Scrunchie Tote Bag

A sturdy round-bottom market tote with an open mesh body and a signature scrunchie-style gathered collar. The elasticized cuff cinches the top like a hair scrunchie and stretches to load; plump single-crochet handles carry the weight on a solid upper band. Worked in the round from the bottom up in worsted-weight cotton.

Skill level: Intermediate

Finished measurements

One size. Measurements are unstretched, after light blocking.

• Base diameter: 8" (20.5 cm)
• Bag circumference: 27" (68.5 cm)
• Height to top of upper band: 11¾" (30 cm)
• Height including scrunchie collar: 14½" (37 cm)
• Handles: 22" × 1½" (56 × 3.8 cm) each
• Handle drop: about 9" (23 cm)

The mesh and scrunchie will relax with use.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC 4) cotton, 600 yd / 550 m.

Cotton is recommended for stitch definition, washability, and a bag that holds its shape. Smooth, tightly plied cotton (Dishie, 24/7 Cotton, Lily Sugar’n Cream, Paintbox Cotton Aran, or similar) works best. Avoid stretchy acrylic if you want a supportive tote.

If using a contrast color for the scrunchie collar, allow about 450 yd (410 m) for the bag and handles and 150 yd (137 m) for the scrunchie.

Hook: US H-8 / 5 mm, or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions:

• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle
• ⅜" (1 cm) wide braided elastic, cut 23" (58.5 cm) to make a 22" (56 cm) loop
• Sewing needle and strong thread (to join the elastic)
• Four locking stitch markers (for handle placement)
• Scissors

Gauge

Worked in the round.

• Solid sc: 16 sc × 18 rnds = 4" × 4" (10 × 10 cm)
• Mesh (unstretched): 8 (dc, ch 1) repeats × 8 rnds = 4" × 4" (10 × 10 cm)

Work a 5" (12.5 cm) sc swatch in the round and measure the inner 4" (10 cm). If you have too few stitches, go down a hook size; if too many, go up. A slightly firm fabric is better than a loose one for a bag.

Abbreviations (US)

• ch — chain
• sc — single crochet
• hdc — half double crochet
• dc — double crochet
• sl st — slip stitch
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• rnd(s) — round(s)
• sp(s) — space(s)
• rep — repeat
• PM — place marker
• RS — right side
• beg — beginning

Notes

• US crochet terms throughout. RS faces you at all times; do not turn at the end of a round.
• The base and solid sections are worked in a spiral. Place a marker in the first stitch of the round and move it up as you go.
• The mesh is worked in joined rounds so the (dc, ch 1) columns stack.
• Beginning ch-4 of mesh rounds counts as dc + ch 1.
• Mesh measurements are unstretched. The fabric is meant to give.
• Join elastic into a loop before the last scrunchie round so you can crochet over a closed ring.
• Handles are sewn only to the solid upper band, never to the mesh or the scrunchie.

Bag

Base

Worked in a spiral.

Make a magic ring.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in ring. PM in first sc. Pull ring closed. (6 sc)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around. (6 increases → 6 + 6 = 12 sc ✓)

Rnd 3: *Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 12 + 6 = 18 sc ✓)

Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 18 + 6 = 24 sc ✓)

Rnd 5: *Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 24 + 6 = 30 sc ✓)

Rnd 6: *Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 30 + 6 = 36 sc ✓)

Rnd 7: *Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 36 + 6 = 42 sc ✓)

Rnd 8: *Sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 42 + 6 = 48 sc ✓)

Rnd 9: *Sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 48 + 6 = 54 sc ✓)

Rnd 10: *Sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 54 + 6 = 60 sc ✓)

Rnd 11: *Sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 60 + 6 = 66 sc ✓)

Rnd 12: *Sc in next 10 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 66 + 6 = 72 sc ✓)

Rnd 13: *Sc in next 11 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 72 + 6 = 78 sc ✓)

Rnd 14: *Sc in next 12 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 78 + 6 = 84 sc ✓)

Rnd 15: *Sc in next 13 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 84 + 6 = 90 sc ✓)

Rnd 16: *Sc in next 14 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 90 + 6 = 96 sc ✓)

Rnd 17: *Sc in next 15 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 96 + 6 = 102 sc ✓)

Rnd 18: *Sc in next 16 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. (6 increases → 102 + 6 = 108 sc ✓)

Base should measure about 8" (20.5 cm) across.

Solid sides

Rnds 19–22: Sc in each sc around. (108 sc each rnd)

Four even rounds build a short, firm wall so the mesh starts above the floor of the bag. (4 rnds × 4" / 18 rnds = 0.89" / 2.25 cm ✓)

Sl st in next sc to level the spiral. Do not fasten off.

Mesh body

Worked in joined rounds. Do not turn.

Mesh Rnd 1: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), skip next sc, *dc in next sc, ch 1, skip next sc; rep from * around, join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (54 dc + 54 ch-1 sps = 108 sts ✓)

Mesh Rnds 2–18: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), *dc in next dc, ch 1; rep from * around, join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (54 dc + 54 ch-1 sps each rnd ✓)

Seventeen even mesh rounds after the setup round: 18 mesh rnds total. At 8 mesh rnds = 4" (10 cm), height = 18 / 8 × 4" = 9" (23 cm) ✓.

