Starburst Summer Crochet Tote Bag

Is there anything that says Summer louder than a crochet bag? Well, how about a rainbow bedazzled crochet bag? Perfect for toting your swimming costume, suncream and crochet project to the beach, picking up some goodies for a picnic or just doing your grocery shopping. The beautiful crochet tote bag by guest designer Hannah of @hannahdaisycrochet is so beautiful, you won’t want to put it down!

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Hanna herself says, “This colourful crochet tote bag is the perfect project for the summer months – the cotton yarn means that it isn’t too hot or sweaty to work with. The finished tote bag should measure 16 inches across and 17 inches down (minus the handles), making it the perfect size to take out with you on your summer adventures. It features simple stitches, which means it is perfect for a beginner wanting to learn how to make the starburst granny square.“

As this is a guest post, Bella Coco Crochet is unable to answer any queries. If you have a question, please contact the designer directly and they will be happy to help you.

MATERIALS & TOOLS

Yarn: Aran weight cotton yarn. I used Hobbii 8/8 Rainbow cotton for my bag, in the shades:
Light Pink, Peach, Ochre Yellow, Lime, Light Green, Mint, Light Turquoise, Light Sky Blue, Light Purple and Natural White. You will need 1 ball of each of the colours and 5 balls of the Natural White.

Yarn Substitutes: You can use any 100% cotton Aran weight yarn. Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran would work wonderfully.

For my crochet tote bag I used 9 colours, but you don’t have to use that many. Any number of colours that is more than 3, plus your base colour would work perfectly well.

Hooks: 4.5mm

Scissors

Tapestry Needle

Tape Measure

PATTERN NOTES

Pattern written in UK terms.

For the back panel, the ch2 at the start of each row counts as a stitch.

For the handles, the ch1 at the start of each row does not count as a stitch.

When making your starburst squares, try to disperse the colours evenly throughout the squares – I used all 9 colours multiple times in the 16 squares. I also varied mine so that each square is different. However you can do whatever you like with the colour placement for your starburst squares – this is your chance to get creative! I have put a photo below which shows how I have done the colours for the front panel – feel free to use it for inspiration if you are stuck.

GAUGE

10cm/4” square = 15 sts wide and 8 rows tall (in trs, this is for the back panel)

One starburst granny square = 9cm (after 4 rows)

CROCHET TERMS

Chain (Ch): Yarn over, pull through one loop on hook.

Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook, yarn over, pull through both stitch and loop on hook.

Half treble crochet (htc): Yarn over and insert your hook into the chain or stitch, yarn over and pull through (you will have three loops on the hook) yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.

Treble crochet (tr): Yarn over and insert your hook into the chain or stitch, yarn over and pull through (you will have three loops on the hook) yarn over and pull through two loops (you will have two loops on your hook) yarn over and pull the yarn through both of the remaining loops on the hook.

Double Treble Crochet (dtr): Yarn over twice, insert hook through stitch, yarn over and pull through (you should have 4 loops on your hook) yarn over, pull through 2 loops on the hook (you should have 3 loops on your hook) yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through the remaining 2 loops on the hook.

Stitch/es (st/s)

Unsure of the differences between UK and US terms? Need a refresher on how to do your stitches? In my ‘How to crochet: A handy reference guide’ EBook I help you with all of these terms and you can always have them to hand! You will also get exclusive access to free video instructions. You can find my EBook HERE.

ARE YOU A BAG LOVER?

I can never resist a crochet bag. There’s such a beautiful boho vibe that’s just made for Summer. But, why buy a bag on the High Street when you can make and customise your own? In fact, I’m going to be explain why you should NEVER buy crochet on the High Street on the blog shortly.

After making the stunning Starburst Summer Crochet Tote Bag, why not hook up a whole bag collection?

Related Post: Sundown Market Bag

Related Post: Seamless Beach Bag

STARBURST SUMMER CROCHET TOTE BAG PATTERN

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Front Panel

The front panel of the crochet tote bag is made up of 16 starburst granny squares, sewn together using the invisible seaming method.

If you’re looking for a way to join your squares, check out this blog post. It’s packed full of different ways (all with a different look) to join your starburst squares up: Crochet Blanket Join Methods.

The Starburst Square

Round 1: In your first colour, ch4, sl st into the 4th ch from the hook to join into a circle. Ch3 (counts as your 1st tr) and do a further 11 trs into the ring. Sl st into the ch3 you did to begin with. Fasten off. (You should have 12 sts in total, including the ch3)

Round 2: Before starting R2, flip your circle so the wrong side is facing you. You will flip your work like this after each round. Attach your second colour in between 2 trs of the previous row. Ch3 (counts as a tr) and tr into the same space. Do 2 trs into the next gap between trs of the previous row. Keep doing this until you have 12 lots of 2 trs in each gap between the sts of R1. At the end of the round, sl st into the ch3 you did to start the round. (You should have 24 sts in total, including the ch3). Fasten off.

