Colorful Crochet Shopping Tote Bag Pattern

Are you looking for the perfect eco-friendly accessory to take on your next grocery run, beach day, or farmer’s market trip? This colorful crochet shopping tote bag is the ultimate DIY project for anyone wanting to combine style with sustainability. Featuring vibrant, multi-colored stripes and a sturdy cotton construction, this bag is designed to be as functional as it is beautiful.

This pattern is perfect for crocheters who want to practice working with multiple colors and experimenting with texture. Because we use two strands of cotton yarn held together, the resulting fabric is thick, durable, and holds its shape beautifully—exactly what you need for a heavy-duty shopping bag. Grab your hook and let’s dive into this bright and cheery project!

Materials & Abbreviations

Before you begin, ensure you have all your supplies ready. This project relies on using two strands of yarn held together throughout most of the construction to create a “double-thick” fabric.

Yarn Requirements

You will need a sturdy cotton yarn. For this project, we are using four different colors to create a striking striped effect. Please note that you will be working with two strands of yarn held together for almost every stitch.

Main Color (MC): Cornflower Blue (9 balls)
Contrast Color A: Banana Yellow (2 balls)
Contrast Color B: White (2 balls)
Contrast Color C: Hot Green (2 balls)

Tools & Notions

Crochet Hook: 6.5 mm (US size K/10.5) or a size that helps you achieve the required tension.
Scissors
Yarn Needle (for sewing handles and joining pieces)
Stitch Markers

Gauge

It is important to check your gauge to ensure your bag comes out the correct size. Your gauge should be:

11 hdc and 7 rows = 4 inches (when working with 2 strands of yarn held together).

Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch: chain
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
sl st: slip stitch
sc2tog: single crochet two together (decrease)
RS: right side
WS: wrong side
st(s): stitch(es)
yo: yarn over

Pro Tip: To change colors smoothly, work your stitch until you reach the last 2 loops on your hook. Draw the loop of the new color through those last 2 loops to complete the stitch, then continue with the new color.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The Stripe Pattern

The visual heart of this bag is the repeating stripe pattern. You will create an 18-row sequence that repeats to give the bag its colorful look. Work each row using two strands of the specified color held together.

Row 1: Work with Contrast Color A.
Row 2: Work with Main Color (MC).
Row 3: Work with Contrast Color C.
Row 4: Work with Main Color (MC).
Row 5: Work with Contrast Color B.
Row 6: Work with Main Color (MC).
Repeat these 6 rows two more times (for a total of 18 rows).

Front and Back Panels

You will make two identical panels: one for the front and one for the back. Both are worked with 2 strands of yarn held together.

Creating the Striped Section

Start by chaining 38 with 2 strands of the Main Color (MC).

Row 1 (WS): 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and 1 sc in each ch across. Turn. (37 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc across. Turn. (37 sc)

Row 3: Repeat the previous row 3 more times. Fasten off.

Now, join Contrast Color A at the end of the last row. Ch 2. Work the first row of the Stripe Pattern (see above). Repeat the Stripe Pattern sequence until you have completed 17 rows of the pattern. Join the Main Color (MC) at the end of the last row.

Transitioning to the Solid Main Color

Once your stripes are finished, we transition to a solid color to provide structure to the top of the bag.

Next Row (WS): With 2 strands of MC, ch 1. 1 sc in the first hdc. 1 sc in the next hdc in the back loop only. *1 sc in the next hdc in the front loop only, 1 sc in the next hdc in the back loop only. Rep from * to the last hdc. 1 sc in the last hdc. Place a stitch marker at each end of the row. Turn.

Next Row: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.

Repeat this last row 4 more times. Fasten off.

Adding the Edging

The edging adds a nice professional touch to the sides of your panels.

With the Right Side (RS) of the Front panel facing you, join 2 strands of MC with a slip stitch to the bottom right corner. Ch 1 and work 27 sc up the right side of the Front. Fasten off.

Then, with the RS facing you, join MC with a slip stitch to the top left corner. Ch 1 and work 27 sc down the left side of the Front. Fasten off. Repeat these exact steps for the Back panel.

The Gusset

The gusset is the long strip that wraps around the bottom and sides, giving the bag its depth. Work this with 2 strands of MC.

Ch 3.

Row 1 (RS): 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch. Turn. (2 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc. Turn. (4 sc)

Row 3: Repeat the previous row 6 more times. Turn. (4 sc)

Next Row: Ch 1, 2 sc in each of the next 2 sc. Turn. (8 sc)

Next 7 Rows: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.

Next Row: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first sc, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc, and 2 sc in the last sc. Turn. (12 sc total)

Next 7 Rows: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.

Shaping the Gusset: We will now decrease to taper the strip. Repeat the following sequence:

Next Row: Ch 1. In the next 2 sc, work a single crochet decrease (sc2tog) by inserting the hook into the first stitch, then the second, yo, and pull through all 3 loops. Then work 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc. Work a sc2tog over the last 2 sc. Turn. (4 sc)
Next 3 Rows: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.
Next Row: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first sc, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc, and 2 sc in the last sc. Turn. (6 sc)
Next 7 Rows: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.

Continue repeating this pattern of decreasing and increasing until your work measures approximately 30 inches from the beginning, ending with the Right Side facing you. Fasten off.

The Handles

You will make two handles. Use 2 strands of MC.

Ch 51.

Row 1 (RS): 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and 1 sc in each ch across. Turn. (50 sc)

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

Repeat the last row 7 more times. Fasten off. Fold the handle lengthwise and use your yarn needle to sew it closed so it creates a sturdy strap.

Finishing

Now it’s time to bring your bag to life!

Assembly

Pin the Front panel and the Gusset together with the Wrong Sides (WS) facing each other. Use your stitch markers to keep track of the corners. Join 2 strands of MC with a slip stitch at the left marker.

Working through both thicknesses (the panel and the gusset), work single crochet down the left side of the bag, across the bottom, and up the right side to the opposite marker. Do not turn your work.

Next Row: Working from left to right (rather than right to left), work 1 reverse single crochet (working the stitch from the back loop only) in each sc to the end of the row. Fasten off.

Repeat this entire assembly process for the Back panel.

Final Details

With the Right Side (RS) of the work facing you, join 2 strands of MC with a slip stitch to the marked stitch. Ch 1 and work 1 row of reverse single crochet around the upper edge of the bag. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc and fasten off.

Finally, sew your handles to the inside of the bag. Position them approximately 2.5 inches in from the side edges. Secure them firmly with your yarn needle to ensure they can handle the weight of your items.

Tips for Success

Tension is Key: Since you are holding two strands of yarn together, keep your tension even. If your stitches are too tight, the bag might curl; if they are too loose, it may lose its shape.
Color Changes: To get those crisp, clean stripes, always make your color changes in the last two loops of the stitch as mentioned in the instructions.
Blocking: Once you have finished assembly, consider “wet blocking” your bag. This involves dampening the bag and pinning it into its correct shape to dry. This will set the stitches and give you a much more professional, polished look.
Yarn Choice: Using 100% cotton is highly recommended for shopping bags. Cotton has very little stretch compared to acrylic, meaning your bag won’t sag too much when filled with groceries!