Striped Shoulder Totes

These two are the totes I reach for when I want something that feels intentional, like an outfit piece rather than just a bag for stuff. Both lean on a textured stripe pattern in warm neutrals, so they look hand woven from across a room but only ask you to switch colors every few rows.

Crochet shoulder tote with horizontal stripes in two tones of tan and brown worked in a textured cluster stitch
Video Tutorial

Super Easy Crochet Tote Bag

Chompu Handicrafts shared this gorgeous neutral striped tote and it's quickly become one of my favorites in the roundup. The textured stitch gives the body that hand woven, basket like look, and the soft warm browns are so easy to style with just about everything in your closet.

It's made with 3 mm soft cotton rope on a 4.5 mm hook and uses about 380 grams of yarn total. Finished size is roughly 14 inches wide by 10.5 inches tall and 3.5 inches deep, with a 19 inch shoulder strap. The free written pattern is linked in the video description.

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Cream and tan striped crochet shoulder tote with a long woven strap and a tassel embellishment
Free Pattern

The Lucy Tote

Rachel Misner of Evelyn and Peter Crochet designed this one as a beginner friendly tote with a few special touches that make it feel anything but basic. I love the soft striped body, the long woven strap, and that chunky tassel hanging right off the shoulder seam.

It uses Lion Brand Rewind tape yarn on a 6 mm hook, so it works up fast in under two skeins. Finished size is about 15.5 by 13.5 inches, with an interior pocket, French knot details, and a full video tutorial if you'd like to follow along.

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Airy Mesh & Market Bags

If you've been eyeing those open weave bags that look gorgeous filled with peaches at the farmers market, this is your section. All three of these lean on simple mesh or openwork stitches that grow quickly, and they stretch generously to hold way more than you'd expect.

Crochet mesh shoulder bag with cream yellow and burnt orange ombre stripes and a slim cord style strap
Video Tutorial

Mesh Tote Bag in Any Size

Mahum's mesh tote is the kind of project you can throw on while you're catching up on a show, and I love that she leans into letting the yarn do all the work. The sunset ombre version pictured here uses Little Things Yarn's sugar swirl cake plus a few coordinating colors, and the result is that gorgeous cream into yellow into burnt orange gradient.

It's worked from a chained base into the round, alternating rows of double crochet with a simple mesh stitch so you can design your own stripe pattern as you go. The bag is fully customizable in size, totally beginner friendly, and the free written pattern is linked in the video description.

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Golden yellow crochet market tote with an openwork cross double crochet stitch and long flat shoulder straps
Free Pattern

Summer Harvest Market Bag

Grace at Stitchberry built this one around a pretty cross double crochet stitch that gives the bag that classic basket weave look without any actual weaving. It's the kind of pattern she calls a mindless project, which honestly is exactly what I want from a market bag on a slow afternoon.

Worked in the round in two strands of worsted cotton on a 4 mm hook, it comes out about 13 by 13.5 inches when laid flat. Just two simple stitches the whole way through, with foundation chain handles added near the top.

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Round dusty pink crochet market bag with an airy mesh body and a tall solid handle
Free Pattern

Don't Mesh With Me Market Bag

Michelle Moore of MJ's Off The Hook Designs put this round little market bag together with treble crochet stitches that fly off the hook. The dusty pink version is so pretty, but the shape is the real win, it slouches down small in your pocket and stretches wide to hold a whole bag of groceries.

It uses worsted cotton on a 5.5 and 6 mm hook, and the pattern comes in four sizes from extra small up to a roomy 15 inch large. There's a video tutorial included, and a magic ring and waistcoat stitch base if you want to pick up a couple new techniques.

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Sturdy Everyday Carriers

For the days you're hauling a laptop, three library books, and a water bottle, you'll want something with a little more structure. These two are dense, hard working totes that hold their shape and won't let small items slip through.

Crochet tote bag in a green and cream gingham check pattern with long flat shoulder straps
Free Pattern

Simple Gingham Tote Bag

Heather at Hayhay Crochet calls gingham one of the cutest patterns to crochet and I have to agree, it's such a sweet way to make a tote feel a little extra. She works it in three colors of worsted cotton, alternating five stitch blocks of kale, sage, and ivory for that picnic blanket vibe.

The body is a 48 chain foundation worked in the round on a 4.5 mm hook, finishing at about 12 by 12 inches. There's a video tutorial included, and you can size it up easily by chaining in multiples of five.

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Chunky cream crochet tote with a dense textured body sitting on a wood bench with lavender stems peeking out the top
Free Pattern

Sturdy Market Tote

If you want a tote that can carry actual weight, Delia of Delia Creates designed this one to hold roughly a dozen apples without a single sag. The chunky texture is so satisfying to crochet, and the oblong oval base gives it that grocery store shape that fits neatly into a car trunk.

It's worked in two strands of super bulky yarn on a 9 mm hook, mostly in double crochet, so it builds up fast. Finished size is about 16.5 by 15.5 inches without the handles. She also suggests trying it in t shirt yarn or jute if you want a different look.

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