Violet Market Tote

Violet Market Tote by ChristaCoDesign

Project Overview

The Violet Market Tote is a beginner-friendly crochet bag pattern designed by ChristaCoDesign. This downloadable PDF provides instructions for creating a practical, colorful market tote bag using basic crochet techniques and stitches. The finished tote measures 14 inches tall and 25 inches with the strap, with a 12-inch width when laid flat, making it an ideal size for shopping, storage, or everyday use.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a structured tote bag worked in the round using crochet. The bag features a two-color design combining periwinkle and white yarn, creating a classic color-blocked aesthetic. The tote includes a functional strap for carrying and is constructed as a single continuous piece using circular crochet techniques.

Crochet Techniques Used

The Violet Market Tote employs fundamental crochet techniques suitable for beginners:

• Magic circle or chain foundation: The pattern offers flexibility by allowing crafters to begin with either a magic circle or a traditional chain-3 and slip stitch method, whichever they prefer.
• Working in the round: The bag is constructed by working in continuous rounds, with each round joined using a slip stitch to the first stitch.
• Increasing stitches: The pattern uses strategic increases (working multiple stitches into the same stitch) to shape the bag's base and create the proper dimensions.
• Stitch decreasing: Double crochet three together (dc3tog) decreases are incorporated to shape and structure the bag.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes a limited range of essential crochet stitches, making it accessible for beginners:

• Single crochet (sc): A basic short stitch used for structure and detail work.
• Double crochet (dc): The primary stitch used throughout the bag, creating height and drape.
• Chain stitch (ch): Used for foundation rows, spacing, and creating the V-stitch detail.
• Slip stitch (sl st): Used to join rounds and create seamless transitions between rows.
• V-stitch: A decorative stitch pattern defined as (double crochet, chain 1, double crochet) worked in the same stitch, adding visual interest and texture to the design.
• Double crochet three together (dc3tog): A decrease technique that combines three double crochet stitches into one, used for shaping.

Materials and Tools

The Violet Market Tote pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended finished product:

• Yarn: 6 ounces of number 4 medium worsted weight yarn in two colors. The pattern specifies 2 balls of Hobby Lobby's I Love This Cotton in Periwinkle (Color A) and White (Color B). This cotton yarn choice provides structure, durability, and a crisp finish ideal for a market tote.
• Hook: A 5mm (H) crochet hook, appropriately sized for working with medium worsted weight yarn.
• Additional tools: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, a measuring tape for checking gauge and dimensions, and scissors for cutting yarn.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 2 inches by 2 inches equaling 7 double crochets by 3.5 rows. Achieving proper gauge is important for ensuring the finished tote meets the intended dimensions: 14 inches tall, 25 inches total length including the strap, and 12 inches wide when laid flat.

Pattern Notes

The pattern includes helpful notes for crafters. The designer recommends using a chain-3 alternative rather than counting the traditional chain-3 as a stitch, which can help prevent tension issues and stitch count errors. The bag construction begins in Color A with a magic circle or chain foundation, establishing 12 stitches in the first round and increasing to 24 stitches in the second round to create the bag's base.