Crochet Heart Tote Bag Pattern : Hearts and Stripes

This crochet heart tote bag is an easy project and works up in no time. 

Looking to use up your yarn stash? My pattern uses Aran/Worsted weight yarn in small amounts of four colours and is the perfect scrap project.

I’ve written the pattern in UK and US crochet terms.

Give this crochet bag as a gift – celebrate your friendship, your girlfriend (or for a birthday) and fill it with favourite things – it’s the perfect size for a book and goodies.  I think your daughter/granddaughter would love it too.  Or you might like it so much that you want to keep this one for yourself 🙂

Design Inspiration

I’ve been looking for a tote bag that included a heart in the design but couldn’t find what I wanted.

I wanted a smaller tote bag that recognised the love we have for the people in our lives. 

It had to be a little different though.  I knew I didn’t want a heart on one side and plain on the other.  I wanted it to be suitable for everyone, after all not everyone wants to carry a bag with a big heart.

Inspiration struck after I had crocheted the heart tapestry panel. 

Two bags in one with a different design on each side – one side with a tapestry heart and one subtle side with stripes in four colours and a crocheted heart bag charm.

You could crochet both sides in stripes.

I love the finished tote bag!

How the pattern is worked

Two separate panels are worked that are sewn together using a long tail from the second panel.

The first panel uses crochet tapestry to form the heart.  Double crochet (US single crochet) stitches keep the fabric lovely and dense.  If you haven’t worked the tapestry technique before, you’ll find useful information in this collection of tapestry crochet patterns.

The heart is worked in lime green and the surrounding stitches are worked in parchment.

The second panel is worked in stripes of double crochet (US single crochet) stitches.

This panel is worked in parchment, lime green, banana cream and blush pink.

Three small hearts and chains are crocheted and link together to form a bag charm and are sewn onto this panel.  The hearts are worked in blush pink, banana cream and lime green.

The small hearts are worked in one round (instructions are included in this pattern).

The handles are made by chaining and skipping stitches.  This makes them a part of construction and therefore stronger.

Related Crochet Bag Patterns

• If you enjoy working with more than one colour you might like to check out the Bramble drawstring bag, the Rainbow tote bag, the Mosaic Bricks tote and the Checkered Knot bag free patterns.
• Granny square bag patterns include the Josephine tote, the easy granny square bag or the Canterbury Edition tote.
• If you’re not sure which designs suit your skills, have a browse of this collection of crochet tote bag patterns or these easy granny square bags.

Yarn

This pattern uses small amounts of four colours. 

I used:

PaintBox Simply Aran

• 228 Lime Green
• 253 Blush Pink
• 220 Banana Cream

Stylecraft Special Aran

• 1218 Parchment

Both yarns have a similar tension and worked well together. You could use any Aran/Worsted weight from your stash.

The paid crochet pattern includes the tapestry heart chart.

Pattern Notes

• Yarn A = Parchment
• Yarn B = Lime Green
• Yarn C = Blush Pink
• Yarn D = Banana Cream
• Tapestry panel is written with the yarn colour, followed by the stitch and how many stitches ie; A dc x 11, B dc x 14, A dc x 11 = with yarn A work 11 dc stitches, with yarn B work 14 dc stitches, with Yarn A work 11 dc stitches (substitute sc for dc for US terms)
• When working the tapestry heart carry the unworked yarn along the row
• Change colour on the last pull through of the stitch before colour change
• Chain 1 does not count as a stitch
• Chain 2 does not count as a stitch
• Chains are made at the end of each row before turning to work the next row – this gives a neater edge and works better for sewing the panels together
• After completing the second panel, fasten off and leave a long tail – this will be used to sew down the side seam, along the bottom seam and up the side seam
• Weave in ends as you go

Level

Easy

Materials

• Aran/Worsted yarn in 4 different colours (small amounts – 50g for each colour)
• 5mm crochet hook
• Stitch Marker
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

Stitches and Abbreviations

Double Crochet (dc) /  US Single Crochet (sc)

Treble Crochet (tr)  / US Double Crochet (dc)

Half Treble Crochet (htr)  /  US Half Double Crochet (hdc)

Back Loop Only (blo)

• Ch – chain
• St/s – stitch(es)
• Rep – repeat
• Sk – skip
• Ea – each
• Sl st – slip stitch
• Foll – following
• RS – right side

