Crocheting a tote bag is one of the most satisfying projects for beginners. With just basic stitches and a little time, you can make a functional, stylish, and personalized tote bag — perfect for carrying books, groceries, or daily essentials.

In this tutorial, we’ll create a modern two-color crochet tote bag using simple techniques. This is the perfect project if you’re new to crochet but want to make something useful and trendy.

Let’s dive into the step-by-step guide!

🧵 What You’ll Need

Here’s a list of materials and tools you’ll need to crochet your beginner-friendly two-tone tote bag.

✅ Tools & Supplies:

Yarn (Two Colors):
- Color A (Main): 150g – Worsted weight (Category 4) cotton yarn
- Color B (Accent): 100g – Contrasting or complementary color
Crochet Hook: Size 5.0mm (H/8) or recommended on yarn label
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Stitch Markers (optional but useful for keeping track of rounds)
Measuring Tape

🧶 Recommended Yarn: Cotton yarn works best for bags as it is durable and holds shape well.

✂️ Basic Crochet Skills Required

This project is perfect for beginners and uses only a few basic stitches:

Chain (ch)
Single Crochet (sc)
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Half Double Crochet (hdc) (optional for variation)
Changing Colors (you’ll learn this here too!)

If you don’t know all these yet — no worries. We’ll explain each stitch and process as we go.

👜 Tote Bag Construction Overview

We’ll create the tote bag in three parts:

Base – worked flat as a rectangle.
Body – worked in the round from the edge of the base.
Handles – crocheted into the top edge.

This bag will be approximately 14″ wide x 12″ tall with 20″ handles, but you can adjust it as desired.

🔶 PART 1: CROCHET THE BASE (Color A)

We start with a flat rectangular base in the main color.

Step 1: Foundation Chain

Using Color A, ch 41 (this gives a base width of ~14 inches; adjust as needed).

Step 2: Row 1

Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (40 sc)
Ch 1, turn

Step 3: Rows 2–10

Sc in each stitch across
Ch 1, turn
Repeat until you have 10 rows total (adjust if you want a deeper base)

📝 Tip: Make sure your edges stay straight by counting your stitches every few rows.

At the end of Row 10, do not fasten off — we’ll now start working in continuous rounds around the rectangle.

🔷 PART 2: CROCHET THE BODY (Working in Rounds)

We will now crochet around the base to build the bag body upwards.

Step 4: Round 1 – Turning the Base into a Round

Continue with Color A.
Sc evenly around all 4 sides of the rectangle:
- 40 stitches along the long edges (2 sides)
- 10 stitches along the short edges (2 sides)
Place 2 sc in each corner to round the edges
Sl st to first sc to join. (Total: 100 stitches approximately)

📌 Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round if you’re continuing in the round.

Step 5: Rounds 2–12 (Color A)

Sc in each stitch around
Join each round with a sl st to the first sc
Ch 1 to begin the next round

Work about 10–12 rounds in Color A to build the lower portion of the bag.

🧶 PART 3: SWITCH TO SECOND COLOR (Color B)

Now we add a color change for the top portion of the bag to create a trendy, two-tone effect.

Step 6: Changing Colors

In the last stitch of Round 12, start the final sc with Color A, but before finishing the stitch, pull through Color B to complete it.
Drop Color A (don’t cut it if you want to use it for handles).
Sl st with Color B to join, ch 1.

Step 7: Rounds 13–24 (Color B)

Sc in each stitch around
Join each round with sl st, ch 1 to continue
Continue until your bag is about 12 inches tall total

📝 Adjust the number of rounds based on how tall you want your tote to be.

🪝 PART 4: CROCHET THE HANDLES

Let’s add simple crocheted handles using chains. Handles are worked as part of the final round.

Step 8: Position the Handles

Try to place the handles evenly spaced from the side seams.
Here’s a standard handle setup:
- Sc in next 10 stitches
- Ch 35 (for handle)
- Skip next 15 stitches
- Sc in next 20 stitches
- Ch 35
- Skip next 15 stitches
- Sc in remaining 10 stitches

Step 9: Final Round – Reinforce the Handles

In the next round, sc in every stitch, and sc across the handle chains as well.
This reinforces the handle and makes it stronger.

Step 10: Fasten Off

Sl st to join, cut yarn and weave in all ends with tapestry needle.

🎀 Optional Add-Ons

Here are a few ideas to personalize your tote:

Add-On	Description
Button or Snap Closure	Sew on a snap or magnetic button to keep the bag closed
Lining	Add a fabric lining for extra durability
Tassel or Pom-Pom	Add some fun flair to your handle
Embroidery	Use yarn or thread to stitch your name or a flower

📏 Size Summary (Adjustable)

Part	Approximate Size
Base	14″ wide x 3″ deep
Height	12″
Handles	20″ (10″ drop)

You can scale this pattern up or down depending on your needs — just adjust your foundation chain and number of rows.

🧺 Care Tips for Crochet Tote Bags

Washing: Hand wash in cold water; air dry flat.
Storage: Lay flat or hang; avoid stretching.
Maintenance: Trim loose yarn ends and reinforce seams if needed.

🥳 You Did It! Your Beginner Crochet Tote Bag is Complete!

You’ve now completed a stylish, two-color crochet tote bag from scratch! Whether you take it shopping, to the beach, or use it daily, your handmade bag is a unique and eco-friendly statement piece.

This is just the beginning — once you’ve made your first tote, you can explore more:

Add pockets
Try different textures (e.g., moss stitch, bobbles)
Experiment with tapestry crochet for patterns

📌 Quick Pattern Recap (At a Glance)

Section	Technique Used	Color Used
Base	Single Crochet Rows	Color A
Body	Single Crochet in Rounds	Color A/B
Handles	Chains + SC Reinforcement	Color B
Optional	Button, Lining, Tassels	Your Choice

👜 How to Crochet an Easy Two-Color Tote Bag for Beginners | Step-by-Step Pattern