Made and counted by Wren —

Color-block granny square tote with ombre motifs

G/6 (4.0mm) hook, worsted cotton: 24 ombre granny motifs join into a tote with handles.

IntermediateLevel

8-12 hoursTime

4.0 mmHook

WorstedYarn

Jump to the pattern

About this pattern

A worsted-cotton tote built from 24 circle-to-square motifs, each worked in four rounds from 12 dc to 48 dc, then squared off with a corner round of sc, hdc, dc, and tr. Motifs join into the bag body; a blush hdc band and 6-stitch-wide handle strips finish it. Total yarn runs 950 to 1000 yards across 7 colors, on a G/6 (4.0 mm) hook.

This tote is built from 24 granny-square motifs, each worked circle-to-square: a magic-ring start grows from 12 dc to 48 dc over four rounds, then a fifth round of sc, hdc, dc, and tr stitches squares off each corner. Motifs join into the bag body, and a blush band plus hdc-and-chain handles finish the piece. The number that matters most is 24 — every motif carries the same stitch counts, so consistency across all 24 decides whether the finished bag lies flat.

The pattern

Written out round by round

Materials

Yarn

Worsted weight cotton (medium / #4) in seven shades. Here’s the breakdown:
Color Yardage Use
Blush (MC) ~350 yards Joining, band, and handles
Cream ~60 yards Motif centers
Dusty Rose ~90-110 yards Accent ring
Peach ~90-110 yards Accent ring
Orange ~90-110 yards Accent ring
Golden Yellow ~90-110 yards Accent ring
Terracotta ~90-110 yards Accent ring
Total yardage needed is approximately 950 to 1000 yards .
Any of these yarns substitute well:
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton
WeCrochet Dishie Worsted Cotton
Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran

Hook

G/6 (4.0 mm)

Notions

Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors

Abbreviations

Scallop Shell = Work 5 double crochet stitches into one stitch. This creates a fan-shaped shell.
Corner = Work (tr, ch 2, tr) all in one stitch. This creates the corner turn on your square motifs.
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch [ss]
sc = single crochet [dc]: Insert hook, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through both loops
hdc = half double crochet [htr]: Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through all three loops
dc = double crochet [tr]: Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops
tr = treble crochet [dtr]: Yarn over twice, insert hook, yarn over, pull through, (yarn over, pull through two loops) three times
MR = magic ring: An adjustable loop that tightens to close the center hole
inc = increase
st(s) = stitch(es)
MC = main color (blush)

Main Pattern

Round 1Cream Make a magic ring (MR). Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet). Work 11 double crochet stitches into the ring. Join to the top of the starting chain-3 with a slip stitch. Fasten off and pull the magic ring closed.(12)

Round 2Dusty Rose Join your accent color to any stitch. Chain 3 (counts as dc), then work 1 dc in the same stitch. Work 2 dc in each stitch around. Join to the top of the chain-3. Fasten off.(24)

Round 3Peach Join color. Chain 3 (counts as dc), dc in same stitch, dc in next stitch. Work 2 dc in next stitch, dc in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join. Fasten off.(36)

Round 4Gold Join color. Chain 3 (counts as dc), dc in same stitch, dc in next 2 stitches. Work 2 dc in next stitch, dc in next 2 stitches. Repeat from * around. Join. Fasten off.Round 5 (Blush) This round squares off the circle. The treble stitches pull the corners out while the shorter stitches flatten each side. You’ll work four matching repeats, one corner per repeat.Join blush in any stitch. Chain 1. Single crochet in next stitch, half double crochet in next stitch, double crochet in next 2 stitches, treble crochet in next 2 stitches, work corner (tr, ch 2, tr) in next stitch, treble crochet in next 2 stitches, double crochet in next 2 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch. Repeat from * three more times (4 times total). Join to first sc. Fasten off.(52 stitches + 4 corner spaces)(48)

Building the Ombre Effect

Here’s where the magic happens. The sunset effect comes from where you place each accent color , not from following one fixed sequence. Keep cream centers and blush squares on every motif, then vary Rounds 2 through 4.

Top row motifs: Lean into golden yellow, peach, and soft orange for a sunlit look.