Measurements

28cm / 11inches (W) X 23cm  /  9inches (L)

Gauge

12 stitches and 17 rows of double crochet (US single crochet) with a 5mm hook = 10cm x 10cm

Gauge is not critical for this project

Related Tapestry Crochet Patterns

If you enjoy working with this technique you might also like these patterns:

• Day at the Beach Blanket
• Peek-a-Boo Blanket
• Orchid Blaze Blanket
• Dog Sweater
• Owl Hot Water Bottle Cover
• Crochet/Pillow Cover
• 20 Free Tapestry Crochet Patterns

Crochet Heart Tote Bag Instructions UK Crochet Terms

First Panel

With Yarn A ch 36 + 1

Row 1: dc in 2^nd ch from hook, dc to end, ch1, turn

Row 2: dc in 1^st st, dc to end, ch1, turn

Row 3: A dc x 17, B dc x 2, A dc x 17, ch1, turn

Row 4: A dc x 15, B dc x 6, A dc x 15, ch1, turn

Row 5: A dc x 13, B dc x 10, A dc x 13, ch1, turn

Row 6: A dc x 11, B dc x 14, A dc x 11, ch1, turn

Row 7: A dc x 9, B dc x 18, A dc x 9, ch1, turn

Row 8: rep row 7

Row 9: A dc x 7, B dc x 22, A dc x 7, ch1, turn

Row 10: rep row 9

Row 11: A dc x 5, B dc x 26, A dc x 5, ch1, turn

Row 12 – 20: rep row 11

Row 21: A dc x 5, B dc x 12, A dc x 2, B dc x 12, A dc x 5, ch1, turn

Row 22: A dc x 5, B dc x 10, A dc x 6, B dc x 10, A dc x 5, ch1, turn

Row 23: A dc x 7, B dc x 8, A dc x 6, B dc x 8, A dc x 7, ch1, turn

Row 24: rep row 23

Row 25: A dc x 9, B dc x 4, A dc x 10, B dc x 4, A dc x 9, ch1, turn

Row 26, 27: rep row 2

Handle

Row 28: dc in 12 sts, ch15, sk 12 sts, dc in 12 sts, ch1, turn

Row 29: dc in ea dc and ch to end, ch1, turn

Row 30: dc blo to end, ch2, turn

Row 31: htr to end, ch1, turn

Row 32: dc blo to end, ch1, turn

Row 33: sl st in ea st across

Fasten off.

Second Panel

With Yarn A ch 36 + 1

Row 1: dc in 2^nd ch from hook, dc to end, ch1, turn

Row 2: dc in 1^st st, dc to end, ch1, turn

Row 3 and 4: rep row 2

Yarn C

Row 5 – 7: rep row 2

Yarn D

Row 8 – 10: rep row 2

Yarn A

Row 11 – 13: rep row 2

Yarn B

Row 14 – 16: rep row 2

Yarn A

Row 17 – 19: rep row 2

Yarn D

Row 20 – 22: rep row 2

Yarn C

Row 23 – 25: rep row 2

Yarn A

Row 26 and 27: rep row 2

Handle

Row 28: dc in 12 sts, ch15, sk 12 sts, dc in 12 sts, ch1, turn

Row 29: dc in ea dc and ch to end, ch1, turn

Row 30: dc blo to end, ch2, turn

Row 31: htr to end, ch1, turn

Row 32: dc blo to end, ch1, turn

Row 33: sl st in ea st across

Fasten off leaving a long enough tail to sew the side and bottom seams.

Small crochet hearts

Make 3 small hearts (1 x Yarn C, 1 x Yarn D, 1 x Yarn B)

Make a magic circle, ch2

Work the foll sts into the circle:

2tr, 2htr, 1tr, 2htr, 2tr, ch2

Sl st into the circle

Pull circle closed

Yarn C ch 10, place loop on a st marker

Yarn D ch 12, place loop on the st marker

Yarn B ch 14, place loop on the st marker

Place all 3 hearts on hook, take all 3 tails and pull through loops.  Fasten off.  Do not cut ends.

Assembly

With RS facing inwards and using the long tail of yarn from the second panel, sew side seam, along the bottom, up the side seam.

