Autumn color-combo is enough to turn a normal crochet tote bag pattern into a fall’s must-have. That’s why if you are looking for a simple crochet tote bag for this fall, learn how to crochet this another autumn colorwork tote bag with a FREE pattern. Introducing the granny stripe stitch autumn mesh tote bag finished with the braided handles and lovely tassel knots.
You can crochet this fall tote bag in any size, which will be especially needed when kids need a small bag for their trick-or-treating.
Crocheting this bag is just so easy, as we only need one stitch (including the base). You can also crochet it with the crochet handles, such as the I-cord handle and puff stitch handle. You can customize it for any other time of the year, too. Now, continue reading for the full crochet Autumn Tote Bag pattern.
Crochet Autumn Colorwork Granny Stitch Tote Bag: Written Instructions
This project is a very large and beautiful crochet bag. It is made using cotton raffia or thick macrame cord, which makes it strong and good for carrying many things. The bag has a beautiful textured stitch pattern that looks very nice but is not hard to make.
The handles are braided, making them very sturdy and comfortable for your shoulders. This bag is perfect for daily use, going to the beach, or taking to the market.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Chiffon Cotton Raffia Yarn (3 strands held together) OR 2mm hollow macrame cotton cord.
- Crochet Hook: 3.5 mm or 4.0 mm.
- Tools: Stitch markers, scissors, and a yarn needle for hiding ends.
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Color A: Bright Orange
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Color B: Black
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Color C: Cream (Light Peach/Tan)
Colorwork:
- Crochet base in any of the three colors
- Crochet panel in each of the three colors
- Crochet edging in orange
- Make handles
Abbreviations
- ch: Chain
- sc: Single crochet
- dc: Double crochet
- sl st: Slip stitch
- dec: Decrease (single crochet two stitches together)
- st(s): Stitch(es)
- sp: Space
Crochet Pattern
Base of the Bag
Foundation Chain: Start with a slip knot. Make 37 ch. (Note: The starting chain should be a multiple of 4 plus 1. You can add or remove stitches to make the bag bigger or smaller.
Base Round 1 (Slip Stitch Base):
- Chain 1 (does not count as a stitch).
- Working into the back bumps (the third loop on the back of the chain) of the 37 chains, make 1 sl st into each chain all the way down. Place a stitch marker in the first sl st. You will have exactly 37 sl st. Double-check this count before moving on.
Base Round 2 (Setting up the Pattern):
- Chain 2 (acts as the turning chain).
- Working into the other side of the starting chain (the bottom loops of the chain, opposite to where you did the sl sts):
- In the very first chain space, work 3 dc. Place a stitch marker in the first dc.
- Work 3 more dc into the exact same first space. (You now have 6 dc in the first space).
- Chain 1.
- Skip the next 3 stitches.
- In the 4th stitch, work 3 dc. Chain 1.
- Continue the pattern: (Skip 3 stitches, work 3 dc into the next stitch, chain 1) all the way down the row.
- At the very last stitch (the turning end): Work 3 dc, chain 2, work 3 dc, chain 2, and work 3 dc all into the very same last stitch space.
- Chain 1.
- Now, working down the opposite side of the chain (matching the groups you just made): Work 3 dc into the same spaces where you placed the 3 dc groups on the other side. Separate each group with a Chain 1.
- Repeat down the side.
- When you reach the first stitch space where you started (which already has 6 dc in it): Work 3 dc, then do a special join: Keep the loop on your hook, insert hook into the first marked dc, pull up a loop and complete a single crochet (sc). (This acts as your final chain space and keeps your hook in the middle of the corner gap).
Base Round 3:
- In the large gap directly below your hook, pull up a loop and work 1 sc.
- Chain 2. Place a marker in the second chain. (This sc + ch 2 counts as your corner space).
- In the next chain-1 space from the previous round, work 3 dc, then chain 1.
- Continue the pattern: (3 dc in the next chain-1 space, chain 1) until you reach the corner.
