I have been dreaming up this daisy tote for months now. My design goals were pretty specific: I wanted a bag with serious retro charm, enough structure to actually hold things without flopping over, and those cheerful raised daisies that make people stop and ask "wait, you made that?" The black background was non-negotiable because I wanted those white petals to absolutely pop. After a lot of swatching and reworking the construction, I am SO pleased with how it turned out. This bag is everything I hoped it would be, and I cannot wait for you to make your own.
The combination of the quilted diamond texture between the flowers and those sweet three-dimensional daisy motifs gives this tote such a high-end handmade look. It is the kind of project that feels impressive to carry around but is genuinely achievable for anyone comfortable with basic crochet stitches.
Whether you are making this for yourself or as a gift for someone who appreciates handmade accessories, this daisy granny square tote bag pattern delivers that perfect blend of vintage style and modern practicality.
About This Crochet Pattern
This tote bag comes together in separate components that you assemble at the end. You will crochet an oval base, build the bag body upward in simple rounds, make eighteen individual daisy motifs, and then attach everything together with some satisfying surface slip stitch work for that quilted diamond grid effect.
The finished bag measures approximately 14 inches wide, 12 inches tall (not counting the strap), and 4 inches deep at the base. The strap gives you a comfortable 9-inch drop from the ring hardware to your shoulder.
Skill level: Advanced beginner to intermediate. If you have completed at least one or two bag projects and feel comfortable reading round-by-round instructions, you will do great with this one.
Time estimate: Plan for 14 to 20 hours total. The daisy motifs take the longest since you are making eighteen of them, but they work up quickly once you get into a rhythm.
Materials You Will Need
Yarn:
Hook: US size G-6 (4.0 mm)
Additional supplies:
Yarn Suggestions That Work Beautifully
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Jet Black, White, and Goldenrod is my top pick. This 100 percent mercerized cotton is machine washable, holds its shape wonderfully, and produces crisp stitch definition that really shows off the surface texture.
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK (held double throughout) in Pure Black, Paper White, and Buttercup Yellow is another excellent option. Doubling a DK weight gives you that worsted weight equivalent with excellent body.
WeCrochet Dishie in Coal, White, and Canary works well too. It crochets up tightly and cleanly with enough memory to maintain the cable texture.
A quick note on yarn substitution: avoid 100 percent acrylic for this project. It lacks the stiffness needed for the bag walls to hold their shape properly. Stick with cotton or cotton-acrylic blends for the best results.
Gauge
With MC and your G-6 hook, 14 single crochet (sc) by 16 rows should equal 4 inches measured after blocking.
For the daisy motifs, 1 completed square should measure 2.25 inches.
Please do not skip swatching. I know it feels tedious, but the bag dimensions depend on accurate gauge. One hook size difference will change your bag width by approximately 1.5 inches.
Abbreviations
Let me walk you through all the abbreviations you will see in this pattern:
Special Stitches Explained
Surface Slip Stitch Cable Line
This technique creates those beautiful raised diagonal lines you see between the daisy motifs. You work it after the bag body is complete and the daisies are attached.
Hold your working yarn behind the fabric. Insert your hook from the front through the stitch indicated, catch the yarn from behind, and pull a loop through to the front. Insert your hook into the next stitch along the diagonal, catch the yarn, and pull through the loop already on your hook. That is one surface slip stitch. Continue along your diagonal line without pulling too tight.
Daisy Petal
In the chain-2 space between two double crochet stitches, you will work: slip stitch into the space, chain 5, slip stitch into the same space. This creates one petal loop. Each petal is a chain-5 loop anchored at both ends to the same space.
Button Loop
With MC, attach yarn at the top center back edge. Chain 12, count 12 stitches to the left along the top edge, and slip stitch into that stitch. Chain 1, turn, work 12 single crochet along the chain-12 loop, slip stitch back to the starting stitch. Fasten off. This creates a firm loop for your wooden button.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
The bag body is worked in continuous rounds unless stated otherwise. Do not join at the end of rounds unless directed. Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you work.
