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Leopard tote Pattern

Leopard tote Pattern
4.7★ Rating
8-10 Hours Time Needed
2.3K 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.

⏱️

All-Day Adventure

Requires 8-10 hours, ideal for a full day of immersive crocheting.

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Stylish Touch

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

About This Leopard tote Pattern

This pattern shows you how to crochet a leopard-print raffia tote with a leather base and removable lining. You will work jacquard colorwork to build the leopard motif and add a dense fringe for a signature finish. The instructions include base trimming, spiral rows for a seamless canvas, handle placement and a felt lining template for a neat interior.

Leopard tote Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Designed for intermediate crocheters who are comfortable with single crochet and color changes. Full materials and tool lists, plus step-by-step assembly details, are included for a polished final bag.

Why You'll Love This Leopard tote Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it blends practical construction with playful design elements in a way that feels both modern and handcrafted. The jacquard leopard print is so satisfying to work and really transforms simple stitches into a statement surface. I also enjoy how the leather base and felt lining elevate the bag into something durable and everyday-useable. Every time I finish the fringe I feel like the piece comes alive — it is a joy to create and style.

Leopard tote Pattern step 1 - construction progress Leopard tote Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Leopard tote Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Leopard tote Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easy it is to customize this tote: change the palette to neutrals for a classic look or go bright for a fun statement piece.

You can swap the amount of fringe and the fringe length to create a subtle trim or a dramatic tassel edge—experiment with 5–10 cm differences to find your favorite.

If you want a smaller bag, use thinner raffia and a smaller hook; for a chunkier, more structured tote, choose bulkier raffia and a larger hook.

I often add metallic or leather trims for extra polish—sewing a thin leather strip over the top edge gives a boutique finish and extra durability.

Try different handle styles: short straps for a shoulder bag, longer straps to carry on the arm, or detachable straps for versatility.

Consider adding interior pockets to the felt lining for organization—stitch a small felt pocket into the lining before inserting it in the bag.

For a boho vibe, alternate fringe colors in a repeating sequence; for modern minimalism, use a single-color fringe that matches the leather base.

You can replace the leather bottom with a recyclable rigid base plate or a different shaped base to change the bag silhouette while keeping the crochet body the same.

I sometimes embellish the finished tote with a tiny crocheted charm or tassel clipped to a handle for a personal touch—it's an easy way to signature the design.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with the jacquard pattern—scale motifs up or down or repeat a different animal print to make a totally unique bag.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not straightening or fluffing raffia before crocheting can make the yarn stiff and difficult to work; always straighten or steam and fluff your raffia skeins before starting. ✗ Joining a new skein incorrectly can lead to bulky joins or misaligned color runs; overlap about 5 mm, glue with PVA and wrap the join smoothly before continuing. ✗ Pulling jacquard color threads too tightly will distort the canvas and pull the stitches inward; crochet the last stitch before a color change with the next color and keep floats loose. ✗ Forgetting to place markers for the halves makes pattern alignment harder; mark the first loops of each half so your jacquard repeats stay centered and symmetrical. ✗ Skipping the recommendation to pull the working loop to the level of the hook causes inconsistent tension; pull the working loop 15-17 mm to keep the canvas even and tight.

Leopard tote Pattern

Make a stylish Leopard Tote using raffia yarn with a bold jacquard leopard print, leather base and playful fringe. This intermediate crochet pattern guides you through the base trim, canvas rows, fringe attachment, handle sewing and lining so you can create a durable, fashionable tote. Clear step-by-step instructions help you follow the jacquard chart and finish a professional-looking bag you will be proud to use or gift.

Intermediate 8-10 Hours

Materials Needed for Leopard tote Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Any raffia yarn of 3 colors, 225 yards (200 m) each (example brand: Ispie). Colors used: Autumn (main), Black, Salt Lake (accent).
  • 02
    Leather bottom 12*4 inches (30*10 cm) with 60 holes (used as the base with holes for crochet attachment).
  • 03
    Felt for the lining, 2 mm thick; cut to the leather base shape and a side strip (example: 36 inches x 9 inches / 90 cm x 23 cm).
  • 04
    Fringe: 160 pieces of raffia strips 8 inches (20 cm) long — approximately main: 80 pieces, green: 60 pieces, black: 20 pieces.
  • 05
    Sewing thread and needle for attaching lining and securing ends.

