch.
   • Work 1 sc into each of the next 23 stitches.
   • Work 2 sc into each of the next 3 stitches.
   • Work 1 sc into the next stitch.
   • Work 1 sc into each of the next 23 stitches.
   • Work 2 sc into each of the next 2 stitches.
   • You should now have 60 sc stitches. Continue in continuous rounds.
4. Round 3 (Final Base Round):
   • Work 2 sc into the first stitch.
   • Work 1 sc into each of the next 24 stitches.
   • Work 2 sc into each of the next 3 stitches.
   • Work 1 sc into each of the next 24 stitches.
   • Work 2 sc into each of the next 2 stitches.
   • You should now have 66 sc stitches. Do not join yet. Remove your stitch marker.
   • Slip stitch (sl st) into the next stitch to join, completing your oval base.

Part 2: The Air Star Stitch Body

This is the main part of the bag and where we’ll create the beautiful star stitch texture. The pattern is a two-row repeat: a row of “star stitches” and a row of half double crochet.

1. Row 1 (The Star Stitch Row):
   • Chain 3 (ch 3).
   • Insert your hook into the 2nd chain from the hook and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).
   • Insert your hook into the 3rd chain from the hook and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
   • Insert your hook into the first stitch of the row and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook).
   • Insert your hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook).
   • Insert your hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop (6 loops on hook).
   • Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops on your hook.
   • Chain 1 to close the star and form the “eye”.
   • To make the next star, you’ll repeat the process, but the first three loops are pulled up from the previous star stitch:
   • Insert hook into the eye of the previous star and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).
   • Insert hook into the last loop you pulled up from the previous star (the “leg” of the star) and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
   • Insert hook into the same stitch as the last leg and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook).
   • Insert hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook).
   • Insert hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop (6 loops on hook).
   • Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, then ch 1.
   • Repeat this process all the way around the bag.
   • Slip stitch (sl st) to the top of the first star stitch to join the round.
2. Row 2 (The Half Double Crochet Row):
   • Chain 2 (ch 2 – counts as your first hdc).
   • Work 1 half double crochet (hdc) into the same space (the top of the last star).
   • Work 2 hdc into the eye of each star stitch around the entire round.
   • Work 1 hdc into the top of the chain-3 from the beginning of the previous row.
   • Slip stitch (sl st) to the top of the beginning ch 2 to join the round.
   • Repeat Row 1 and Row 2 until your bag reaches the desired height.

---

Part 3: The Handles

The handles are created with a simple single crochet to provide a sturdy and durable strap.

1. Handle Placement Round:
   • After your last star stitch round, slip stitch to join.
   • Chain 1 (ch 1).
   • Work 1 sc into the first 10 stitches.
   • Chain 40 (ch 40 – the length of your handle).
   • Skip the next 13 stitches on the bag’s top edge.
   • Work 1 sc into the next 20 stitches.
   • Chain 40.
   • Skip the next 13 stitches.
   • Work 1 sc into the next 10 stitches.
   • Slip stitch (sl st) into the first sc of the round to join.
2. Handle Strengthening Round:
   • Chain 1.
   • Work 1 sc into each sc stitch along the top edge of the bag.
   • When you reach a chain-handle loop, work 1 sc into each of the 40 chains of the loop.
   • Continue working sc stitches into the bag top and around the second handle loop.
   • Slip stitch (sl st) into the first sc of the round to join.
   • Fasten Off (FO), leaving a tail of about 6 inches.

Final Finishing Touches

1. Weave in All Ends:
   • Thread your yarn tails onto your yarn needle.
   • Weave each tail into existing stitches on the inside of your bag for at least 3-4 inches.
   • Trim any excess yarn close to the fabric.
2. Blocking (Optional but Recommended):
   • Gently mist the bag with cool water.
   • Stuff the bag lightly with towels to help it hold its rectangular shape.
   • Allow the bag to air dry completely in a well-ventilated area.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully crocheted a beautiful Air Star Stitch Tote Bag. This is a fantastic accomplishment, and you now have a unique and sturdy handmade accessory. What will be the first thing you carry in your new tote?

Video Tutorial