Upper band (handle zone)

Return to a spiral. PM in first sc.

Band Rnd 1: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), *sc in next dc, sc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * around. (54 dc + 54 sps → 108 sc ✓)

Band Rnds 2–8: Sc in each sc around. (108 sc each rnd)

Eight sc rounds = 8 / 18 × 4" = 1¾" (4.5 cm) ✓. Do not fasten off.

Place four locking markers on Band Rnd 8 for handle sewing later, as follows (counts include the marked stitch as the first stitch of each 6-st attachment):

• H1a: 6 sts
• Skip 18 sts
• H1b: 6 sts
• Skip 24 sts
• H2a: 6 sts
• Skip 18 sts
• H2b: 6 sts
• Skip 24 sts

Check: 6 + 18 + 6 + 24 + 6 + 18 + 6 + 24 = 108 ✓.

H1a and H1b are one handle; H2a and H2b are the other. The 18-st gaps (4½" / 11.5 cm) sit under each handle; the 24-st gaps (6" / 15 cm) are the sides of the bag.

Scrunchie collar

Optional: join contrast color here.

Scrunchie Rnd 1: 3 hdc in each sc around. (108 × 3 = 324 hdc ✓) PM in first hdc; work the remaining scrunchie rounds in a spiral.

Scrunchie Rnds 2–11: Hdc in each hdc around. (324 hdc each rnd)

Prepare the elastic now: overlap the ends 1" (2.5 cm) to form a 22" (56 cm) loop (23" cut − 1" overlap = 22" ✓) and sew the overlap firmly with needle and thread. Keep the loop untwisted.

Scrunchie Rnd 12 (gather): Hold the elastic loop behind the working round. Sc in each hdc around, encasing the elastic inside the stitches and sliding the fabric along the elastic so the gathers stay even. (324 sc over 22" elastic ✓)

Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off. Weave in the end on the inner face of the collar.

The 324-st fabric is gathered at the lower edge (where it meets the 108-st band) and at the top (elastic), so the collar puffs like a scrunchie. Stretch the elastic to open the bag.

Handles (make 2)

Row 1: Ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (6 sc)

Rows 2–99: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each sc across, turn. (6 sc)

Work until the strap measures 22" (56 cm). At 18 rows = 4" (10 cm): 22 / 4 × 18 = 99 rows ✓. Width: 6 / 16 × 4" = 1½" (3.8 cm) ✓.

Do not fasten off. Rotate and sc evenly down the long edge (about 1 sc per row), 3 sc in the corner, sc in 6 unused loops of the foundation, 3 sc in the corner, sc evenly up the other long edge, 3 sc in the last corner, sl st to first sc of the short end. Fasten off, leaving a 24" (61 cm) tail for sewing.

The edging firms the strap and keeps it from stretching.

Finishing

Attach handles. Pin each handle to the RS of the upper band, matching the short ends to the marked 6-st zones (H1a/H1b and H2a/H2b). The strap should lie flat with no twist; the edging faces out.

Using the long tail (or a fresh length of yarn), sew each end through all 8 rounds of the upper band. Stitch around the full 6 × 8-st rectangle, then sew an X through the center of the same rectangle. Do not sew into the mesh below or the scrunchie above.

Rep for all four ends. Remove markers.

Weave in remaining ends.

Block. Wet-block the mesh body: soak in cool water, press out water in a towel, and lay the bag flat with the base in a circle and the mesh smoothed to about 9" (23 cm) tall. Do not stretch the scrunchie collar or the handles. Let dry completely.

Elastic fit. If the opening feels too tight or too loose, open the last scrunchie round at the join, adjust the elastic overlap (shorter loop = more cinch; longer = a wider rest opening), resew the elastic, and close the round again. Braided elastic should stretch easily past the 27" (68.5 cm) bag circumference so groceries slide in.

Schematic (text)

              ~~~~ scrunchie collar, ~2¾" (7 cm) puff ~~~~
           ┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
           │         elastic opening, 22" (56 cm)     │
           ├─────────── solid upper band, 1¾" ─────────┤
           │     H1          6" side           H2     │
           │   ─────                            ─────  │  handles 22"
           │     mesh body, 9" (23 cm), 27" around     │
           │                                           │
           ├─────────── solid wall, ~1" ───────────────┤
           │         circular base, 8" (20.5 cm)       │
           └─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Designer notes

• Load path: Weight runs base → mesh → solid band → handles. The scrunchie is decorative and a cinch, not a load-bearing strap.
• Mesh stitch: Stacking dc on dc (not in the ch-1 sps) keeps vertical columns aligned and makes counting 18 mesh rounds easy.
• Two-color version: Fasten off after Band Rnd 8, join the second color in any sc, and begin Scrunchie Rnd 1.
• Custom height: Add or subtract mesh rounds in pairs. Each 2 mesh rounds change the height by 1" (2.5 cm).