The “Urban Grid” Crochet Tote: A Detailed Tutorial

A handmade bag is a beautiful and personal accessory, and one made with a simple, yet eye-catching design is even better. Inspired by the clean lines and modern aesthetic of checkered patterns, the “Urban Grid” Crochet Tote is a perfect project for any crocheter. This detailed tutorial will guide you through creating a chic and functional tote bag that is perfect for carrying your daily essentials, from a laptop to a yarn project.

This project is an excellent choice for a confident beginner who wants to try colorwork or for an experienced crocheter wanting a fast and fun project. The bag is worked in the round from the bottom up, which makes it a seamless project that is easy to try on as you go.

Why Crochet the Urban Grid Tote?

Chic & Modern: The graphic checkered pattern creates a classic, modern aesthetic that is perfect for everyday use.
Sturdy & Functional: The dense nature of the stitch creates a fabric that is stiff enough to hold its shape while still being flexible.
Skill Building: You’ll master the art of working a simple colorwork pattern in the round and learn how to create a structured bag with a comfortable handle.
Impressive Look: The finished tote looks much more complicated than it actually is, making it a great conversation starter.
Customizable: Easily change the size, colors, or add a different handle to make it your own.

1. Planning Your Tote: Size & Materials

Finished Size: The pattern is designed for a versatile tote bag, approximately 12 inches (30 cm) wide and 14 inches (35 cm) tall. You can easily adjust the size by changing your hook size or the number of increase rounds.
Yarn Choice: Choose a yarn that is durable and holds its shape well.
- Fiber: A sturdy, medium-weight yarn like Worsted Weight (#4) in Cotton or a Cotton Blend is a great choice.
- Color: You will need two contrasting colors for the checkered pattern. A light and a dark color will work best. For example, a crisp white and a deep charcoal gray.
Quantity: You will need approximately 200-300 yards (180-275 meters) of yarn in total.

2. Materials You’ll Need

Yarn: Your chosen quantity of Worsted Weight (#4) yarn in two contrasting colors (Color A and Color B).
Crochet Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8 US) or a size that gives you a dense but flexible fabric with your yarn.
Scissors: For cutting yarn.
Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): For weaving in ends.
Stitch Markers: To mark the beginning of rounds and the corners of the base.

3. Essential Crochet Stitches & Techniques

Slip Knot
Chain (ch)
Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining and neatening.
Single Crochet (sc)
Working in the Round: The bag is worked in continuous rounds from the top down.
Changing Colors: You will be changing colors on every other stitch to create the checkered pattern.

4. Let’s Crochet the Urban Grid Tote!

We’ll start with the base, then work up the body with the colorwork, and finish with the top and handles.

Part 1: The Base (Worked in Rounds)

This creates a flat, sturdy foundation for your tote.

Foundation Chain: With Color A, ch 26.
Round 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook. Sc in each of the next 23 ch. Work 3 sc in the last ch. Rotate your work to work along the other side of the chain. Sc in each of the next 24 ch. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Round 2: Ch 1. Sc in each stitch around, working 2 sc in the 3 sc stitches on each end. Join with a sl st.
- Continue increasing in this manner until the base of the tote is large enough to be your desired size.

Part 2: The Body (The Checkered Pattern)

This is where you’ll create the height and the beautiful, checkered pattern.

Round 1: With Color A, ch 1. Sc in each stitch around. Join with a sl st.
Round 2 (Colorwork): Ch 1. Work 1 sc in the first stitch with Color A. Change to Color B and work 1 sc in the next stitch. Repeat from * to * all the way around, always carrying the non-working yarn along the top of your stitches. Join with a sl st.
Round 3 (Colorwork): Ch 1. Work 1 sc in the first stitch with Color B. Change to Color A and work 1 sc in the next stitch. Repeat from * to * all the way around, always carrying the non-working yarn along the top of your stitches. Join with a sl st.
- Continue repeating Rounds 2 and 3 until the bag reaches your desired height (for this pattern, about 12 inches / 30 cm tall).

Part 3: The Handles

Row 1: Ch 1. Sc in the next 10 stitches. Ch 40. Skip the next 20 stitches and sc in the next 10 stitches. Join with a sl st.
- The ch 40 will create the handle. You can adjust the length of the chain to make the handle larger or smaller.
Round 2 (Finishing): Ch 1. Sc in each sc and around each chain of the handle. Join with a sl st.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.