Middle row motifs: Mix rose, peach, and orange evenly.

Bottom row motifs: Bring in terracotta and deep orange so the color settles warmest at the base.

Pro tip: Aim for gentle variation rather than perfect matching. Neighboring motifs reading slightly differently is what gives the bag its hand-dyed, sunset glow. Lay your motifs out before joining and shuffle them around until the gradient feels right to you. Trust your eye.

Joining the Motifs and Creating the Base Layout

Arrange your 24 completed motifs into a panel that is 8 motifs across and 3 motifs down . The 8-wide direction will wrap around the bag.

Joining

With blush yarn and a yarn needle, whipstitch motifs together through the back loops only. Join all columns first, then join all rows.

(8 x 3 panel)

Tip: Block the flat panel before seaming. Crisp, square motifs join far more neatly and keep the grid lines straight.

Forming the Tube

Bring the two short side edges together and whipstitch them to form a tube. You now have a cylinder that is 8 motifs around.

Closing the Base

Flatten the tube so the side seam sits at one edge. Whipstitch the bottom edge closed straight across. This seam gives the bag its soft, rounded base.

The Top Band The band is worked in continuous joined rounds in blush around the top opening of the tube.

Part 2

Round 1Join blush yarn at the top edge. Work half double crochet stitches evenly around the entire opening, decreasing 8 stitches evenly spaced as you go.(96)

Round 2through 5 Chain 1. Half double crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch.Scallop EdgeChain 1. Skip 2 stitches, work 5 dc in next stitch (this is your scallop shell), skip 2 stitches, single crochet in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join. Fasten off.(16 scallops)Why it divides evenly: Each scallop uses 6 stitches, so 96 divided by 6 gives a clean run of 16 shells around the brim. That’s eight across the front and eight across the back.(96)

The Handles Make 2 handles.

Foundation

With blush yarn, chain 7.

Round 1Half double crochet in the 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. (6 hdc)

Round 2through 40 Chain 1, turn. Half double crochet in each stitch across. (6 hdc)Finishing the Handles Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Attaching the Handles

Sew each handle to the inside of the band. Anchor the ends about 5 inches (13 cm) apart , making sure the front handle placement matches the back handle placement. Stitch through both the handle ends and the band several times for strength.

Tip: For a sturdier carry, work the handles a stitch or two wider, or hold the yarn double. Cotton softens with use, so a firm tension here keeps them from stretching over time.

Finishing Your Sunset Ombre Bag Weaving in Ends

Weave in all ends on the wrong side of the work, threading tails into matching colors so they disappear completely.

Final Blocking

Give the whole bag a final light steam or wet block. Ease it into shape over a towel-stuffed form to help it hold its silhouette.

Checking Seams

Examine the base seam and handle joins. Reinforce any loose spots with extra stitches now so you don’t have to fix them later.

Care Instructions

Cotton yarn blooms and softens beautifully after its first wash. The stitches even out and the motifs settle into crisp squares, so don’t worry if the fabric feels firm straight off the hook.

Hand wash in cool water with a gentle detergent Do not wring. Press water out gently between towels Reshape and dry flat, away from direct heat or sunlight

Store loosely stuffed so the brim keeps its shape Customizing Your Bag Want to make this pattern your own? Here are some ideas:

Smaller bag: Work Rounds 1 through 3 only (skip Round 4) for approximately 3-inch motifs. You can also drop to a 3.5 mm hook throughout for a denser, smaller fabric.

Deeper tote: Add a fourth row of motifs (32 motifs total) before seaming for extra capacity.

Longer handles: Add rows to each handle in pairs to keep the front and back handles even.

Calmer palette: Limit your accents to just three close shades for a subtler, more tonal gradient.

You Did It!

Thank you so much for choosing this pattern. I hope you love making this bag as much as I loved designing it. There’s something really special about carrying something you made with your own hands, especially when it reminds you of warm summer evenings and the last light of day.

If you make this bag, I would absolutely love to see it! Share your finished project on Instagram or Facebook and tag me so I can admire your work. Every maker puts their own spin on a pattern, and I’m always amazed by the color combinations people choose.

