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Grindstone Tote Bag Pattern

Grindstone Tote Bag Pattern
4.8★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.8K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

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Stylish Touch

An elegant detail to elevate any look, combining traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities.

About This Grindstone Tote Bag Pattern

This pattern makes the Grindstone Tote Bag — a textured, slouchy tote worked in panels and seamed together. It uses bulky weight yarn for a sturdy, wearable bag with a comfortable strap. The pattern includes separate instructions for two front/back panels and a combined side/bottom/strap panel.

Grindstone Tote Bag Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Finished size will vary depending on yarn and hook choices; photos and tester notes included. The strap length is easily customizable by adding or subtracting rows.

Why You'll Love This Grindstone Tote Bag Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it balances texture and simplicity in a truly useful bag. I enjoy how the stitch repeats create a lovely fabric that drapes well while remaining sturdy. The design is flexible — you can change yarn weight and hook size to make many different looks. I love seeing testers adapt the pattern with different yarns, giving each bag its own character. Making the strap and side panel as one piece keeps assembly straightforward and satisfying.

Grindstone Tote Bag Pattern step 1 - construction progress Grindstone Tote Bag Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Grindstone Tote Bag Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Grindstone Tote Bag Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love experimenting with different yarns to change the bag's look: try cotton for a structured summer tote or a wool blend for a cozy, slouchy feel.

Change hook sizes and yarn weight to grow or shrink the bag; using worsted weight with a smaller hook will make a more compact bag whereas super bulky yarn with a large hook will create a chunky market tote.

I often double-strand cotton for a thicker fabric and better stability; try two lighter strands held together for interesting color blends.

Add a lining for extra structure and to protect delicate items; lining also helps the bag keep its shape if you use softer yarns.

Switch the button loop for a magnetic snap or a zipper closure for extra security if you prefer a closed top.

Personalize the front panel with an embroidered motif or a crocheted applique to make the bag uniquely yours.

I sometimes shorten the strap for a handheld tote by removing rows between 53 and 149, or make it longer to wear crossbody—test length by measuring across your shoulder before seaming.

Try color blocking by changing yarn color at the join between the side panel and front/back panels for a two-tone effect.

For a boho look, attach fringes or tassels to the bottom edge or add a crocheted pocket to the inside for phone storage.

I recommend testing a small swatch when adding stitch variations or lace rows so you can see how the fabric drape and adjust hook size accordingly before committing to the whole bag.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not using stitch markers for the strap alignment and bottom center can cause misaligned seams; place markers at the ends of row 50 and row 150 and at the two center bottom stitches to ensure correct assembly. ✗ Changing hook sizes mid-project without checking gauge can produce a misshapen bag; measure your gauge and choose hooks that give you the recommended tension before continuing. ✗ Failing to switch to a smaller hook for the side/strap panel may create a loose strap; use a hook 1mm smaller for the strap/side panel to provide firmer tension and better shape. ✗ Skipping the crossed double crochet technique on rows 4 and 8 will alter the texture and stitch count; follow the crossed double crochet instruction exactly and cross in front of the previous stitch when working into skipped stitches. ✗ Overstuffing or under-stuffing when shaping (if adding any lining or stiffeners) causes distortion; add any structure gradually and check drape often to maintain shape.

