Looking for a fun way to use a small granny square motif? Try this fun and modern granny square tote!

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Design Story and Inspiration for Our Granny Square Bag

I designed this fun crochet motif last year with the hope of using it in many future projects, one of which was a crochet bag.

I made a ton of these motifs while riding to the beach (an 8 hour drive) and now I’ve combined them into a fun tote!

Yarn Options for Your Granny Square Tote

I used a DK weight cotton yarn for my bag. It’s Yarn Bee Sugarwheel Cotton and it comes in a multicolored cake, which I deconstructed into individual colors. I love doing this because you know your colors always coordinate!

Then, I just made a lot of squares in random colors from my options. Some were solid color, some multicolored. I did not have a plan in mind, just made whatever I felt like.

You can use any yarn you like for this tote, just note that if you use a different yarn weight you will get a different sized bag.

Pattern Notes

You will need to construct 24 small square motifs for this bag. I have provided a picture of all my squares lying flat if you would like to make yours exactly like mine.

Small Crochet Square Motif

The small square motif pattern can be found here, along with an easy video tutorial walking you through the entire square.

Crochet 24 squares.

How to Assemble Your Squares

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Layout your 24 squares as shown in photo above and stitch together using this flat join:

Granny Square Magic: The Easiest Joining Method EVER!

Fold the tote like this:

Use the same square joining method to stitch the squares together. The two on the sides will need to be folded in like this:

Once all is seamed and your ends woven in, it’s time for the straps!

Top of Bag and Straps

First we will give a neater edge to the front and back edges of the bag, then we will construct the straps.

Top of Bag

Join yarn at top of bag in the upper right corner (right as you are looking at it) of bag, as seen in this photo:

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Ch 1, sc back loop only in each stitch of square to last st of square, sc3tog last stitch of square, in between the two squares at the bottom of the “V”, and the first stitch of the next square (not blo), sc blo in each stitch of next square to end. Fasten off first side, do NOT fasten off second side.

Note: This makes the nice “V” shape in the front and back a bit neater, and sets us up to work the thicker edging on the sides and the straps.

Straps

Notes: For this length strap I chained 70, but feel free to adjust the strap length as you like when you chain for the straps.
The stitch used for the strap is called the thermal stitch. It creates a much thicker and more durable strap. Here is a tutorial for this if you need help.

Round 1: Beginning at top left corner, *work 2 sc in top corner, sc blo in each stitch of next 2 squares to last st of second square, sc3tog last st of second square, in between two squares at the bottom of the “v” and first st of next square, sc blo in each st of next 2 squares to last st, 2 sc in last st, ch 70 for strap, repeat from * to chaining for strap, beginning in opposite corner (see photo below), join with sl st to first sc of round; turn.

Round 2: Ch 1, *sc blo in chain, sc in each st to next ch, working through both the back loop of the stitch and the unused loop from the stitch below, skipping the sc3tog at the bottom of the “V”; repeat from * to end, join with slip st to blo of first sc; turn.

Rounds 3-4: Ch 1, sc in each st, working through both the back loop of the stitch and the unused loop from the stitch below, join with slip st to blo of first st; turn.

Round 5: Ch 1, sc in each st, working a normal sc through both loops and through the unused loop from the stitch below, join with slip st to first st. Fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in all ends.

Final Thoughts on the Modern Granny Square Tote

I hope you enjoy this free pattern. I had a blast designing it and finished up the strap construction on our road trip!

Please see the video tutorials if you need help, and be sure to share if you make this. I love to see your projects! Instagram @love.life.yarn or email me at [email protected]!

Happy Crocheting!
Amanda