If you love the look of classic granny squares, give this modern Granny Square Bag crochet pattern a try, complete with step-by-step instructions and video tutorials!

If you thought a blanket was the only thing you can make with a granny square, think again.

Work this granny square bag using the very same classic granny square motif pattern design – it really is that simple.

The only difference between a granny square blanket, and this granny square bag, is that you’ll work a few granny squares together to crochet this bag.

If you can crochet a granny square, you can crochet this granny square bag!

Follow my written instructions, a stitch chart, and a video tutorial to help you through every step of the process – yes, even including the joining technique.

Ready to get started on your Granny Square Bag today?

This is a fantastic project to work up, with a lot of possibility to learn and grow your crochet skills:

  • Granny squares are quick and fun projects to work up!
  • Bags and totes are great projects to work up in warmer months!
  • This project works great with cotton yarns, and plant-based fibers!
  • You’ll get to practice a lot of crochet skills: joined rounds, stitch tension, gauge & size, joining methods (JAYGO), finishing techniques & more!

This article may contain some affiliate links.

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

Granny Square Bag: Introduction

What is a Granny Square

Granny squares are a classic design in crochet.

This versatile crochet motif can be something as simple as an afghan, or form the building blocks for projects like this crochet bag.

Granny Squares are iconic, and characterized by their square shape, distinct clusters of double crochet stitches with evenly spaced chain spaces.

Do you want to learn how to crochet a granny square?

Follow our simple instructions, chart, and video tutorial to help you learn today: Granny Square Pattern

How Can A Granny Square Turn Into A Bag

Did you think granny squares are jut for crochet blankets?

Think again!

A Granny square has far more potential than just one large square blanket, and this bag pattern proves it!

Can you believe this Granny Square Bag is made with just three squares?

That’s it – just three of them!

To make this bag, you’ll create three granny squares with the same number of rounds.

Then, fold each square in half diagonally so that it turns into a triangle shape.

Next, you’ll arrange each triangle so that one is in the center and the other two are are on either side.

These diagonal folds turn each square into a pocket, creating the perfect bag shape.

Can you picture the bag now?

This is truly a modern crochet market bag.

Selecting The Perfect Yarn

Choosing The Best Yarn

This granny square bag is made with Lion Brand yarn 24/7 cotton; a weight 4 yarn in the color Ecru.

24/7 Cotton is made with 100% cotton, and treated with a process that makes cotton fibers even stronger (mercerized cotton).

24/7 Cotton yarn has a chainette construction, where the individual plys of the yarn are woven together (not twisted) making them even stronger together.

One skein of 24/7 Cotton yarn has 186 yards, with a retail value of $4.99 directly from the Lion Brand Yarn website (a really great value).

After a bit of searching, I found a pack of three skeins on Amazon.com for just $13.98, which is a really good bargain for this quality of yarn.

With over 35 colors in Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn, this is a sturdy fiber that was simply perfect to make this Granny Square Bag!

Woman wearing white Granny Square Market Tote Crochet Pattern - American Crochet Association

The Best Yarns For Crochet Bags

Natural fibers like cotton are the most recommended to crochet tote bags, and they are readily available anywhere yarn is sold.

Size and gauge for this project does not have to be an exact match; you should be able to closely follow the pattern size by using a yarn in the weight 4 category.

To find other natural fibers, or other brands that carry cotton yarn, I suggest looking on yarnsub.com and comparing the Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn used to write this pattern.

You can read more about how to substitute yarn right here: Understanding Yarn Substitution – An Easy Reference For Crocheters

For a close match to Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn, here are some other yarns I recommend you review first:

Sizing Options

Granny Square Bag Size

This Granny Square Bag pattern includes instructions for just one standard size: 20″ across by 20″ tall.

You can check the gauge of your work by measuring your individually granny squares, which should be about 14″ square.

Can I adjust The Size For This Pattern

You can absolutely adjust the size for this pattern, and I have some simple tips to help:

  • To create a slightly smaller project than the pattern states, you can use a smaller weight of yarn.
  • To create a slightly larger project than the pattern states, you can use a larger weight of yarn.

Don’t fret about gauge and size too much here, because you don’t have to try to match gauge and size exactly for this pattern.

In fact, if your project is larger or smaller size than the pattern – that is okay!

Granny Square Resources

Finished Granny Square Bags

Want to see how other crocheters worked up this bag?

