by You’re looking for a detailed tutorial on How to Crochet a Multicolor Tote Bag! That’s a fantastic project, allowing you to blend colors and create a practical, stylish, and durable accessory. For a “multicolor” tote, using stripes is one of the most popular and effective ways to incorporate multiple colors beautifully into the design.
This guide will walk you through crocheting a sturdy, medium-to-large-sized tote bag with bold horizontal stripes, primarily worked in joined rounds for a clean, crisp look.
How to Crochet a Multicolor Striped Tote Bag
This pattern creates a spacious and robust tote bag, ideal for everyday use, whether you’re heading to the market, the library, or the beach. The striped design is achieved by alternating colors every few rounds, resulting in clear, eye-catching bands that showcase your chosen palette.
Skill Level: Intermediate
You should be comfortable with:
- Basic crochet stitches (chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet).
- Working in joined rounds.
- Creating a flat oval base.
- Working straight up to form bag sides.
- Performing clean color changes.
Finished Tote Bag Dimensions (Approximate):
- Width (flat): 13 inches (33 cm)
- Height (without handles): 15 inches (38 cm)
- Handle Drop: 8-10 inches (20-25 cm)
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn:
- Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton or Cotton Blend Yarn: This type of yarn is highly recommended for tote bags due to its excellent durability, sturdiness, and ease of washing. Avoid very stretchy or overly flimsy yarns, as they won’t hold the bag’s shape well when filled.
- Total Yarn: Approximately 600-800 yards (550-730 meters).
- Colors: Choose 3-5 contrasting or coordinating colors. It’s a good idea to plan your stripe sequence before you start!
- Color A (Main Body/Base): Approx. 200-250 yards.
- Color B, C, D, E (Stripe Colors): Approx. 100-150 yards each, depending on how many stripes you plan to use.
- Crochet Hook:
- Size H/5.0mm: Or the hook size that helps you achieve a firm, dense fabric that won’t stretch out too much when the bag is used. A slightly tighter gauge is generally better for bags.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for seamlessly weaving in all your loose ends.
- Scissors
- Stitch Markers (Recommended): These are very helpful for marking the beginning of rounds, the “corner” stitches of your base, and precise handle placement.
Gauge (Crucial for Consistent Size!):
Maintaining a consistent gauge is vital to ensure your tote bag reaches the intended dimensions and maintains its sturdy shape, preventing it from becoming too loose or too stiff.
- For the main body (single crochet stitches): 15 single crochet stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm).
- Adjust your hook size if necessary to meet this gauge.
Abbreviations Used:
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)
- inc: increase (work 2 stitches into the same stitch)
- FO: fasten off
- ( ): repeat instructions within parentheses a specified number of times.
- [ ]: indicates the total number of stitches at the end of a round.
Understanding Striped Tote Bag Construction:
This tote bag will be constructed in a few main parts, ensuring a durable and attractive finish:
- Flat Oval Base: This creates a sturdy bottom for your bag that transitions smoothly into the upright sides.
- Upright Sides (Striped): This forms the main body of the bag, worked in joined rounds with regular color changes to create bold horizontal stripes. Using joined rounds helps keep your stripes neat and your “seam” line straight.
- Top Edging: This section provides a reinforced, clean finish to the opening of the bag.
- Handles: Sturdy, crocheted handles will be directly integrated into the top of the bag.
How to Make a Clean Color Change in Joined Rounds:
This method is key to making your stripes look crisp and professional.
- Work the last stitch of the round with your current color as you normally would, but stop when you have two loops left on your hook.
- Drop the current color.
- Pick up your new color, yarn over with the new color, and pull it through the remaining two loops on your hook to complete the stitch.
- Now, using the new color, slip stitch into the first stitch of the round to join.
- Always cut the old color yarn, leaving a 4-6 inch tail. These tails will be neatly woven in later. For a bag, it’s best not to carry yarn up the inside, as it can add bulk or show through lighter colored stitches.
Let’s Start Crocheting Your Multicolor Striped Tote Bag!
Part 1: Base of the Tote (Color A)
We’ll start by creating a sturdy, flat oval base for your bag.
- With Color A, chain 37.
- Round 1: Single crochet (sc) in the 2nd chain from your hook. Sc in the next 34 chains. Work 3 sc in the very last chain. (Now you’ll be working down the other side of your starting chain). Sc in the next 34 chains. Work 2 sc in the very last chain (this is the same chain as your first sc of the round). Slip stitch (sl st) to the first sc to join. [74 stitches]
- Tip: Place stitch markers in the middle stitch of the 3-sc group at each end of the oval. These will be your “corner” stitches where you’ll make increases in subsequent rounds.
- Round 2: Chain 1 (does NOT count as a stitch). Sc in the same stitch as your join. Sc in the next 33 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch (your old corner). Sc in the next 34 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch (your other old corner). Sc in the last 2 stitches. Sl st to the first sc to join. [78 stitches]
- Remember to move your stitch markers to the middle stitch of each new 3-sc group.
- Round 3: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in the next 34 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch. Sc in the next 36 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch. Sc in the last 2 stitches. Sl st to the first sc to join. [82 stitches]
- Move stitch markers.
- Round 4: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in the next 35 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch. Sc in the next 38 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch. Sc in the last 2 stitches. Sl st to the first sc to join. [86 stitches]
- Move stitch markers.
