Need a beach bag for the summer? How about a project bag for storing your latest WIPs? Or maybe you’re looking for an everyday companion? Check out my new free crochet pattern, the Tranquility Tote!
Read on for the design and inspiration, yarn choice, and step by step pattern.
Purchase the printable PDF pattern from Etsy or Ravelry, or save to your Pinterest board for later.
Design & Inspiration
I really wanted to make a beach tote to use this summer. One that would be durable yet low-maintenance. Durable meant cotton yarn for sure, and low-maintenance meant easy, quick, and beginner-friendly.
I thought about the styles I’d typically find in the shops out on eastern Long Island, like Montauk or the Hamptons. Nautical striped totes of blues and white came to mind, which is just what I used for the Tranquility Tote. Pair with a charcoal base and straps, and I had myself a very nautical, beachy, refreshing little bag.
The Tranquility Tote is made of 100% cotton, so it’s easy to clean and shake all the sand out of. It also makes a cute project bag or everyday tote. The body measures 14″W x 13.5″H x 4″D. The straps, which are thin and stretchy, each measure 0.5″W x 17.5″L and can easily be slung over the shoulder, hung in the crook of your arm, or swung down at arm length.
Did I mention there’s an inside pocket? Yup! This measures 2.5″W x 4″L and is just the right size for storing the tiny essentials like lip balm, a tampon, or hand sanitizer. Or for a project bag, little notions like stitch markers or a tapestry needle.
The tote is made from the base up in un-joined, spiral rounds. The two straps and inside pocket are crocheted separately, and are sewn to the bag with some leftover yarn and a tapestry needle. You’ll need a ruler or measuring tape to measure where to sew the straps and pocket. You’ll also need removable stitch markers for marking the start of a round.
Yarn Choice
If you’ve read my other posts, you’ll know how much I love Lion Brand’s 24/7 Cotton. So of course that’s what I used for this tote. Check out my Crochet Sunflower Coasters pattern, which also uses 24/7 Cotton, AND is free on the blog.
The base, trim, and straps of the tote are in Charcoal, and the body is in White and Sky. I chose Sky for the inside pocket too and sewed it to the inner middle of the same color so that the seam wouldn’t be visible from the outside. The trim and straps are also the same color for a seamless transition from bag to handles.
But feel free to mix and match how you like because really, any color combo works. Have you seen all the options Lion Brand has in 24/7 Cotton? Check it out! I’m tempted to make another tote in Terracotta, Mint, and Lemon… Or a more neutral one in Camel, Black, and Ecru.
Now, let’s talk about yardage. You’ll need approximately 558 yards / 510 meters total. So that’s three skeins (one of each color) of 24/7 Cotton. Or said yardage of an alternative worsted weight yarn.
Skill Level
This bag is for beginners, and that was really important to me while designing. I wanted something that would work up quickly with minimal effort, but at the same time, still be functional. A perfect project to make while relaxing on the beach and then carry along and actually use at the beach when it’s done.
The entire bag is made using crochet hook size US F/3.75mm and the half double crochet stitch. Yes, literally! You only need to know one stitch to make this bag. Like I said, minimal effort. Don’t they say that crochet is the new yoga? It’s a no-stress tote.
Pattern
Purchase the printable PDF pattern from Etsy HERE.
Purchase the printable PDF pattern from Ravelry HERE.
Pin to your Pinterest board for later HERE.
MATERIALS
3 skeins of Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton or 558yds/510meters of medium worsted category 4 yarn (1 skein equals 186yds/170meters)
- Color A – Charcoal
- Color B – White
- Color C – Sky
Size US F/3.75mm crochet hook
Measuring tape or ruler
Removable stitch markers
Scissors
Tapestry needle
FINISHED SIZE
Body: 14″W x 13.5″H x 4″D
Straps: 0.5″W x 17.5″L
Inside Pocket: 2.5″W x 4″L
GAUGE
16 sts x 14 rows = 4″ in hdc
ABBREVIATIONS
*Pattern is written in standard US terms*
Ch – chain
Hdc – half double crochet
Pm – place marker
Rep – repeat
Rs – right side
Sl st – slip stitch
St(s) – stitch(es)
Ws – wrong side
Notes: Tote is worked from the base up in un-joined, spiral rounds. Do not join at the end of each round. Use a removable stitch marker to indicate the start of each new round. Use a second stitch marker to indicate where the base ends and the body begins. This is important since the base and beginning of the body are worked in color A. Use color A for trim and straps as well. Use color B for the body, and color C for the body and optional inside pocket. Base rounds increase by 3 sts on either end for a total of 6 sts increased per round. Straps and inside pocket are worked separately as flat pieces and are sewn to the tote with a tapestry needle. Leave an extra-long tail for sewing the straps and inside pocket.