You can view over 100 other completed Granny Square Market Bag projects on ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/granny-square-market-tote/people

More Granny Square Projects

Are you falling in love with granny squares, and you want to do more with them?

I have many more patterns that use the classic granny square motif that you can try today, including these:

Granny Square Pillow Cover

Create your own granny square pillow cover using any yarn, and in any size you choose, with this outline of granny square instructions.

Granny Square Vest

If you love classic granny squares, give this easy vest a try! Video tutorial, crochet chart and pattern diagram included!

Granny Square Table Runner

If you love the classic granny square stitch, give this table runner a try! Complete with written pattern, video and diagram!

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:

  • This pattern is for personal use only. Pattern instructions may be accessed and used by individuals for personal, non-commercial purposes only. Users may create finished products based on the pattern instructions for personal use or gifting. 
  • Users may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works of pattern instructions without explicit permission from the copyright holder.
  • Selling or commercially exploiting products made from pattern instructions will require additional permissions or licensing from the copyright holder.
  • It is unlawful to share or distribute pattern instructions in any way, including but not limited to: print, digital, video.
  • It is unlawful to create derivative works based on pattern instructions, including but not limited to translations, adaptations, or variations.
  • Users should provide proper attribution when sharing or displaying finished products made using these pattern instructions, giving credit to the original pattern creator and source. 
  • Users are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical and respectful manner when using pattern instructions. Users should not engage in plagiarism, claim others’ work as their own, or misrepresent the origin of pattern instructions. 

By accessing and using pattern instructions, individuals agree to abide by the usage policy herein.

Users may be held responsible for any damages or legal liabilities resulting from their non-compliance with this policy. 

Purchase a PDF File On Ravelry

Want to own a copy of this pattern that you can save, print, download, and use anytime?

Get the PDF file, without all these extra tips, resources, and pattern details when you purchase a downloadable PDF version of this pattern on Ravelry!

How To Crochet a Granny Square Bag

Granny Square Tips

The granny square is not really a beginner friendly design, so these tips may help as you work to crochet your very first one:

  • Watch our entire Granny Square video tutorial first, before you follow along with yarn and hook.
  • Read the written instructions as you watch the video tutorial (they are the same)
  • Follow the stitch chart as you watch the video, or as you read the written instructions (yes, they all match)
  • Follow the instructions to the comma, working just one step at a time, then double check that your work matches the pattern before moving on to the very next step.

Granny Square Video Tutorial

If you’ve never worked a granny square pattern before, and would like to use a video as you read the written instructions and stitch chart, watch our How To Crochet A Granny Square Tutorial.

Yarn

Lion Brand yarns 24/7 Cotton, Medium Weight #4 yarn (100% mercerized cotton, 186 yds/170 m per 3.5 oz/100 g Skein): Ecru, 3 skeins

Materials

  • US G/6 (4.00 mm) Hook
  • Scissors

Pattern Gauge

  • 3 pattern rows = 1.75”
  • 1 Square = 14” x 14”

Finished Project Dimensions

  • Finished tote = 20” across x 20” tall

Stitch Key

The classic granny square pattern is worked with basic crochet stitches in their most basic form.

To see any of these stitches worked by following a video tutorial, just click on the underlined text:

Specialty Stitch and Technique Key

If you’re unfamiliar with the adjustable loop, watch our quick video tutorial today to get started:

How to join granny squares – JAYGO

Join As You Go (JAYGO) is the method in which these granny squares are joined together to create a crochet bag.

This method is worked by replacing a chain space with a slip stitch into the connecting square.

If you are not yet familiar with this joining method, or would like to see it in action before you give it a try, here are some tips (and video tutorials) to help: 9 Easy Ways To Join Crochet Pieces Together (including JAYGO).