Grindstone Tote Bag Pattern

Make a stylish, sturdy Grindstone Tote Bag that's perfect for everyday use. This pattern guides you through creating two front/back panels, a side/bottom/strap panel, and finishing details like a button loop. You'll enjoy the textured stitch pattern and customizable strap length to make a bag that suits your style. Clear photos and step-by-step directions help you create a beautiful handmade tote.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Grindstone Tote Bag Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Bernat Maker Home Dec (bulky, #5) - Approximately 470 yards (recommended example for main sample)
  • 02
    Worsted weight yarn (#4) - variable yardage (will give smaller bag)
  • 03
    Super bulky yarn (#6) - variable yardage (will give larger bag)
  • 04
    Mondial Mantra - 490 yards (tester sample)
  • 05
    Deramores Studio Chunky - 430 yards (tester sample)
  • 06
    Bernat Softee Cotton (double strand) - 367 yards of each color (tester sample)
  • 07
    Bernat Maker Home Dec - 350 yards (tester sample)
  • 08
    Bernat Maker Home Dec - 460 yards (tester sample)
  • 09
    Lily Sugar & Cream - 370 yards (tester sample)
  • 10
    Red Heart Stripes - 360 yards (tester sample)
  • 11
    Fibra Natura Raffia - 280 yards (tester sample)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook 7mm (or larger hook) - used for front/back panels
  • 02
    Crochet hook 6mm (or 1mm smaller than main hook) - used for side/bottom/strap panel
  • 03
    Alternative hook sizes used by testers: 8mm, 6.5mm, 5.75mm, 5.5mm, 5mm, 4.5mm
  • 04
    6 locking stitch markers (safety pins can substitute)
  • 05
    Safety pins (optional substitute for stitch markers)
  • 06
    Large button for front closure
  • 07
    Scissors
  • 08
    Yarn/tapestry needle for sewing and weaving in ends
  • 09
    Measuring tape (to check gauge and finished size)
  • 10
    Pins for assembly (optional)
  • 11
    Optional: mattress stitch or preferred seaming needle

Progress Tracker

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— Basic Information :

Infos :

Pattern is written in US crochet terms. Yarn: Approximately 470 yards of Bernat Maker Home Dec, or other bulky (5) weight yarn. The bag can be made with any sturdy yarn. Worsted weight (4) will give you a smaller bag, while super bulky (6) will give you a larger bag. Yardage will vary based on yarn chosen. See last 2 pages of pattern for tester photos, yarns, and yardage. Hook: Two hooks - one larger and one 1mm smaller. I used 7mm and 6mm with Bernat Maker Home Dec. Choose hooks that give you a tight tension on the side panel and a slightly looser tension on the front/back panels. You will need 6 locking stitch markers for assembly. Safety pins make a great substitute! Finished size: Varies based on yarn chosen. Gauge: For Bernat Maker Home Dec - Approximately 10 sts by 6 rows = 4" (front/back panels) and 8 sts by 5 rows = 2" (side panel/strap). Gauge will vary depending on yarn chosen.

— Abbreviations and Symbols :

Infos :

Ch - chain. Ch sp - chain space. Sk - skip. St - stitch. Sl st - slip stitch. Sc - single crochet. Dc - double crochet. Sc2tog - single crochet 2 together (decrease). 2dc - 2 double crochet in the same stitch (increase). * * - Repeat this section.

— Notes :

Infos :

Bag is made with two nearly identical front/back panels, and the strap and side/bottom panels are worked as one piece. Ch 2 at the beginning of the row does NOT count as a stitch. Rows 4, 8, and repeats use a crossed double crochet stitch. You will skip one stitch, and then make a double crochet in the next stitch as normal. Then, work a second double crochet into the skipped stitch. When working into skipped stitches, cross in front of the previous stitch.

— Pattern :

Front/Back Panels (make 2) :

With 7mm hook (or larger hook)

Row 1 :

Ch 30, 2dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc across until 1 ch remains, 2dc in last ch. (30)

Row 2 :

Ch 2, turn, 2dc in 1st st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc 1* across until 1 st remains, 2dc in last st. (32)

Row 3 :

Ch 2, turn, 2dc in 1st st, dc across, placing a dc in every st and ch sp until 1 st remains, 2dc in last st. (34)

Row 4 :

Ch 2, turn, 2dc in 1st st, *sk 1 st, dc 1, dc in sk st* across until 1 st remains, 2dc in last st. (36)

Row 5 :

Ch 2, turn, 2dc in 1st st, dc across until 1 st remains, 2dc in last st. (38)

Row 6 :

Ch 2, turn, dc in 1st st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc 1* across until 1 st remains, dc in last st. (38)

Row 7 :

Ch 2, turn, dc in every st and ch sp across. (38)

Row 8 :

Ch 2, turn, dc in 1st st, *sk 1, dc 1, dc in sk st* across until 1 st remains, dc in last st. (38)

Row 9 :

Ch 2, turn, dc across. (38)

Info :

Repeat rows 6-9 two more times.

Front Panel Row 18 :

ch 1, turn, sc across. Do not fasten off.

Back Panel Row 18 (includes button loop) :

ch 1, turn, sc 19, ch 18, sc 19. (38 sc, 18 ch) Do not fasten off. (If you'd prefer a bag with no button, make two of the front panel!)