Fasten off and weave in end.

Turn work RS out and sew on the heart bag charm using the tails.  Weave in ends.  Fasten off

Related Heart Crochet Patterns

You might like to browse these heart patterns:

• Crochet Heart Patterns
• Easy Crochet Heart Cushion

Crochet Heart Tote Bag Instructions US Crochet Terms

First Panel

With Yarn A ch 36 + 1

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc to end, ch1, turn

Row 2: sc in 1^st st, sc to end, ch1, turn

Row 3: A sc x 17, B sc x 2, A sc x 17, ch1, turn

Row 4: A sc x 15, B sc x 6, A sc x 15, ch1, turn

Row 5: A sc x 13, B sc x 10, A sc x 13, ch1, turn

Row 6: A sc x 11, B sc x 14, A sc x 11, ch1, turn

Row 7: A sc x 9, B sc x 18, A sc x 9, ch1, turn

Row 8: rep row 7

Row 9: A sc x 7, B sc x 22, A sc x 7, ch1, turn

Row 10: rep row 9

Row 11: A sc x 5, B sc x 26, A sc x 5, ch1, turn

Row 12 – 20: rep row 11

Row 21: A sc x 5, B sc x 12, A sc x 2, B sc x 12, A sc x 5, ch1, turn

Row 22: A sc x 5, B sc x 10, A sc x 6, B sc x 10, A sc x 5, ch1, turn

Row 23: A sc x 7, B sc x 8, A sc x 6, B sc x 8, A sc x 7, ch1, turn

Row 24: rep row 23

Row 25: A sc x 9, B sc x 4, A sc x 10, B sc x 4, A sc x 9, ch1, turn

Row 26, 27: rep row 2

Handle

Row 28: sc in 12 sts, ch15, sk 12 sts, sc in 12 sts, ch1, turn

Row 29: sc in ea sc and ch to end, ch1, turn

Row 30: sc blo to end, ch2, turn

Row 31: hdc to end, ch1, turn

Row 32: sc blo to end, ch1, turn

Row 33: sl st in ea st across

Fasten off.

Second Panel

With Yarn A ch 36 + 1

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc to end, ch1, turn

Row 2: sc in 1^st st, sc to end, ch1, turn

Row 3 and 4: rep row 2

Yarn C

Row 5 – 7: rep row 2

Yarn D

Row 8 – 10: rep row 2

Yarn A

Row 11 – 13: rep row 2

Yarn B

Row 14 – 16: rep row 2

Yarn A

Row 17 – 19: rep row 2

Yarn D

Row 20 – 22: rep row 2

Yarn C

Row 23 – 25: rep row 2

Yarn A

Row 26 and 27: rep row 2

Handle

Row 28: sc in 12 sts, ch15, sk 12 sts, sc in 12 sts, ch1, turn

Row 29: sc in ea sc and ch to end, ch1, turn

Row 30: sc blo to end, ch2, turn

Row 31: hdc to end, ch1, turn

Row 32: sc blo to end, ch1, turn

Row 33: sl st in ea st across

Fasten off leaving a long enough tail to sew the side and bottom seams.

Small crochet hearts

Make 3 small hearts (1 x Yarn C, 1 x Yarn D, 1 x Yarn B)

Make a magic circle, ch2

Work the foll sts into the circle:

2dc, 2hdc, 1dc, 2hdc, 2dc, ch2

Sl st into the circle

Pull circle closed

Yarn C ch 10, place loop on a st marker

Yarn D ch 12, place loop on the st marker

Yarn B ch 14, place loop on the st marker

Place all 3 hearts on hook, take all 3 tails and pull through loops.  Fasten off.  Do not cut ends.

Assembly

With RS facing inwards and using the long tail of yarn from the second panel, sew side seam, along the bottom, up the side seam.

Fasten off and weave in end.

Turn work RS out and sew on the heart bag charm using the tails.  Weave in ends.  Fasten off

Happy crocheting!

Copyright Notice

The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Goodwin at Jera’s Jamboree.  This pattern and design are subject to copyright and are for personal, non-commercial use only.  You may not share, resell, alter or redistribute this pattern in part or in whole. You may, however, sell any finished items you make.  If you would like to include this pattern in a roundup, you may take one photo and link back to this pattern.

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