Blush Minimalist Tote

A clean, modern tote bag worked seamlessly from the base up in dense single crochet. The tall rounded-rectangle silhouette sits on a flat oval base, and the wide curved handles are crocheted directly into the body — no seams, no sewing, no hardware. Solid dusty blush pink shows off the tidy horizontal texture of tight single crochet, identical on the front and back.

Finished Measurements

• Width (at widest point): approx. 10 in (25.5 cm)
• Height (base to top edge): approx. 12 in (30.5 cm)
• Base: approx. 9 in (23 cm) long × 4 in (10 cm) wide oval
• Handle opening: approx. 4.25 in (11 cm) wide × 4.5 in (11.5 cm) tall
• Handle span (comfortable carry drop): approx. 5 in (12.5 cm)

Materials

• Yarn: Sport weight (US #2 Fine) yarn in solid dusty blush pink — approx. 550–600 yds (500–550 m)
• Hook: US E/4 – 3.5 mm (deliberately small for the yarn to create a dense, sturdy fabric)
• Notions: Stitch marker (2 recommended), tapestry needle, scissors

Tip: Using a hook one size smaller than the yarn band suggests gives the firm, self-supporting fabric this bag needs to stand up on its own.

Gauge

5 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm); 5.5 rows/rounds = 1 in (2.5 cm) in single crochet, worked in continuous rounds.

Gauge is important here for both size and sturdiness. Work a 3 in × 3 in swatch — a dense, non-stretchy fabric with no visible gaps is the goal. Go down a hook size if your fabric feels floppy.

Size

One size, as listed in Finished Measurements. Easily enlarged: add stitches to the foundation chain in even numbers and add height in whole rounds.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch — chain
• sc — single crochet
• sc2tog — single crochet 2 together (decrease)
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• inc — increase (2 sc in one st)
• sl st — slip stitch
• BLO — back loop only
• rep — repeat
• rnd — round

Pattern Notes

• The bag is worked seamlessly in continuous spiral rounds (do not join or turn unless told to). Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go.
• All single crochet is worked through both loops unless noted otherwise.
• The base is worked flat as an oval, then the walls rise straight from it with no increases.
• The handles are formed near the top by chaining across a gap, then working back over those chains — this creates the smooth integrated openings.
• Stitch counts appear in parentheses at the end of each round.
• Keep your tension firm and even; consistency is what gives the plain surface its clean look.

Special Stitch

sc in ch-space back bar: When working back across the handle chains, insert your hook under the single "back bump" of each chain for a neat, matching row.

INSTRUCTIONS

Part 1 — Oval Base

Ch 24.

Round 1: Starting in the 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 22 ch (22 sts). Working into the last ch, place 3 sc in the end ch (pivot around the end). Now working along the opposite side of the foundation chain, sc in next 22 ch (22 sts). Place 3 sc in the final end ch. Do not join. (50 sts) (22 + 3 + 22 + 3 = 50 ✓)

Place a marker in the first st of the next round.

Round 2: Sc in next 22 sts; [2 sc in next st] 3 times; sc in next 22 sts; [2 sc in next st] 3 times. (56 sts) (50 + 6 = 56 ✓)

Round 3: Sc in next 23 sts; [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 3 times... to keep the curve even, work as follows: sc in next 22 sts; [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 3 times; sc in next 22 sts; [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 3 times. (62 sts) (56 + 6 = 62 ✓)

Round 4: Sc in next 22 sts; [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] 3 times; sc in next 22 sts; [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] 3 times. (68 sts) (62 + 6 = 68 ✓)

Round 5: Sc in next 22 sts; [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts] 3 times; sc in next 22 sts; [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts] 3 times. (74 sts) (68 + 6 = 74 ✓)

Your base should measure approx. 9 in × 4 in (23 × 10 cm). Lay it flat and check — it should be smooth, not cupping or ruffling.

Part 2 — Body Walls

Round 6 (turning ridge): Working in BLO only, sc in each st around. (74 sts)

This BLO round creates a crisp fold line so the base sits flat and the walls stand up straight.

Rounds 7–60: Working in both loops, sc in each st around. (74 sts each round)

That's 54 straight rounds. Combined with earlier rounds, the walls now measure approx. 10 in (25.5 cm) tall from the base fold. Total height so far: base + 55 body rounds.

Tip: The fabric will naturally form the rounded-rectangle shape as the oval base is pulled upright — no shaping needed. Keep tension firm.

Continue if your bag is shorter than 10 in of wall height; add or subtract whole rounds as needed. Handles begin next.

Part 3 — Handle Openings

The 74 top stitches are divided into a front half (37 sts) and a back half (37 sts). Each half gets one centered handle opening, worked identically.

Round 61 (form openings):

• Front: Sc in next 8 sts, ch 21, skip the next 21 sts, sc in next 8 sts. (front total: 8 + 21 ch + 8 = 37 across ✓)
• Back: Sc in next 8 sts, ch 21, skip the next 21 sts, sc in next 8 sts. (back total: 8 + 21 ch + 8 = 37 across ✓)

You now have 16 worked sc + 21 chains on each half. (Working stitch count restored to 74 when chains are counted: 16 + 21 + 16 + 21 = 74 ✓)

Tip: Make sure both ch-21 spans are centered — count 8 sts, chain, then 8 sts on each side so the front and back openings match exactly.

Round 62: Sc in each st and in each ch around, working each chain through its back bump (see Special Stitch). (74 sts) (16 sc + 21 sc across front chains + 16 sc + 21 sc across back chains = 74 ✓)

Rounds 63–66: Sc in each st around. (74 sts each round)

These 5 rounds above the openings form the top band and the tops of the handles. The handle opening now measures approx. 4.25 in wide × 4.5 in tall.

Part 4 — Handle Reinforcement & Top Edge

Round 67 (top edge): Sc in each st around. (74 sts)

Round 68: Sl st loosely in each st around to finish the rim with a clean, firm edge. Join with a sl st to the first sl st. (74 sl sts)

Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15 cm) tail.

Part 5 — Handle Firming Round (optional but recommended)

To make the handles extra sturdy and smooth, reinforce each handle bridge:

1. Rejoin yarn at one end of a handle top (the 21-st span above an opening).
2. Sc evenly across the underside/back loops of that 21-st handle span. (21 sts)
3. Fasten off and weave in ends.
4. Repeat for the second handle.

This doubles the fabric across the top of each handle where the most weight is carried, preventing stretch.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side using the tapestry needle.
2. Turn the bag right-side out (it is worked right-side facing throughout, so no turning needed — just neaten the shape).
3. Blocking: Lightly steam-block or spritz with water and shape by hand. Stuff the bag with a towel or paper to set the rounded-rectangle silhouette and let dry fully. This sets the flat base and crisp walls.
4. Give the handles a gentle tug lengthwise to even them out.

Quick Reference

Enjoy your finished minimalist blush tote — a clean, seamless, everyday carry-all!