Petals & Purls: Knit Your Own Vibrant Floral Tote Bag

ByLina Morgen

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How to Knit a Colorful Floral Tote Bag: Easy Step-by-Step Pattern

Add a touch of handmade charm to your wardrobe with this Knit Floral Tote. This project is perfect for beginners or those looking for a relaxing “easy” skill-level project. With its vibrant colors and sweet floral appliqués, this bag is as functional as it is fashionable.

Project Details

Finished Measurements: Approximately 10½” wide x 13½” tall x 3½” deep (excluding handles).

Skill Level: Easy

Materials Needed

Yarn

  • Main Color (MC): Medium weight (Size 4) yarn in Real Teal (1 ball or approx. 364 yards).
  • Contrast Colors: Medium weight yarn in the following colors:
    • Contrast A: Soft White (approx. 8 yards)
    • Contrast B: Shocking Pink (approx. 22 yards)
    • Contrast C: Cherry Red (approx. 22 yards)
    • Contrast D: Pumpkin (approx. 22 yards)
    • Contrast E: Saffron (approx. 22 yards)
    • Contrast F: Spring Green (approx. 52 yards)

Tools

  • US Size 7 (4.5 mm) circular knitting needles, 29″ long
  • US Size 6 (4 mm) knitting needles
  • Pair of US Size 6 (4 mm) double-pointed knitting needles (DPNs)
  • Stitch markers
  • Yarn needle

Gauge

  • Stocking Stitch: 17 sts and 23 rows = 4″ using larger needles.
  • Slip Stitch Pattern: 19 sts and 26 rows = 4″ using larger needles.

Abbreviations

  • Alt: Alternate
  • Beg: Beginning
  • K: Knit
  • K2(3)tog: Knit next 2(3) stitches together
  • Kfb: Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch
  • P: Purl
  • PM: Place marker
  • Rep: Repeat
  • Rnd(s): Round(s)
  • RS: Right side
  • WS: Wrong side
  • Ssk: Slip next 2 stitches knitwise one at a time. Pass them back onto left-hand needle, then knit through back loops together.
  • SIl: Slip next stitch knitwise
  • SIlP: Slip next stitch purlwise
  • SIlPwyib: Slip next stitch knitwise with yarn at back of work
  • SIlPwyif: Slip next stitch purlwise with yarn at front of work
  • Yo: Yarn over

Step-by-Step Instructions

Part 1: The Bag

The Base

Using the circular needles and Main Color (MC), cast on 44 stitches. Do not join; work back and forth in rows.

  • 1st row (RS): Knit all stitches.
  • 2nd row: *SIlPwyif, Purl 1. Repeat from * to end of row.
  • 3rd row: SIl, Knit to end of row.

Repeat the last two rows until the piece measures 2½” from the beginning, ending on a WS row. Cast off.

The Sides

1st rnd (RS): Beginning at a corner, *pick up and knit 58 stitches evenly across the long side of the base. Pick up and knit 14 stitches evenly across the short side of the base. Repeat from * once more. Join to work in the round. Place a marker (PM) for the beginning of the round (Total: 144 sts).

  • 2nd rnd: Knit all stitches.
  • 3rd rnd: *SIlPwyib, K1. Repeat from * around.

Repeat the last two rounds until the work measures 13″ from the pick-up round, ending on a 3rd round.

Turn the work inside-out and work from the WS in the opposite direction:

  • 1st rnd: Knit all stitches.
  • 2nd rnd: *SIlPwyib, K1. Repeat from * around.

Repeat the last two rounds once more. Cast off knitwise (WS).

Part 2: The Floral Decorations

The Leaves (Make 8)

Using smaller needles and Contrast F (Spring Green), cast on 1 stitch.

  • 1st row: (K1, yo, K1) in stitch (3 sts).
  • 2nd row: SIlP, yo, K1, yo, K1 (5 sts).
  • 3rd and all alternate rows: SIlP, purl to end of row.
  • 4th row: SIlP, K1, yo, K1, yo, K2 (7 sts).
  • 6th row: SIlP, K2, yo, K1, yo, K3 (9 sts).
  • 8th row: SIlP, K3, yo, K1, yo, K4 (11 sts).
  • 10th row: SIlP, knit to end of row.
  • 12th, 14th, and 16th rows: SIlP, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. (5 sts remain after 16th row).
  • 18th row: SIlP, K3tog, K1.
  • 20th row: K3tog.

Cast off.

The Flowers (Make 1 in Colors B, C, D, and E)

Using smaller needles, cast on 51 stitches.

  • Work 4 rows in stocking stitch (Knit RS, Purl WS), noting the 1st row is the WS.
  • Next row (WS): K1, *cast off 9 stitches, K1 (one stitch remains on needle after cast-off). Repeat from * 4 more times. (6 stitches remaining).

Break the yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the yarn through the remaining 6 stitches and pull tightly to create a 5-petal flower shape.

The Flower Centers (Make 4)

Using smaller needles and Contrast A (Soft White), cast on 2 stitches.

  • 1st row: (Kfb) twice (4 sts).
  • 2nd to 4th rows: K4.
  • 5th row: (K2tog) twice (2 sts).
  • 6th row: K2tog.

Fasten off.

Part 3: The Handles (Make 2)

First, follow the instructions for the Leaves (from cast-on until the end of the 16th row). Break Contrast F yarn with 5 stitches remaining on the needle.

Using the Main Color (MC) and double-pointed needles, work an I-Cord as follows:

  • 1st row: Do not turn. Slide stitches to the right side of the needle. Bring yarn behind the stitches to the beginning of the round. K5, pulling the yarn tightly to avoid a gap. Repeat from * until the I-Cord measures 17″.

Cast off.

Final Assembly

  1. Flowers: Sew the Flower Centers to the middle of each Flower.
  2. Handles: Sew the handles to the bag. Sew one Leaf at the cast-off end of each I-Cord where it meets the bag.
  3. Front Decoration: Using the provided photo as a guide, sew the finished Flowers and the remaining 6 Leaves onto the front of the bag.
  4. Finishing: Weave in all loose ends using your yarn needle.

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