Welcome to our crochet blog, where we’re creating stylish and functional accessories for everyday life! Today’s project is a beautiful Oceanside Ombre Tote, a sturdy and spacious bag perfect for a trip to the beach, the market, or just to carry your daily essentials. This pattern is designed to be long and detailed, making it perfect for an intermediate crocheter ready to tackle a project with color changes and a unique texture stitch.
Materials Needed
- Approximately 300g of worsted weight (or aran weight) cotton or cotton blend yarn in three or four colors to create an ombre effect. The image shows a transition from dark blue to a light turquoise.
- 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 single crochets (sc) and 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm).
Stitches and Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- long dc: long double crochet (work a dc stitch into the sc of the previous row)
- 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. You’ll then work straight up for the body, incorporating a series of color changes to create the ombre effect, along with a unique textured stitch. 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 your darkest color (Color A), ch 31.
Round 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook. Sc in the next 28 chs. Work 3 sc in the last ch. Rotate your work to crochet down the other side of the starting chain. Sc in the next 28 chs. Work 3 sc in the last ch. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (64 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 2 sc in the first st. Sc in the next 28 sts. Work 2 sc in each of the next 3 sts. Sc in the next 28 sts. Work 2 sc in each of the last 2 sts. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (72 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1. Sc in the first st. Work 2 sc in the next st. Sc in the next 28 sts. Sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st. Repeat from * to * 2 more times. Sc in the next 28 sts. Sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st. Repeat from * to * 1 more time. Join with a sl st. (80 sc)
Continue increasing in this manner until your base is the desired width, working your increases evenly on the ends of the oval. A good stopping point is when the base measures about 12 inches wide, which should be around 96-100 stitches in circumference.
The Body of the Bag
Now we will work in continuous spiral rounds without increasing. This will create the upright sides of the bag. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the beginning of the round.
Round 1 (Base of body): Working in the back loop only, sc in each stitch around. This creates a clean edge and helps the bag stand upright. Do not join, continue in a spiral. (100 sc)
Rounds 2-10: Sc in each stitch around. (100 sc)
Rounds 11-13 (Textured Section): Sc in each stitch. The texture is created by working a long dc into the sc of the previous row. A suggested pattern is sc in the next 3 sts, long dc in the next sc. Repeat around.
Rounds 14-16: Sc in each stitch around. (100 sc)
The Ombre Transition
Now, we’ll start changing colors to create the ombre effect.
Rounds 17-20: Change to your next color (Color B). Sc in each stitch around. (100 sc)
Rounds 21-23 (Textured Section): With Color B, sc in each stitch, using a long dc in every 4th stitch.
Rounds 24-26: Sc in each stitch around. (100 sc)
Rounds 27-30: Change to your final color (Color C). Sc in each stitch around. (100 sc)
Rounds 31-33 (Textured Section): With Color C, sc in each stitch, using a long dc in every 4th stitch.
Rounds 34-36: Sc in each stitch around. (100 sc)
Video tutorial
Creating the Handles
Round 37: Sl st into the next stitch to join the round. Ch 1. Sc in the first 15 sts. Ch 40. Sk the next 20 sts. Sc in the next 30 sts. Ch 40. Sk the next 20 sts. Sc in the last 15 sts. Join with a sl st.
Round 38: Ch 1. Sc in the first 15 sc. Sc in each of the 40 chs of the first handle. Sc in the next 30 sc. Sc in each of the 40 chs of the second handle. Sc in the last 15 sc. Join with a sl st.
Rounds 39-40: Ch 1. Sc in each sc around. Join with a sl st at the end of each round. Fasten off and weave in all loose ends.
Your new Oceanside Ombre Tote is complete! The sturdy single crochet base and body, combined with the elegant color changes and unique texture, make this a beautiful and durable bag for all your adventures. Enjoy your new creation!
