This cheerful granny square tote bag is the perfect way to showcase your favorite colors while creating something truly useful! Made with 18 granny squares and perfect to use up your yarn stash, this roomy crochet tote is ideal for market trips, festivals, or everyday errands.
I love how granny squares let you play with color combinations – each square becomes a little work of art! This bag construction is surprisingly simple, making it perfect for confident beginners or anyone looking for a satisfying weekend project.
Construction of the Granny Square Bag
This spacious crochet bag comes together with just a few main components. You’ll crochet 18 granny squares in various color combinations, then join them with a long crochet strip that forms the sides and bottom of the bag.
The squares are arranged to create visual interest – random works great! I recommend laying them out before joining to find your favorite arrangement.
After joining the squares and adding the side and bottom gussets, you’ll add a simple edging around the top opening. You will then attach the handles. Blocking your squares first makes joining them much easier and gives a neater result.
How to Get the Granny Square Bag Pattern
- Free Crochet Pattern: Scroll down this blog post for the complete pattern with detailed instructions
- Printable PDF: Ad-free PDF pattern with 7 pages including all details, and assembly picture instructions. This helps me continue to provide free patterns. Thank you for your support! – Purchase on Ravelry and Etsy
Yarn for Your Crochet Granny Tote Bag
Cotton yarn is a good choice for crochet bags. It is both strong and durable and won’t stretch too much. And it is easily washable.
For this pattern, I used Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/8 (100% cotton), which comes in beautiful, vibrant colors. You can use the colors suggested in the materials list or use yarn from your stash.
If you’re using stash yarn, you’ll need approximately 300m of DK weight yarn for your main color, plus smaller amounts for your contrast colors. Have fun choosing colors to make your bag completely unique!
Finishing Touches That Make a Difference
While this bag is lovely as it is, you have several options to customize it:
Handles: The pattern includes leather handles for a classic look, but you can easily crochet a matching shoulder strap if you prefer.
Lining: Though not essential, adding a fabric lining gives your bag extra structure and protects your belongings. It’s especially nice if you plan to carry items that might snag on the crochet stitches.
Color Planning: Don’t be afraid to experiment! Lay out your yarn colors before starting and take a photo – it helps you remember your arrangement as you work through the squares.
More Free Bag Patterns You Might Love
- African Flower Granny Bag
- Daisy Granny Square Crochet Bag
- Sunflower Granny Square Bag
- Boho Crochet Tote Bag
- Easy Crochet Market Bag
Crochet Granny Tote Bag Pattern
Skill Level: suitable for adventurous beginners
Materials
- Hobbii rainbow cotton 8/8 – 100% Cotton, 75m, 50g
- Main color: Light Brown (06) – 4 balls
- Contrast colors: CC1 – Nude (03), CC2 – Petunia Pink (87), CC3 – Brown (07), CC4 – Orange (57), CC5 – Rose (44), CC6 – Sunny Yellow (55)
- 3.5mm & 4mm crochet hooks
- Yarn needle
- Strong sewing thread
- Lining fabric (optional)
- Leather bag handles approx. 23-24in long
You can use any DK/ light aran weight cotton yarn to achieve a similar effect.
Measurements
- Front and back panels measure approx. 12.75 x 12.75in [32.5 x 32.5cm]
- Height of bag including border is 14.25in [36cm]
- Side gusset approx. 3.5 x 38.25in [9 x 97cm]
Gauge
Each square is 4.25in [11cm]
Printable PDF: Ad-free PDF pattern with 7 pages including all details, and assembly picture instructions. This helps me continue to provide free patterns. Thank you for your support! – Purchase on Ravelry and Etsy
Abbreviations’
US crochet terms
- Beg beginning
- Ch chain
- St stitch
- Sc single crochet
- Sl st slip stitch
- Dc double crochet
- Sp space
- MC main color
- CC contrast color
- RS right side
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is in US crochet terms
- Ch 3 at beginning of a round counts as 1 dc
- Ch 1 at beginning of a row does not count as a stitch
- Pattern written in US crochet terms
- 3 dc = granny cluster
- Repeat instructions between [ ] the amount of times given after brackets
- I do recommend you block your crochet squares when finished. It will make joining them together so much easier
- Make sure to read notes about the side panels before you start as it includes some helpful tips
Color Notes
You can use the colors suggested in the materials list or use yarn from your stash.
If using stash yarn, you will need approximately 300m of dk weight yarn for the main color and small amounts of each of the contrast colors.
Using stash yarn will give your bag a unique and personal touch.
