If you haven't noticed, Lion Brand Rewind has become my all-time favorite yarn for crochet bags. I absolutely love the washed out look of each color, and the zero stretch and lightweight qualities of the yarn make it absolutely perfect for durable, functional totes. I've used it for my Capri Circle Bag, Verona Basket Tote, and Janey Basket Bag, and now I've got a new design to add to the mix - the Freeport Tote! Scroll down for the free pattern, purchase the printable, ad-free PDF here, or grab the kit from Lion Brand here (there’s even a promotion for 40% off your entire purchase on their site with code SITEWIDE40 right now!).

When I set out to design the Freeport Tote, I knew I wanted it to be sizable and simple. Sometimes crochet bags can look a little too "crochet" if you know what I mean, so I was interested in creating something sophisticated that could be paired with lots of different outfits for different types of outings.

I chose the color Greige for my sample because I love the soft putty look that goes so well with both cool tone and warm tone colors. I picture this tote being worn for everyday strolls through town with jeans or cutoffs and a tee, for picnics in the park with long floral dresses, and for beach trips with sleek coverups and big straw hats. I spend so much time running around the city with my computer and working from various coffee shops and cafes, that I also designed this to be rectangular so it could easily hold my laptop without losing shape, so it's a great companion for the office as well. I love how versatile it is due to the simplicity of its silhouette and lack of ornamentation.

So many summer crochet bags feature filet stitches and lacy, open fabric to keep them lightweight and cool, but I opted for a solid fabric this time so the bag would be a bit more functional for carrying smaller items (i.e. pens, lipstick, crochet hooks, etc) that can easily slip through holes. The Rewind yarn is so lightweight and airy itself, that the solid fabric doesn't feel too heavy or hot. It really is one of the best yarns I've found for bags! I love Lion Brand's 24/7 Cotton for it's sturdiness as well, but Rewind works up faster and has such a unique matte finish that adds a subtle sophistication to the finished product.

This is an easy level crochet pattern, and the techniques involved are double crochet, working into chain spaces, working in joined, spiral rounds, single crochet, and sewing with a tapestry needle.

MATERIALS:

4 skeins Lion Brand Yarn Rewind in Greige (523-123)
Size US G/6 (4mm) crochet hook
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle

FINISHED SIZE:

Width: 19”/48cm
Height: 15”/38cm
Strap length: 22”/56cm

GAUGE:

17 sts + 9 rows = 4”/10cm in double crochet

ABBREVIATIONS:

Ch – chain
Ch-sp – chain space
Dc – double crochet
Rep – repeat
Sc – single crochet
St(s) – stitch(es)

Notes: Bag is worked in joined rounds in two pieces that are then seamed. Top edging and straps are worked at the end. Each round of the main panels increases by 16 sts. The ch 3 at the beginning of each round counts as a stitch.

Panels (make 2):

Ch 25.

Round 1: 2 dc in 6th ch from hook, dc in each ch across to last ch, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in last ch, then continuing around other side of foundation ch, dc in each ch across to last ch, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in last ch, sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch 5 to join. (50 dc + 4 ch-2 sp)

Round 2: Sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as st here and throughout), (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, *dc in each st across to next ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, rep from * twice more, dc in each st across to end of round, sl st to top of ch 3 to join. (66 dc + 4 ch-2 sp)

Round 3: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as st here and throughout), (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, *dc in each st across to next ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, rep from * twice more, dc in each st across to end of round, sl st to top of ch 3 to join. (82 dc + 4 ch-2 sp)

Rounds 4-16: Rep round 3. (290 dc + 4 ch-2 sp)

Construction:

Panels are seamed together with a sc edging going through both layers. Place wrong sides together, and going through both panel layers, join yarn at one of the top corner ch-2 sp. Ch 1, 2 sc in the ch-2 sp, then sc in each st down the side to the ch-2 sp at the bottom corner, 4 sc in the ch-2 sp, then sc in each st across the bottom to next ch-2 sp at the other bottom corner, 4 sc in the ch-2 sp, then sc in each st up the side to the final ch-2 sp at the top corner, 2 sc in the ch-2 sp. Do not break yarn.

Top edging:

Round 1: Working around top edge (into a single panel now, not both layers), 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in each st across top of one panel edge to next ch-2 sp, 2 sc in ch-2 sp on this panel, 2 sc in ch-2 sp on second panel, sc in each st across top of second panel to next ch-2 sp, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sl st to top of 1st sc to join.

Next 2 rounds: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to top of 1st sc to join.

Straps:

Place markers approx. 2.5”/6cm down from the top edge and 6.5”/17cm in from each side for strap placement on both front and back panels.

Leaving a 12”/30cm tail, join yarn to a st at one marker and ch 85, then sl st to a st at marker on other side of the same panel. Sc back across each ch to 1st marker, sl st to fabric of panel, sc a second row back across each st to 2nd marker, sl st to fabric of panel.

Then, turn and working around the entire strap rather than into the individual sts, sc tightly all the way around to the other end of the strap as many times as it takes to cover the strap. Cut the yarn leaving a 12”/30cm tail.

Thread the tails onto a tapestry needle and sew the straps down to the panel fabric all the way up to the top edge of the bag for extra strength and security.

Rep above steps on other panel to create second strap.

Secure and weave in all ends.

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