The Willow Wanderer Tote Crochet Pattern

I love a good tote bag! I especially love a good tote bag when it uses Rewind yarn. The Willow Wanderer Tote uses Rewind yarn AND one of my favorite stitches!

The Willow Wanderer Tote is worked in 2 matching panels from the bottom up. Once both panels are made you’ll join them down the sides and bottom. The panels are made using the Sedge Stitch! You might recognize this stitch from my Kiah Cardigan and my Winter Moonlight Set! Overall this pattern is pretty beginner friendly. There is one spot where you will need to know how to work a Foundation Single Crochet (Fsc). It’s only a small part totaling 6 Sc in the shaping. If you don’t know how to work a Fsc, don’t worry!! I show you how to do it in my video tutorial, so be sure to check it out.

Once you have the 2 main panels made you have to make the straps! The straps are worked up in the Thermal Stitch. This is a very thick and sturdy stitch. My straps are approximately 26″ long. When you sew them onto the bag you will position it about 1.5″ down from the top of the bag on both sides. This way when you sew it on, it’s attached in a square shape and makes it extra sturdy.

I used Rewind yarn for this bag. This is such a nice yarn in my opinion. It’s super soft and a flat tape shape. There are so many nice colors too! My tote is available as a Lion Brand kit which comes with all the yarn you need to make your tote plus a FREE copy of the digital PDF pattern!

Be sure to check out some of my other bags here!

Links:

• The Willow Wanderer Tote is available as a kit with Lion Brand Yarn! The kit includes all the yarn to make your tote plus a free copy of my pattern! You can even customize your yarn color. Be sure to grab the kit if you are already planning on purchasing yarn!

• I have a full video tutorial available of the Willow Wander Tote on my YouTube Channel. Be sure to check it out if you run into any questions or just need a little bit of visual help!

• You can find the Willow Wanderer Tote crochet pattern as a low cost ad-free printable PDF in my Etsy shop!

• Grab a copy of the Willow Wanderer Tote Crochet pattern as a low cost ad-free printable PDF from Ravelry!

Description: Looking for a chic and functional tote bag that is perfect for any occasion? The Willow Wanderer Tote is just that! This intermediate level pattern features a beautiful textured stitch that gives your tote a unique and eye-catching look. With a simple stitch repeat, you can whip up this tote in no time!

Materials:

• Bulky (5) Weight Yarn, Lion Brand Rewind in Willow, 3 skeins or 650 yards

• J/6.00mm Crochet Hook

• Needle

• Scissors

Gauge:

13 Sts (4 St repeats + 1 St within pattern) by 9 rows= 4×4”

1 St repeat= 1 Sc, 1 Hdc, 1 Dc in same St, Sk 2

To make a gauge swatch- Ch 20, work 1 Sc into the second Ch from the hook and across for 19 Sc. Repeat Row 2 of the pattern for 11 rows. Measure 4×4” within that square. Gauge is not critical to the pattern.

Finished Panel Measurements:

Notes:

• This bag is worked from the bottom up in 2 panels. The Straps are made separately and added last.

• The Ch 1 does not count as a stitch.

• You will need to know how to do the Foundation Single Crochet Stitch for Row 6. See video link below on how.

Video Link:

Check out the full video tutorial for extra help!

Stitches and Abbreviations (US Terms):

Ch- Chain

Fsc- Foundation Single Crochet

Sc- Single Crochet

St(s)- Stitch(es)

Hdc- Half Double Crochet

Dc- Double Crochet

Sl St- Slip Stitch

BLO- Back Loop Only

WS- Wrong Side

RS- Right Side

Pattern:

Main panel (make 2)-

Row 1: 31 Fsc, turn. (31 Sc) Alternatively, you can Ch 32, work 1 Sc in the second Ch from the hook and across for 31 Sc.

Row 2(RS): Ch 1, Work 1 Sc, 1 Hdc and 1 Dc all into the first St, *Sk 2 Sts, [1 Sc, 1 Hdc, 1 Dc] into next St* repeat from * to * across row until 3 Sts remain, Sk 2 Sts, 1 Sc in final St, turn. (31 Sts)

Rows 3-5: Repeat Row 2.

Don’t forget to turn after Row 5. Fasten off and set your work aside. We are going to extend the width of our bag now on both sides for the following row. Begin with a new piece of yarn.

Row 6: 6 Fsc, [1 Sc, 1 Hdc, 1 Dc] all into the first St of Row 5, *Sk 2 Sts, [1Sc, 1 Hdc, 1 Dc] into next St* repeat from * to * across row until 3 Sts remain, Sk 2 Sts, 1 Sc in final St, 6 Fsc, turn. (43 Sts) Note- when you work the final 6 Fsc,  you will Ch 2, work the first Fsc St in the first Ch and continue as normal for a total of 6 Fsc. Be sure to view the video tutorial for extra help here.

Rows 7-41: Repeat Row 2. (43 Sts)

Fasten off, leave a long tail for sewing 1 side of bag together.

Straps (make 2)-

Ch 6 (leave a long starting tail to use for sewing later)

Row 1: 1 Sc (BLO) in the second Ch from the hook and across, turn. (5 Sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, insert your hook into the BLO of the first St plus the BLO of the St from the row below and work 1 Sc, continue working Sc Sts across the row, putting your hook in the BLO of the current row and the BLO of the row below, turn. (5 Sc)

Repeat Row 2 until you strap reaches approximately 26”

Final Row: Ch 1, insert your hook under both the front and back loop of the first St, plus the BLO of the row below, work a Sc. Continue working Sc Sts across the row, putting your hook under both the front and back loop of the current St and the BLO of the St in the row below.

Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing the strap to your bag.

Join Panels-

Place both panels of your bag together, RS facing. Using your needle and yarn tails, sew the sides of your bag together (Rows 6-41). Next, sew the bottom of Row 1 of both panels together. View diagram below. Next, we are going to sew the bottom corners together. Open up each corner of the bag and line up the side seam with the bottom seam. Sandwich together and sew across to close. View photo below.

Add Trim-

With your bag now RS out, join yarn with a Sl St to the top of the bag, into the St directly to the left of one of the side seams. Ch 1, work 1 Sc into the same St and into each St around. Sl St to the first St made to join. Fasten off.  (86 Sc)

Sew Straps-

With your bag WS out, place your first strap approximately 3” in on both sides of the first panel. You will want to overlap your strap edges and bag about 1.5” from the top of bag. Make sure either both sides of the strap are lined up evenly before you begin sewing. Be sure to not twist straps. You can use stitch markers to hold in place if needed. Sew both ends of the strap down using your stitch of choice. Repeat on other side of bag, making sure your second strap is even with the first strap.

Weave in all remaining ends.

CODE: WANDER