If you’re still relatively new to crochet and haven’t made a lot of granny squares, don’t worry! This granny square bag is perfect for granny square crochet beginners and pros a like.
I’ve had some classic granny squares on my mind for a long time and I wanted to design some patterns that started with basic granny squares, but amounted to a really cool useful finished product.
This granny square tote bag did not disappoint. I’ve loved the design from start to finish.
This granny square bag design is really easy. Easy to make, easy to customize, easy to adjust. The making process is just really fun and open to experimentation.
You could crochet this as a shoulder bag, a cross body bag or even a shorter strapped hand bag. Really just up to your imagination.
I used 100% paper raffia, and I can’t recommend it enough! If you want to make bags for your kids to take to school, to take to the beach or carry your groceries home in, this is where you’ll really benefit from using the raffia.
This soft paper raffia is really durable and resistant to moisture. Not water proof, but it can get wet and be fine, despite being made of paper. It holds it’s shape well and doesn’t stretch. That’s crucial for heavy duty day to day use.
I also love the texture, look and feel of raffia, but this isn’t a raffia yarn commercial, it’s a crochet granny square bag pattern!
So, you can use any yarn you like and customize the bag how you want. Just be mindful of what you expect the bag to do when you select your yarn. If not, you may not have such a long lasting bag but a very cute one for a short while.
You can also use as many or as little colors as you want, make the strap as long or short as you want etc. Just make it yours and have fun!
If you’d like more crochet bag patterns, check out some of these below.
1 KCA Crochet Shoulder Bag / 2 Crochet Bag With Leather / 3 Crochet Wallet
If you’d like to purchase this or any of my patterns in an ad free, digital and downloadable PDF format, you can find them on my sales channels below.
If you’d like a video tutorial to follow along, be sure to scroll down to the bottom
Granny square tote bag-Materials used
- I used 2 colors of 100% Paper Raffia Yarn
- 4mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
*These materials contain affiliate links, for which I make a small commission. It’s no extra cost to you, makes shopping easier and helps to keep the lights on.
Stitches Used & Code (US Terms)
- ch = chain
- st = stitch(es)
- dc = double crochet
- sp = space
- sk = skip
- sl st = slip stitch
- REP = repeat
- YO = yarn over hook
- bl = back loop
- ” = inches
Skill: Easy
Notes: This pattern is written in English US terminology
Gauge unblock: 17 dc X 6 rows = 4″ For the strap and the side/bottom panels
Yarn needed:
- Color A = 290 yards
- Color B = 180 yards
Bag Measurements: 18″ Wide X 16″ Tall X 28.66″ full strap length (measured side to side)
Let’s start the granny square bag pattern!
Round 1 (Color A): ch 4, sl st into the 4th ch from the hook to from a ring, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 2 dc into the ring sp, *ch 2, 3 dc into the same ring sp* REP from *TO* 2 more times, end with ch 2, sl st into the third ch that we did, cut the yarn. Check picture below
Round 2 (Color B): Add new yarn into any of the ch 2 sp, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 2 dc into the same ch 2 sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc All into the next ch 2 sp/the corner), ch 1* REP from *TO* around and for last sp is going to be the same sp that we did the first 3 ch and 2 dc/the corner, 3 dc into that sp, ch 2, sl st into the third ch, cut the yarn. Check picture below
Round 3 (Color A): Add new yarn into any of the ch 2 sp/the corner, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 2 dc into the same ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc into the next ch 1 sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc All into the next ch 2 sp/the corner), ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 sp, ch 1* REP from *TO* around and for last sp is going to be the same sp that we did the first 3 ch and 2 dc/the corner, 3 dc into that sp, ch 2, sl st into the third ch, cut the yarn. Check picture below
Round 4 (Color B): Add new yarn into any of the ch 2 sp/the corner, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 2 dc into the same ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc into the next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc All into the next ch 2 sp/the corner), ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 sp, ch 1* REP from *TO* around and for last sp is going to be the same sp that we did the first 3 ch and 2 dc/the corner, 3 dc into that sp, ch 2, sl st into the third ch, cut the yarn. Check picture below
Round 5 (Color A): Add new yarn into any of the ch 2 sp/the corner, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 2 dc into the same ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc into the next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc All into the next ch 2 sp/the corner), ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 sp, ch 1* REP from *TO* around and for last sp is going to be the same sp that we did the first 3 ch and 2 dc/the corner, 3 dc into that sp, ch 2, sl st into the third ch, cut the yarn. Check picture below
From here on you’re just going to repeat round 5 and change back and forth from color A to B etc. The only difference will be the stitch count. You will increase by 1 group of the dc before you crochet into the corner/ch 2 sp. So that means every round you will automatically increase by 4 groups of dc. I’m going to repeat round 5 until I reach the end of round 12.
If you want a smaller bag, make less rounds. If you want a bigger bag, just keep repeating round 5 to your desired size. The size of my granny square is 14″X14″ for reference.
Next we will crochet the side and bottom sections of the granny square bag. We’re going to crochet in row back and forth and I’m going to use color A for it.
Row 1: With your granny square right side facing up. Add new yarn into any of the ch 2 sp/the corner, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 dc into the same ch 2 sp, *1 dc into next st, 1 dc into each st and each ch until you reach the ch 2 sp/the corner, 2 dc into the ch 2 sp/the corner* REP from *TO* 2 more times. Total of 149 st (Make sure to leave 1 side on the square open for the top of the bag) Check picture below
Row 2: Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 dc into next st and each st across. Total of 149 st
Row 3: Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 dc into next st and each st across, cut the yarn. Total of 149 st. Check picture below
*Make 1 more panel like this one
Joining The Crochet Granny Square Bag Panels Together
For this bag I used a flat sl st to join, but you can also just use a yarn needle to sew. If you use the yarn needle to join, you’ll need to cut a new strand of yarn 50-60 inches long, enough to sew the square panels together at the sides and bottom. Make sure to sew on the wrong side of your work.
For flat sl st join, we’ll join on the right side. Turn your square panels right side facing up and I’ll use color B to join
Flat sl st join Color B : Insert hook into first st bl of the right panel and then insert hook into first st bl of the left panel, grab a new yarn, YO and pull through all the loops on hook, *insert hook into next st bl of the right panel and then insert hook into next st bl of the left panel, YO and pull through all the loops on hook* REP from *TO* until you reach the end. Cut the yarn and weave the end ( Check picture below )
Strap
Notes:
- For the strap I’m going to use color A
- For row 1 only, we’re going to crochet into the end of each row on the side of the bag (sp for reference)
Row 1: Add new yarn into first sp on the side of the bag, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 dc into same sp, 2 dc into next sp and each sp across. Total of 12 st. Check picture below
Row 2: Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 dc into next st and each st across. Total of 12 st
Row 3 – Row 43: REP Row 2
The end of row 43 cut the yarn and leave 10″ long tail for sewing up the strap into the other side of the bag
If you’d like a shorter strap, make less rows. If you’d like a longer strap, just keep repeating row 2 to your desired length. My strap is 28.66″ long for reference
Next we’re going to sew the strap into the other side of the bag. I’m using a yarn needle with a long tail that I left earlier to sew. *Sew 2 st on the strap into 1 sp on the side of the bag* REP from *TO* across, weave all the ends. Check picture below
HERE’S THE VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR THIS BAG
Congrats on your finished granny square tote bag! I think you’re gonna fall in love with the design an if you used the raffia yarn you’re probably growing to appreciate how great it is for projects like this.
Either way, great work 🙌
Until next time, happy crocheting
✌💖🧶
Wan