Freya Fringed Tote

Freya Fringed Tote Crochet Bag by Susan Kennedy

What Is Being Made

The Freya Fringed Tote is a structured crochet tote bag designed by Susan Kennedy of Pretty Peaceful. This finished bag measures 13 inches wide, 11 inches tall, and 4.5 inches deep (33 x 28 x 11.5 cm), making it a practical everyday carryall. The tote features a distinctive fringed detail that adds visual interest and movement to the finished piece.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

This beginner-friendly pattern employs several fundamental crochet techniques to create the tote's structure and decorative elements. The body of the bag is worked in a continuous spiral from an oval base, which means stitches are joined in rounds without slip stitching to create a seamless, tubular construction. This technique is ideal for creating smooth, professional-looking cylindrical forms.

A key design feature involves alternating ridge rows with plain rows along the sides of the tote. Ridge rows are created by working into the back loop only of each stitch, a technique that produces a textured, raised line across the fabric. This creates visual definition and breaks up the solid color sections. The fringe is strategically attached to the front loops of the ridge row stitches, anchoring the decorative fringe elements to these textured rows for a cohesive design.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes single crochet (sc) as the primary stitch throughout the project. Single crochet creates a dense, sturdy fabric ideal for bags that need structure and durability. The gauge for this pattern is 25 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet, which helps ensure the finished bag maintains its intended dimensions and drape.

Yarn and Materials

The Freya Fringed Tote is designed to be worked in Schachenmayr Catania yarn, a 100% mercerized cotton available in sport weight. The pattern calls for a total of 9 balls of yarn across five coordinating colors:

• 162 Kaffee (main color, 6 balls)
• 383 Zimt (contrast color 1, 1 ball)
• 110 Schwarz (contrast color 2, 1 ball)
• 257 Bast (contrast color 3, 1 ball)
• 128 Fuchsia (contrast color 4, 1 ball)

Each ball contains 137 yards (125 meters) per 50 grams. The mercerized cotton fiber provides excellent stitch definition, durability, and a smooth finish that showcases the crochet stitches beautifully. Cotton yarn is also a practical choice for tote bags as it resists stretching and maintains its shape through regular use.

The pattern requires a US size B (2.25 mm) crochet hook, which pairs with the sport-weight yarn to create the specified gauge. Additional notions include removable stitch markers for tracking pattern progress and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and attaching fringe.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an excellent project for crocheters who have mastered basic chain and single crochet stitches and are ready to tackle their first structured garment. The continuous spiral construction and ridge row technique introduce slightly more advanced concepts while remaining accessible to newer crafters.