# Sage Garden Granny Square Tote Free Crochet Pattern
This tote started as a sketch in a worn notebook, inspired by a vintage bag I spotted at a flea market years ago. The original was falling apart at the seams, but the color combination — sage green, dusty rose, and cream — lived in my head rent-free until I finally brought it to life in crochet. The moment I attached the leather handles and stepped back, I knew the wait was worth it.
It is structured enough to stand on its own, roomy enough for everyday essentials, and those classic granny squares framed by coordinating stripes look both bohemian and refined. The construction is clever: decorative front and back panels built from granny squares and half triangles, joined to a sturdy base and side gussets. Take it one section at a time and it is completely manageable.
What You’ll Need
- DK weight cotton yarn — Color A (sage green): 310 yards / 284 meters; Color B (dusty rose): 180 yards / 165 meters; Color C (cream/natural): 220 yards / 201 meters (about 710 yards total)
- US G-6 / 4.0 mm crochet hook for all motifs and the bag body
- US F-5 / 3.75 mm crochet hook for the top border only
- Yarn needle with a blunt tip, scissors, and 6 to 8 locking stitch markers
- Blocking mats, rust-proof pins, and a spray bottle
- 1 pair of leather or vegan leather bag handles, 22 to 24 inches total length, with D-rings or rivets
- 4 rivets or Chicago screws with 0.25 inch posts, and 1 small lobster clasp (0.75 inch)
- Optional: plastic canvas or firm craft foam for a base insert (cut to 14.5 x 4.5 inches), and woven cotton lining fabric (32 x 28 inches)
Finished size:
- 15 inches wide x 11.5 inches tall (body only) x 5 inches deep, with a 9-inch handle drop
The Pattern
Gauge: one large granny square through Round 7 measures 7 x 7 inches after blocking. Solid hdc fabric: 16 hdc x 12 rows = 4 x 4 inches. Block your gauge square before starting — motif size controls the whole bag.
Color sequence for the granny squares: Round 1 Color A, Round 2 Color C, Round 3 Color B, Round 4 Color C, Round 5 Color A, Round 6 Color B, Round 7 Color A. Fasten off and change color after every round.
Large Granny Squares (make 4)
With Color A and the G-6 hook, make a magic ring.
Round 1 (A): Chain 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc into the ring, chain 2, (3 dc into the ring, chain 2) 3 times, slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3. Fasten off. (4 clusters, 4 chain-2 corner spaces)
Round 2 (C): Join Color C with a slip stitch in any chain-2 corner space. Chain 3, 2 dc in same space, chain 2, 3 dc in same space (corner made), chain 1, (3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc in next chain-2 space, chain 1) 3 times, slip stitch to top of beginning chain-3. Fasten off. (8 clusters)
Round 3 (B): Join Color B in any corner space. Work a corner (3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc) in the corner, chain 1, 3 dc in the chain-1 side space, chain 1, and repeat around. Slip stitch to join. Fasten off. (12 clusters)
Round 4 (C): Join Color C in any corner. Corner in the corner space, (chain 1, 3 dc in next chain-1 space) twice, chain 1, and repeat around. Join and fasten off. (16 clusters)
Round 5 (A): Join Color A in any corner. Corner in the corner space, (chain 1, 3 dc in next chain-1 space) 3 times, chain 1, and repeat around. Join and fasten off. (20 clusters)
Round 6 (B): Join Color B in any corner. Corner in the corner space, (chain 1, 3 dc in next chain-1 space) 4 times, chain 1, and repeat around. Join and fasten off. (24 clusters)
Round 7 (A): Join Color A in any corner. Corner in the corner space, (chain 1, 3 dc in next chain-1 space) 5 times, chain 1, and repeat around. Join and fasten off. (28 clusters)
Each blocked square should measure exactly 7 x 7 inches.
Half-Granny Triangles (make 4)
These fill the side corners of each panel. Color sequence: Row 1 Color A, Row 2 Color C, Row 3 Color B, Row 4 Color C.
Foundation: Chain 6.
