One of the most exciting things to do as a crochet artist is to learn a new stitch or technique, especially when your new-found skill sparks inspiration to create something new and unique.
Recently, I’ve been on a mission to use up a lot of the yarn we bought on impulse before we can splurge on more yarn. A few weeks ago, this led me to the urge to practice a newly learnt technique – Tunisian crochet, more specifically, the simple yet beautiful Tunisian Simple Stitch. I found that with some green variegated yarn, this stitch combined with the short colour changes resulted in a really interesting effect, and turned a fairly ordinary yarn into a really visually interesting fabric.
This led to our latest pattern: the Journey Tote. This pattern combines Tunisian crochet and traditional crochet to create a simple yet visually interesting and functional tote bag that can be as plain or as extravagant as the maker desires.
The Journey Tote is named as such for the journey of developing this pattern. This journey started with the yarn bought many months ago, which inspired its application to a new-to-me stitch, which then led to the idea to incorporate the stitch into a simple yet functional project, and then finally resulting in the design itself. The Journey Tote the perfect pattern to allow you to dip your toes into something new if you’re a newby to Tunisian crochet, while being simple and cosy enough to curl up with on the couch listening to a podcast or watching your favourite show (or if you’re anything like us, binge watching Netflix’s Life On Our Planet!)
Without further ado, grab your hooks, yarn and notions, and embark upon the Journey Tote!
Materials
- 5.5mm Tunisian crochet hook
- 5mm crochet hook
- Medium/DK weight yarn (this pattern was created using Marvel 8ply by Four Seasons)
- Stitch markers in 2 colours
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
Pattern Notes
- This pattern uses US crochet terminology.
- The number in brackets at the end of the row/round is how many stitches you should have completed.
- This pattern uses a combination of Tunisian crochet and traditional crochet.
- This pattern is primarily worked flat, however one section (the bag opening) is worked in the round.
- Following this pattern using the recommended hook and yarn size will result in a finished item approx. ##cm wide x ##cm tall.
- For the final stitch of every Tunisian crochet row, insert your hook under BOTH loops of the last stitch, then pull up a loop.
- If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to message us on Instagram or Etsy!
- Difficulty: Easy
Abbreviations
- Ch = Chain
- Sl St = Slip Stitch
- TSS = Tunisian Simple Stitch
- RP = Return Pass
- SC = Single Crochet
Instructions
Main Panel
Row 1: Ch 64, and starting from the 2nd ch from your hook, pull up a loop from each ch through the back bumps of your starting ch, then RP (62)
Row 2: TSS across the row, then RP (62)
Row 3 – 96: Repeat Row 2 (62)
At the end of Row 96, Sl St bind off loosely. Fasten off, cut yarn and leave a decent tail for weaving.
Fold your panel in half, with the ‘right side’ on the inside. SC each side shut, then fasten off, cut yarn and leave a decent tail for weaving.
Bag Opening
Round 1: SC around the opening at the top of your bag, then sl st to join to your first st (126)
Round 2: Ch 1, SC into the same space, then SC around. Sl st to join to your first st (126)
Round 3 – 5: Repeat Row 2 (126)
At the end of Round 5, fasten off, cut yarn and leave a decent tail for weaving.
Using stitch markers, mark the stitch directly above the seam where you stitched your panel together, on one side of your bag. Do the same for the stitch on the opposite side – it should be 63 stitches away from your first marked stitch (stitch marker colour “A”). Then, mark the 18th stitch on either side of your original two marked stitches (use a different colour). This is where you will begin the straps for your bag (stitch marker colour “B”).
Bag Straps
Row 1: In stitch marker colour B on one side of the bag, attach your yarn using a sl st and ch 90. Join the chain to stitch marker B on the SAME SIDE of the bag using a SC, then SC into the next st (in the direction of stitch marker A). Ch 1, turn your work, and starting in the same space as your ch 1, SC in each ch until you reach the end, then SC into the next st (in the direction of stitch marker colour A), then ch 1 and turn your work.
Row 2: SC in each st across your ch, starting in the same space as your ch 1 from the previous row. When you reach the end, SC into the next st to secure the row to the bag opening, then SC into the next st (in the direction of stitch marker colour A), then ch 1 and turn your work.
Row 3 – 5: Repeat Row 2.
On Row 5, when you turn your work, skip the first st and SC starting from the 2nd, then when you reach the end, sl st into the next st in the direction of stitch marker A, then fasten off, cut yarn, and leave a decent tail for weaving.
Finishing Off
Sl st around the inner part of the bag straps, and then on the outer parts and around the bag opening to seal off. Fasten off, cut your yarn, then weave in all of your ends.
Your Journey Tote is now complete!
We would love to see your finished creations! Please post them to Instagram and tag us @DandyKnots!
If you have any questions about the pattern, feel free to leave a comment below or contact us. 😊