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 3 mm (recommended for the raffia canvas)
  • 02
    Optional crochet hook size 4-4.5 mm for the base trim SlSt/edge
  • 03
    Plastic needle with large eyelet (for sewing handles and hiding ends)
  • 04
    Sewing needle and thread (for the felt lining)
  • 05
    Sewing handles 75*1.5 cm (as used by the designer)
  • 06
    Leather bottom 12*4 inches (30*10 cm) with holes
  • 07
    Scissors
  • 08
    Stitch markers (2 or more)
  • 09
    PVA glue (for joins and fixing ends)
  • 10
    Iron (for steaming raffia and shaping/steaming base and fringe)
  • 11
    Pins for pinning lining and matching notches
  • 12
    Ruler or tape measure

Progress Tracker

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— Base Trim of the Bottom :

Info :

Leave the end about 8 inches (20 cm) long to close the rows of the base trim.

Info :

Crochet around the bottom edge as shown in the picture.

Round 1 :

Insert the hook in the side hole in the middle, pull the loop. Make CH, crochet 2 SC in the same hole.

Round 2 :

Next crochet 3 SC in each hole along the side part.

Round 3 :

Crochet 3 SC in 1 in the corner.

Round 4 :

Crochet 3 SC in 1, 2 SC in 1 along the long side of the bottom, repeat to the corner.

Round 5 :

Crochet 3 SC in 1 in the 2nd corner.

Round 6 :

Crochet 3 SC in each hole along the 2nd side part.

Round 7 :

Crochet 3 SC in 1 in the 3rd corner.

Round 8 :

Crochet 3 SC in 1, 2 SC in 1 along the 2nd long side of the bottom, repeat to the corner.

Round 9 :

Crochet 3 SC in 1 in the 4th corner.

Round 10 :

Crochet 3 SC in 1 in the hole, which are left on the 1st side part.

Round 11 :

Crochet the last SC with the end. Pull out the end. Pull the end under the 1st loop of the row. Pull back to the wrong side.

Info :

There are 160 loops now.

Round 12 :

Pull the working loop, crochet SlSt in each hole.

Round 13 :

Crochet the last SlSt with the end. Pull out the end. Pull the end under the 1st loop of the row. Pull back to the wrong side.

Info :

Cut the thread, tie the knot. Hide the ends.

— Crochet the Base Part :

Round 1 :

1 row. Take 3 skeins of the raffia yarn. Place it so that the thread unwinds counterclockwise.

Info :

Take the thread of the base color. Insert the hook in the middle loop on the side part of the bottom on the back loop and the jumper only.

Round 2 :

Pull the loop. Take 2 more thread of 2 different colors, put on along the row, crochet CH.

Round 3 :

Crochet row with SC on the back loop and the jumper only. Crochet the leopard print following to the pattern provided in the attachment.

Info :

When crocheting jacquard, crochet the last stitch before the color change with the next color. Do not pull the threads tightly inside to avoid tightening the canvas.

Info :

Pattern consists of 80 loops, that is, we crochet 2 halves with the same pattern (=160).

Info :

Place the markers in the 1st loops of the halves of the row.

Info :

Always pull the working loop to the level of the hook by 15-17 mm to make the canvas even and tight. After crocheting, pull the loop back.

Round 4 :

Crochet the last SC in the 1st loop of the row.

Round 5 :

Next crochet a spiral.

Round 6 :

2 row. Crochet 80+80 SC following to the pattern (=160).

Round 7 :

3 row. Crochet 80+80 SC following to the pattern (=160).

Round 8 :

4 row. Crochet 80+80 SC following to the pattern (=160).

Info :

Now hide the ends at the beginning of crocheting, and cut off the excess.

Round 9 :

5 row. Crochet 80+80 SC following to the pattern (=160).

Round 10-34 :

6-30 rows. Crochet 80+80 SC following to the pattern (=160).

Info :

Steam the base of the bag with an iron after crocheting 10-12 rows.

Info :

You can crochet more rows in height following to the pattern as desired.

Info :

In the last row, before 2 SC to the marker, cut off additional threads, leaving only the main thread. Crochet 2 SC with a gradual decrease in the height of the SC.

Info :

Remove the markers.

— Base Trim :

Info :

Crochet SlSt in each SC of the last row. Pull the loop by 4-5 mm, so as not to tighten the edge. You can take a 4-4.5 mm hook.

