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I love designing bags. They are easy to make, beautiful, and functional! When I am designing a bag the first thing I am thinking is that it has to be functional. What good is a bag if you can’t carry anything in it? That’s why I don’t often do crocheted handles. I don’t feel that they hold up well when you have any weight in the bag.
For this bag design I chose to put a jute rope in the handles. (You can use any type of thick cording and it would work the same). This way I got the look of crocheted handles with the functionality I demand from all my bags. You can put a lot of weight in this and it will hold up! Just make sure you stitch the handles on well. 😉
This bag is roomy enough for all your essentials and stylish enough to carry every day. I created it with two of my favorite Red Heart yarns – Unforgettable (I have used this yarn for many designs – crochet scarf, knit scarf, hat, messy bun hat!) and Soft. I adore the Unforgettable yarn (if you can’t tell from the projects!) and love the color changes. I chose the Petunia colorway for most of my Unforgettable projects but I am branching out and using Tidal in the messy bun hat and another project in the works.
I hope you enjoy this free pattern!
Unforgettable Tote
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable: #3950 Petunia (MC) – 3 skeins
Red Heart Soft: #4601 Off-White (CC) – 1 skein
Hooks: US Size H/8 (5.0mm) and I/9 (5.5mm)
Notions: 1 yard 3/8″ jute rope, one 1/2″ wooden toggle button, yarn needle
Gauge: 16 sts and 14 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in dc pattern with larger hook
Granny squares = 3 1/2″ square with H hook after blocking
Skill Level: Easy
Size: Approx. 16 1/2″ wide, 11″ tall (not including handles), and 4″ deep
Notes: Ch 3 at beginning of a row counts as dc unless otherwise noted.
PATTERN
Granny Square (Make 8)
With smaller hook and MC, ch 8. Join with sl st to form ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, *(sc, ch 3, dc 3, ch 3, sc) in ring, ch 5; rep from * twice more, (sc, ch 3, dc 3, ch 3, sc) in ring, ch 2, dc in 1st sc. Fasten off.
Round 2: Join CC in last ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc around post of dc, *ch 2, (dc 3, ch 3, dc 3) in next ch-5 sp; rep from * twice more, ch 2, 3 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 1, hdc to top of t-ch.
Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc around post of hdc, *ch 2, dc 3 in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, (dc 3, ch 3, dc 3) in next ch-3 sp; rep from * twice more, ch 2, dc 3 in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc 3 in ch-1 sp, ch 3, sl st to top of t-ch. Fasten off.
Block squares. Join at sides to form circle.
Body
With smaller hook and MC, join at any seam where 2 granny squares meet.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch-sp around, join with sl st – 120 sts.
Rounds 2-5: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st.
Round 6: Ch 1, *sc 9, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join with sl st – 132 sts.
Change to larger hook.
Round 7: Ch 3, dc evenly around, join with sl st to top of t-ch.
Round 8: Ch 3, *fpdc, bpdc; rep from * around to last st, fpdc, join with sl st.
Round 9: Ch 3, *bpdc, fpdc; rep from * around to last st, bpdc, join with sl st.
Repeat Rows 8-9 until piece measures 6” from hook change.
Bottom
Sl st 5 (make sure you are directly under granny square join)
Row 1: Ch 3, *fpdc, bpdc; rep from * for 46 sts, fpdc, turn – 50 sts.
Row 2: Ch 3, *bpdc, fpdc; rep from * to last st, bpdc, turn.
Rows 3-6: Repeat Rows 1-2.
Row 7: Repeat Row 1. Fasten off.
Sk next 16 sts. With larger hook and MC, join yarn in next st.
Repeat Rows 1-7 for other side of bottom. Fasten off.
Top Edge
Using smaller hook and MC, join yarn to top right corner.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch-sp around, join with sl st – 120 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st, join with sl st. Fasten off.
Handles (make 2)
Using smaller hook and MC, ch 9.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn – 8 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 19” from beg. Fasten off.
Place rope inside handle and sew long seam around rope. Sew ends shut. Sew handles inside to bottom of granny squares as seen in photo.
Sew button to top of bag in between handles.
Button Loop
Using smaller hook and MC, join yarn opposite button.
Row 1: Ch 8, sk 4 sts, sl st in next st, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each ch, sc in join – 10 sc. Fasten off.
Finishing
Sew bottom seam. Fold corners and sew corner seams.
Weave in ends.
You’re done! Thanks for checking out the Unforgettable Tote! By the way, my seven year old took the pictures of me carrying the bag – didn’t he do a great job?? 🙂
What’s your favorite thing to make with RH Unforgettable yarn? Leave a comment below.
*This pattern originally appeared in the August 2016 issue of I Like Crochet.
love your patterns. I find it a bit hard to be able to make these as the yarn needed is not available in Australia. Is there anyway I can find an alternative in yars available here.?
Thank you Brenda! Check out this website and see if it is any help. It’s all about finding Red Heart yarns in Australia. Looks like it might help you find this yarn. 🙂
This is really pretty!
Thank you! 🙂
Wow! What a gorgeous bag! I really love that stitching on the body of the bag. I don’t make too many bags because I feel the need to line, and then deal with the stretching of the handles, but I may deal with the lining to give this one a shot because aside from the stitches, I am dying to try out the handle technique used here. Pinned!
I am running a year long Granny-Spiration Challenge, and would love if you came and linked up with us 🙂 There’s also a yarn giveaway going on right now. It can be found here: http://eyeloveknots.blogspot.com/2017/02/chunky-like-preemie-granny-square.html
I totally get what you mean about linings! I usually always line a crocheted bag to give it extra stability. The handles on this worked out so well – I’d love to see pictures if you make this! I linked up to your Granny-Spiration Challenge. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
BEautiful purse. Thank you for the pattern.
Laura in Houston
I’d like to print these patterns. Any way to do this? I don’t find a print icon .
I’d like to print these patterns. Any way to do this? I don’t find a print icon .
I, too, would like to print this pattern, How can this be done?
Hi Martha,
The printable versions of my patterns are on etsy for $1.99 – this helps pay for the web hosting for the site. 🙂
I would like to purchase a down-loadable pattern for the Unforgettable tote. Where can I do so. I checked your site and it is not there. I tried to save the free pattern and it won’t save. I tried to print it out, but it won’t. I need the written instructions in hand to do this. Can you advise me? I bought the patterns for the scarf and hat, but I really love the tote.
Hi Jennifer!! I realize that I don’t have it up on my Ravelry or Etsy so I will get it added in the next couple of days and let you know when it’s ready. 🙂
How did you attach the handles without the jute slipping out?
Hi Susan! I sewed the ends of the handles shut before I tried to sew them on. It kept it nice and neat inside.
The ends are seen shut. How can I explain this… The jute is not leaving the crocheted tube. The tube is stretching and the jute is not attached to the edge of the purse. How do you attach the jute, that is inside the tube, to the edge of the purse so it does not ride up inside the tube when the purse is picked up by the handles?
Sorry, the ends are sewn shut.
I used a sharp needle and matching thread and made sure to catch the jute. I made sure to go through it several times to hold it securely to the bag.
Thank you, Amanda, for this beautiful pattern. I’m looking forward to making one. Do you happen to know if Red Heart yarns are sold in Italy?
Hi Jennifer, I’m not sure about Red Heart’s availability in Italy. Sometimes you can find this yarn on Amazon, though, so maybe they would be a good option if you have their service in Italy.
I love the Unforgettable Tote.
The colour is amazing.
Oh wow! I love this bag! I can’t wait to get the supplies to start this project. Thank you so much for sharing!!