Row 1 (WS, A): In the 4th chain from the hook work (3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc) for the corner, chain 1, 3 dc in the last chain. Turn and fasten off. (2 clusters)
Row 2 (RS, C): Join Color C to the top of the turning chain. Chain 3, 2 dc in the same stitch, chain 1, (3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc) in the chain-2 space, chain 1, 3 dc in the top of the chain-3. Turn and fasten off. (4 clusters)
Row 3 (WS, B): Join Color B to the top of the chain-3. Chain 3, 2 dc in the same stitch, chain 1, 3 dc in the chain-1 space, chain 1, (3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc) in the chain-2 center corner, chain 1, 3 dc in the chain-1 space, chain 1, 3 dc in the top of the chain-3. Turn and fasten off. (6 clusters)
Row 4 (RS, C): Join Color C to the top of the chain-3. Chain 3, 2 dc in the same stitch, (chain 1, 3 dc in next chain-1 space) twice, chain 1, (3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc) in the chain-2 center corner, chain 1, (3 dc in next chain-1 space, chain 1) twice, 3 dc in the top of the chain-3. Fasten off. (8 clusters)
Each triangle spans about 3.5 inches across its widest row.
Assembling the Panels
For each panel, lay one half-triangle on the left, one large granny square in the center, and one half-triangle on the right, all side by side with top and bottom edges aligned. Join the vertical edges with slip stitches through both layers (or sc through both layers).
Panel border: Join Color B and work 3 rounds of sc around the entire perimeter — 1 sc in each dc, 1 sc in each chain-1 space, 2 sc in each chain-2 corner space, working (sc, chain 1, sc) into each outer corner. Then switch to Color A and work 2 more rounds of sc, maintaining the corners. Fasten off. Each finished panel measures about 15 inches wide x 8 inches tall.
Base Rectangle
With Color A and the G-6 hook, chain 61.
Row 1: Hdc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. (60 hdc)
Rows 2-20: Chain 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in each stitch across. Turn. (60 hdc per row) Fasten off after Row 20, leaving a 36-inch sewing tail. The base measures 15 x 5 inches.
Side Gussets (make 2)
With Color A and the G-6 hook, chain 21.
Row 1: Hdc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. (20 hdc)
Rows 2-36: Chain 2, hdc in each stitch across. Turn. (20 hdc per row) Fasten off after Row 36, leaving a 36-inch sewing tail. Each gusset measures 5 x 11.5 inches.
Assembling the Bag Body
Hold the front panel and base rectangle with right sides together and sc through both layers along the bottom edge (about 60 sc). Repeat on the opposite long edge with the back panel. Attach the side gussets: sc the short bottom edge of each gusset to the short edge of the base, then sc up each long edge to join the front and back panels. Reinforce the corners with 2 or 3 extra slip stitches, then turn the bag right side out.
Top Border and Handles
With Color A and the F-5 hook:
Round 1: Join and work 1 sc in each stitch around the top opening, working (sc, chain 1, sc) at each corner. Join. (168 sc)
Round 2: Chain 1, sc in each sc, (sc, chain 1, sc) into each corner space. Join. (176 sc)
Round 3: Chain 1, sc in each sc, (sc, chain 1, sc) into each corner space. Join and fasten off. (184 sc)
Mark handle positions 4 inches in from each upper corner on both front and back. Thread the handle ends through the border at the marks and secure with rivets or Chicago screws.
At the right front corner, join Color A, chain 5, slip stitch back into the same space, and fasten off — attach the lobster clasp through this loop.
Tassel
Cut 30 strands of Color A, each 12 inches long. Hold them together and fold in half twice, tie a strand tightly around the bundle about 0.75 inch from the top to form the head, and loop a separate strand through the top for hanging. Trim the ends to 4.5 inches.
Weave in all ends, wet block by submerging in cool water for 10 minutes, press out the moisture, and lay flat to dry, shaping to the finished dimensions. Slide in the base insert if you are using one, and hand-stitch the lining to the inside of the top border.
Sophie’s Tips
- Weave in the motif ends as you finish each round — with 4 squares and 4 triangles, future-you will be so grateful.
- Cotton is non-negotiable here. Acrylic stretches and this bag needs to hold its shape through grocery runs.
- Make the tassel in dusty rose instead of sage for a sweet little color pop at the corner.
Enjoy every trip out with this one — it is as useful as it is pretty.