Info :

Cut the thread, pull out the end. Pull the end under the 1st SlSt of the row. Pull back to the wrong side. Strengthen and hide the end on the wrong side. Steam the base of the bag with an iron.

— Fringe :

Round 1 :

Cut 160 pieces of fringe 8 inches (20 cm) long, of the main, green and black colors (approximately 80/ 60/ 20, respectively).

Round 2 :

Insert the hook from the wrong side under the braid and the loop of the base trim, grab the middle of the fringe, pull it out and pull the ends in the loop. Tighten the loop.

Round 3 :

Make the fringe in each loop of the edge (160 pieces). Choose the color of the fringe, which is the color of the braid of the last row.

Info :

Steam the fringe with an iron, shape with hands. Cut off the excess.

— Sew on the Handles :

Info :

Count 6 holes from the corners of the bottom. Put markers on the edge of the bag opposite the sixth holes.

Info :

Put the handles near the markers.

Info :

Sew on the handles with the plastic needle. Make a few stitches.

Info :

Tie the knot and hide the ends. You can fix it with PVA glue.

— Lining :

Info :

Take felt 2 mm thick for the lining. Cut the bottom according to the shape and size of the leather bottom without seam allowances. Make 4 notches on the bottom.

Info :

Measure the perimeter of the edge of the bag (in my example, 36 inches (90 cm)).

Info :

Measure the height of the bag (in my example, 9 inches (23 cm)).

Info :

Cut a stripe from felt 9 inches (23 cm) high and 36 inches (90 cm) long. Sweep the stripe in a circle along the side seam.

Info :

Make 4 notches. Match the notches of the bottom and the stripe, pin with a pins. Sweep both parts. Make 10 mm tucks at the corners. Sew the lining. At this stage, you can give it to the atelier.

— Sew in the Lining :

Info :

Put in the lining in the bag. Pin with a pins.

Info :

Sew neat stitches through one SC. Make a several fixing stitches along the seam. Strengthen and hide the end of the thread.

— Finishing :

Info :

Congratulations! Your cute tote with trends print is ready. If you have questions about it, please convo me.

Assembly Instructions

  • Attach the leather bottom by inserting the crochet into the side holes and working the base trim around the leather edge; close the final loop by pulling the end under the first loop of the row and hiding the tail on the wrong side.
  • Place stitch markers in the 1st loops of each half before starting the jacquard repeat to keep the leopard pattern centered and aligned across the canvas.
  • Sew the handles to the bag by counting six holes from each corner on the leather bottom, placing the handles near the markers and sewing with a plastic needle, tying a knot and hiding ends; secure with PVA glue if desired.
  • Make and attach 160 fringe pieces to each loop of the base trim by pulling the fringe middle through the base loop from the wrong side, tightening and then steaming and shaping the fringe.
  • Cut and sew the felt lining to match the leather base and a side strip (example measurements given); pin notches, sew the lining in place and make fixing stitches through one SC to secure inside the bag.

Important Notes

  • 💡Steam or straighten raffia yarn before crocheting to ensure it opens and softens for easier working and even stitches.
  • 💡When joining a new skein, overlap ends about 5 mm, glue with PVA and wrap smoothly to avoid bulky joins inside the canvas.
  • 💡Do not pull jacquard floats tightly; crochet the last stitch before a color change with the next color to avoid tightening the canvas.
  • 💡Place stitch markers at the start of each half and at key reference points to keep the jacquard pattern and seam placements accurate.
  • 💡Pull the working loop 15-17 mm to maintain even tension and a tight canvas; relax the loop back after completing the stitch row.

This Leopard Tote pattern guides you through a stylish project from base trim to lining and fringe finish. It combines jacquard colorwork with practical construction for a durable, eye-catching bag. Make one as a fashionable statement piece or a thoughtful handmade gift! 👜✨

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished bag from the specified materials measures approximately 18 inches (45 cm) in length and about 9 1/2 inches (24 cm) in height without fringe.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

You can substitute other raffia or similar tape yarns, but the final size and look will change; adjust the hook size accordingly and check gauge before proceeding.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so basic knowledge of single crochet, working in the round/spiral and color changes (jacquard) is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters finish this tote in about 8-10 hours, depending on experience with jacquard colorwork and finishing steps like lining and fringe.