Structured Navy Single-Crochet Tote Bag

A clean, modern tote worked entirely in single crochet for a dense, sturdy, hole-free fabric. Built seamlessly from a flat rectangular base upward, with a medium gusset, gently curved bottom, subtle inward taper, and two long integrated shoulder straps. Front and back are identical. No pockets, no buttons, no decorations — just smooth, evenly stitched navy fabric.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Finished Measurements

• Width (front, at base): 10 in (25.5 cm)
• Width (front, at opening): ~9.5 in (24 cm) — subtle taper
• Height (base to opening): 12 in (30.5 cm)
• Gusset (side/depth): 4 in (10 cm)
• Base: 10 in × 4 in (25.5 × 10 cm)
• Strap length: 22 in (56 cm) each, 1.5 in (4 cm) wide
• Opening circumference: ~27 in (68.5 cm)

Materials

• Yarn: Sport weight (US #2 Fine), smooth cotton or cotton blend recommended for structure. Solid deep navy blue.
  • Approx. 650–750 yds (595–685 m) total.
• Hook: US E/4 (3.5 mm) — deliberately smaller than typical for sport weight to produce a dense, stiff fabric.
• Stitch markers (at least 4)
• Tapestry needle
• Optional: fabric stiffener or a cut-to-size plastic canvas insert for the base.

Gauge

20 sc × 22 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet, worked in the round, using US E/4 (3.5 mm) hook. → This equals 5 sts per inch and 5.5 rounds per inch. Take time to check gauge; a firm, tight fabric is essential for structure.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet two together (decrease)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• sl st – slip stitch
• BLO – back loops only
• rep – repeat
• [ ] – repeat instructions within brackets

Construction Notes

1. The bag is worked bottom-up, seamlessly in continuous rounds (spiral) — do not join or turn unless instructed. Mark the first stitch of each round and move the marker up as you go.
2. The base is a flat oval-rectangle. To keep it flat, increases are spaced evenly at the two rounded ends only.
3. The body is worked even with a subtle taper near the top.
4. The straps are integrated: at the opening, front and back are worked flat over their handle spans and joined, then the handle loops are reinforced by working extra passes.
5. Work into the back loops only (BLO) on the very first base round if you prefer a crisper base edge (optional).

PART 1 — The Base (10 in × 4 in)

Foundation: Ch 26.

Round 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 24 ch (25 sts along one long side reaching the last ch). Work 3 sc in the last ch (rounded end). Rotate to work along the opposite side of the foundation chain: sc in next 24 ch. Work 2 sc in the same starting ch as the first sc, then join the round by continuing into the next st. Place marker in first st. Count: 25 + 3 + 24 + 2 = 54 sts ✓

(Round 1 establishes both long edges of 24–25 sc plus the two rounded ends.)

Now increase 6 sts per round at the ends to grow the oval flat.

Round 2: [sc in next 24, 3 sc in next st (end), sc in next] — worked around: sc 24, (2 sc in next st) ×3 at the end, sc 24, (2 sc in next st) ×3 at the second end. For a flat base, place 6 evenly spaced increases (3 at each rounded end) each round. Count: 54 + 6 = 60 sts ✓

Rounds 3–14: Continue increasing 6 sts per round, distributing the 3 increases at each end and fanning them out one stitch further apart each round to keep corners smooth.

• End of Rnd 3: 66 ✓
• Rnd 4: 72 ✓
• Rnd 5: 78 ✓
• Rnd 6: 84 ✓
• Rnd 7: 90 ✓
• Rnd 8: 96 ✓
• Rnd 9: 102 ✓
• Rnd 10: 108 ✓
• Rnd 11: 114 ✓
• Rnd 12: 120 ✓
• Rnd 13: 126 ✓
• Rnd 14: 132 ✓

Round 15 (final base increase): Increase 8 sts evenly (4 at each end). Count: 132 + 8 = 140 sts ✓

Your base now measures approximately 10 in × 4 in (25.5 × 10 cm) with a gently curved edge. The 140 stitches divide into: 50 front + 20 gusset + 50 back + 20 gusset = 140 ✓

Optional: Insert plastic canvas cut to 10 × 4 in for a rigid, self-standing base.

PART 2 — The Body (worked even, then tapered)

Do not increase. Work 1 sc in each st around, in continuous spiral rounds.