Base
With color A, ch 49.
Round 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, hdc to end of row, hdc twice more into end ch (3 sts total in this ch), continue around other side of ch and hdc to end of round, hdc once more in end ch (2 sts total in this ch). Do not join here or throughout. Pm for start of round. (98 sts)
Round 2: 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc 46, 2 hdc in each of next 3 sts, hdc 46, 2 hdc in each of next 2 sts. (104 sts)
Round 3: 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc 47, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st) three times, hdc 46, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st), twice. (110 sts)
Round 4: Hdc in 1st st, 2 hdc in next st, hdc 48, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts) twice, 2 hdc in next st, hdc 48, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc. (116 sts)
Round 5: Hdc in 1st st, 2 hdc in next st, hdc 50, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts) twice, 2 hdc in next st, hdc 49, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc. (122 sts)
Round 6: Hdc 2, 2 hdc in next st, hdc 51, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts) twice, 2 hdc in next st, hdc 50, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc. (128 sts)
Body
Turn the base upside down with the wrong side facing you. The right side of the body rounds are the outer sides of the tote. Since color A is still used here, place a second marker to differentiate the base rounds from the body. Continue using the first marker to indicate the start of a new round.
Rounds 7-43: hdc, changing color every 9 rounds. (128 sts per round)
- Rounds 7-15, use color A
- Rounds 16-24, change to color B
- Rounds 25-33, change to color C
- Rounds 34-42, change to color B
- Round 43, change to color A (trim)
Sl st to secure trim round and weave in the ends.
Straps – make 2
With color A, ch 71.
Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, hdc to end of row. (70 sts).
Secure and leave an extra-long tail for attaching to the body.
Rep for 2nd strap.
*For longer straps, ch to desired length and follow steps in row 1. For thicker straps, ch as indicated, then follow steps here: starting in 2nd ch from hook, hdc to end of row, hdc twice more into end ch (3 sts total in this ch), continue around other side of ch and hdc to end of round, hdc once more in end ch (2 sts total in this ch)). Secure and leave an extra-long tail for attaching to the body.
Inside Pocket – optional
With color C, ch 17.
Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, hdc to end of row, turn. (16 sts).
Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in 1st st and to end of row, turn. (16 sts)
Rows 3-8: rep row 2.
Secure and leave an extra long tail for sewing to the inner back of the body.
Assembly
Turn tote inside out.
Straps: measure .25” down and 4” in from the left-hand side. With ws facing you, place the end of one strap here and hold temporarily with a removable stitch marker. Repeat for the right-hand side, then flip the tote over and repeat twice more to place the other strap. Secure both straps with the whip st and weave in the ends.
Inside Pocket: measure 3.25” down and 5” from the left and right sides of the back of the tote. Adjust as needed so that the inside pocket is square with the color C portion of the body. With rs facing you, place the inside pocket where you’ve measured and hold temporarily with removable stitch markers. Whip st the sides and bottom of pocket, leaving the top open. Weave in the ends.
Contact
Please email me at gourdgeousknits@gmail.com if you have any questions about the pattern. Feel free to send and tag me in any photos of your works in progress and finished projects with #TranquilityTote and #gourdgeousknits. I love seeing your knits and sharing them on my social media sites.
The patterns and photographs are the property of Kristin Strecker-Kellogg of gourdgeous knits and are for personal, non-commercial use. The selling or distribution of these patterns physically or electronically are not permitted. Please credit gourdgeous knits when sharing on social media with #gourdgeousknits.
