Modern Striped Tote Bag

"Bold Bands" Flat-Base Market Tote

A clean, structured tote worked in tight single crochet using raffia or polyester cord. Bold horizontal stripes in deep red and natural cream wrap seamlessly around the front, back, and sides. Finished with sturdy double-layer handles and two playful tassels.

Skill Level

Easy — worked in continuous rounds of single crochet with simple color changes.

Finished Measurements

• Width (front/back): 12 in (30 cm)
• Depth (side panel): 4 in (10 cm)
• Height: 12 in (30 cm)
• Base: 12 in × 4 in (30 cm × 10 cm)
• Handle length: 18 in (46 cm) each, 2.5 in (6 cm) wide (double-layer)

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted-weight raffia or polyester cord yarn
  • Color A – Deep Red: approx. 180 yd (165 m)
  • Color B – Natural Cream: approx. 180 yd (165 m)
• Hook: US H-8 / 5 mm (use a hook 0.5 mm smaller than the yarn label suggests to keep stitches tight)
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch marker
• Scissors
• Optional: 4 in (10 cm) piece of cardboard for making tassels

Gauge

15 sc × 16 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet, worked tightly.

Gauge check: 15 sc ÷ 4 in = 3.75 sc per inch; 16 rows ÷ 4 in = 4 rows per inch. Take time to check gauge — a firm fabric keeps the bag structured.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
• rep – repeat
• RS/WS – right side / wrong side

Color Sequence (Stripe Pattern)

Work stripes in this repeating sequence throughout the body:

• 6 rounds Color A (Red)
• 6 rounds Color B (Cream)

This 12-round repeat is worked 4 times for the full body height (12 rounds × 4 = 48 rounds ✓ = 12 in).

Changing colors: On the final stitch of the last round of a color, work the stitch until 2 loops remain on the hook, then yarn over with the new color and complete the stitch. Carry the unused color loosely up the inside of the bag.

PART 1 — The Flat Base

Worked as a flat panel in joined rounds around a foundation chain to create a true rectangular base with rounded ends.

With Color A (Red), ch 34.

Round 1 (RS): Working into the foundation chain, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each of next 31 ch, 3 sc in last ch; rotate to work along opposite side of chain, sc in each of next 31 ch, 2 sc in same first ch as beginning. Join with sl st to first sc.

Count: 32 + 3 + 32 + 2 = 69… (adjust to 68). Work as follows for a clean count below.

For clarity, work the base by these exact counts:

Round 1 (RS): sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 30 ch (31 sc along first long edge), 3 sc in end ch, sc in next 31 ch along the opposite side, 3 sc in remaining end, join to first sc.

• Count: 31 + 3 + 31 + 3 = 68 sc ✓

Round 2: ch 1, sc in each st around, working 2 sc in each of the 4 corner/end stitches to keep the base flat (8 increases). Join.

• Count: 68 + … increases distributed → work to 76 sc (68 + 8 = 76 ✓)

Round 3: ch 1, sc in each st around, adding 8 evenly spaced increases (2 sc in select sts at the rounded ends). Join.

• Count: 76 + 8 = 84 sc ✓

Round 4: ch 1, sc in each st around, adding 12 evenly spaced increases across the rounded ends. Join.

• Count: 84 + 12 = 96 sc ✓

Round 5: ch 1, sc in each st around, adding 12 evenly spaced increases. Join.

• Count: 96 + 12 = 108 sc ✓

Round 6: ch 1, sc in each st around, adding 12 evenly spaced increases. Join.

• Count: 108 + 12 = 120 sc ✓

Base now measures approx. 12 in × 4 in (30 × 10 cm) and has 120 sts — the exact body count. Do not fasten off.

PART 2 — The Body (Worked in the Round)

Worked in continuous joined rounds. Because we work in the round, the stripes wrap seamlessly around front, back, and both sides — the stripe sequence is identical on all four faces, so front and back panels are automatically identical.

Set-up Round (Round 1 of body): Still in Color A, ch 1, sc in the BACK LOOP ONLY of each st around (120 sts). Join with sl st. This back-loop round creates a crisp fold line where the base meets the sides.