Rounds 16–55 (40 rounds even): Sc in each st around. (140 sts each round.) This creates approximately 7.25 in (18.5 cm) of straight body. (40 rounds ÷ 5.5 rounds per inch = 7.27 in ✓)

Subtle Taper

Reduce a total of 8 stitches over the next section to draw the opening in slightly (from 140 → 132).

Round 56: [sc 33, sc2tog] ×4 around → decreases 4 sts. Count: 140 − 4 = 136 sts ✓

Rounds 57–60: Sc in each st around. (136 sts)

Round 61: [sc 32, sc2tog] ×4 around → decreases 4 sts. Count: 136 − 4 = 132 sts ✓

Rounds 62–66: Sc in each st around. (132 sts)

Total body height from base to here ≈ 12 in (30.5 cm) ✓ (51 body rounds ÷ 5.5 = 9.3 in body + ~2.7 in curved base rise = ~12 in.)

The 132 sts now divide as: 48 front + 18 gusset + 48 back + 18 gusset = 132 ✓

PART 3 — Top Edge & Strap Preparation

Round 67 (marking round): Sc in each st around. As you work, place 4 markers to divide the opening:

• Front panel: 48 sts
• Gusset (side 1): 18 sts
• Back panel: 48 sts
• Gusset (side 2): 18 sts

Rounds 68–70: Sc in each st around (132 sts). This firms the top rim.

Fasten off only if instructed; otherwise continue to straps.

PART 4 — Integrated Straps

Each strap is 1.5 in wide (8 sts) and positioned symmetrically on the front and back. The straps arch up from the top edge, so we work each panel flat, skip a central opening, and bridge with a chain that becomes the strap.

Strap Placement (per panel of 48 sts)

Center an 8-st strap base at each end of the panel, leaving a central gap. For each panel:

• Sts 1–8: first strap base
• Sts 9–40: central opening span (32 sts) — no strap here
• Sts 41–48: second strap base

(8 + 32 + 8 = 48 ✓)

Working the Straps (front and back identically)

Join navy yarn at the start of the front panel, working flat now (turn at ends).

Row 1: Sc across the first 8 sts (first strap base). Turn. Rows 2–60: Sc in each st across (8 sts). Turn. Work 60 rows total to reach ~22 in. (11 in ≈ 60 rows ÷ 5.5 = 10.9 in per side; the two sides meet to form one 22 in loop — see joining below.)

At the end of Row 60, do not fasten off; set aside on a holder or leave a long loop.

Repeat the same 8-st, 60-row strap from the second strap base (sts 41–48) of the front panel.

Join the front strap into a handle: Bring the two 8-st strap ends together and sc them together across the 8 sts (working through both layers) to form a continuous loop. This creates one front handle 22 in (56 cm) long. (Two 11-in arms joined = 22 in loop ✓)

Reinforce: Sc one full round around the entire joined handle loop for durability, then sl st and fasten off. Weave in ends.

Repeat Part 4 identically on the back panel so front and back handles match exactly.

Finishing the Opening Edge (across the central gaps and gussets)

Rejoin yarn at the top rim. Work 1 round of sc evenly around the entire opening — across the 32-st central gaps of front and back, across the 18-st gussets, and up the sides of each strap base — to create a clean, smooth, continuous top edge. Sl st to join, fasten off.

PART 5 — Finishing

1. Weave in all ends securely with the tapestry needle.
2. Block the bag: dampen, shape the base to a crisp 10 × 4 in rectangle, square the corners, and stand upright to dry. This sets the structured silhouette.
3. Optional: insert a cut-to-size plastic canvas or stiff base board for permanent structure.
4. Optional: lightly steam the straps flat.

Final Measurement Verification

• Base: 140-st perimeter at 5 sts/in = 28 in ÷ 2 = 14 in total (10 in + 4 in per pair) ✓
• Front width at base: 50 sts ÷ 5 = 10 in ✓
• Front width at opening: 48 sts ÷ 5 = 9.6 in (subtle taper) ✓
• Gusset: 20 sts ÷ 5 = 4 in ✓
• Height: ~12 in ✓
• Straps: 60 rows + 60 rows joined = 22 in each ✓, width 8 sts = 1.6 in ✓

Enjoy your sturdy, self-standing navy tote!