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Crochet a bag. Meet crochet friends. Win yarn + signed crochet books + patterns. What could possibly be more fun?
To celebrate the launch of Crochet Bags and Totes, I’m hosting a fun Crochet-A-Long (CAL) Challenge – if you love crochet, you’re invited.
Over the next several weeks, I’ll feature one crochet bag pattern each Monday (four total in August 2026).
Some designs are directly from the Crochet Bags and Totes collection (or individually in my Ravelry shop) and others are free patterns designed exclusively for Yarnspirations.
Each week I’ll share helpful tips to make every crochet bag fun and easy to follow, including:
- Choosing the best yarn for each bag (plus, helpful substitutions)
- Selecting colors that complement the stitch pattern (not hide it)
- Creating sturdy, practical crochet bags (that you can actually use)
- Building your crochet knowledge and skills along the way (have fun while you learn)
You can follow along for inspiration, make one bag, or crochet every featured project.
There’s no pressure and no required number of projects.
And, of course, there will be prizes!
Table of contents
How to Participate in this CAL
If you know how to crochet, joining in and following along is easy!
A CAL (short for Crochet-A-Long) is a community event where I’ll highlight a pattern that we will all work on together at the same time.
To celebrate the launch of Crochet Bags and Totes, this CAL will feature crochet bag patterns only, and you can participate when you follow these steps:
- Find a NEW pattern every Monday
Each Monday in August 2026, I’ll feature one (1) crochet bag pattern:
– A select few from Crochet Bags and Totes (also available individually in my Ravelry shop),
– A free crochet bag pattern I designed exclusively for Yarnspirations! That means everyone can join the fun—even without purchasing the book or a pattern! - Create your Ravelry project
If you’re following along and finishing the crochet bags in this CAL challenge, you can enter to win each week when you link your completed projects to Ravelry before Sunday!
- Join the CAL Wrap-Up every Sunday
Every Sunday, I’ll host a CAL Wrap-Up to look through all the Ravelry projects completed that week and announce two (2) winners, based on two (2) completed Ravelry projects. Check the scheduled YouTube video for each week’s wrap-up time and details.
- Enter the Yarnspirations Giveaway
No purchase or participation needed for this one, just complete the Yarnspirations Giveaway Form linked below.
Note: This CAL is designed for people who already know how to crochet, and are comfortable reading crochet patterns and using basic crochet stitches.
If you want to learn how to crochet, you’ll need to have a few basic skills before you’ll be able to comfortably follow the patterns in this CAL, and this is a great place to start: How to Crochet for Beginners
CAL Schedule
Week 1 – Peaches & Creme Tote
If complicated increases and decreases are not your favorite thing, the Peaches & Creme tote is what you’re looking for.
Start by chaining the width of the bag, and work rows of single crochet to form a rectangular bottom.
Then, build up the sides of the bag with simple, repeating combinations of double crochet stitches and chain spaces for a fabric that is both strong and flexible.
Made with 1 cone Peaches & Creme Original in the color Panorama.
Suggested Sub: Lily Sugar’n Creme Cone
Crochet Bags & Totes CAL Week 1 Wrap-Up | Peaches & Crème Tote Projects + Winners!
Week 1 Ravelry Winners:
- Winner 1 – Ravini
- Winner 2 – dmkrauserph
Week 2 – Beach Days Tote
The Beach Days Tote starts with rows of single crochet to form the entire base of the tote, then works in a continuous round to form the sides.
No complicated increasing or decreasing here!
You’ll use just three stitches to make this whole project: Chain, Single, Slip Stitch.
Instructions for crochet handles are not added here, so this is a great excuse to attach a set that you really love.
This pattern was written for RED HEART® Scrubby Smoothie™ (discontinued), in these colors and amounts:
- For Tote: 2 balls 2113 Oatmeal A, 1 ball 9330 Tan B,
- For Tassel: 9205 Aqua C, 9235 Lemony D, and 9579 Lavender E
Suggested Yarn Substitutes:
Other Materials:
Crochet Bags & Totes CAL Week 3 Wrap-Up | Handicrafter Crossbody Projects + Winners!