Notes

  • Tote created in 4 parts: 3 Granny Squares, Border.
  • Complete 1 granny square as indicated. Work Granny Squares 2 and 3 into Granny Square 1 with JAYGO, as indicated in pattern.
  • The border will join Granny Squares 2 and 3 Together at one Ch-3 space, which will also create the handles for this crochet market tote.
  • After you complete the Granny Square Market Tote Bag, be sure to add your finished project to ravelry, right here: Granny Square Projects

How To Crochet a Granny Square Bag

Granny Square

  • Round 1 (Right Side): Form adjustable loop, Ch 3 (first Dc, here and throughout), work 2 Dc into loop, [Ch 3, 3 Dc] 3 times, Ch 3, Sl St into top of beginning Ch-3 to join – 24 Sts; 12 Dc + 4 Ch-3 spaces
  • Round 2: Sl St into each of next 2 Dc, Sl St into Ch-3 space, Ch 3, (2 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into same Ch-3 space, Ch 1, [(3 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into next Ch-3 space, Ch 1] 3 times, Sl St into top of beginning Ch-3 to join – 40 Sts; 24 Dc + 4 Ch-3 spaces + 4 Ch-1 spaces
  • Round 3: Sl St into each of next 2 Dc, Sl St into Ch-3 space, Ch 3, (2 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into same Ch-3 space, Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into Ch-1 space, [(3 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into next Ch-3 space, Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into Ch-1 space] 3 times, Sl St into top of beginning Ch-3 to join – 56 Sts; 36 Dc + 4 Ch-3 spaces + 8 Ch-1 spaces

Square 1

Repeat round 3 until 13 rounds complete (adding 12 Dc and 4 Ch-1 spaces per additional round), fasten off – 216 Sts; 156 Dc + 4 Ch-3 spaces + 48 Ch-1 spaces

Square 2

Follow Granny Square pattern, then repeat round 3 until 12 rounds are complete (adding 12 Dc and 4 Ch-1 spaces per additional round). JAYGO as indicated into Square 1.

  • Round 13: Sl St into each of next 2 Dc, Sl St into Ch-3 space, Ch 3, (2 Dc, Ch 1, JAYGO into Square 1 Ch-3 space, Ch 1, 3 Dc) into same Ch-3 space, JAYGO into Square 1 Ch-1 space, *[3 Dc into next Ch-1 space, JAYGO into Square 1 Ch-1 space] 11 times, (3 Dc, Ch 1, JAYGO into Square 1 Ch-3 space, Ch 1, 3 Dc) into Ch-3 space,* repeat from * to * 2 times total, Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into next 11 Ch-1 spaces, (3 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into next Ch-3 space, Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into next 11 Ch-1 spaces, Sl St to join, fasten off – 216 Sts; 156 Dc + 4 Ch-3 spaces + 48 Ch-1 spaces

Square 3

Follow Granny Square pattern, then repeat round 3 until 12 rounds complete (adding 12 Dc and 4 Ch-1 spaces per additional round). JAYGO as indicated into Square 1 and 2.

  • Round 13:  Sl St into each of next 2 Dc, Sl St into Ch-3 space, Ch 3, (2 Dc, Ch 1, JAYGO into Square 1 Ch-3 space (shared with Square 2), Ch 1, 3 Dc) into same Ch-3 space, JAYGO into Square 1 Ch-1 space, *[3 Dc into next Ch-1 space, JAYGO into Square 1 Ch-1 space] 11 times, (3 Dc, Ch 1, JAYGO into Square 1 Ch-3 space, Ch 1, 3 Dc) into Ch-3 space,* repeat from * to * 2 times total, Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into next 11 Ch-1 spaces, (3 Dc, Ch 1, JAYGO into Square 2 unworked Ch-3 space, Ch 1, 3 Dc) into next Ch-3 space, Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into next 11 Ch-1 spaces, Sl St to join, fasten off 216 Sts; 156 Dc + 4 Ch-3 spaces + 48 Ch-1 spaces

Border (and handles)

The border of this Granny Square Bag pattern is how two of the motifs are joined to form the handles.

With Right Sides facing, attach yarn into any unworked ch-1 space on Square 2.

  • Round 1: Sl St into each unworked St across Square 2 and Square 3, fasten off – 104 Sl Sts.

Repeat Border instructions for opposite side.

Finishing

Sew in all ends, trim excess.

Video Chat

To hear more about this Granny Square Bag from Salena Baca (the pattern writer), listen to this video chat today: Granny Square Bag Pattern

Click Here to share your finished project in our community!

Peace + Love + Crochet

Salena

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4 Comments

  1. would be great to have a video that shows how the squares are assembled together
    thanks,
    jk

    1. Just click on that section of the pattern to see a complete video tutorial – enjoy 😉

  2. Melissa Keller says:

    This is really AWESOME to follow. Easy to get to what you need to know and where to get different yarn if wanted something else. Love how you did this. Thank you very much Selena.