Info :

Continue sc around the outside edges of the panel, placing 1sc in the end of the sc rows, 2 sc in the end of each dc row, and 1 sc in each st of the foundation chain. Fasten off.

Info :

Place a stitch marker in each of the two center stitches at the bottom of each panel.

— Side/Bottom/Strap Panel :

Info :

Switch to 6mm hook (or smaller hook)

Row 1 :

Ch 11, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. (10)

Row 2 :

Ch 1, turn, sc across. (10)

Rows 3-50 :

Repeat row 2. Place stitch markers at both ends of row 50.

Row 51 :

Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog. (8)

Row 52 :

Ch 1, turn, sc across (8)

Rows 53-149 :

repeat row 52.

Row 150 :

Ch 1, turn, 2sc in 1st st, sc across until 1 st remains, 2sc in last st. (10) Place stitch markers at both ends of row 150.

Row 151 :

Ch 1, turn, sc across. (10)

Row 152-200 :

repeat row 151.

Info :

For longer or shorter strap, add or subtract rows between rows 53 and 149.

— Assembly :

Step 1 :

With right sides facing - Using the st markers placed at row 50 and 150 of strap, attach the strap panel to the top corners of one of the bag panels.

Step 2 :

Using the stitch markers at the bottom center of the bag panel, attach the ends of the strap to the bag panel.

Step 3 :

Starting at the bottom center, sc the panel and strap together, continuing around the edge of the strap and down the other side of the panel. Sl st into 1st st to join. Fasten off.

Info :

Repeat for the other side panel.

Info :

Using tail, sew the bottom of the bag closed. I used a mattress stitch, but any seaming method will work.

Finishing :

Weave in all ends. Sew a large button onto the top center of the front panel.

Info :

Enjoy your new tote!!!

Assembly Instructions

  • With right sides facing, using the stitch markers placed at row 50 and 150 of the strap panel, attach the strap panel to the top corners of one of the bag panels so the strap aligns with the top edges.
  • Using the stitch markers at the bottom center of the bag panel, align and attach the ends of the strap to the bag panel so both strap ends meet at the center bottom seam.
  • Starting at the bottom center, single crochet the strap and panel together, working around the edge of the strap and down the other side of the panel; slip stitch into the first stitch to join and fasten off.
  • Repeat the same attachment process for the other side panel, ensuring the panels match and the strap sits centered and symmetrical.
  • Using the yarn tail, sew the bottom of the bag closed with a mattress stitch or your preferred seaming method to create a neat, secure base.
  • Weave in all ends securely and sew a large button onto the top center of the front panel aligning with the 18-ch button loop on the back panel.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers at row 50 and row 150 on the strap panel and at the two center bottom stitches on each panel to guide assembly and ensure proper alignment.
  • 💡Switch to a hook 1mm smaller for the side/bottom/strap panel to achieve a firmer tension and a stable strap; use the larger hook for the front/back panels for a softer drape.
  • 💡Ch 2 at the beginning of rows does NOT count as a stitch in this pattern; follow counts given in parentheses carefully.
  • 💡Rows 4, 8, and repeats use a crossed double crochet technique; when making crossed dcs, skip one stitch, work a dc in the next stitch, then cross to work a dc into the skipped stitch in front of the previous stitch.

This Grindstone Tote Bag pattern is a versatile, textured accessory you can customize for any season. Choose bold colors for a statement piece or neutral tones for everyday wear. Try different yarns and hook sizes to create multiple sizes and textures — perfect for gifting or selling. 🧶👜

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FAQs

What size will the finished bag be?

Finished size varies based on yarn and hook choices; tester finished sizes ranged from about 9x12" to 13.5x17" depending on yarn and tension.

Can I make the strap longer or shorter?

Yes — add or subtract rows between rows 53 and 149 of the side/bottom/strap panel to customize the strap length.

What hooks should I use for best results?

Use two hooks: a larger hook for the front/back panels (example 7mm) and a hook 1mm smaller for the side/bottom/strap panel (example 6mm). Adjust to maintain gauge and desired drape.

Do I need to use Bernat Maker Home Dec yarn?

No — the pattern works with any sturdy yarn. Bernat Maker Home Dec (bulky #5) is recommended for the sample, but you can use worsted or super bulky yarns to change the final size and look.