Checked Crochet Tote Bag Pattern Free: Tapestry Gingham Gusseted Shoulder Bag

Most crochet bags stretch out the moment you put a book or water bottle inside, but this Checked Tapestry Crochet Tote Bag Pattern is engineered for real everyday structure. First, you work every piece in tapestry single crochet—carrying the non-working yarn strand across the top of the previous row and working your stitches over it, which doubles the thickness and eliminates stretch. Second, the bag features a dedicated 3-inch wide Bag Base plus a continuous 48-inch Strap & Sides gusset strip joined to the Front and Back Panels with exposed Chartreuse single crochet piping seams.

How the 6-Row Mini-Check Chart Repeat Works

The signature woven check pattern is built on a simple 4-stitch by 6-row repeat worked entirely in single crochet: for 3 rows you alternate 2 sc with Contrast A (Cobalt), 2 sc with Contrast B (Chartreuse) across the row; then for the next 3 rows you reverse the alignment (2 sc with B, 2 sc with A). Using a tight 4.5 mm (US 7) hook with worsted yarn locks the carried strand completely out of sight.

Materials & Component Dimensions Breakdown

• Contrast A: 1 skein Caron® Simply Soft™ in Cobalt (39784) (288 yds / 264 m).
• Contrast B: 1 skein Caron® Simply Soft™ in Chartreuse (39771) (299 yds / 273 m).
• Hook: Size U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) crochet hook.
• Notions: 4 locking stitch markers (for marking the strap-to-gusset corners) and a yarn needle.

Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms)

• Approx = Approximate(ly)
• Beg = Beginning
• Ch = Chain(s)
• Cont = Continue(ity)
• Pat = Pattern
• PM = Place marker
• Rep = Repeat
• RS / WS = Right side / Wrong side
• Sc = Single crochet
• Sl st = Slip stitch
• St(s) = Stitch(es)
• Tog = Together

Step-by-Step Crochet Instructions

Colorwork Note: When changing colors in the 6-row Check Chart (Rows 1–3: *2 sc A, 2 sc B*; Rows 4–6: *2 sc B, 2 sc A*), work to the last 2 loops on hook of the stitch before the color change, draw the new color through the 2 loops, and proceed. Always carry the unused color across the top of the previous row and work stitches around it, carrying both colors up the side of the work.

Part 1: Bag Base

1. With Contrast A (Cobalt), ch 13.
2. Row 1 (RS – Row 1 of Chart): Work 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, and 1 sc in each ch to end of chain while following the 2-st check pattern over the carried strand. Turn. (12 sc)
3. Row 2 (WS – Row 2 of Chart): Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each sc to end of row following Chart. Turn.
4. Repeat Row 2 until the 6th row of the Chart is complete, then repeat Rows 1–6 of the Chart Pattern until the Bag Base measures approximately 12″ [30.5 cm], ending on a 3rd or 6th row. Fasten off.

Part 2: Continuous Strap & Sides Strip

1. With Contrast A, ch 13. Work Rows 1–6 of the Chart over 12 sc exactly as established for the Bag Base.
2. Repeat the 6-row Chart Pattern until the strip measures 12″ [30.5 cm] (first side gusset), ending on a 3rd or 6th row. Place a stitch marker (PM) on each end of the last row.
3. Continue in Chart Pattern until the strip measures 36″ [91.5 cm] from the beginning (creating the 24″ overhead shoulder strap), ending on a 3rd or 6th row. PM on each end of this row.
4. Continue in Chart Pattern until the strip measures 48″ [122 cm] total (second side gusset), ending on a 3rd or 6th row. Fasten off.

Part 3: Front & Back Panels (Make 2)

1. With Contrast A, ch 49.
2. Row 1 (RS): Work 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across following the 6-row Check Chart over the carried strand. Turn. (48 sc)
3. Work in the 6-row Chart Pattern until the panel measures approximately 12″ [30.5 cm] from the beginning, ending on a 3rd or 6th row of the chart.
4. Top Edging Row: With Contrast B (Chartreuse) only, work 1 sc in each sc across to end of row. Fasten off.

Part 4: Architectural Single Crochet Seam Assembly

1. Join Bag Base to Front & Back Panels: With RS of Base facing, align the lower edge of the Front Panel behind the long edge of the Base with Wrong Sides (WS) together. Join Contrast B (Chartreuse) with a sl st, ch 1, and work sc evenly across through both thicknesses. Fasten off. Repeat to join the Back Panel to the opposite long edge of the Base.
2. Join Strap & Sides to Bag Base: With RS of Base facing, align the beginning short edge of the Strap & Sides strip behind the short edge of the Base with WS together. Join B with sl st, ch 1, and work sc evenly across through both thicknesses. Fasten off. Repeat for the opposite end of the Strap & Sides strip.
3. Join Strap & Sides to Front & Back Panels (Plus Continuous Strap Edging): Align the top corners of the Front and Back Panels with the marked rows on the Strap & Sides strip. Beginning at the bottom right corner of the Front Panel, join B with sl st, ch 1, and work sc through both thicknesses up the side of the Front Panel, then continue working sc along the single edge of the Strap, and finally down the opposite side seam of the Front Panel through both thicknesses. Fasten off. Repeat along the Back Panel and opposite edge of the Strap.