Welcome to our crochet blog! Today, we’re making the perfect accessory for a trip to the farmers market, a day at the beach, or just a quick errand run. This Coastal Breeze Market Tote is a sturdy yet lightweight bag that features a unique, eye-catching color block design with a beautiful openwork stitch. The pattern is designed to be long and detailed, making it perfect for an intermediate beginner looking to create a functional and stylish project.
Materials Needed
- Approximately 200g of worsted weight (or aran weight) cotton or cotton blend yarn in a main color (MC). The image shows a dusty blue.
- Approximately 50-70g of worsted weight cotton or cotton blend yarn in a contrasting color (CC). The image shows a vibrant orange.
- A 4.0mm (G-6) crochet hook.
- Scissors.
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
- Stitch marker (essential for working in continuous rounds).
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for a project like this, but a consistent tension will ensure your stitches are uniform and the bag holds its shape well.
- 14 double crochets (dc) and 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm).
Stitches and Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- v-st: V-Stitch (dc, ch 1, dc in the same stitch or space)
- sk: skip
- […]: repeat instructions within brackets
- (…): number of stitches at the end of the round or row
- MC: Main Color
- CC: Contrasting Color
Construction Overview
This tote bag is worked in continuous spiral rounds, starting with the base and increasing until you reach the desired width. You’ll then work straight up for the sides, incorporating the V-Stitch pattern for the openwork section and adding a color block stripe. Finally, you’ll create the handles directly from the top of the bag.
The Base
We will start with an oval-shaped base to give the bag a nice flat bottom.
Using MC, ch 31.
Round 1: Dc in the 3rd ch from the hook (the first 2 chs count as a dc). Dc in the next 27 chs. Work 5 dc in the last ch. Rotate your work to crochet down the other side of the starting chain. Dc in the next 28 chs. Work 4 dc in the last ch. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-2. (66 dc)
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as a dc). Dc in the next 28 sts. Work 2 dc in each of the next 5 sts. Dc in the next 28 sts. Work 2 dc in each of the next 4 sts. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-2. (75 dc)
Round 3: Ch 2. Dc in the next 28 sts. 2 dc in the next st, dc in the next st. Repeat from * to * 4 more times. Dc in the next 28 sts. 2 dc in the next st, dc in the next st. Repeat from * to * 3 more times. Join with a sl st. (93 dc)
Continue increasing in this manner until your base is the desired size. For a sturdier base, you can work more rounds, or work with a single crochet stitch. A good stopping point is when the base measures about 12 inches wide.
The Body of the Bag
Now we will work in continuous spiral rounds without increasing. This will create the upright sides of the bag.
Round 1: Working in the back loop only, sc in each stitch around. This creates a clean edge between the base and the body of the bag. Place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round. (93 sc)
Rounds 2-4: Sc in each stitch around. (93 sc)
Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Sk the next st. V-st in the next st. Sk the next st. [Dc in the next st. Sk the next st. V-st in the next st. Sk the next st.] Repeat from * to * around. You will end with a dc. Do not join, continue in a spiral.
Round 6: Sc in each stitch and ch-1 sp around. (93 sc)
Rounds 7-10: Repeat Rounds 5 and 6 twice more.
The Color Block Stripe
Change to CC at the end of Round 10.
Round 11: With CC, sc in each sc around. (93 sc)
Rounds 12-14: Sc in each sc around. (93 sc)
Round 15: Sc in each sc around, changing to MC at the end of the round. (93 sc)
Video tutorial
Finishing the Body and Handles
Continue with MC.
Round 16: Sc in each sc around. (93 sc)
Rounds 17-20: Repeat Rounds 5 and 6 twice more.
Round 21: Sc in each sc around. (93 sc)
Round 22: Sc in each sc around. (93 sc)
Round 23 (Creating Handles): Ch 1. Sc in the next 15 sts. Ch 40. Sk the next 15 sts. Sc in the next 30 sts. Ch 40. Sk the next 15 sts. Sc in the next 18 sts. Join with a sl st.
Round 24: Ch 1. Sc in the next 15 sts. Sc in each of the 40 chs of the first handle. Sc in the next 30 sts. Sc in each of the 40 chs of the second handle. Sc in the next 18 sts. Join with a sl st.
Round 25: Ch 1. Sc in each sc around. Join with a sl st and fasten off. Weave in all loose ends.
Your new Coastal Breeze Market Tote is complete! The openwork design makes it perfect for carrying fresh produce, and the sturdy base and handles will hold up to daily use. Enjoy your new creation!
