I call this one the Rose Garden Tote, and she has quite a story. The original sketch for this bag sat in my crochet notebook for nearly three years. I remember drawing those diagonal roses one rainy afternoon, imagining a bag pretty enough for a farmer’s market trip but sturdy enough to carry home a haul of vegetables and homemade soap.
When I finally sat down to work out the math, I made this bag for my sister’s birthday. She loves anything with flowers, and I wanted to create something that felt like a wearable garden. The herringbone texture reminded me of woven baskets, and those little crocheted roses looked exactly like the climbing ramblers on our grandmother’s old fence.
Now I get to share this pattern with you. Fair warning: this is a project that takes time and attention. But every single rose you roll and stitch becomes part of something truly special.
About This Rose Garden Tote Bag Crochet Pattern
This structured tote features a distinctive herringbone single crochet body that creates a tight, dense fabric with a subtle chevron weave. The real showstopper is the decorative garland of crocheted roses with leaf accents running diagonally across the front panel. A matching row of roses trims the top opening, and the whole thing comes together into a bag that genuinely looks like it belongs in a boutique window.
The finished bag measures approximately 14 inches wide by 12 inches tall by 4 inches deep, with a handle drop of about 9 inches. That is roomy enough for your everyday essentials, a library haul, or a weekend picnic.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
This crochet tutorial involves working a special stitch that requires consistent tension, creating dozens of small spiral roses, and seaming two large panels to a gusset strip. You should feel comfortable with flat panel construction and small applique work before diving in.
Time Estimate: Approximately 20 to 30 hours for an experienced intermediate crocheter
Materials You Will Need
Yarn
Main Color (MC): Natural or warm cream cotton or cotton blend yarn, approximately 800 yards (730 meters), worsted weight (category 4)
Rose Color A (RCA): Dusty rose or medium pink, approximately 50 yards (46 meters), worsted weight (category 4)
Rose Color B (RCB): Light blush or pale pink, approximately 30 yards (27 meters), worsted weight (category 4)
Leaf Color (LC): Medium sage green, approximately 60 yards (55 meters), worsted weight (category 4)
Recommended Yarn Options
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Ecru (MC), Rose (RCA), Blush (RCB), and Mint (LC) works beautifully. This 100 percent mercerized cotton is smooth, strong, and holds the herringbone stitch definition exceptionally well.
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK doubled throughout for MC in Vanilla Cream, Tea Rose, Blush Pink, and Grass Green creates a slightly softer hand.
WeCrochet Dishie in White (MC), Peony (RCA), Blush (RCB), and Aloe (LC) gives clean stitch definition perfect for the herringbone texture.
Avoid fluffy, textured, or hairy yarns. They will obscure the herringbone pattern completely.
Hook
US size G-6 / 4.0 mm crochet hook for body panels and gusset
US size E-4 / 3.5 mm crochet hook for roses and leaves
Notions
Gauge
Using MC and US G-6 / 4.0 mm hook in herringbone single crochet worked flat:
18 stitches = 4 inches / 10 cm
20 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm
To make a gauge swatch: Chain 22. Work herringbone single crochet (hbsc) across for 24 rows. Block lightly. Measure the center 4 inches in both directions. Adjust hook size as needed.
Correct gauge is essential for the finished bag to hold its shape and achieve the stated dimensions. Please do not skip this step.
Abbreviations
blo = back loop only
ch = chain
hbsc = herringbone single crochet (see Special Stitches)
sc = single crochet (insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
rep = repeat
sp = space
sk = skip
yo = yarn over
flo = front loop only
rnd = round
pm = place marker
sm = slip marker
tog = together
inv dec = invisible decrease (see Special Stitches)
MR = magic ring
Special Stitches for This Crochet Pattern
Herringbone Single Crochet (hbsc)
This stitch creates the beautiful diagonal texture across the entire bag body. It looks complicated but becomes rhythmic once you get going.
Step 1: Insert hook into the next stitch as usual.
Step 2: Yarn over and pull up a loop, but instead of stopping, continue pulling that loop all the way through the first loop on the hook. You now have one loop on the hook.
