Few things are as satisfying as carrying a bag you’ve crafted with your own hands. The Hearts Full Tote Bag is a charming project designed to be both stylish and practical, featuring a series of beautifully crafted heart squares.
This bag is perfect for carrying everyday essentials, or it can be a thoughtful handmade gift for a loved one. With a combination of rich red and soft pink, and a sturdy cross-body strap, it’s a versatile piece that adds a touch of personality to any outfit.
When designing this tote, I wanted to create something that felt meaningful but was also approachable for a variety of skill levels. The repeating heart motifs make it a project that’s not only fun to crochet but also full of sentimental value.
A Bag That’s Full of Heart
This pattern uses a series of granny-style heart squares to form the front and back of the bag. Each heart is worked with simple stitches and a blend of double crochets and half treble crochets (half triple crochet).
Once the hearts are complete, they are assembled into two larger squares and sewn together to form the tote. Finally, a long, sturdy strap is added to complete the look. This bag’s finished size is approximately 12″ x 12″ with a cross-body strap measuring ~32″ in length.
Materials Needed
- Paintbox Yarns Wool Blend Super Chunky in Crimson Red and Blushing Pink (3 skeins each)
- 10mm crochet hook
- Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)
- Scissors
Before You Start: Gauge and Assembly Notes
To achieve the correct size, aim for a finished heart square measuring ~5.5″ on all sides. This ensures that all the squares fit together seamlessly when assembling the tote. Throughout the pattern, each round’s stitch count is listed to help you keep track. Don’t worry if your measurements are slightly off—this bag is quite forgiving and a great opportunity to practice assembling motifs.
The hearts themselves are worked in the round and use a combination of basic stitches like single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and the half triple crochet stitch. If you’re new to half triple crochet, think of it as a bridge between double and treble crochet, adding extra height and texture to your stitches.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Full Pattern: Click Here
Tips for Success
- Mastering Heart Shapes: When working each heart, it’s important to keep track of your stitches, especially around the top curves and bottom point of the heart. This will ensure your hearts are symmetrical and neat.
- Aligning Your Hearts: When assembling the hearts into two large 2×2 squares, take a moment to align them so that the hearts all point in the same direction. This will give your finished bag a cohesive and polished look.
- Sturdy Strap Attachment: When attaching the strap to the inside of the bag, make sure to secure it firmly with strong knots. A cross-body strap should be durable, so take your time with these final touches for added security.
Bringing Your Bag Together
Once you’ve finished making all eight hearts (four in red and four in pink), the assembly process begins. You’ll arrange them into two 2×2 squares, alternating the colors for a lovely contrast.
After adding a border around each large square, they’re ready to be sewn together to form the front and back of the tote. The final touch is a simple, sturdy strap crocheted in single crochet rows and securely attached to the inside of the bag.
The Perfect Blend of Style and Sentiment
The Hearts Full Tote Bag is a beautiful blend of playful design and practical function. It’s a project that encourages creativity while teaching you how to work with motifs and assembly techniques. Whether you’re using this bag as a stylish accessory or gifting it to someone special, it’s sure to bring joy to whoever carries it.
