Simple, stylish and versatile you can take the Soho Tote anywhere this summer!
This free crochet tote pattern is accompanied by a step-by-step video tutorial.
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The Soho Tote is a super easy crochet bag pattern! The base of the bag is a rectangle worked in rows and then a border is created around the rectangle. The sides are crocheted in the rounds and even the straps are crocheted directly onto the body so this entire bag is one piece with no extra seaming!
This means that you only have to fasten off once but you don’t have to deal with the complicated maths of creating an oval base 🙂 The base and straps are made up of tight single crochets for stability and strength while the sides are crocheted in double crochets and double treble crochets.
Design Inspiration
Recently in Auckland, all plastic bags have been banned from supermarkets. You can’t even purchase plastic bags anymore so you always need to have a tote bag/grocery bag handy. I wanted to create a bag that was strong and sturdy enough to hold groceries and could be worn out and about.
This tote bag is perfect to take to the beach, for carrying gym gear or to a farmers market!
Yarn
This project uses Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in the colour Denim. I absolutely love this yarn for creating accessories! The Denim colour is the perfect blue-grey colour that has a bit more pop than a straight neutral grey but still muted enough that it can match almost any colour! This yarn also has a nice colour range of both bright and neutral colours so there is something for everyone.
24/7 Cotton is 100% mercerised cotton yarn and wound tightly in a chain instead of a twist. This means it has lot less stretch than traditional cottons so your bag will hold its shape for longer! The mercerised cotton also gives the tote a nice subtle sheen that highlights all the stitch texture.
Check out more free crochet patterns!
1. Sea Breeze Tank Top / 2. Leila Tie Strap Crop Top / 3. Forest Breeze Tee
Video Tutorial
Add the Soho Market Tote Bag to your Ravelry queue!
Soho Tote Bag - Ad-free, printable pdf version!
*This crochet tote bag is created from the base up.
*The base is created in rows and then sides are built up in rounds.
*Gauge is not extremely important for this pattern.
*"SC 10" means SC into the next 10 stitches.
*"3SC" means place 3 SC into the same stitch
*Ch 1, Ch 2 and Ch 4 do NOT count as a stitch.
*Total stitches are indicated between < >.
*This pattern uses US crochet terms.
Materials
Yarn – Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton – Aran/Worsted (10 ply), 170m/100g, 100% Cotton in Denim, 3 skeins
Stitches & Abbreviations
Ch = Chain
Sl st = Slip Stitch
SC = Single Crochet
DC = Double Crochet
DTR = Double Treble Crochet
St(s) = Stitch(es)
Rep = Repeat
GAUGE: 10cm/4” square = 18 stitches wide x 10 rows tall in double crochet
Measurements cm:
Width: 38
Length: 36
Strap Length: 52
Measurements inches:
Width: 15
Length: 14
Strap Length: 20.5
Soho Market Tote Bag Crochet Pattern
FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 51.
ROW 1: SC in 2nd ch from the hook, SC in each st until end. <50>
ROWS 2 - 16: Ch 1, turn, SC in each st until end. <50>
We will now create a border around the rectangle and the sides of the bag will be worked in the round.
ROUND 1: Ch 1, turn, SC 49, 3SC into last st of the row. Working along the short side; evenly space out SC 12 along the edge. Place 3SC into the corner st, SC 48 (you are working along the foundation chain), 3SC into the corner st. Working along the 2nd short side; SC 12 evenly along the edge, place 2 SC into the last st (last st be on the corner). Sl st into the 1st SC at the beginning of the round. <132>
ROUNDS 2 - 21: Ch 2, DC in each st of the round, sl st to join. <132>
ROUND 22: Ch 4, *DTR, ch 1, skip 1 st; rep from * until end, sl st to join. <66 DTR>
ROUND 23: Ch 1, *SC in st, SC in ch space; rep from * until end, sl st to join. <132>
Repeat ROUNDS 22 - 23 until ROUND 27.
ROUNDS 28 – 31: Ch 1, SC in each st until end, sl st to join. <132>
*Ch 84 creates the straps which measure 52cm/20.5”. You can add/remove chs to make the straps longer/shorter
ROUND 32: Ch 1, SC 17, ch 84, skip 20 sts, SC 46, ch 84, skip 20 sts, SC 29 until end, sl st to join. <260>
(In ROUND 33, work 1 SC into each ch)
ROUND 33 - 36: Ch 1, SC in each st until end, sl st to join. <260>
At the end of ROUND 36, fasten off.
Weave in all of your ends.
Voilà! You have finished your crochet tote.
Do I slip stitch each corner to join round 2-21?
