I love felting and here is my latest crocheted tote bag. It is crocheted with 100% wool yarn and then felted on the hottest setting in my washer for about 18 minutes. It really sunk from the original size before felting which was 17″ wide x 18″ long to the finished size of 11″ wide x 12″ long. I added a felted flower to the flap along with a magnetic closure.

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Closeup of the tote bottom

Here is a photo of the wide bottom of my tote bag. By adding the increase stitches as you crochet the beginning of bag, the bottom is able to extend and have a flatter surface. After you felt the bag, make sure to form the bottom so it dries in the correct shape so that your tote bag can stand up on the flat bottom. Enjoy the free pattern!

Felted Flower Tote Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
8 ozs Lion Brand Dark Teal 100% Wool Yarn (3 oz skeins)
1.7 ozs Caron Variegated Adobe 100% Wool Yarn
1 Magnetic button closure

Hook: H (5 mm) U.S. size metal hook

Description: Felted Blue Striped Tote Bag with Flower Closure
After felting bag measures 11 inches wide and 12 inches long with 27 inch straps

Directions:
Ch 55
Rnd 1
Using blue wool, Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Work 2 Hdc in end st, then continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st to other end then work 2 Hdc in end st.

Rnd 2
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the two end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in ea of the two end sts. Do not connect at end of rounds unless advised otherwise. Just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bottom bag.

Rnd 3 – 4
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the three end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in ea of the three end sts.

Rnd 5 – 25
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom.

Rnd 26
Hdc in ea st around entire bag until the last 3 sts at side of bag. Sc, Sc, and Sl st in the last 3 sts of bag side to create a smooth edge.

Rnd 27 – 30
Join Caron variegated wool yarn for stripe with sl st. Ch 1, Hdc in ea st around. Join with a sl st to top of ch 1. Work 4 rnds for first stripe. FO.

Round 31 – 36
Switch back to blue wool and join with sl st. Ch 1, Hdc in each st around and join with a sl st to top of ch 1. FO.

Rnd 37 – 38
Switch back to variegated yarn for stripe. Join with sl st. Ch 1 and Hdc in ea st around. Join with a sl st to top of ch 1. At last 3 sts at side of bag on rnd 38, Sc, Sc, and Sl st in the last 3 sts of bag side to create a smooth edge. Fasten off and weave ends under on inside of the bag.

Correction: (Last portion of blue omitted from original pattern post)
Add one more section of blue before working the flap portion.

Rnd 39 – 51
Switch back to blue wool for the last 13 rounds before starting the flap. Ch 1 to start with blue and then just Hdc in each st around. On final round, end with Sc, Sl St, Sl St at side of bag in last 3 stitches of final round. FO.

Flap:
Attach blue wool yarn with a sl st approx. 7 inches from side of bag and so it is 3 inches at center of front. Ch 1, Hdc across in the next 10 sts. Ch 2, turn. Work even on 10 Hdc sts on flap until 15 inches long.

Next row of flap:
Ch 2, turn, work 1 dec Hdc over the next 2 sts, then Hdc in ea st down to the last 2 sts. Work 1 Hdc dec over the last two sts. Repeat this row 3 times which creates a 1-st point at the end.
(Flap measures 7-1/2 inches long before felting)

Using a knitter spool, create a 53 inches long strap using the blue wool. Attach strap at sides of bag and weave under ends to secure.

Before felting this bag measures 17 inches wide x 18 inches long.

After felting 18 minutes on the hottest washer water setting this bag measures 11 inches wide x 12 inches long with 27 inch long strap.

Flower embellishment:
Using variegated wool, ch 3 and join to make a ring. Work about 8 sc into ring and then * ch3, Tr 4 times into same st, then Sl in to the next st.* Repeat between * around evenly. FO.

Using blue wool yarn, join with sl st in center. Sl st around the middle of flower to create a blue center. FO. Felt flower separately about 15 minutes.

Once bag is felted and dried, add magnetic closure to flap. Add flower over the front flap to cover the magnetic closure.

If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.

Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
St – Stitch
Tr – Triple Crochet

This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy of My Recycled Bags {dot com} and may only be used for private individual use. No commercial sales or use of this pattern is permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable. ©2009-2016

****Please do not copy my patterns on your blog site or post my patterns on Internet sites. I do not allow my patterns to be republished without expressed written permission. Posting of my patterns, without written permission is in violation of my copyrights and is content theft.