- At the corner (the ch-2 spaces): Work (3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc) into the corner space. Chain 1.
- In the side gap, work 3 dc, chain 1.
- At the next corner: Work (3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc) into the corner space. Chain 1.
- Continue the pattern down the side: (3 dc in the next ch-1 space, chain 1).
- When you reach the starting corner gap: Work 3 dc, then join with a sc into the marked starting chain.
Base Round 4 and 5:
- Continue exactly like Base Round 3.
- Pattern rule: Work (3 dc, ch 1) in every side gap. Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in the 4 corner gaps.
- Always join the round with a sc to stay centered in the corner gap.
- Note: The video shows completing 4 full base rounds. You can make more rounds if you want a wider base.
Body of the Bag
Body Round 1:
- In the gap below your hook, work 1 sc, then chain 2 (place marker).
- Move to the next chain-1 space and work 3 dc, chain 1.
- Continue the pattern: (3 dc, chain 1) in every space around.
- Important change for the body: Do not add extra corner stitches anymore. Just work (3 dc, chain 1) in the corner spaces as well.
- At the end of the round, join with a sc into the marked stitch.
Body Rounds 2 to 25:
- Repeat Body Round 1 for the entire height of the bag. The bag will naturally start to go straight up.
- The video shows 25 rounds total for the body, but you can stop earlier or go further depending on the height you want.
- Final join for Round 25: Instead of joining with a sc, just chain 1 and sl st into the marked stitch to finish the pattern block cleanly.
Top Edge Flattening Round:
- Chain 1.
- Work 1 sc into the very same stitch you just slip stitched into. Place a marker.
- Work 1 sc into every single stitch all the way around the top edge. (Total 136 sc).
- Join to the first stitch. Fasten off and weave in this yarn end on the inside of the bag.
Straps and Finishing
Marking the Strap Placement:
- Lay the bag completely flat.
- Count 9 pattern groups from the left side and place a marker. Count 9 pattern groups from the right side and place another marker. Do this on both the front and back of the bag (4 markers total).
Strap Round 1:
- Re-attach your yarn at the far-left stitch marker on the front.
- Chain 1, work 1 sc in the same stitch.
- Work 1 sc in each stitch exactly over to the next marker (about 35 sc total).
- When you hit the next marker, chain 100 to form the strap handle. (Be careful not to twist the chain).
- Bring the chain over to the next marker on the bag.
- Work 1 sc into the marked stitch. Work 1 sc in each stitch to the next marker (35 sc total).
- Chain 100 for the second strap handle.
- Join with a sl st to the very first sc you made on this round. Place a marker here.
Strap Round 2:
- Work 1 sc in every stitch along the edge of the bag.
- Stop 1 stitch before the large chain-100 handle begins.
- Decrease: Work a single crochet decrease (sc dec) using the last stitch of the bag edge and the first chain of the handle. (Insert hook in sc, pull loop, insert hook into back bump of first ch, pull loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops).
- Work 1 sc into the back bump of every chain across the strap handle.
- Stop 1 chain before the strap attaches back to the bag.
- Decrease: Work a sc dec using the last chain of the strap and the first sc of the bag edge.
- Continue this pattern: sc across the bag edges, dec at the inner strap corners, and sc across the straps.
Strap Round 3 (Final Slip Stitches):
- Slip stitch into the next stitch. Place a marker.
- Work 1 sl st into every single stitch all the way around the outer edge of the bag and the top edge of the straps.
- Fasten off, cut yarn, and weave the end smoothly using a needle through the inside stitches.
Inner Strap Reinforcement:
- To make the straps extra strong, re-attach your yarn on the inside edge of the bag opening where the strap meets the bag.
- Work a round of slip stitches (sl st) all along the inner ring of the handle and the top inner edge of the bag.
- Repeat this for the other handle opening.
- Fasten off and weave in all remaining loose ends.
Final Dimensions: Base: 28 cm x 9 cm. Bag Height: 28 cm. Bag Width: 35 cm. Strap Height: 26 cm.