All stitch counts appear at the end of every round in parentheses.
The daisy motifs are made separately, blocked flat, and then whipstitched to the exterior of the bag. They sit on the surface of the bag and are not structural.
The right side of the bag is the outside (the decorative side). Work your body rounds so the right side faces outward consistently.
When attaching daisy motifs, lay all motifs out on the bag front first, pin them in position, and photograph your layout before sewing. This prevents asymmetry and saves frustration later.
Section 1: Oval Base
The oval base is worked flat in joined rounds, beginning from a foundation chain.
Foundation: With MC and G-6 hook, ch 19.
Rnd 1: Starting in the 2nd ch from hook, work 17 sc along one side of the chain. Work 3 sc into the last ch (corner). Rotate work. Working along the opposite side of the foundation chain, work 16 sc. Work 2 sc into the first ch (corner). Join with sl st to first sc. (38 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, do not turn. Sc in each of the first 17 sts. Work 2 sc into each of the next 3 sts (corner). Sc in each of the next 16 sts. Work 2 sc into each of the next 2 sts (corner). Join with sl st to first sc. (43 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1. Sc in each of the first 17 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 3 times. Sc in each of the next 16 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. (48 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1. Sc in each of the first 17 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts] 3 times. Sc in each of the next 16 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts] 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. (53 sc)
Rnd 5: Ch 1. Sc in each of the first 17 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts] 3 times. Sc in each of the next 16 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts] 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. (58 sc)
Rnd 6: Ch 1. Sc in each of the first 17 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 4 sts] 3 times. Sc in each of the next 16 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 4 sts] 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. (63 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1. Sc in each of the first 17 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 5 sts] 3 times. Sc in each of the next 16 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 5 sts] 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. (68 sc)
Checkpoint: Your oval base should measure approximately 10 inches long and 3.5 inches wide. If your base is significantly off, check your gauge before continuing.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Section 2: Bag Body
The body is worked in continuous rounds upward from the base.
Setup: With RS of base facing up, attach MC with a sl st into any stitch on the last round. Place marker.
Rnds 1-34: Sc in each st around. (68 sc each round)
Do not join. Just keep working in a spiral and move your stitch marker up each round.
Rnd 35: [Sc in next 15 sts, sc2tog] 4 times. (64 sc)
Rnd 36: Sc in each st around. (64 sc)
Rnd 37: [Sc in next 14 sts, sc2tog] 4 times. (60 sc)
Rnd 38: Sc in each st around. (60 sc)
Rnd 39: [Sc in next 13 sts, sc2tog] 4 times. (56 sc)
Rnds 40-41: Sc in each st around. (56 sc)
Sl st in next st to finish. Fasten off MC.
Checkpoint: Your bag body should measure approximately 12 inches tall from base to opening. The opening circumference should be about 16 inches.
Section 3: Daisy Motifs (Make 18)
Each daisy uses CB for the center, CA for the petals, and MC for the square border.
Rnd 1 (center): With CB, make a MR. Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Work 11 dc into ring. Pull ring closed snugly. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc)
Fasten off CB. Attach CA with sl st between any two dc.
Rnd 2 (petals): Working between dc pairs, sl st into the first space. Work (ch 5, sl st into same sp). This is 1 petal. Move to the next space and repeat. Work 6 petals total around. Join with sl st to first sl st. (6 petals)
Fasten off CA. Attach MC with sl st in any ch-5 petal loop.
Rnd 3 (square border): Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Work 2 dc into same petal loop. Ch 2. [Work 3 dc into next petal loop, ch 2] 5 times. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (18 dc, 6 ch-2 sp)
Rnd 4 (square corners): Sl st across to the first ch-2 sp. Ch 3. Work 2 dc into same sp. Ch 2, work 3 dc into same sp (first corner). [Sl st into next ch-2 sp, work 3 dc into same sp] twice. [Work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc into next ch-2 sp] once. [Sl st into next ch-2 sp, work 3 dc into same sp] twice. Join with sl st to top of ch-3.
