Made and counted by Wren —

Half double crochet tote bag with oval base and handles

No fixed hook size; yarn held in multiple strands for thickness. Tote with hdc oval base increasing to 126 stitches, a dc body

IntermediateLevel

4-6 hoursTime

Multi-strand (weight varies)Yarn

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About this pattern

A tote worked in the round from an oval base: round 1 (hdc) ends at 106 stitches, round 2 increases at five marked points to 116, and round 3 adds further increases on each side to reach 126. The body (rounds 4-23) continues in double crochet at 126 stitches, held flat by the marked increase points. Yarn is Scruff yarn or multiple strands combined for bulk; hook size is matched to strand thickness rather than specified. Handles are added before the two finishing assembly steps.

This tote starts as an oval base worked in half double crochet, turning each end with a five-stitch fan and a four-stitch fan to keep the shape flat, then joins to 106 stitches. Round 2 increases at five marked points to bring the total to 116 half double crochets. Round 3 adds further increases on each side to reach 126 half double crochets, the count that carries through the body, which is worked in double crochet. Handles attach after the body rounds finish. Multiple strands of yarn, held together for thickness, replace a single bulky strand, so hook size tracks the strand count rather than a printed number.

The pattern

Written out round by round

Materials

Use Scruff yarn or multiple strands of yarn for the desired thickness.

Abbreviations

ch = chain
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
inc = increase
dec = decrease
mr = magic ring
fo = finish off

Main Pattern

Create a slip knot and chain 51 for the base. Adjust the number of chains to change the bag size.

Base of the Bag

Round 1Make one half double crochet in the second chain from the hook, continuing to the last chain.At the last chain, make five half double crochets.Continue with half double crochets until one stitch remains, then make four half double crochets in the last stitch.Slip stitch to join, resulting in 106 half double crochets.

Round 2Chain one and make two half double crochets in the first stitch. Continue half double crochet to the stitch marker, then make two stitches in each of the next five stitches (10 total).Continue with half double crochets and increase four times at the next marker.Slip stitch to join, totaling 116 half double crochets.

Round 3Chain one, half double crochet in the same stitch, then two half double crochets at the stitch marker.Alternate one increase and one half double crochet five times.Repeat on the other side, then slip stitch to join, resulting in 126 half double crochets.

Body of the Bag

Rounds 4–23Chain two and make one double crochet in the same stitch. Continue with one double crochet in each stitch around for 20 rounds.

Handle Placement Mark the center of each side of the bag.

Measure and mark 63 stitches from the center in both directions.

Mark 20 stitches from each of these markers.

Creating the Handles Attach a new color, chain two, and make one double crochet in the same stitch.

Continue with double crochets to the next stitch marker.

Chain 60 and attach to the opposite marker with a double crochet.

Repeat on the other side.

Continue with double crochets around, then slip stitch.

Chain two and make a double crochet in the same stitch.

Continue with double crochets around, then slip stitch.

Chain one and make a single crochet in the same stitch, then in each stitch around.

Finish off.

Finishing Touches Weave in all ends.

Optional: Add a liner and magnetic snap for a polished finish.

Assembly

Step 1Weave in all ends.

Step 2Optional : Add a liner and magnetic snap for a polished finish.

Tester's notes

106 stitches close round 1; recount before starting round 2, since a miscount there carries into every later increase round.

116 stitches close round 2; match this number before starting round 3, which adds its own increases on each side to bring the total to 126 before the body begins.

Five stitch markers track the increase points in round 2; move each marker up as you pass it so later increases, including those in round 3, land in the same spots.

One hook size is not specified; choose a hook based on strand count when combining multiple strands of yarn, and swatch before committing to the full base.

Two assembly steps finish the piece: weave in ends, then add an optional liner and magnetic snap, so decide on a liner before weaving in ends if adding one.

126 stitches close round 3; this is the count carried through the double crochet body rounds (4-23), so recount after round 3 before continuing.

The starting chain is 51; adjusting this chain length changes the overall size of the base and, in turn, the finished bag.

Work in progress

Half double crochet tote bag with oval base and handles — photo 2

Half double crochet tote bag with oval base and handles — photo 3

At a glance

Rounds	4
Level	Intermediate
Time	4-6 hours
Yarn	Multi-strand (weight varies)

Gauge check

Count stitches after round 1: the base should total 106 half double crochets and lie flat, not cup or ripple.

If round 2's five increase points don't bring the count to 116, recount at each stitch marker before moving on; round 3 should then bring the total to 126 before the double crochet body begins, since an oversized hook shows up as wavy edges rather than a stitch-count error alone.

If something looks wrong

The base cups instead of lying flat after round 1.: Hook is too small for the strand thickness, pulling the 106-stitch round tight; go up a hook size or add a strand.
Stitch count comes up short of 116 at the end of round 2.: One or more of the five marked increase points got skipped; recount from each stitch marker and add the missing increase before joining.
Edges ripple or ruffle along the increase round.: Too much increase for the round; check that increases happened only at the marked points and not elsewhere in the round.
The join point at the slip stitch looks bulky or stepped.: Chain one before each round adds a visible step; keep tension even on the chain one and the first half double crochet after it.

Yarn substitutions

Cotton, worsted weight, single strand.	Gives a stiffer, less stretchy base than multiple held-together strands; expect a smaller bag unless strand count or hook size increases.
Acrylic, bulky weight, held double.	Mimics the multi-strand thickness the pattern calls for while cutting the strand count in half; drape stays soft rather than structured.
Cotton-blend, super bulky, single strand.	Skips the multi-strand step entirely; match gauge by test-swatching round 1 to 106 stitches before committing to a hook size.

Original pattern: https://crocheteverything.com/gorgeous-crochet-tote-bag-pattern-best-for-everyday-use/

FAQs

Questions

Why does round 1 end at 106 stitches but round 2 end at 116?

Round 1's count of 106 comes from the base chain plus the five- and four-stitch fans at each end. Round 2 adds 10 more stitches through five marked increases, bringing the total to 116. Round 3 then adds its own increases on each side to reach 126, which is the count carried through the double crochet body.

What hook size does this pattern use?

No single hook size is listed because the yarn itself is Scruff yarn or multiple strands combined for thickness. Choose a hook that produces a firm, flat 106-stitch base and keep that hook for the full piece.

Is the liner and magnetic snap required?

No; weaving in ends is the only required finishing step. The liner and magnetic snap are listed as optional for a more finished interior and closure.