Horizontal Band Crochet Carryall Free Pattern
Introduction
This Horizontal Band Crochet Carryall is a roomy, straight-sided tote that anyone comfortable with single crochet can make. It is worked as a simple tube from a flat rectangular base, so there is no shaping to worry about and the sides stay perfectly straight from bottom to top. Alternating teal and coral stripes of eight rounds each give it a calm, uncluttered Japandi look, and the clean color blocks come from easy tapestry crochet. The dense single crochet fabric feels sturdy and even in the hand, making it a great everyday shoulder bag for market runs, books, or beach days.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) recycled cotton, 100% cotton, 150 yd (137 m) per 100 g skein.
- Color A (teal): 2 skeins (about 300 yd / 274 m)
- Color B (coral): 2 skeins (about 300 yd / 274 m)
- Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8) crochet hook
- Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker, scissors, tape measure
- Finished size: Width 12 inches (30.5 cm), height 14 inches (35.5 cm), strap length 20 inches (51 cm) each
Abbreviations
- ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
- sc — single crochet: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- sl st — slip stitch: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- rnd(s) — round(s)
- R — row
Gauge
16 sts and 16 rnds = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet worked in the round. Work a small swatch in the round and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Change colors on the last pull-through of the final stitch of a round so the new stripe starts cleanly with no color bleed.
- Keep your tension even at the color changes; give the old color a gentle tug before cutting it to avoid loose loops.
- Count your 60 stitches at the end of every few rounds — the tube has no shaping, so a missed stitch will show as a slant.
- Work the base rectangle firmly and evenly so the bag stands up on its own once assembled.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Base (Color A)
R1: Ch 31, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (30 sts).
R2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (30 sts).
R3-16: Repeat R2 (30 sts). Do not fasten off.
Body
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the base (60 sts). Join with sl st to first sc.
Rnds 2-8: Ch 1, sc in each st around (60 sts). Change to Color B at the end of Rnd 8.
Rnds 9-16: Ch 1, sc in each st around (60 sts). Change to Color A at the end of Rnd 16.
Rnds 17-24: Ch 1, sc in each st around (60 sts). Change to Color B at the end of Rnd 24.
Rnds 25-32: Ch 1, sc in each st around (60 sts). Change to Color A at the end of Rnd 32.
Rnds 33-40: Ch 1, sc in each st around (60 sts). Change to Color B at the end of Rnd 40.
Rnds 41-48: Ch 1, sc in each st around (60 sts). Change to Color A at the end of Rnd 48.
Rnds 49-56: Ch 1, sc in each st around (60 sts). Fasten off.
Straps (make 2, Color A)
R1: Ch 41, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (40 sts).
R2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (40 sts).
R3-4: Repeat R2 (40 sts). Fasten off.
Edging (Color A)
Rnd 1: Join yarn at the top edge, ch 1, sc in each st around the top edge and in each st along the strap edges, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
Attach the straps to the top edge of the bag, positioning them 4 inches (10 cm) from each side seam with 6 inches (15 cm) between the two straps. Sew each strap end securely with a tapestry needle and matching yarn, going through both layers several times. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, working each tail in two directions so it stays put. Block the bag lightly by misting it with water, shaping the base flat and the sides straight, and letting it dry fully before use.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Make the stripes wider or narrower by changing the round count per color block — just keep both colors equal for a balanced look.
- Add a fabric lining and a small inner pocket for a more polished, everyday bag.
- Swap the short shoulder straps for longer crossbody straps by chaining more stitches in the strap foundation.