If this pattern made your project list, go ahead and save it to your Pinterest boards so you can find it easily when you’re ready to start. And if you do make one, drop a comment below. I read every single one and love hearing how your projects turn out!

Assembly

Step 1Weaving in Ends: Weave in all ends on the wrong side of the work, threading tails into matching colors so they disappear completely.

Step 2Final Blocking: Give the whole bag a final light steam or wet block. Ease it into shape over a towel-stuffed form to help it hold its silhouette.

Step 3Checking Seams: Examine the base seam and handle joins. Reinforce any loose spots with extra stitches now so you don’t have to fix them later.

Tester's notes

Mark the joining stitch at the start of each round with a stitch marker: round 3 and round 4 each repeat a sequence 4 times, and a miscounted repeat throws off the 36-dc or 48-dc total.

Keep tension even on the chain-3 that counts as the first dc; a loose or tight starting chain is the usual reason a motif comes out short of 48 dc at round 4.

Plan color changes before cutting yarn: each motif fastens off and rejoins at least 4 times across rounds 1 through 4 plus the corner round, so 24 motifs produce well over 100 ends to weave in.

blocking, ease the finished bag over a towel-stuffed form rather than letting it air-dry flat; the form holds the squared shape while the fibers set.

At a glance

Rounds	8
Parts	3
Level	Intermediate
Time	8-12 hours
Hook	4.0 mm
Yarn	Worsted

Gauge check

After round 4, count stitches around the motif; it should read exactly 48 dc with the circle lying flat on a table, not cupping or rippling at the edges.

Stitch-count checkpoints

Main Pattern · Round 1: 12 sts
Main Pattern · Round 2: 24 sts
Main Pattern · Round 3: 36 sts
Main Pattern · Round 4: 48 sts
Part 2 · Round 1: 96 sts
Part 2 · Round 2: 96 sts

If something looks wrong

The motif cups or ruffles instead of lying flat.: Stitch counts at one of the rounds have drifted from 12, 24, 36, or 48 dc, or tension is uneven round to round. Recount each round against those targets and adjust hook size up or down if the dc height does not match the increases.
The squared corners bow outward instead of forming a clean point.: The sc, hdc, dc, tr sequence in the corner round has shifted off its stitch, so the (tr, ch 2, tr) corner is not landing where it should among the 48 stitches. Recount the sequence from the start of each of the 4 repeats before working the corner stitch.
Motifs do not line up when joining, and gaps show at the seams.: Motifs were joined before being brought to a uniform size. Block all 24 motifs to match corner to corner before assembly, then join.
One handle strap ends up longer or twisted compared to the other.: A row count slipped somewhere in the 40 rows of 6-stitch-wide hdc, or tension changed partway through. Count 6 hdc each row before turning, and measure both handle strips against each other before sewing them on.

Yarn substitutions

Worsted weight acrylic (#4)	Lighter overall bag weight with more give in the fabric; motifs hold their shape less firmly than cotton, so block more aggressively. Hook stays G/6 (4.0 mm), but swatch first since acrylic worsted often runs slightly thinner than cotton.
Cotton-acrylic blend, worsted weight (#4)	Keeps cotton's stitch definition with a bit more stretch and less structure in the handles. Same G/6 (4.0 mm) hook typically works without adjustment.
DK weight cotton (#3)	Produces smaller, denser motifs and an overall smaller bag unless stitch counts are recalculated. Drop to a smaller hook, around E/4 to F/5 (3.5 mm), and expect the finished size to shrink from the 24-motif dimensions given.

Original pattern: https://crochr.com/sunset-ombre-granny-square-bag-free-crochet-pattern/

FAQs

Questions

How many motifs does this bag actually need?

24 motifs, each worked through the same four rounds from 12 dc up to 48 dc and then the squared corner round. Color placement across the 7 shades is left open rather than fixed.

Is there a required color order for the ombre effect?

No fixed sequence is given. The ombre effect comes from varying the accent colors motif by motif rather than following a set rotation, so decide placement before joining.

How much total yarn does this project use?

Roughly 950 to 1000 yards combined across 7 colors: about 350 yards of blush, 60 yards of cream, and 90 to 110 yards each of dusty rose, peach, orange, golden yellow, and terracotta.