When I designed The Sammi Crochet Tote Bag Pattern, I wanted to create something that was both stylish and practical—an everyday bag that you’d actually want to use. With its sturdy stitches, classic design, and just the right amount of stretch, this tote is perfect for shopping, running errands, or even a day at the beach. It’s a fun and satisfying project, whether you’re looking to expand your crochet skills or just want to make something beautiful and functional. I can’t wait to see your version of The Sammi Tote!
Level of skill Required :
This pattern is written in USA terms
Knowledge on how to crochet double crochet, single crochet, slip stitch and chain is required
Material list(Crochet tote bag pattern):
- Crochet Hook size 4mm
- 3mm thick polyester or cotton cord (you can use any other type of yarn that you have but make sure it is not too thick and that you use a corresponding crochet hook)
- Total meters used – 400 meters
- Scissors
- 5 Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
One size bag
Finished Tote bag measurements
- Height -31 cm
- Width- 32.5cm
- Handle length – 75 cm (each)
Crochet Terms in US Terminology
- rep – repeat (do it again)
- inc – increase to put more than one stitch (in this case 2 stitches) in one stitch
- st (s) – stitch(es)
- ** – means do what is written in-between the asterisks (for example rep** , means repeat what is written in between the asterisks)
Stitch guide (US TERMS)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
Pattern notes:
- You are going to work in rounds.
- Remember to mark the first stitch at the beginning of each round
- The number at the end of the instruction in brackets is the total number of stitches for that round.
Instructions on how to crochet the Sammi crochet tote bag:
The bag is made in 2 steps
- Step 1 – the bottom and sides
- Step 2 – the handle
Step 1- The Bottom and Sides
Foundation round: make a slip knot and ch 43 or alternatively make a chain in the multiples of 3 plus 1. (For a longer base you can increase the number of chains here at the beginning). Sc 1 in the 2nd ch from the hook and mark the first st with a st marker, continue with 1 sc in each of the following chains. In the last ch put 5 sc (you should have 5 sts in the last chain). Continue to crochet at the back of the chains putting 1 sc at the back of each chain. In the last chain (the back of the first chain of the round) sc 4 (in other words you are adding 4 stitches plus the first st we marked earlier and the total becomes 5 stitches in that chain). This completes the first round. (90)
Round 2 to Round 5: sc 1 in the 1st st (mark the first st), continue with 1 sc in each of the following sts until the round is done. (90)
At the end of round 5, count the total number of stitches and make sure that they are a multiple of 6. If not for example they are 59 add one more stitch in the last stitch to make them 60 which is a multiple of 6.
At the end of the 5th round insert hook into the first st and work a sl st (the sl st is joining the first and the last st of the round).
Round 6: Chain 3 (this will act as the first double crochet of the round). Put a st marker in the 3rd chain of the chain 3 just made to mark the starting point.
Insert hook in the first stitch of the round that is at the base of chain 3 just made (the st in which we did slip stitch) and crochet 2dc.
*Skip the next 2 stitches (the 2nd st and the 3rd sts of the round) and in the following st (which is the 4th st of the round) insert hook below both loops (the top two loops of a st) and make 1 sc. Skip again the next 2 stitch (the 5th and 6th sts of the round) and then in the following st (the 7th st of the round) insert hook below both loops and crochet 5 dc *. Repeat from * to * until the round is done.
At the end of the round just after doing a single crochet you should be left with two stitches and a slip stitch (this slip st is the one we did at the end of the previous round and this slip st does not count as a stitch).
Since we began the round with 3 dc (that is the chain 3 and the 2dc) and yet the rest of the round we were crocheting 5 dc we need to add 2 dc to the first 3dc of the round to make them 5. Therefore skip the last 2 stitches (note that the slip st does not count as a st therefore skip it also) and insert hook in the first stitch of the round which already has 3 dc and crochet 2 dc.
Insert hook in the marked chain of the chain 3 we did at the beginning and make a slip stitch to complete the round.