The layout for the bag panels is in the first picture below, but you could also choose a random layout as in the 2nd picture.
Color Sequence for the Granny Squares
Square 1 (make 6)
Round 1: CC1, Round 2: CC2, Round 3: MC, Round 4: CC3, Round 5: MC
Square 2 (make 6)
Round 1: CC1, Round 2: CC4, Round 3: CC5, Round 4: CC2, Round 5: MC
Square 3 (make 6)
Round 1: CC1, Round 2: MC, Round 3: CC6, Round 4: CC4, Round 5: MC
Granny Square (make 18)
(Do not turn your square after each round)
With CC1 and 4mm hook, ch 5 and sl st to 1st ch to form a ring
Round 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc here and throughout at beg of a round), 2 dc in ring, [ch 2, 3 dc in ring] 3 times, ch 2, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. Fasten off yarn.
Round 2: Join next yarn in a corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same ch-sp, [(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp] 3 times, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. Fasten off yarn.
Round 3: Join next yarn in a corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same ch-sp, [3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups on previous round, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp] 3 times, 3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. Fasten off yarn.
Round 4: Join next yarn in a corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same ch-sp, [(3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups on previous round) 2 times, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp] 3 times, (3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups) 2 times, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. Fasten off yarn.
Round 5: Join MC in any st, ch 1, make 1 sc in each stitch around, 3 sc in each corner ch-2 sp, join with a sl st to beg sc. Fasten off yarn and weave in all threads.
Bag Panel Assembly
Make 2 panels
Lay out squares in rows of 3 x 3 according to layout image.
Horizontal Join – Using your main color and 4mm hook, take the 1st square of Row 1 and the 1st square of Row 2, and holding RS together, make a sl st join (loosely) in both loops, in each st of both squares across. Continue in the same manner with the 2nd and 3rd squares of Rows 1 & 2. Fasten off.
Join the 3rd row in the same way until you have 3 strips with 3 squares in each.
Vertical Join – Turn partially joined panel and work the un-joined squares in the same way as the Horizontal Seams. Fasten off and weave in ends.
You will now have 2 panels with 9 squares in each (picture A below). Block each panel as this will make them flatter and even out any uneven parts.
Sides and Bottom of bag (Gusset)
Important Note:
The gusset strip of the bag is made using single crochet stitches in one long strip.
Don’t complete your strip until you have already joined the long strip to the front and back panels. That way if you need to add more rows or remove some rows, it will be much easier to do!
Gusset Strip
Using 4mm hook ch 15
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each st across – 14 sc
Row 2: Ch 1, 1 sc in each st across – 14 sc
Repeat Row 2 for a total of approx. 150 rows (see notes above)
Joining the Pieces for the Bag Together
You will now join one side of the gusset around 2 sides and the bottom edge of one of your panels. You will use a sc seam on the right side of each piece.
It is important to take your time and pin in place carefully, making sure not to over stretch or pull too tight (see picture above).
- With RS of one panel facing out, position the side gusset around 3 sides, making sure all is lined up neatly. Pin all pieces together.
- Using MC and 4mm hook, attach yarn to top corner, insert your hook through the 1st sc of your panel and the 1st row end of your gusset, ch 1, sc down one side, joining both pieces together. Maintain an even tension and consistent stitch placement.
- When you reach the corner where the side gusset meets the bottom gusset, continue the single crochet seam along the bottom edge, smoothly turning the corner to connect the side gusset with the bottom gusset.
- Continue working the single crochet seam along the bottom of the bag and up the 2nd side.
- Fasten off your yarn and weave in any loose ends on the inside of the bag using a yarn needle. Repeat to add the 2nd panel to the opposite side of the gusset.
Top Edging of Bag
Round 1: With MC and a 3.5mm hook, join in any square, ch 1, work 1 sc in each st, around top of bag. Join with a sl st to beg sc. (You will work 14 sc in each square, 1 sc in a space between squares and 14 sc in each side gusset)
Rounds 2 – 6: Ch 1, 1 sc in each st around. Join with a sl st to beg sc. Fasten off yarn.
Round 7: With CC4, ch 1, 1 sc in each st around. Join with a sl st to beg sc. Fasten off yarn.
Round 8: With CC2, ch 1, 1 sc in each st around. Join with a sl st to beg sc. Fasten off yarn and weave in all threads.
Attaching the Handles
Position the bag handles by placing them on the border of the bag, using the pictures for guidance. Using strong sewing thread and a sharp needle, stitch through the prepunched holes making sure the handles are secure.
PIN FOR LATER
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Thank you so much for this pattern