Mushroom Granny Square Tote Bag: Simple and Sweet Crochet Guide
Granny Squares! You've made a million of them, now what do you do with them? A Granny Square tote bag, of course!
This pattern works with any granny square pattern, but it's especially nice with a cute motif like this little mushroom. Be sure your granny squares are all exactly the same number of stitches wide. We'll be using UK terminology.
A quick note: this project requires some crocheting skills, and some pre-made granny squares. If you've completed our Learn To Crochet class you will have all the skills you need!
How to crochet a Granny Square Tote Bag
Tools and materials:
- 13 crocheted granny squares in 8ply yarn
- Tapestry needle
- 4.00mm crochet hook (or size to suit your gauge)
- Yarn to match the outer row of your squares (You will need less than 1 ball of Morris and Sons Avalon 8ply.
Terms:
CH = chain
DC = double crochet
Dec = decrease
SL ST = slip stitch
Assembling your Granny Square Tote bag:
You'll need to make 13 granny squares, 12 with the motif. If your motif has an 'up' and a 'down', then these squares should be oriented so they're diamonds.- Arrange your squares as per the diagram.
- Join your squares together (referring to the diagram again), using a whip stitch, a single crochet - however you prefer to join squares!
- Fold the bag together, and join the sides (again, as in the diagram). This will give you a bag shape.
- (Row 1) Now you want to tidy up the open 'mouth' of the bag. Starting halfway along one square, CH1, and then DC in every stitch. When you come to a 'valley' between two squares, decrease together the 3 stitches where those 3 squares meet. When you come to a 'mountain' at the corner of a square, work 2 DC in that stitch. SL ST to top of first stitch.
- Time to make handles!
(Row 2) From your starting point, CH1, and then DC in every stitch until you reach the 'peak' of a mountain. CH 70, then skip the next valley and join to the opposite peak. Be very careful not to twist your chain!
DC in every stitch until you reach the valley the side of the bag. Work DC decrease across these stitches.
When you get to the peak on the opposite side, CH 70, then skip the next valley and join to the opposite peak. Again, take care not to twist the chain.
DC in every stitch until you reach the valley again. Work DC decrease across these stitches. SL ST to top of first stitch.
(Row 3) CH1, then DC around. When you get to the handle chain, DC across in every CH to the other side of the bag. Continue to DC in every stitch round. Dec DC across the valleys as before.DC around the outside of the handle and outside edge, until you come to the starting point. SL ST to top of first stitch.
(Row 4) CH1, then DC around. Instead of dec at valleys, skip that dec stitch in the previous row. DC across the handle. SL ST to first stitch at end of round Fasten off.
There are now 2 rows on the outside edge of each strap, and around the outside mouth of the bag.
- Inside edge of the handles and bag. You'll work one handle side at a time.
(Row 5) Attach yarn in any DC near a handle, on the inside. CH1 and then DC around. At the center front valley, skip the center stitch and continue DC around. SL ST to first stitch at end of round.
(Row 6) CH1 and DC around. At the strap, continue to DC around. At center front 'valley', DC 2 together, and continue DC around. At end of round, DC2 together, and continue to DC around. At end of round, SL ST to first stitch. Fasten off.
- Repeat rows 5 and 6 on the unworked edge of the bag.
- Fasten off, and weave in the ends.
For more detailed instructions and videos, we recommend consulting Crochet365's Sweet Summer Sunflower Bag.
For the mushroom motif, we used the free 'Mushroom Tote Bag' pattern by Rachel Veenstra, on Ravelry.
