The Granny Stitch Crochet Tote Bag is a quick and easy pattern to follow, uses one skein of yarn or less, and makes the perfect size to carry your favorite drinks!
Worked in joined rounds from the bottom up, this crochet tote bag uses only basic stitches like the chain, double, single, and slip stitch.
This is not a traditional granny square, but it does use use a similar stitch design for that classic granny square look.
While these projects are typically called wine totes, they can fit any variety of bottles, like: wine, juice, soda, and yes, even water.
You can also use these crochet tote bags to hold other items like: jars, cans, bottles, produce, and even your lunch.
Step-by-step I’ll walk you through every round of this pattern with easy-to-follow instructions, simple stitch and row repeats, and the exact stitches you should create every round.
Learn to crochet the granny stitch in joined rounds while you make this drink tote, and you’ll build crochet knowledge, skill, ability, and so much more:
- This crochet tote bag is a quick and easy project to work up!
- Bags and totes are great stash-busting projects.
- This project works great with cotton yarns and plant-based fibers.
- You’ll get to practice a lot of crochet skills, like: joined rounds, increasing, stitch tension, gauge and size, right and wrong sides of fabric, stitch repeats, row repeats, finishing techniques, and much more.
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Table of contents
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Policy for Individual Use
This crochet pattern is designed by Salena Baca Crochet for the American Crochet Association.
Pattern instructions are protected by copyright laws.
Users must acknowledge and respect the intellectual property rights of pattern creators and designers as follows:
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By accessing and using pattern instructions, individuals agree to abide by the usage policy herein.
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Purchase a PDF File on Ravelry
For a copy of this pattern, you can purchase a downloadable PDF version on Ravelry.
Granny Stitch Crochet Tote Bag Resources
How To Crochet In The Round
This crochet tote bag is worked from the bottom of the project up, in joined rounds of double crochet.
That means you’ll begin with a few chains (4), skip 3 (that counts as your first double crochet), then work the remainder of your stitches into the 4th chain from the hook.
I like to work my first round into a chain for a few reasons: it is secure, easy for beginners and people who don’t like the adjustable loop.
If you want to give this technique a try, here is a video tutorial for the adjustable loop help you get started:
How To Count Stitches in Joined Rounds
Every round of this crochet tote bag begins with a starting chain.
Some starting chains count as the first stitch of the round, and some starting chains do not count.
A pattern should always tell you when to count, or ignore, your starting chains (you should never have to guess).
But, even when you are told what counts and what does not, you may not know what to do.
Here is an article with tips, tricks, pictures, and a video to help you every single time: Does the chain count as a stitch in crochet? How to count crochet stitches!
How To Count Slip Stitches
The Granny Stitch pattern in this project is worked with very simple stitches – just the chain and double crochet.
Every new round of the Granny Stitch pattern is essentially the same, but, to get the staggered look of the pattern, the starting chain has to move.
To move the starting chain location, you’ll join with a slip stitch to finish a round (just like the pattern tells you) – the Slip Stitch to join a round does not count as a stitch.
Then, the pattern will tell you to “Work 1 Sl St into next 3 Sts” – these Slip Stitches also do not count as stitches.
Instead, each of these slip stitches will help to move your starting location, so that your pattern can start in a new spot.
To learn more about stitch anatomy and counting, here are some helpful tips: Where do stitches go in crochet: All the places and spaces to put your hookTo learn more about stitch anatomy and counting, here are some helpful tips:
Finished Crochet Tote Bag Projects
Need some inspiration before you get started on this project?
Check out other finished crochet tote bag projects on ravelry today, right here:
More Crochet Tote Bag Patterns
If you love the look of this easy Granny Stitch Crochet Tote Bag pattern, here are a few more crochet tote patterns you can view on our website:
Basketweave Stitch Crochet Tote
Easy Crochet Bag Pattern – Three Sizes
Triple Crochet Tote – Beginner Crochet Bag Pattern
How to make a Granny Stitch Crochet Tote Bag
Yarn
Peaches & Creme Stripey, Medium #4 (100% Cotton; 102 yds/93 m per 2 oz/56.7 g skein): Color A Flannel, 1 skein
This crochet tote bag pattern was made with a medium weight yarn in 100% cotton fibers.
