Colour Pop Crochet Tote in Sirdar Stories - Downloadable PDF

Colour Pop Crochet Tote in Sirdar Stories – Pattern Summary

The Colour Pop Crochet Tote (Design No. 10837) is a one-size crochet bag pattern published by Sirdar, one of Britain's most established yarn brands, founded in West Yorkshire in 1880. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is part of Sirdar's Stories collection, inspired by the colours and textures of the Italian Amalfi coast. It is rated Easy, making it an excellent project for beginner crocheters looking to build confidence while creating a stylish, functional accessory.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a crocheted tote bag in a single size, designed with a bold, fashionable aesthetic that reflects the sun-drenched palette of the Italian coast. The finished bag measures 37 cm (14½ inches) in width and approximately 40 cm (15¾ inches) in full length, not including the handles. It is a generously sized everyday tote, suitable for use as a beach bag, market bag, or stylish carry-all.

Techniques Used

The tote is constructed using two distinct crochet techniques that are worked in combination to create visual interest and texture across the body of the bag:

• Double Crochet (DC) Pattern – A classic, dense stitch construction that forms a firm, structured fabric. In UK crochet terminology, double crochet is a short, tight stitch ideal for bags where durability and shape retention are important.
• Granny Stitch Pattern – A traditional and beloved crochet technique that creates an open, lacy texture with a decorative, repeating motif. The granny stitch adds a handcrafted, vintage-inspired charm to the tote while keeping the fabric lightweight.

The combination of these two techniques — one solid, one open — gives the bag a dynamic, colour-pop appearance that is both contemporary and timeless. Panels of each stitch type are joined together, and the pattern includes specific instructions for picking up stitches and joining sections neatly. The construction method involves working flat panels and assembling them, with yarn joined at corners to continue rows across sections.

As an easy-level pattern, the techniques involved are well within reach of a beginner who has mastered basic crochet foundations such as making a chain, working into stitches, and counting rows. Sirdar triple-checks all patterns in their collections to guarantee a successful outcome when the recommended yarn and tension are used.

Stitches Used

• Double Crochet (dc) – The primary stitch used throughout the solid sections of the bag. The tension for this stitch is 17 stitches and 21 rows to 10 cm × 10 cm using a 4.00 mm hook.
• Granny Stitch – Used in the decorative open-work sections of the bag. The tension for this stitch pattern is 17 stitches and 10 rows to 10 cm × 10 cm using a 4.00 mm hook.
• Chain stitch (ch) – Used as a foundation and within the stitch patterns; notably, the turning chain of 1 chain does not count as a stitch in this pattern.

Matching tension to the stated gauge is particularly important for a bag, as it directly affects the final dimensions and the structure of the finished fabric. Crocheting a tension swatch before beginning is always recommended.

Materials Required

Yarn

• Sirdar Stories DK (yarn code F137) – A cotton-rich DK weight yarn available in two colourway options for this pattern:
  • Shade 843 Zen
  • Shade 848 Matcha
• Quantity: 5 × 50g balls are required (average quantity when using the specified Sirdar yarn at the stated tension).

Sirdar Stories is described as a cotton-rich blend that delivers cool cotton aesthetics in a lighter weight, helping finished makes retain their shape — a particularly desirable quality for a structured tote bag. The yarn's natural fibre content gives the finished bag a breathable, tactile