Crochet Chantilly Tote – Free Pattern

Stitch marker (a paper clip will also work)

Note about yarn:

The entire pattern for this crochet tote bag is worked with a double strand of yarn. The pattern only requires 2 skeins of each color, but for convenience, you may wish to purchase 3 skeins of each color. Otherwise, you will need to separate 1 skein of each color into 2 balls so that you can work with a double strand in the sections that only require a single color (the border around the top of the bag and the handles).

Abbreviations:

ch(s) = chain(s)
st(s) = stitch(es)
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
hdc2tog = half double crochet 2 stitches together
FPtr = front post treble crochet
RS = right side
American crochet terms used throughout

Special Stitches Used:

FPtr (front post treble crochet):

Yarn over hook two times. Insert hook behind post of indicated stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through last 2 loops.

hdc2tog (half double crochet 2 stitches together):

Yarn over and insert hook into indicated st, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and insert hook into next st, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all loops.

Gauge:

4″ x 4″ = 12 alternating sc’s and dc’s (using double strand of yarn), 12 rows

Finished Size Approximately:

Body of bag = 13″ wide, 10.5″ tall (not including handles)
Handles measure 11.5″ tall from bag to shoulder

Instructions:

For the first 20 rounds, you will not turn your work. Rather, you will work in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker (or paper clip) to mark the beginning of each round.

Round 1:

With 1 strand terracotta and 1 strand cream, ch 35, 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each st across, 3 sc in last st, sc in each st across opposite side ending with a sc in the 1st ch. (70 sts)

Round 2:

Sc in 1st st, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of the next 32 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of the next 33 sts. (73 sts)

Round 3:

Sc in 1st st, dc in next st, *sc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around.

Rounds 4-20:

Repeat round 3. Note that you will work each sc into a dc from the previous round, and each dc into a sc from the previous round.

After completion of Round 20, continue on a few more stitches until you reach a corner (see corners marked in the photo below) and sl st to a corner dc. Fasten off.

Make sure at this point that whichever side you want to be RS, or facing outwards, is indeed facing outwards. (I think both sides are pretty nice). From this point forward, you will need to turn your work at the end of each round as instructed below.

Round 21:

With RS facing outwards, attach double strand of cream yarn to a sc in the opposite corner of where you just fastened off. Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each st around, sl st to beginning ch. (73 sts)

Round 22:

Ch 1, turn work, sc in same st, sc in each st around, sl st to beginning ch.

Round 23:

Repeat round 22.

Round 24:

Repeat round 22.

Round 25:

Ch 1, turn work, sc in same st, FPtr next st 2 rows below, *sc next st, FPtr next st 2 rows below; repeat from * around. Always skip the st behind the FPtr. (73 sts).

Round 26:

Repeat round 22. Fasten off.

Round 27:

With double strand of terracotta, ch 1, turn work, hdc in same st and in each st around until last 2 sts, hdc2tog, sl st to beginning ch. (72 sts)

Round 28:

Ch 1, turn work, hdc in same st and in each of the next 7 sts, ch 66, skip 20 sts, hdc in each of the next 16 sts, ch 66, skip 20 sts, hdc in each of the last 8 sts, sl st to beginning ch.

Round 29:

Ch 1, turn work, hdc in same st and in each st around, sl st to beginning ch. (164 sts)

Round 30:

Ch 1, turn work, crab st in same st and in each st around, sl st to beginning ch. Fasten off.

The crab stitch is exactly like a single crochet, except that you will work into the stitch to the RIGHT of your hook (not the left).

To finish, re-attach yarn to the bottom side of each handle and work the crab stitch around the bottom side of each handle and top edge of each side.

Weave in all ends and enjoy your new crochet tote bag