Summer Retro Tote Bag – Free Crochet Bag Pattern

Summer retro style meets function and versatility in this fun crochet hexagon tote bag. I used an easy hexagon pattern and added a little visual interest by adding a pop of color, to create the main portion of the bag. Basic crochet stitches were then used to form the bag’s solid, sturdy bottom and strap. This crochet hexagon pattern will be a fun challenge for advanced beginners and it will keep experienced crocheters from losing interest. Use your bag as a crochet project bag, beach bag, or everyday tote bag – customize it to suit your taste by playing around with color, or by adding tassels, poms, and more! The free crochet tote bag pattern can be found in this blog post below, or you can purchase an ad-free, easily printable PDF on Love Crafts here, Ravelry here or Etsy here.

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SUMMER RETRO TOTE BAG – FREE CROCHET TOTE BAG PATTERN

The free pattern is below, but if you love to work offline, I’ve got a couple other great options for you.

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF, including all photo tutorials, on Love Crafts here, Ravelry here, or on Etsy here.

Pin it for later here.

This post contains affiliate links.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted Weight / 4 Cotton Yarn / 21 yards; I used Lily Sugar n’ Cream cotton yarn (colors I used are listed in the notes below)
  • Main Color (ecru):  440 yards
  • Contrasting Colors 1 – 6:  60 yards each color
• Crochet Hook: H/8/5.00mm or size needed to obtain gauge (My favorite crochet hooks are the Clover Amour Crochet Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching).
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle
• Locking Stitch Markers
• 1.5″ diameter buttons (2) (optional)

Many of these materials are available for purchase through our affiliates below:

Clover Amour Crochet Hook: ...Shop on Amazon  Fiskars 154110-1001 Non-sti...Shop on Amazon

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch(s): chain(s)
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sp(s): space(s)
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• dc3tog: double crochet decrease by 2
• 2 dc-cl: 2 double crochet cluster (click here for tutorial)
• Alt-dc: alternate chainless double crochet (click here for tutorial)
• standing sc: standing single crochet (click here for tutorial)
• standing dc: standing double crochet (click here for tutorial)
• RS/WS: right side / wrong side
• Rep: repeat
• Rnd(s): round(s)
• yo: yarn over
• MC: main color
• CC: contrasting color

One Size

• One Size: 9″ W x 4.25″ D x 12.5″ H  (not including strap)

Gauge

• See each specific section. Dimensions are given as you work.

Notes

• Beginning chain(s) are not included in stitch count, unless noted otherwise.
• First stitch of each row is worked in the same stitch as the turning chain, unless otherwise specified.
• I tend to crochet on the tighter side. You may need to go down a hook size (or two) to meet gauge if you crochet on the looser side.
• Yarn Notes: Lily Sugar n’ Cream worsted weight cotton yarn was used for the sample, 100% Cotton (120 yards / 109 m / 71 g / 2.5 oz).
• Yardage:
  • Main Color: ecru, 440 yards
  • Contrasting Colors 1 – 6: 60 yards each. * I used Seabreeze, Hot Green, Robin’s Egg, Hot Pink, Yellow & Tea Rose.
• You can use another worsted weight yarn as long as it’s similar in thickness and you match gauge.
• This bag is constructed by making and seaming (18) 4.5″ hexagons. After the hexagons are seamed, a top edge and bottom is added to create the bag. A strap is added last.
• Flat Slip Stitch Seam: Click HERE for tutorial

Color Scheme: If you’re planning to follow the same color scheme as shown in my bag, you’ll need to make 3 hexagons using each of the 6 different contrasting colors.

Note: Most of this hexagon is worked in a spiral (continuous rounds). There are a few rounds that are joined at the end of them. Pay close attention to the instructions. See photos below.

Tip! I highly suggest using locking stitch markers where noted. They will help to keep you on track while you crochet and they come in very handy when seaming the hexagons together.

Rnd 1 (RS / MC): With a 5.00mm crochet hook & MC yarn, ch 2, work 6 sc into the 2nd ch from your hook. Do not join. (6 sts)

Rnd 2 (MC): Alt-dc in the first st, work 1 more dc in the first st, work 2 dc in each remaining st around. Join with a sl st to the alt-dc. Fasten off MC. (12 sts)

Rnd 3 (CC): With a 5.50mm crochet hook & CC yarn, join yarn with a standing dc in the space between the first 2 sts of round 2, work 1 more dc in the same space, work 2 dc in the space between each 2 dc’s around. Join with a sl st to the standing dc. Fasten off CC. (24 sts)

Rnd 4 (MC): With a 5.50mm crochet hook & MC yarn, skip the first 2 dc, join yarn with a standing dc in the space after the skipped dc’s, work 2 more dc in the same space, skip each of the next 2 dc, work (2 dc-cl, ch 2, 2 dc-cl) in the space after the skipped dc’s, * skip each of the next 2 dc, work 3 dc in the space after the skipped dc’s, skip each of the next 2 dc, work (2 dc-cl, ch 2, 2d c-cl) in the space after the skipped dc’s, rep from * around. Do not join. (30 sts + 6 ch-2 sps)

Tip! In rounds 5 & 6, you may find it helpful to place a locking stich marker in the 2nd sc of each 3 sc worked into the corners of the hexagon.

Rnd 5 (MC): Sc in each of the next 4 sts, 3 sc in the next ch-2 sp, * sc in each of the next 5 sts, 3 sc in the next ch-2 sp, rep from * around to the last st, sc in the last st. Do not join.  (48 sts)

Rnd 6 (MC): Sc in each of the next 5 sts, 3 sc in the next st, * sc in each of the next 7 sts, 3 sc in the next st, rep from * around to the last 2 sts, sc in each of the last 2 sts. Do not join. (60 sts) Make sure you’ve placed stitch markers in the 2nd sc of each 3 sc group, in each corner of the hexagon. Approximate size at this point is 4.5″ from flat edge to flat edge.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Layout & Seaming.

Layout & Seaming Hexagons

Folding & Seaming

Top Edging

Bottom Edging

Seaming the Bottom of the Bag

Strap

Row 1: Using a 5.00 mm crochet hook & MC, ch 6, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc in each ch across. Turn.  (5 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.

Rep Row 2 until strap measures 26″, or desired length.

Do not fasten off. Continue on to Edging.

Edging

Rnd 1: Continuing on from the strap, work 1 sc into the side of each row and st around, but work 1 extra st at each corner. Stitch count isn’t crucial.

Do not join. Continue on to Slip Stitch Edging.

Slip Stitch Edging

Note: Adding the slip stitch edging will help keep your strap from stretching out.

Rnd 1: Continuing on from the Edging, slip stitch in each st around the perimeter of the strap. Adjust your hook size as needed to keep the tension even. Stitch count isn’t crucial. Use Special Join Technique (click HERE for tutorial).

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on Attaching the Strap. Finished size of the strap is approximately 2″ W x 26″ L.

Attaching the Strap.

• Sew 2″ from one end of the strap to each short side of the upper portion of the bag.
• Add a large 1.5″ button on top of each end of the strap, if desired.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

MORE FREE CROCHET BAG PATTERNS FROM A CROCHETED SIMPLICITY

If you enjoy making crochet bags, you may enjoy these other projects as well. And if you just want to browse, you can find all of our free crochet patterns HERE.