Step 3: Yarn over again and pull through the remaining loop on the hook to complete the stitch.
The hbsc leans slightly and creates a herringbone texture. It counts as one stitch. The turning chain in this pattern does NOT count as a stitch.
Crocheted Rose (worked in a flat spiral)
Using RCA or RCB and the smaller hook:
Step 1: Chain 36.
Step 2: In the 2nd chain from the hook, work 2 sc. Work 2 sc in each remaining chain across. (70 sc)
Step 3: Do not turn. Beginning at the starting tail end, roll the strip tightly into a spiral with the puffier side facing out, using your fingers to coil it as you go.
Step 4: Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle and stitch through the base of the coil several times to secure. Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch tail for attaching to the bag.
Each completed rose is approximately 1 to 1.25 inches in diameter.
Leaf
Using LC and the smaller hook:
Step 1: Chain 8.
Step 2: Sl st in 2nd chain from hook. Sc in next ch. Half double crochet (hdc) in next ch. Double crochet (dc) in next ch. Hdc in next ch. Sc in next ch. Sl st in last ch. (7 sts)
Step 3: Do not cut yarn. Rotate work 180 degrees and work along the opposite side of the foundation chain: sl st in first ch. Sc in next ch. Hdc in next ch. Dc in next ch. Hdc in next ch. Sc in next ch. Sl st in last ch.
Step 4: Fasten off, leaving a 10-inch tail for attaching.
Each leaf is approximately 0.75 inch long.
Invisible Decrease (inv dec)
Insert hook into the front loop only of the next stitch, then into the front loop only of the following stitch. Yarn over and pull through both front loops. Yarn over and pull through the remaining 2 loops on the hook.
Step by Step Instructions
Front Panel
Foundation chain: Using MC and the larger hook, chain 64.
Row 1 (RS): Hbsc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (63 hbsc)
Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as st). Hbsc in each st across. Turn. (63 hbsc)
Rows 3 through 60: Rep Row 2. Turn after each row. (63 hbsc per row)
After Row 60 your panel should measure approximately 14 inches wide and 12 inches tall. If your panel is shorter, continue working rows until you reach 12 inches. If it is taller, stop earlier.
Do not fasten off. You will use this live edge for the top border.
Top Border of Front Panel
Row 61: Ch 1. Sc in each st across. Turn. (63 sc)
Row 62: Ch 1. Sc in each st across. Fasten off. Weave in ends. (63 sc)
Your front panel should now measure 14 inches wide and 12 inches tall when lying flat and lightly blocked.
Back Panel
Work exactly as the front panel, Rows 1 through 62. The back panel is identical and has no rose embellishment.
Both panels should match each other in width and height exactly. Place them together and check that edges align before moving forward.
Gusset Strip (Sides and Base)
The gusset is one continuous strip that forms both short sides and the base of the bag.
Foundation chain: Using MC and the larger hook, chain 19.
Row 1 (RS): Hbsc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (18 hbsc)
Row 2: Ch 1. Hbsc in each st across. Turn. (18 hbsc)
Repeat Row 2 until the strip measures 33 inches from the beginning.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
The gusset strip should be 4 inches wide and 33 inches long. It should feel firm and dense.
Handles (Make 2)
Each handle is worked as a narrow tube in continuous rounds of sc over 6 stitches.
Foundation: Using MC and the larger hook, make a magic ring.
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. Do not join. Work in a continuous spiral. Pm in first st of each round to track beginning. (6 sc)
Rounds 2 through 90: Sc in each st around. (6 sc per round)
After Round 90, the tube should measure approximately 18 inches long.
Sl st in next st to close. Fasten off, leaving an 18-inch tail on each end for sewing.
Make 2.
Handle Tabs (Make 4)
Foundation chain: Using MC and the larger hook, chain 7.
Row 1: Sc blo in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (6 sc)
Rows 2 through 8: Ch 1. Sc blo in each st across. Turn. (6 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a 14-inch tail.
Make 4 tabs total.
Each tab should measure approximately 1.25 inches wide and 1.5 inches tall.
