This red heart sunny day guide walks through the key details from the source pattern. The Sunny Day Tote Bag is a warm project that brings warmth and brightness to your summer days. Ideal for beach outings or as a stylish carryall for your crochet supplies, this tote blends practicality with vibrant colors. Made from quality cotton yarn, this bag not only looks great but is also durable for everyday use.
Understanding the Construction of the Tote Bag in This Red Heart Crochet Sunny Day Tote Bag
This tote bag is crafted using a mix of rounds and rows, starting from a central sun motif that forms the base. The design shows identical front and back panels, which are worked in joined rounds. This method ensures a seamless look while letting for the playful sun points to stand out, creating a charming focal point.
Color Management for a Vibrant Look in This Red Heart Crochet Sunny Day Tote Bag
The pattern shows a range of bright colors. Can be arranged to create a lively and eye-catching design. Each color is designated for exact parts of the bag, such as the sun and the background. When working with many colors, it’s helpful to keep your yarn organized to avoid tangling and to ensure smooth transitions between colors.
Specifications for the Sunny Day Tote Bag Pattern
Sizes & fit
Tote measures 13½” (34.5 cm) wide and 13½” (34.5 cm) tall, not including handles.
Gauge & motif dimensions
16 sts = 4” (10 cm); 8 rows/rounds = 4” (10 cm) in double crochet (dc). CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge. Continued… Sunny Day Tote Bag Enjoy summertime with a tote that is perfect for relaxing days at the beach or for taking your crochet project on your travels. Quality cotton yarn in bright colors is ideal for this project! Tote measures 13½” (34.5 cm) wide and 13½” (34.5 cm) tall, not including handles. Special Technique join with sc = Place a slip knot on hook, insert hook in indicated stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook.
Hook specified in the pattern
Susan Bates® Crochet Hook: 5 mm [US H-8]
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While working on the tote, you may encounter issues with gauge or stitch counts. It’s crucial to check your gauge before starting to ensure your bag will turn out the correct size. If your stitches are too tight or too loose, check adjusting your hook size well. Also, if you find that your rounds aren’t joining evenly, revisit the joining skill to maintain a neat finish.
Materials Required for the Sunny Day Tote Bag Pattern
Crème De La Crème®: 1 ball each of 500 Aqua A, 701 Orchid Pink B, 625 Brite Green C, 720 Brite Pink D, and 200 Sunshine E; and a small amount of 12 Black F Susan Bates® Crochet Hook: 5 mm [US H-8] Yarn needle
Instructions for Completing the Sunny Day Tote Bag Pattern
With E, ch 4.
Round 1 (right side): Work 11 dc in 4th ch from hook (3 skipped ch count as first dc); join with slip st in top of beginning ch— 12 dc.
Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), dc in same st as joining, 2 dc in each remaining st around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—24 dc.
Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—36 dc.
Round 4: *Ch 6, slip st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in last ch (point made), skip next 3 sts of Round 3, slip st in front loop only of next st; repeat from * 8 more times—9 points. Fasten off E. Background
Round 5: With right side facing, working behind sun points and into back loops of Round 3, join A with sc in same st as last slip st; sc in next 6 sts, (hdc, dc) in next st, ch 1, (dc, hdc) in next st, *sc in next 7 sts, (hdc, dc) in next st, ch 1, (dc, hdc) in next st; repeat from * around; join with slip st in first sc—44 sts (11 sts across each of 4 sides between ch-1 spaces) and 4 ch-1 spaces.
Round 6: Ch 3, dc in next 8 sts, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 space (corner made), *dc in next 11 sts, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 space; repeat from * 2 more times, dc in last 2 sts; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—36 dc—60 dc (15 dc across each of 4 sides) and 4 corner ch-1 spaces.
Round 7: Ch 3, *dc in each st to next corner ch-1 space, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in corner ch-1 space; repeat from * 3 more times, dc in each st to end of round; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—76 dc (19 dc across each of 4 sides).
Round 8: Repeat Round 7—92 dc (23 dc across each of 4 sides). Fasten off A. With right side facing, draw up a loop of C in same st as joining.
Round 9: With C, repeat Round 7—108 dc (27 dc across each of 4 sides). Fasten off C. With right side facing, draw up a loop of D in same st as joining. Rounds 10 and 11: With D, repeat Round 7 twice—140 dc (35 dc across each of 4 sides) at the end of Round 11. Fasten off D. With right side facing, draw up a loop of B in same st as joining. Rounds 12 and 13: With B, repeat Round 7 twice—172 dc (43 dc across each of 4 sides) at the end of Round 13. Fasten off B.
