Easy Split Tote in Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie - LM5998 - Downloadable PDF

Easy Split Tote in Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie – A Beginner Crochet Bag Pattern by Bendy Carter

The Easy Split Tote (LM5998) is a free, downloadable crochet pattern designed by Bendy Carter for Red Heart. It produces a sturdy, stylish everyday tote bag worked in Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie yarn, a worsted-weight yarn known for its smooth texture and vibrant color options. The finished tote measures approximately 15 inches wide by 15 inches tall, not including the straps, making it a generously sized bag suitable for shopping, the beach, or daily errands.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a structured oval-bottomed tote bag with two attached straps. The design is rated beginner difficulty, making it an ideal project for newer crocheters who want to build confidence while producing a functional, finished accessory. The tote is worked in three separate pieces—the main bag body and two straps—which are then sewn together to complete the finished item. The construction method is straightforward and well-explained, giving beginners a gentle introduction to multi-piece crochet assembly.

Construction and Techniques

The bag body is worked in the round, beginning with a foundation chain. Stitches are worked along both sides of the foundation chain to create the first oval-shaped round—a classic technique for forming an oval or elliptical base in crochet. This gives the tote its characteristic flat, structured bottom.

• Continuous rounds (spiral method): The bag is worked in continuous rounds without joining at the end of each round. A stitch marker is placed in the first stitch of each round and moved up as work progresses, keeping the crocheter on track throughout the body of the bag.
• Color changes: The pattern introduces two yarn colors (referred to as Color A and Color B). Color changes are made by working the last stitch of the old color to the final yarn-over, then pulling through with the new color—a standard technique for clean, neat color transitions in crochet.
• Straps worked in rows: Unlike the bag body, each strap is worked back and forth in rows, then sewn onto the completed bag. This straightforward row-based construction keeps the strap sections simple and manageable for beginners.
• Seaming and assembly: The three pieces are joined by sewing, introducing beginners to basic crochet finishing and assembly skills.

Stitches Used

The Easy Split Tote features two primary crochet stitches that give the bag its distinctive texture and visual interest:

• Single crochet (sc): The foundational stitch used to establish the base round and throughout portions of the pattern. Single crochet is one of the most basic crochet stitches, making it very accessible for beginners.
• Split single crochet (split-sc): This is the signature stitch of the design and the source of the tote's eye-catching textured surface. The split single crochet is worked by inserting the hook between the legs of the stitch below rather than under the top two loops as in a standard single crochet. This technique creates a woven, fabric-like appearance with excellent stitch definition. Rounds 2 through 19 alternate between single crochet and split single crochet in a repeating pattern (sc in next st, split-sc in next st), building the body of the bag with a consistent, attractive texture. From Round 20 onward, the split single crochet is used exclusively in combination with the two-color alternating sequence, creating a bold color-work effect.

Color Work Detail

Beginning at Round 20, the pattern introduces an alternating two-color sequence using the split single crochet stitch. Color A and Color B are switched with every stitch in a strict alternating pattern, with each color change executed on the final yarn-over of each stitch. This produces a striking checkerboard or woven color-work effect that elevates the visual appeal of the tote without requiring advanced skills. The color-change technique is clearly described in the pattern notes, making it approachable even for those new to working with multiple colors.

Materials – Yarn, Hook, and Notions

• Yarn