Roses
For the diagonal garland: 16 roses total (9 in RCA and 7 in RCB)
For the top border trim: 10 roses total (5 in RCA and 5 in RCB)
Grand total: 26 roses
Make 19 roses using RCA and 13 roses using RCB. The slight excess allows you to choose the best placement.
Leaves
For the diagonal garland: 18 leaves
For the top border trim: 12 leaves
Grand total: 30 leaves
Making 5 extra leaves is recommended given their small size and the chance of losing a few.
Assembly
Step 1: Wet-block or steam-block both the front and back panels to the finished dimensions of 14 inches wide by 12 inches tall. Allow to dry completely before seaming.
Step 2: Hold the front panel and the gusset strip with right sides facing each other. Beginning at the lower left corner of the front panel, pin the gusset strip along the left side edge, across the bottom edge, and up the right side edge.
Using MC and the larger hook, join with a sc seam through both layers. Work 1 sc per row end along the side edges and 1 sc per stitch along the bottom edge.
Approximate stitch counts for the seam: Left side 60 sc, Bottom 63 sc, Right side 60 sc, Total 183 sc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Step 3: Repeat Step 2 to join the gusset to the back panel with right sides facing.
Step 4: Turn the assembled bag right side out through the top opening.
Step 5: Working along the top opening, join MC and work 1 row of sc evenly around the entire top opening. Work 1 sc per stitch across the panel tops and 1 sc per row end across the gusset ends. Approximately 134 sc total. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Step 6: Position each handle 3 inches in from each side edge, centered across the top of both the front and back panels. The base of each handle end sits approximately 1 inch below the top opening edge. Sew securely using an X-stitch pattern.
Step 7: Fold each handle tab around the base of one handle attachment point. Using the long tail, stitch the tab in place on both the exterior and interior surfaces of the bag.
Rose Garland Embellishment
Step 1: Using a stitch marker, mark a diagonal line from the upper left corner of the front panel to the lower right corner.
Step 2: Beginning at the upper left corner, pin leaves in pairs with the tips pointing away from the center line, spaced approximately 0.75 inch apart along the diagonal. Stitch each leaf securely to the bag surface with several whipstitches.
Step 3: Center one rose over each pair of leaves along the diagonal line, alternating between RCA and RCB. Stitch each rose securely through the base of the coil in 4 to 6 places.
Step 4: Along the front panel top border, space 10 roses evenly across the full 14-inch width, placing one leaf on each side of each rose. Pin to confirm even spacing before stitching.
Finishing and Care
Before assembly, wet-block both body panels by submerging in cool water, gently squeezing out excess water, and laying flat on a blocking mat pinned to target dimensions. Allow to dry completely.
After full assembly, you may lightly steam the exterior of the bag to even out seaming distortion. Avoid steaming the roses directly.
For added structure, cut craft plastic canvas or commercial bag insert to 14 x 12 inches for the body panels, 4 x 12 inches for each side, and 4 x 14 inches for the base.
Care: Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent. Do not wring. Reshape and lay flat to dry. Store stuffed with tissue paper to maintain shape. Do not machine wash or dry.
Size Customization Tips
To make the bag wider: Add stitches to the foundation chain. Each 2 stitches adds approximately 0.44 inches.
To make the bag taller: Work additional hbsc rows. Each 2 rows adds approximately 0.4 inches.
To make the bag deeper: Increase the gusset foundation chain in increments of 2.
To make handles longer: Work additional rounds on the handle tubes. Each 10 rounds adds approximately 2 inches.
I hope you love making this Rose Garden Tote as much as I loved designing it. There is something deeply satisfying about watching those little roses pile up and then finally arranging them across that beautiful herringbone fabric.
Thank you so much for choosing this pattern. If you make one, I would absolutely love to see it. Tag me on Instagram or share a photo in my Facebook group. Seeing your finished projects genuinely makes my whole week.
If you want to save this Rose Garden Tote Bag crochet pattern for later, go ahead and pin it to your favorite Pinterest board. And please drop a comment below when you finish yours. I cannot wait to hear which colors you choose for your roses.