Round 3: Before starting R3, again flip your circle. Attach your third colour in between one of the tr clusters of the previous row. Ch3 (counts as a tr) and do 2 trs into the same space. Then do 3trs into the next gap between the tr clusters of the previous row. Continue doing this until you have 12 lots of 3 trs in each gap between the tr clusters of the previous round. At the end of the round, sl st into the ch3 you did to start the round. (You should have 36 sts in total, including the ch3). Fasten off.

Round 4: Attach your base colour (Natural white) to one of the gaps between the tr clusters of the previous row. Ch4 (this counts as a st). Do 2 dtrs, ch2, 3 dtrs into the same space. Then do 3 trs into the next space, and 3 trs into the next space. In the following space, do 3 dtrs, ch2, 3 dtrs. Do 3 trs into the next 2 spaces, then 3 dtrs, ch2, 3 dtrs. Finally do 3 trs into the following 2 spaces, sl st into the ch4 you did to begin the round and fasten off.

You will repeat this pattern for each of the 16 starburst squares.

Once you have made all 16 squares and sewn in all of the ends, you need to join them.

To join mine I used the invisible seaming method. You can find the video tutorial for this method here: Invisible Seam

Make sure to arrange the squares in a 4 by 4 arrangement before joining. Be sure to use the same coloured yarn you used for edging your squares for the joining.

Once all your squares are joined, it’s time to add the border.

Attach your base coloured yarn (natural white) to one of the corners of the front panel. Ch3, 2trs, ch2, 3 trs into the same space. Do 3trs into each of the spaces between the granny clusters. When you get to the parts where 2 of the squares have been joined, instead of doing the usual 3 trs in each gap, do 2trs (this helps make the edges neater). At the end of this round, sl st into the ch3 you did to begin with and fasten off.

Back panel

The back panel of the bag is a rectangle, made up of simple treble rows. The statement rainbow stripe across the middle adds a lovely splash of colour!

Using the base colour (natural white) ch 62. Tr into the 3rd ch from the hook, and into each ch along. You should have 61 sts at the end of this row. Ch2 (counts as a st) and turn. Tr into each st (61 sts). At the end of this row, ch2 and turn. You will carry on with this until you have done 11 rows. It is now time to add your statement stripe across the back of the bag.

Attach your first colour yarn (light pink). Ch2, turn and tr in each st along (61 sts). At the end of this row, change colour to your second colour yarn (peach). Again, ch2 and tr in each st along the row (61 sts). Continue with this, changing colour after each row (the colour order I used is listed above in the materials used section). Once you have used all 9 colours, do a final row in the light pink. This should take you to 10 rows of colour. Once you have done this, change back to the base coloured yarn (natural white). Do a further 13 rows using the base colour and fasten off.

The Handles

Using your base coloured yarn, ch6. Htr into the 2nd ch from the hook, and into each of the remaining 4 chs. (you should have 5 sts, not including the ch1). Ch1 (does not count as a st), turn and htr into the very first st of the row, along with the next 4 sts. (again you should have 5 sts). Keep doing this until you have done 73 rows, or until the handles are your desired length (For mine 73 rows = 27 inches). Once you have completed your first handle, repeat the exact same thing for your second handle.

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Assembling The Bag

Place your front and back panels together, right sides facing. They should be the same size. (If they are slightly different sizes it would be a good idea to block both panels to make them the same size). Sew them together along 3 of the sides (again the invisible joining method is a good one to use), leaving one side unsewn (this will be the top of your bag).

You will attach your handles to what will be the inside of your bag. Place the handles so that there is about an inch of overlap between the ends of the handle and the top of the bag and sew them together. It is important to make sure the handles are sewn on securely.

ABOUT HANNAH

Hi, my name’s Hannah and I’m a 19 year old colour obsessed crochet addict from South East England. My mum taught me to crochet about 5 years ago, but I never really got beyond making granny squares! I never did very much until the pandemic hit and we went into lockdown in march last year. Since then I’ve been crochet obsessed, and I rarely have a day where I don’t do any crochet.

I tend to get my inspiration from the colours around me, colour is definitely the main focus of all my designs and projects. Bright rainbow colours are a favourite, but I love most colours and choosing which colours to use in a new crochet project is always my favourite part!

If you enjoyed making this crochet tote bag, you can see more of Hannah’s beautiful work here: @hannahdaisycrochet