Pattern skill level: Easy.
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Round 14: With right side facing and working in back loops only, join C with sc in same st as joining, *sc in each st to next corner ch-1 space, 3 sc in corner ch-1 space; repeat from * 3 more times, sc in each remaining st to end of round; join with slip st in first sc—184 sc. Fasten off C.
Round 15: With right side facing and working in front loops of Round 13, join E with slip st in any st, slip st in each remaining st around. Fasten off E. Side Panel
Row 1 (right side): Working behind Round 15 slip sts and into back loops only of Round 14, draw up a loop of C in center sc of any 3-sc corner, ch 3 (counts as dc), [dc in each st across next side, dc in each of the 3 corner sts] twice, dc in each st across 3rd side, dc in next 2 corner sts working last dc in center sc of corner; leave last side unworked for top of tote—139 dc. Fasten off C. Pin sun points down. With E, sew points flat. Sun Glasses (make 2) With F, ch 2.
Round 1 (right side): Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook; do not join.
Round 2: Work 2 sc in next 6 sc; join with slip st in next sc—12 sc. Fasten off F.
Round 3: With right side facing, join D with sc in any sc, 2 sc in next sc, [sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 5 times; join with slip st in first sc—18 sc. Fasten off D, leaving a long tail for sewing glasses to sun. Using photograph as a guide, sew sun glasses in place on sun. Smile: With B, embroider a couched stitch smile below the sunglasses.
BACK
Make same as front, including side panel and sunglasses. HANDLE (make 2) With E, ch 65.
Round 1 (right side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 62 ch, 3 sc in last ch; working across opposite side of foundation ch, sc in next 62 ch, 2 sc in last ch (at base of very first sc); join with slip st in first sc—130 sc. Fasten off E.
Round 2: With right side facing and working in back loops only, join A with sc in same st as joining, sc in same st again, sc in next 62 sts, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next 62 sts, 2 sc in each of last 2 sts; join with slip st in first sc—136 sc. Fasten off A.
Round 3: With right side facing and working in front loops of Round 1, join D with slip st in any st of Round 1, slip st in each remaining st around; join with slip st in first slip st. Fasten off D.
Round 4: With right side facing and working in front loops only of Round 2, join B with slip st in any st of Round 2, slip st in each remaining st around; join with slip st in first slip st. Fasten off B.
FINISHING
Hold front and back with wrong sides together and side panel stitches matching. With C, sewing through back loops only, sew side panel edges together, leaving top edge unsewn. Sew one handle to front and the other to the back, sewing ends of each handle to top edge about 5” (12.5 cm) apart. Weave in ends.
ABBREVIATIONS
A, B, C = Color A, Color B, Color C etc; ch = chain; dc = double crochet; hdc = half double crochet; sc = single crochet; st(s) = stitch(es); tr = treble (triple) crochet; () = work directions in parentheses into same st; [ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times specified; * = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sunny Day Tote Bag
What is the finished size of the tote bag?
The done tote bag measures 13½ inches wide and 13½ inches tall, not with the handles. This size makes it perfect for carrying your essentials, whether you’re heading to the beach or simply running errands. It’s spacious enough to hold a range of items while remaining compact and easy to handle.
How can I ensure my gauge matches the pattern?
To ensure your gauge matches, it’s key to crochet a swatch before starting the project. The listed gauge for this pattern is 16 stitches over 4 inches in double crochet. Checking your gauge will help you achieve the correct size for your tote.
What techniques are important for joining the rounds?
Joining rounds neatly is crucial for the full look of the tote. Use a slip stitch to join at the end of each round, making sure that you join in the top of the start chain. This skill helps maintain the shape and structure of the bag, giving a clean finish.
Now that you have the knowledge to create your Sunny Day Tote Bag, gather your supplies and get started on this fun and colorful project. Enjoy the process of making something nice that you can use all summer long.
Save & Print This Crochet Pattern
Prefer working offline or keeping a printed copy in your project bag? Download our formatted Crochet Sunny Day Tote Bag printable PDF guide below, complete with the full materials table, stitch diagrams, color-key charts, and step-by-step assembly instructions prepared for Derecipe.
READER COMMENTS & PATTERN QUESTIONS
Have a question about stitch counts, yarn substitutions, or sizing? Leave a comment below — Mary Ward reads and replies to every maker question!