To find other natural fibers, or other brands that carry cotton yarn like Peaches and Creme, I suggest looking on yarnsub.com and comparing the yarn used to write this pattern.
While you can easily substitute yarn for this project, I really enjoyed working with cotton to give this project shape and durability.
Cotton is a sturdy fiber with a nice weight to it, so the fabric it creates is perfect for a crochet tote bag like this one.
If you choose to substitute yarn, think about the fabric you’re creating and be careful not to create fabric that is too fragile (you want this crochet tote bag to hold a bit of weight without trouble).
You can read more about how to substitute yarn, including my best tips to choose yarn alternatives, right here: Understanding Yarn Substitution – An Easy Reference For Crocheters
If you would like to substitute yarn for this Granny Stitch Crochet Tote Bag pattern, here are some yarns I recommend for this project:
Materials
Gauge
- 24 pattern Sts = 5”
- 8 pattern rows = 5”
Finished Sizes
- 5” flat (10” around) x 11.5” tall (without handles)
Stitch Key
This crochet stitch pattern is worked with the following basic crochet stitches.
You can see these stitches in action as you watch these video tutorials (just click on the underlined text):
- Ch(s) = chain(s)
- Sc = single crochet
- Dc = double crochet
- St(s) = stitch(es)
- Sl St = slip stitch
Pattern Notes
- Pattern is worked from the bottom up in one solid piece.
- Use a St marker to mark the top of the first St in each new round.
Granny Stitch Crochet Tote Bag – Instructions
Instructions
- Round 1 (Right Side): Ch 4, skip 3 Ch (first Dc), work 11 Dc into 4th Ch from hook, Sl St into top of first St to join – 12 Dc
- Round 2: Ch 3 (first Dc, here and throughout), Dc into same St, [work 2 Dc into next St] 11 times, Sl St into top of first St to join – 24 Dc
- Round 3: Ch 3, Dc into same St, Dc into next St, [work 2 Dc into next St, work 1 Dc into following] 11 times, Sl St into top of first St to join – 36 Dc
- Round 4: Ch 3, Dc into same St, work 1 Dc into next 2 Sts, [work 2 Dc into next St, work 1 Dc into following 2 Sts] 11 times, Sl St into top of first St to join – 48 Dc
- Round 5: Ch 3, work 1 Dc into each St around, Sl St into top of first St to join – 48 Dc
- Round 6: Ch 3, work 1 Dc into next 2 Sts, Ch 3, skip 3 Sts, [work 1 Dc into next 3 Sts, Ch 3, skip 3 Sts] 7 times, Sl St into top of first St to join – 48 Sts; 24 Dc + 24 Ch
- Round 7: Work 1 Sl St into next 3 Sts, Ch 3, work 1 Dc into next 2 Ch, Ch 3, skip 3 Sts, [work 1 Dc into next 3 Ch, Ch 3, skip 3 Sts] 7 times, Sl St into top of first St to join – 48 sts; 24 Dc + 24 Ch
Repeat Round 7 until 17 rounds are complete.
- Round 18: Work 1 Sl St into next 3 Sts, Ch 3, work 1 Dc into next 2 Ch, Ch 3, skip 3 Sts, work 1 Dc into next 3 Ch, Ch 20 (1st handle), skip 15 Sts, work 1 Dc into next 3 Ch, Ch 3, skip 3 Sts, work 1 Dc into next 3 Ch, Ch 20 (2nd handle, skip 15 Sts, Sl St into top of first St to join – 58 Sts; 12 Dc + 46 Ch
- Round 19: Ch 1 (not a St), work 1 Sc into each St around, Sl St into top of first St to join – 58 Sc
Repeat Round 19 once more, until 20 rounds are complete. Fasten off.
Finishing
Sew in all ends, trim excess.
Video Chat
To hear more about the Granny Stitch Crochet Tote Bag pattern from the author Salena Baca, watch this quick video chat right here:
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Peace + Love + Crochet
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