Round 7: chain 1, insert hook in the same stitch or marked chain (in which we inserted our hook to crochet the slip st that joined the 3 dc to the 2dc) and crochet 1 sc. Mark the sc just made.
*Skip 2 sts and in the next st (this next st is the top of the sc we did in the previous round) insert hook below both loops of the st and crochet 5 dc. Skip the following 2 sts and in the next st insert hook below both loops and work 1 sc. (you may want to turn your work so that you see the top of your sts properly). * repeat from * to * until the round is done.
At the end of the round, you should have 2 sts left (these 2 st do not include the slip stitch as well as a small vertical st, this is the chain 1 that we did at the beginning and these two do not count as sts).
Since we began the round with a single crochet, we finish the round with just a slip st. (we do not crochet 2 dc like we did in the previous round). So to crochet the slip st, insert hook below both loops of the first st of the round (the one marked earlier) and make the slip st.
Round 8: chain 3. Insert hook in the first stitch of the round that is at the base of chain 3 just made (the st in which we did slip stitch) and crochet 2dc.
* Skip the next 2 sts and in the following st insert hook below both loops and work 1 sc, skip again 2 sts and in the next st insert hook below both loops of the st and crochet 5 dc.* repeat from * to * until the round is done.
At the end of the round just after doing a single crochet you should be left with two stitches and a slip stitch (this slip st is the one we did at the beginning of the round and this slip st does not count as a stitch).
Since we began the round with 3 dc (that is the chain 3 and the 2dc) and yet the rest of the round we were crocheting 5 dc we need to add 2 dc to the first 3dc of the round to make them 5. Therefore skip the last 2 stitches (note that the slip does not count as a st therefore also skip it) and insert hook in the first stitch of the round which already has 3 dc and crochet 2 dc.
Insert hook in the marked chain of the chain 3 we did at the beginning and make a slip stitch to complete the round.
NB: when a round begins with a chain 3 and 2dc, you finish the round with 2 dc and a slip st. Also when a round begins with single crochet you finish the round with just slip st.
Round 9 to round 27: repeat round 7 and round 8
At the end of round 27, cut and fasten off the ends using a tapestry needle or crochet hook.
Step 3 – handle
The handles are going to be Romanian cords. Here is how you crochet a Romanian cord:
Step 1: leave a tail of about 30cm at the start. Make a slip knot, chain 2, work 1 sc into the 2nd chain from the hook. As you do this pay attention to the first chain you skipped, it will fold up alongside your stitch and create a loop on the side.
Step 2: Turn and crochet 1 single crochet into this side loop. As you do this, both single crochets including the previous one form 2 little side loops.
Step 3: Turn and crochet 1 single crochet in these 2 side loops. Repeat the last step until you reach a length of about 85cm or to desired length. At the end leave a tail of about 30cm and cut. Pull the tail through the loop on the hook. After the first handle is done repeat step 1 to 3 and crochet another second handle.
Attaching the handles:
Step 1: Lay your bag flat. Put one stitch marker at one edge and put another at the other edge as shown below.
Step 2: From one stitch marker at the corner measure 6cm going the opposite direction (towards the other st marker) and put a st marker and do the same for the other st marker on the other edge.
Repeat the last step on the other side of the bag. Remove the st markers along the edges those used in step 1 earlier on to remain with 4 st markers (2 on each side).
Turn your bag inside out. The handles are going to be joined on the wrong side or inside of the bag.
Step 3: Place one end of the first handle on one side of the bag along the stitch marker in step 2. Start joining 8cm from bottom going up as shown below.
Join by sewing the handle to the bag with a tapestry needle. Try to be as neat as possible by inserting the needle in the side loops of the handle as you join. Repeat on the other end of the handle making sure that the handle is not twisted before joining.
After the first handle is done turn your bag and repeat step 3 and attach the second handle.
When done, turn the bag right side out. Cut and fasten of all the ends on the bag. The bag is done.
You can watch the step by step video tutorial here