• Count: 120 sc ✓

Rounds 2–6: Continuing in Color A, ch 1, sc in each st around (both loops), join. (5 rounds)

Color A block = Rounds 1–6 = 6 rounds Red ✓

Change to Color B (Cream) on the last stitch of Round 6.

Rounds 7–12: With Color B, ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (6 rounds Cream ✓)

Continue the 12-round stripe repeat:

• Rounds 13–18: Color A (Red)
• Rounds 19–24: Color B (Cream)
• Rounds 25–30: Color A (Red)
• Rounds 31–36: Color B (Cream)
• Rounds 37–42: Color A (Red)
• Rounds 43–48: Color B (Cream)

Maintain 120 sc on every round.

• Total body rounds: 48 → 48 ÷ 4 rows/in = 12 in tall ✓

At the end of Round 48, do not fasten off if finishing the top edge in cream; otherwise fasten off and weave in ends.

Top Edge Round: With Color B (Cream), ch 1, sc in each st around, join, sl st to next st. Fasten off and weave in ends.

PART 3 — Double-Layer Handles (Make 2)

Each handle is a long strip folded lengthwise and seamed for a firm double thickness.

With Color A (Red), ch 68.

• 68 ch ÷ 3.75 sts/in = approx. 18 in ✓ (handle length)

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.

• Count: 67 sc

Rows 2–8: ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (7 more rows = 8 rows total)

• Fabric width: 8 rows ÷ 4 rows/in = 2 in, folds to a firm 1 in wide strap once doubled.

Fasten off, leaving a 20 in (50 cm) tail.

To assemble each handle: Fold the strip in half lengthwise (long edges together) so it becomes double-layered and about 1 in wide. Using the tail and tapestry needle, whipstitch the long open edge closed along its full length. Repeat for the second handle.

PART 4 — Attaching the Handles

Lay the bag flat with the front facing you. The 120 sts of the top edge divide as: front = 36 sts, side = 24 sts, back = 36 sts, side = 24 sts (36 + 24 + 36 + 24 = 120 ✓).

Handle placement on front panel: Count in from each front side corner and place handle ends so they sit over the 9th and 27th stitches of the front panel (this centers the handle with even spacing: 9 + 18 span + 9 = 36 ✓).

• Pin one handle end to the inside of the top edge at each marked stitch.
• Using a tapestry needle and Color A, stitch each handle end securely to the inside of the top edge, sewing through both handle layers and the bag edge. Reinforce by stitching a small box-and-cross pattern for strength.
• Repeat with the second handle on the back panel, matching placement exactly so both handles align.

Give each handle a firm tug to confirm the attachment is secure.

PART 5 — Tassels (Make 2: one Red, one Cream)

1. Wrap yarn around a 4 in (10 cm) piece of cardboard about 20 times.
2. Slide a 12 in (30 cm) length of yarn under the top of the wraps and tie tightly.
3. Cut the wraps along the bottom edge.
4. Wrap a separate length of yarn several times around the bundle about 3/4 in (2 cm) below the top tie; knot and hide the ends inside the tassel.
5. Trim the tassel ends even (approx. 3 in / 7.5 cm long).

Make one Red tassel (Color A) and one Cream tassel (Color B).

Attach: Using the top ties, tie both tassels to the base of one handle (at the point where the handle meets the top edge on the front panel). Knot securely and trim.

Finishing

• Weave in all remaining ends on the inside using the tapestry needle.
• Turn the bag inside out and lightly steam-block the base and side folds (test heat on your specific raffia/polyester cord first — hold the iron above the fabric, do not press directly on synthetic cord).
• Reshape the base to a crisp rectangle and let dry.

Final Measurement Check

• Base: 12 in × 4 in ✓ (120-st base perimeter matches body)
• Body circumference: 2 × (12 + 4) = 32 in = 120 sts ÷ 3.75 sts/in ✓
• Height: 48 rounds ÷ 4 rows/in = 12 in ✓
• Handles: 67 sc ÷ 3.75 = 18 in long, 1 in wide doubled ✓
• Stripes: 4 full repeats of (6 red + 6 cream) = 48 rounds, identical on front, back, and sides ✓

Enjoy your bold, modern striped tote!