Paintbox Yarns Granny Square Tote Crochet Pattern

Paintbox Yarns Granny Square Tote Crochet Bag

What Is Being Made

The Paintbox Yarns Granny Square Tote is a beginner-friendly crochet bag project that creates a practical everyday tote. The finished bag measures 30 cm (11¾ inches) wide and 40 cm (15¾ inches) long, with handles extending 50 cm (19¾ inches) in length. This project combines classic granny square motifs into a functional carryall suitable for daily use.

Crochet Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental crochet techniques that make it ideal for beginners while maintaining visual interest. The design features lace elements created through the traditional granny square construction, which naturally produces open, airy spaces characteristic of lace crochet. The tote is worked flat in sections that are subsequently assembled, allowing for easier construction and shaping. The pattern also incorporates stripes created by changing yarn colors throughout the project, adding visual depth and design complexity. The handles and certain sections are worked in the round using a magic ring or chain foundation, demonstrating versatility in construction methods. The overall design is seamless in its final appearance, with pieces joined together to create a cohesive finished tote.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern uses essential crochet stitches suitable for beginner crafters. Chain stitches (ch) form the foundation and are used throughout for increasing and creating the open spaces characteristic of granny squares. Treble crochet stitches (tr), referred to as double crochet (dc) in US terminology, form the main body of the granny motifs and create the structural elements of the tote. Double crochet stitches (dc), known as single crochet (sc) in US terminology, provide tighter, more defined stitching where needed. Slip stitches (ss) join rounds and seams together. The pattern notes that 3 chain stitches count as 1 treble crochet unless otherwise specified, and a 2 chain turning chain does not count as a stitch, which are important technical details for maintaining proper stitch counts and finished measurements.

Materials and Tools Required

This project uses Paintbox Yarns 100% Wool Worsted yarn in six coordinating colors. The yarn requirements include:

• 1 × 100g ball in Seafoam Blue (Color A)
• 100g total (5 × 20g balls) in Daydream from the Paintbox Yarns 100% Wool Worsted Mini Ball Pack (Color B - Pistachio Green)
• 1 × 100g ball each in Slate Green (Color C), Dusty Rose (Color D), Ballet Pink (Color E), and Champagne White (Color F)

The recommended tool is a 4.5mm (size 7) crochet hook. The pattern suggests using a place marker (optional) to track rounds and pattern repeats. The recommended tension is 14 stitches and 9 rows measured over 10 cm (4 inches) when working granny stripe using the 4.5mm crochet hook, though the pattern notes that tension is not essential for achieving acceptable finished measurements with this particular project.

Pattern Notes and Construction Details

The pattern is written using UK crochet terminology with US terminology provided in italics within round brackets for each abbreviation and instruction. Instructions are given for the smallest size, with changes for larger sizes indicated in square brackets. Repeat figures in round brackets indicate the number of times a sequence should be worked. Where only one figure appears, it applies to all sizes. A figure of 0 means no stitches, times, or rows are worked for that particular size. Crafters should turn at the end of each round when working flat sections. Color reproduction may vary slightly depending on screen accuracy, and yarn quantities are approximate based on average requirements. Paintbox Yarns recommends using only the specified yarn for the finished measurements shown in the pattern.