Color Theory: Bermuda Tote
THE BERMUDA TOTE IS AN EXCLUSIVE PATTERN MADE IN MY BRAND NEW YARN, COLOR THEORY, PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LION BRAND YARN. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE YARN AND COLLABORATION HERE!
Bold mitered squares get arranged in a magical way to form this rounded bottom tote perfect for a stroll through your favorite beach town. The five-color palette is incredibly customizable and versatile. Scroll down for the free pattern, purchase a printer-friendly PDF of the Bermuda Tote pattern, or purchase the kit with all the Color Theory yarn you’ll need!
The idea for this design was to create a fresh and friendly bag perfect for spring. I chose bright colors and high contrast shades to pack a big punch and make the final product extra striking.
The fun of this project is thanks to the construction - 13 squares magically come together to form this classic shape with a rounded bottom that is incredible comfortable to wear. It was the first time I designed something with this construction and it will definitely not be the last!
I’m a big fan of super oversized totes, but I aimed for this one to be the perfect portable size so it would be somewhere in between a purse and a big bag. It fits everything you’d need to a trip to the beach or the park without feeling like you’re hauling your entire life with you.
This is an easy level crochet pattern and the techniques involved are single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, the sc2tog decrease, and seaming.
MATERIALS
1 skein each Lion Brand Color Theory in Tourmaline (619-178S) for color A, Dijon (619-170AE) for color B, Bone (619-122X) for color C, Thunder (619-150BE) for color D, and Himalayan Salt (619-184X) for color E (worsted, weight 4; 246yds/225m per skein)
US G/6 (4mm) crochet hook
Removable stitch marker
Tapestry needle
GAUGE
17 sts x 9 rows = 4”/10cm in double crochet
FINISHED DIMENSIONS
A Length: 15”/38cm
B Width: 15”/38cm
C Strap Length: 16”/41cm
ABBREVIATIONS
*All Two of Wands patterns are written in standard US terms.
Ch - Chain
Dc - Double crochet
Rep - Rep
Sc - Single crochet
Sc2tog - Single crochet 2 together
Sl st - Slip stitch
St(s) - Stitch(es)
Tr - Treble crochet
Notes: Bag is made of 13 individual squares which are sewn together to form the shape. Strap is crocheted onto bag after construction. Squares are worked flat in back and forth rows – turn at the end of each row. To change color, work the final yarn over of the last stitch in the previous row with the new color. The ch 3 at the beginning of each row counts as a stitch – work the first dc of each row in the 2nd stitch, and work the last dc of each row in the top of the turning ch from the row below.
Squares (make 13):
With color A, ch 4.
Row 1: In 4th ch from hook, dc 1, tr 1, dc 2. (4 dc + 1 tr)
Row 2: Ch 3, dc 1, (dc 2, tr 1, dc 2) in tr, dc 2. (8 dc + 1 tr)
Place a removable stitch marker on the corner tr st to easily identify it, and move it up each row.
Row 3: Ch 3, dc to tr, (dc 2, tr 1, dc 2) in tr, dc to end of row. (12 dc + 1 tr)
Change to color B.
Rows 4+5: Rep row 3. (20 dc + 1 tr)
Change to color C.
Rows 6+7: Rep row 3. (28 dc + 1 tr)
Change to color D.
Rows 8+9: Rep row 3. (36 dc + 1 tr)
Change to color E.
Rows 10+11: Rep row 3. (44 dc + 1 tr)
Do not fasten off. Rotate work to begin working down the side edge.
Square Border:
Note: When working into the sides of dc rows, insert the hook under two bars of the side of the stitch rather than working around the whole post to prevent large holes.
Ch 1, sc 2 in the side of each dc row to the next corner (22 sc), sc 2 in the corner, rotate work to begin working down next side, sc 2 in the side of each dc row to the next corner (22 sc), sc 2 in the corner, rotate work to begin working down next side and starting in the top of the st just worked into, sc in each dc along edge to next corner (22 sc), sc 2 in corner tr, rotate work to begin working down final side, sc in each dc along edge to next corner (22 sc), sc 2 in the corner, sl st to 1st sc to join. (96 sc)
Fasten off. Secure and weave in all ends.
Construction:
Block all squares to 5.5”/14cm to ensure a perfect fit. Using a whip stitch or seaming technique of your choice, seam the squares together in the configuration illustrated below. Fold squares 12 and 13 up to meet squares 1 and 2. Square 8 will be folded in half horizontally. Using the colors and letters on the configuration as a guide, seam side A to side B, side C to side D, side E to side F, and so on. Squares 3 and 5 will be folded in half vertically.
Secure and weave in all ends.
Outer edging and straps:
With color A and front of bag (squares 1, 2, 4, 6, 7) facing up, rejoin yarn in the 1st of the 22 sc along the right side edge of square 2 (leave the remaining corner st next to square 5 unworked).
Round 1: Ch 1 and starting in same st as join, sc 23 up the right side edge of square 2 (last sc should be in the 1st of the 2 corner sts at the top of square 2), ch 68 for front strap, then starting in the 2nd corner st at the top of square 1, sc 23 down the left side edge of square 1 (there should be 1 corner st remaining), sc2tog around the remaining corner sts of squares 1 and 12, sc 23 up the right side edge of square 12 (last sc should be in the 1st of the 2 corner sts at the top of square 12), ch 68 for back strap, then starting in the 2nd corner st at the top of square 13, sc 23 down the left side edge of square 13 (there should be 1 corner st remaining), sc2tog around the remaining corner sts of squares 13 and 2. Do not join.
Round 2: Sc around, working a sc2tog at the left side corner and again at the end of the round.
Fasten off. With front of bag facing up, rejoin yarn in the remaining corner st at the top of square 2.
Round 3: Ch 1 and starting in the same st as join, sc 23 down the left side edge of square 2 (there should be 1 corner st remaining), sc2tog around the remaining corner sts of squares 2 and 1, sc 23 up the right side edge of square 1, then sc into the underside of each ch that formed the strap. Do not join.
Round 4: Sc around, working a sc2tog at the center corner.
Fasten off. Rep rounds 3 and 4 on back of bag along squares 12 and 13 and opposite strap.
Secure and weave in any remaining ends.
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