- Round 5: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in the next 36 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch. Sc in the next 40 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch. Sc in the last 2 stitches. Sl st to the first sc to join. [90 stitches]
- Your base should now measure approximately 13 inches long and 4-5 inches wide.
- Perform a clean color change to Color B for the next round. Cut Color A, leaving a 6-inch tail for weaving.
Part 2: Body of the Tote (Striped – Alternating Colors)
Now, we’ll start working straight up to form the walls of the tote bag. We’ll change colors every two rounds to create clear, horizontal stripes.
Important for all Body Rounds: When working Round 6, crochet into the back loop only (BLO) of the stitches from Round 5. This creates a distinct, defined edge for the base and helps the sides stand up perfectly straight. For all subsequent body rounds (from Round 7 onwards), work through both loops as normal.
- Round 6 (Color B): Ch 1 (does NOT count as a stitch). Sc in the BLO of the same stitch as your join. Sc in the BLO of each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [90 stitches]
- Perform a clean color change to Color C. Cut Color B, leaving a 6-inch tail.
- Round 7 (Color C): Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch as join. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [90 stitches]
- Round 8 (Color C): Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [90 stitches]
- Perform a clean color change to Color D. Cut Color C, leaving a 6-inch tail.
- Round 9 (Color D): Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [90 stitches]
- Round 10 (Color D): Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [90 stitches]
- Perform a clean color change to Color E. Cut Color D, leaving a 6-inch tail.
- Round 11 (Color E): Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [90 stitches]
- Round 12 (Color E): Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [90 stitches]
- Perform a clean color change to Color A. Cut Color E, leaving a 6-inch tail.
Continue Repeating Rounds (Customizing Height):
- Keep repeating the sequence of two rounds per color (Color A, then B, then C, etc.) until your bag reaches your desired height.
- For a 15-inch tall bag (excluding handles), you’ll likely need approximately 50-60 rounds in total (including the base rounds). Continue until the bag measures about 14 inches tall.
- Tip: It’s best to end your body section with Color A (or your primary color) for the last two rounds, as this will match the base and create a clean look for the top edging.
Part 3: Top Edging (Main Color, e.g., Color A)
This section creates a sturdy, finished rim for the opening of your tote bag.
- Round (Final Body Color, e.g., Color A): Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [90 stitches]
- If you’re not already using Color A for this round, perform a clean color change to Color A. DO NOT CUT this color, as you’ll use it for the next edging rounds and handles.
- Round (Top Edging 1): Ch 1. Half double crochet (hdc) in the same stitch. Hdc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first hdc to join. [90 hdc]
- Round (Top Edging 2): Ch 1. Hdc in the same stitch. Hdc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first hdc to join. [90 hdc]
- FO Color A, leaving a long tail for weaving if you’re taking a break before starting the handles.
Part 4: Handles (Main Color, e.g., Color A)
You will make two identical handles, crocheted directly onto the top edge of your bag.
- Handle Placement Preparation:
- Lay your bag flat and ensure the seams are aligned to the sides.
- Visually determine where you want your handles to begin and end on the front and back of the bag.
- For a bag with 90 stitches around, a good handle placement could be:
- Start: Attach yarn at any point on the top edge.
- Work sc in the first 20 stitches. (This forms one end of the handle attachment).
- Chain 40 (this creates the actual strap length for your first handle).
- Skip the next 25 stitches along the bag’s top edge (this creates the opening for your arm/hand).
- Work sc in the next 20 stitches. (This forms the other end of the handle attachment on the same side of the bag).
- Chain 40 (for your second handle strap).
- Skip the last 25 stitches along the bag’s top edge.
- Sl st to the first sc of the round to join.
- Round (Handle Reinforcement 1):
- Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch and in the next 19 stitches (working along the top edge of the bag).
- Now, sc in each of the 40 chain stitches you just made (working along the top of your first handle chain).
- Sc in the next 20 stitches (working along the bag’s top edge).
- Sc in each of the 40 chain stitches for your second handle.
- Sl st to the first sc to join. [120 sc total – 20 bag edge + 40 handle + 20 bag edge + 40 handle]
- Round (Handle Reinforcement 2):
- Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in each stitch around (working along the bag edge stitches and then around the handle loops).
- Sl st to the first sc to join. [120 sc]
- FO, leaving a long tail for final weaving.
Part 5: Finishing Your Tote Bag
- Weave in All Ends: This is the most time-consuming but absolutely crucial step for a neat, professional, and durable bag. Methodically thread each yarn tail from your color changes and the start/end of the project onto your yarn needle. Carefully weave them through several stitches on the inside of the bag, making them secure and invisible from the outside. Take your time with this step to prevent unraveling.
- Optional: Stiffen the Handles: If your crocheted handles feel too soft or floppy, you can line them with a piece of cotton webbing or carefully spray them with fabric stiffener and let them dry while stretched straight (you can pin them to a blocking mat).
- Optional: Add a Fabric Lining: For even greater durability, to prevent items from potentially slipping through stitches, or to add pockets, consider sewing a fabric lining for your tote bag. This is typically done after all crocheting is complete.
Your beautiful and functional Multicolor Striped Tote Bag is now complete! Enjoy carrying your fantastic handmade creation.