Rnd 5 (final border): Sl st into top of first 3-dc group. Ch 1. Sc in each dc around, working 3 sc into each ch-2 corner sp. Join with sl st to first sc. (40 sc)
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Block each motif to 2.25 inches square.
Section 4: Attaching Daisy Motifs
Mark the front and back center panels of your bag. Using pins, outline a 3-by-3 grid on each panel, centered between the sides, positioned approximately 1.5 inches up from the base.
Thread your tapestry needle with MC. Hold each motif flat against the bag exterior, right side facing out. Whipstitch around all four edges, catching both the motif border and the bag body fabric. Keep your tension even so the bag does not pucker.
Attach all 18 motifs, then weave in your tails.
Section 5: Surface Cable Diamond Grid
This step creates the diagonal quilted lines between your daisies.
First direction (bottom-left to top-right): Attach MC at the lower left corner of the front panel with a sl st. Work surface sl sts diagonally upward, spacing each approximately 0.5 inch apart. Fasten off at the opposite edge. Repeat parallel lines spaced 2.25 inches apart across the panel.
Second direction (bottom-right to top-left): Repeat the process in the opposite diagonal, creating diamond shapes. Repeat on the back panel.
Section 6: Top Edge Finish
With RS facing and MC, attach yarn at any top edge stitch. Work 1 rnd of sc evenly around. Join with sl st. (56 sc)
Work 1 rnd of sl st into the back loop only of each sc around. Join with sl st. (56 sl st)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Section 7: Strap
With MC, ch 121.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (120 sc)
Rows 2-5: Sc in BLO of each sc across. Ch 1, turn (do not turn after Row 5). (120 sc)
Sl st down the short edge, along the bottom edge, and up the opposite short edge to finish.
Your strap should measure approximately 34 inches long and 1.25 inches wide.
Strap attachment: Fold 2 inches of each strap end through one D-ring. Whipstitch securely, making at least 3 passes for strength. Attach D-rings to the left and right midpoints of the bag top opening.
Section 8: Button Closure
Position your wooden button on the inside front top edge at center, approximately 0.5 inch below the edge. Sew through at least 8 times and knot securely.
Work the button loop on the back top edge at center using the special stitch instructions above. Test the fit and adjust if needed.
Section 9: Optional Charm
Clip your decorative charm onto the left D-ring for that extra special finishing touch.
Finishing and Blocking
Wet-block your completed bag by submerging in cool water, pressing out excess water gently, and reshaping on a flat surface. Stuff with a dry towel to maintain shape while drying. Allow approximately 24 hours to dry completely.
If using the plastic canvas insert, cut it to fit snugly inside the base after blocking.
Size Customization Tips
For a wider bag: Increase the foundation chain by 4 stitches for every additional inch of width. Adjust your daisy motif count accordingly.
For a taller bag: Add rounds to the straight body section before the top shaping. Every 4 rounds adds approximately 1 inch of height.
For a crossbody strap: Chain 201 instead of 121 and work 5 rows of BLO sc.
Care Instructions
Hand wash in cool water with gentle detergent. Do not wring or twist. Roll in a clean towel to remove excess water, reshape, and dry flat. Store stuffed with tissue paper to maintain shape.
Thank you so much for choosing this daisy granny square tote bag crochet pattern. I genuinely hope you enjoy every stitch of this project. If you make one, I would absolutely love to see it. Tag me on Instagram or share a photo in my Facebook group.
If this pattern made you smile or you are saving it for later, go ahead and pin it to your favorite Pinterest board so you can find it when you are ready to start. And please drop a comment below if you make this bag. I read every single one and your photos make my whole day.
