Learn to crochet this charming Crochet Bow Tote Bag and carry something made entirely by your own hands. Wear it to the farmers market, tuck it under your arm at brunch, or gift it to someone who deserves something truly one of a kind.
The Bow Tote Bag
The Crochet Bow Tote Bag is the kind of piece that stops people mid-sentence. Its body is airy yet structured, crocheted in a deep crimson that feels at once nostalgic and thoroughly current, with a creamy oversized bow resting at the front like a quiet signature. This is a bag for someone who notices details, who chooses handmade over mass-produced, who understands that an accessory can carry meaning as much as it carries things. It is small enough to feel precious and open enough at the top to be genuinely useful.
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The deep burgundy and cream pairing shown in the tutorial photographs is a classic combination that works through every season, but this pattern welcomes experimentation freely. Imagine it in sage green with a blush bow for spring, or in charcoal with an ivory accent for winter. You could even match the bow to the bag body for a tonal, understated look that feels more grown-up and editorial.
Materials and Tools
For this project you will want to reach for a nylon or cotton-blend cord yarn in a worsted to bulky weight, which gives the bag its satisfying density and structured shape without feeling stiff or heavy in the hand. The body of the bag shown in the tutorial uses a smooth cord-style yarn that catches light beautifully and holds its form row after row. A 5mm or 5.5mm crochet hook works well with this yarn weight, giving you the right tension for fabric that feels firm but not rigid. A blunt tapestry needle will be your closest companion when it comes time to sew on the bow and weave in any remaining ends.
Stitch by Stitch
This Crochet Bow Tote Bag draws on a focused and satisfying collection of stitches that are approachable for beginners and pleasurable for more experienced makers.
BULLET:SC (Single Crochet) The backbone of the bag body, worked in continuous rounds to build the dense, even fabric you see in the finished piece.
BULLET:DC (Double Crochet) Used in sections of the bag and within the bow construction to create slightly more open and flexible fabric with a softer drape.
BULLET:SL ST (Slip Stitch) Worked to join rounds cleanly and to create the neat, polished edges visible along the rim and handle of the finished bag.
BULLET:CH (Chain Stitch) Forms the foundation chain to begin the bag base and is used throughout the handle construction to shape that satisfying rounded arch.
There is a meditative rhythm to working SC rounds in cord yarn, the slight resistance of the material and the satisfying click of a quality aluminium hook pulling through each loop creates a kind of focused calm that makes this project genuinely lovely to sit with over an afternoon.
Construction
The bag is worked from the base upward, beginning with a foundation chain that forms the oval or rectangular bottom, then building the walls in continuous rounds of SC until the bag reaches its desired height. The handle is constructed separately or picked up directly from the top edge and worked in ribbed or dense DC rows to give it that thick, structured look you can see in the reference images. The bow is made as a flat panel, folded and cinched at the center, then attached to the front of the bag with a few secure stitches through the tapestry needle. If you want to adjust the scale, simply add or reduce rounds on the body before beginning the handle section, making it taller for a more dramatic silhouette or shorter for a compact evening version.
Wearing Your Bow Tote Bag
The finished Crochet Bow Tote Bag is the right size for a wallet, phone, lip balm, and a small notebook, which makes it ideal for a dinner out or a slow Saturday at a bookshop. Pair it with a linen dress and sandals for a soft, considered summer look, or carry it tucked into the crook of your elbow alongside a wool coat when the air turns cool. Every time you reach for it, you will feel that particular satisfaction of knowing you made the thing you are carrying.
Keeping Your Bow Tote Looking Its Best
Because cord yarn and cotton blends are generally quite forgiving, the Crochet Bow Tote Bag can be gently hand-washed in cool water with a small amount of mild soap when it needs refreshing. Reshape it by hand while still damp, stuffing the interior lightly with a clean cloth or small towel to help it hold its boxy structure as it dries flat. Avoid wringing or twisting the fabric, as this can distort the stitches and loosen the bow attachment over time. When storing it between uses, keep the bow lightly padded or loosely stuffed so it retains its full, open shape rather than flattening against the bag front.
You made something real, something with hours and intention woven into every loop, and that is worth celebrating every single time you pick it up. If you are ready to begin, the full video tutorial walks you through every step of this Crochet Bow Tote Bag in beautiful detail. Save this post to your Pinterest boards so you can find it whenever you are ready to cast on.
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Tutorial and photos of this bow tote bag by: Adel | Fit & Crochet.