Hi there, Erin from CraftsEverywhere here to show you how to make this beautiful tote bag out of t-shirt yarn! I have been admiring the look of accessories made out of t-shirt yarn for so long on Pinterest and Instagram and I finally got some to try out. It did not disappoint. Even the most basic of stitches (hello half double crochet) have the most amazing texture.
My favorite thing about bag patterns is how easy it is to make the pattern your own. Adding different handles, keychains and embellishments can give it a completely different look. Check out the photos for the two I’ve made and then put your own spin on it!
This is an advanced beginner pattern which you can modify for any yarn weight. As written, you’ll need a 10 mm N/P hook and t-shirt yarn. I used The Fox Yarn Co. virgin t-shirt yarn but anything comparable will work. If you’d like an ad-free version, you can find that on Etsy or Ravelry. Let’s go!
Skill Level
Advanced Beginner
Materials
- Amour Crochet Hook N/P (10 mm) – Art. No 1057/NP
- T-shirt yarn, I used The Fox Yarn Co. virgin t-shirt yarn
- Without the crochet handles, you will need one 140 yard skein but with the crochet handles, you may need about 25-30 extra yards or to remove a few rounds to make it with one skein.
- You can adjust size or use different yarn with some hook size and beginning chain amount adjustments.
- Darning Needle Set – Art. No 3121
- Optional:
- Bag handles (see suggestions in finishing!)
- Embellishments – tags, beads, cord, grommets, fasteners, etc.
Gauge
Gauge is not important for this project. As written, bag measures approx. 15” wide and 10” in height (or 12” with crochet handles). Adjust beginning chain amount to change width if desired to make bigger/smaller bag.
Terms
- st(s) – Stitch(es)
- ch – chain
- Sc – single crochet
- Hdc – half double crochet
- Flo – front loops only
- Wc – waistcoat
- Sk – skip
- Sl st – Slip stitch
Notes
- Please read ALL notes before beginning.
- *Asterisks mark a repeated stitch pattern*.
- Your stitch count is in parentheses at the end of relevant rounds.
- The bag bottom is worked first and then the body is worked in the round.
- Chain doesn’t count as a stitch.
- I highly recommend keeping your second to last sc round loose so that you can fit your hook in the center of the waistcoat stitches for the next round more easily.
Pattern
Round 1 – With 10 mm hook and t-shirt yarn, ch15. Working in the top loop of your chain, 2sc in the second ch, sc x 12, 2sc. Now working on the other side of the ch in the bottom loops, 2sc, sc x 12, 2sc in final st. Join to top of first sc, ch1 (32).
Round 2 – 2sc x 2, sc x 12, 2sc x 4, sc x 12, 2sc in final 2 sts. Join to top of first sc, ch1 (40).
Round 3 – 2sc x 4, sc x 12, 2sc x 8, sc x 12, 2sc in final 4 sts. Join to top of first sc, ch1 (56).
Round 4 – Hdc in the flo of each st, join, ch1, TURN (56).
Round 5 – Hdc in each st, join, ch1, TURN (56)
Round 6 – Hdc in each st, join. Ch1, TURN.
Round 7 – Hdc in third loop of each st, join, ch1, TURN.
Rounds 8-14 – Repeat rounds 6-7 three times, then 6 once more.
Do not turn after round 14!
Crochet Handles
Round 15 – Sc x 6, ch9, sk 9 sts, sc x 19, ch9, sk 9 sts, sc to end, join, ch1 (56).
Round 16 – Sc x 6, sc x 12 around the handle, sc x 19, sc x 12 around other handle, sc to end (62).
Round 17 – Wc around, join, tie off.
Without Handles
Round 15 – Sc around, join, ch1.
Round 16 – Wc around, join, tie off.
Finishing
Sew in all ends on the inside and add handles if you didn’t crochet them.
I got my grey handles for the three stripe bag on Amazon. There is a wide selection on Amazon if you search for “purse straps”.
For the grey and white bag, I used suede cord, wooden beads and a silver grommet I already had to make a clasp.
This is a fun pattern to get creative on with the colors and embellishments!
Now that you’ve finished your bag, make sure to show it off on social media by tagging me using #wavestotebag and @craftseverywhere on Instagram or Facebook!
If you have any questions regarding the pattern, don’t hesitate to contact me at erin.oetker@gmail.com or through my messages on Etsy or Instagram.
Erin
Find CraftsEverywhere on social media! Instagram | Facebook | Ravelry | Etsy
Stay connected with Clover on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | Ravelry