Week 2 Ravelry Winners:
Week 3 – Handicrafter Crossbody
The Handicrafter Crossbody might be small, but it’s just right for your daily essentials!
The solid base and simple single crochet stitches pair perfectly with self-striping yarn, making every row pop with color.
And, the long drawstring strap? Totally adjustable – wear it crossbody or tie it shorter to sling over your shoulder.
Check out our Crochet Memberships for all skill levels!
From First Stitch to Crochet Career, Unravel Your Complete Journey With The American Crochet Association!
YARN
Bernat Handicrafter, Medium weight #4 yarn (100% cotton; 573 yds/524 m per 12 oz/340 g skein): Queen Anns Lace (4.2 oz)
Suggested Yarn Substitutes:
Other Materials:
Week 3 Ravelry Winners:
- Winner 1 – TBD 16 August 2026
- Winner 2 – TBD 16 August 2026
Week 4 – 24 August
Will be posted on 24 August!
Weekly CAL Giveaways
If you’re following along and finishing the crochet bags in this CAL challenge, you can enter to win each week when you link your completed projects to Ravelry!
Each week, two (2) completed Ravelry projects will be selected to win, and here are the prizes for each:
- One signed copy of Crochet Bags & Totes for winners in the United States
- A $50 shopping spree in the Salena Baca Crochet Ravelry shop
How to add a project to Ravelry
If you’re not sure how to add a project to Ravelry, watch the following video tutorial to quickly and easily walk you through the steps.
For a Ravelry project to be considered in this giveaway, it must:
- Be linked to the featured pattern before Sunday of the week it is featured
- Include your own picture of your own finished project
Here is an example of all Ravelry projects linked to a specific pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/peaches-and-creme-tote/people
Here is an example of a single Ravelry project with our giveaway requirements: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/TerryGcrochet/peaches-and-creme-tote
Entry Period
A new CAL will begin every Monday (3, 10, 17, and 24 August), and entries will be accepted for that specific pattern through Sunday (9, 16, 23, 30) in the same week.
Winner Selection and Notification
Winners will be selected on Ravelry and announced in this article every week (see individual weeks for specific giveaways), and will also be contacted via Ravelry message.
Once contacted, winners will have five (5) days to claim their prize.
If a winner does not respond within that timeframe with their mailing address, the prize will be considered forfeited.
Eligibility
This giveaway is open to residents of the United States and Canada only.
If a selected winner resides outside of these regions, they will instead receive a $65 total shopping spree to the Salena Baca Crochet Ravelry shop with over 500 individual patterns to choose from.
Yarnspirations Giveaway
Whether or not you’ll be crocheting along with us every week, anyone can enter our Yarnspirations giveaway, which is generously sponsored by Yarnspirations (the yarn exclusively used to create every project in the Crochet Bags and Totes collection).
One Grand Prize winner will receive:
- 1 signed copy of Crochet Bags and Totes from the Author (me, Salena Baca!)
- Up to 14 skeins, cakes and cones of yarn to make the projects featured in this collection. The winner will receive a curated selection of yarn from the Yarnspirations website, based on availability.
- Winner: TBD 1 September 2026
How To Enter
To enter for a chance to win, simply complete the entry form.
Entry Period
Entries will be accepted through August 31, 2026.
Winner Selection and Notification
Winners will be selected and announced in this article on September 1, 2026, and will also be contacted via email.
Once contacted, winners will have five (5) days to claim their prize.
If a winner does not respond within that timeframe with their mailing address, the prize will be considered forfeited.
Eligibility
This giveaway is open to residents of the United States and Canada only.
If a selected winner resides outside of these regions, they will instead receive a $100 shopping credit to the Salena Baca Crochet Ravelry shop with over 500 individual patterns to choose from.
Peace + Love + Crochet
Salena Baca