Hi Cassie,
You slip stitch into the first st at the end of the round to join.
Grace
Is there a PDF of this pattern?
If there is would you send the link to me.
Beautiful design.
Hi! Thank you for sharing this project. Your instructions are very easy to follow!
This is my very first crochet project and it seems that my bag is turning out smaller than it should be! The bottom is about 28x9.5cm. I am using medium weight acrylic yarn and a 5mm hook (I misread the instructions whoops!). Could my stitches be too tight, or could it be my yarn or hook size?
Thanks!
Hi Kayla,
It could be a mixture of all of those things! The best way to make sure your projects will be the right size is to check your gauge by crocheting a swatch before you start your pattern. If you have too many stitches per 10cm/4" you should try a larger hook or a thicker yarn or have looser tension. If you have too few stitches per 10cm/4" you should size down your hook or use a thinner yarn or have tighter tension.
The bag does get bigger as you crochet the sides, so it should still definitely be usable even if your rectangle is a bit small 🙂
I hope this helps,
Grace
Sorry but I missed when & how to make the square into a circle!!!!!!!
Hi,
By crocheting around the edges of the rectangle and then sl st to join, we are then working the the round. As we add more rounds, the sides of the bag will become taller and the rectangle will form the base of the bag.
Grace 🙂
Hi! How many yarns did you exactly spent in this tote bag?
I like this pattern. I changed it a little bit by doing the spaced rows as double crochet stitches instead of double-trebles. I've made four bags so far. The Caron Cotton Cakes work well if you like multi-coloured projects.
I am making this bag using Lily Sugar 'n Cream cotton yarn which is worsted weight marked medium 4 on the label.. The gauge on the label says 13 sts and 14 rows will make a 4" square using an H hook. My gauge is right on, but that means my bag will make up larger if I use the required stitches in your pattern. Questions: 1. Can I cast on fewer stitches to make this work? 2. Is the yarn a good choice for this bag?
Hi Jarvis, this tote bag needs a very precise number of stitches so that the mesh pattern works out properly. I'd recommend sizing down a hook size to see if you can meet gauge stated in the pattern (the gauge on the label doesn't apply to the pattern). I've never used this yarn before so I can't give recommendations sorry! In general I would pick a mercerized cotton yarn as it's super strong and the bag will more durable. (Normal cotton yarns can pill easily).
I hope this helps,
Grace
Hi. I am loving this pattern so much. It’s looks so easy for a beginner like me. Thank you very much for the tutorial and for this pattern.
I have a question. I would like to make this bag a bit bigger. Could you please tell me the multiples so I can make it bigger?
Greatly appreciate it!
Hi Kim,
The stitch pattern for the mesh portion you need an even number of stitches. Just make sure that when you're working in the round while crocheting around the edge of your rectangle base that you end up with an even number of stitches. Otherwise the base rectangle can be altered to any size.
Grace
I still don't see how you get from a rectangle to the "round" shape of the tote. I followed the instructions and it never did "connect" even with slip stitch. I have one big square now.
Hi Lori,
By simply crocheting more rounds around the base of the bag the sides should form (you'll need to wait 5 - 10 rounds to see the sides start to 'stand up'). If the sides aren't forming its probably because you're accidentally adding extra stitches (make sure that you have the correct stitch count at the end of each round) or your tension (how tightly you hold your yarn) is loosening. The yarn you're using might also be too soft for this particular design.
Grace
How many stitches in each round, for round 2-21? Is it 132? And do I do 3 stitches in each corner on each round?
The link to Etsy for download isn't working.
Hi Grace,
Love your pattern. My base is only 12" wide and I am using your suggested yarn and g hook. I am getting 17 stitches per 4 " which matches your guage fairly well. Your description mentions the bag is 15" wide.
Any suggestions? Thanks
thxs for the project. I used a color that matched my sweater and it looks nice. I'm not an adult yet,but it still easy to do.
I am wanting to make the tote bag, and I have some cotton yarn in my possession. Did you use the entire three skeins of yarn? I have approximately five skeins of 98 yards each. Will that be enough?
Round 22 shows no repeats, however your photo shows 3 rounds of the DTC window portion. Unsure of which is correct.
Hi,
How exactly do you evenly space out 12 SC on the short side of the rectangle base after completing 17 rows?
Hi Grace
I loved making this bag!
Is it reversible? I think I like the inside.
Also, I must have made a mistake when slip stitching at the end of each row as I have a diagonal line that runs down. I'm guessing this should be straight.
I'm going to make another and hopefully work out what I did wrong.
Thanks so much for this amazing bag and video tutorial!!