This is ONE OF THOSE patterns that makes you look like a total crochet rockstar! Seriously, I cannot stop staring at this bag. The rainbow bobble border, the delicate granny square lace, those perfectly striped handles. It looks like it belongs in a boutique window with a hefty price tag.
But here’s the thing. If you can crochet a granny square and you’re willing to learn a bobble stitch, you can absolutely make this bag. Yes, it takes some time. We’re looking at roughly 18 to 24 hours of work. But every single hour is worth it when you have a stunning structured tote that holds its shape, carries your farmers market haul, and makes strangers stop you on the street.
This is the kind of project that deserves your favorite crafting spot, a great podcast queue, and maybe a fancy coffee. Let’s make something beautiful together.
About This Rainbow Granny Square Tote Bag Pattern
This structured tote bag combines several beloved crochet techniques into one show-stopping accessory. The body features classic granny squares in cream with colorful centers, creating that gorgeous open lacework we all love. The bottom section pops with five rows of plump bobble stitches in rainbow colors. The top border adds crisp rainbow stripes, and the handles are wrapped in that same cheerful color sequence.
Two cream tassels with crocheted ball toppers in coral and lavender dangle from the front. Small star charms add a sweet finishing touch at the handle bases.
The finished bag measures approximately 12 inches wide, 11 inches tall (excluding handles), and 4 inches deep. With handles extended, total height reaches about 18 inches. It’s a proper tote, sturdy enough for books, groceries, or a day at the beach.
Skill Level
I’d call this an intermediate project. You should feel comfortable with:
Nothing here is scary or overly complicated. It just requires attention to detail and patience with color changes. If you’ve never made a bobble stitch before, don’t worry. I’ll walk you through it completely.
Materials You’ll Need
Yarn (Worsted Weight, 100% Cotton)
| Color | Name | Yardage |
|---|---|---|
| A | Cream/Off-White | 400 yards |
| B | Coral/Salmon Pink | 60 yards |
| C | Mint Green | 60 yards |
| D | Lavender/Soft Purple | 60 yards |
| E | Sky Blue | 60 yards |
| F | Mustard/Golden Yellow | 60 yards |
| G | Light Pink/Pale Rose | 40 yards |
| H | Peach/Soft Orange | 40 yards |
| I | Periwinkle/Medium Purple | 40 yards |
Great yarn choices: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Yarns Simply Cotton Worsted, or WeCrochet Dishie. Stick with cotton or cotton blends. Avoid stretchy acrylics since they won’t hold the bag’s boxy shape.
Hook
US Size J / 6.0 mm
Notions
Gauge
Granny Square: One completed square measures 3.5 inches square after joining.
Bobble Band: 14 stitches and 6 rows = 4 inches in bobble stitch pattern.
Check your gauge before starting. If your squares are too small, go up a hook size. Too large? Go down a hook size.
Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions
Let me break down every stitch you’ll use:
Special Stitches for This Crochet Pattern
Bobble Stitch (bo)
This creates those adorable puffy bumps in the rainbow band. Here’s exactly how to work it:
1. Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. You now have one incomplete double crochet on your hook.
2. Repeat step 1 four more times in the SAME stitch. You’ll have 6 loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through ALL 6 loops at once.
4. Chain 1 to close and secure the bobble.
That’s one bobble stitch. They look intimidating but become rhythmic quickly.
Granny Square (3 Rounds)
Round 1: Make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st to form ring). Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 2 dc into ring, ch 2, (3 dc into ring, ch 2) 3 times, sl st to top of beg ch-3 to join. Fasten off. (4 groups of 3 dc, 4 ch-2 corner spaces)
Round 2: Join new color in any corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp (first corner made), ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner ch-2 sp, ch 1. Rep 2 more times. Sl st to top of beg ch-3 to join. Fasten off. (8 groups of 3 dc, 4 ch-2 corner spaces, 4 ch-1 side spaces)
Round 3: Join Color A in any corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp (corner made), ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 side sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 side sp, ch 1. Rep 2 more times. Sl st to top of beg ch-3 to join. Fasten off. (12 groups of 3 dc, 4 ch-2 corner spaces, 8 ch-1 side spaces)
Crocheted Ball (for Tassel Toppers)
Round 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sc)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sc)
Round 3: (Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) 6 times. (18 sc)
Round 4: Sc in each st around. (18 sc)
Round 5: (Sc in next st, sc2tog) 6 times. (12 sc)
Stuff lightly with yarn scraps or fiberfill.
Round 6: Sc2tog 6 times. (6 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight to close. Weave in.
Step by Step Crochet Pattern Instructions
Section 1: Make the Granny Squares
You need 24 granny squares total:
Color scheme for each square:
Work all 24 squares following the Granny Square instructions above. Each finished square should measure 3.5 inches.
Tip: Lay out your completed squares before joining to arrange the colorful centers in a pleasing pattern.
Section 2: Join Squares Into Panels
Front Panel: Arrange 9 squares in a 3 column by 3 row grid.
Join using slip stitch seams: Hold two squares with right sides together, sl st through the outermost dc posts or chain spaces along shared edges.
Joining sequence:
Back Panel: Repeat with squares 10 through 18.
Side Panels: Make 2 panels, each 1 square wide by 3 squares tall. Join 3 squares vertically for each panel.
Section 3: Assemble the Bag Body
Arrange panels: Front Panel, Side Panel A, Back Panel, Side Panel B.
With RS facing outward, join panels into a tube using sl st seams through the outermost stitches. Join right edge of Front to left edge of Side Panel A. Continue joining all the way around until you have a rectangular tube. Leave the bottom open.
Base Rectangle:
Ch 43.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (42 sc)
Rows 2-16: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (42 sc)
Fasten off. Sew the base rectangle to the bottom opening of the assembled tube using whipstitch with Color A.
Checkpoint: The bag body should measure approximately 12 inches wide, 11 inches tall, and 4 inches deep.
Section 4: Bobble Stitch Base Band
The bobble band wraps around the lower section of the granny square body.
Setup Round: Join Color F (mustard) at any corner at the base of the granny square panel. Ch 1. Work sc evenly around: 32 sc along front, 12 sc along side, 32 sc along back, 12 sc along other side. Join with sl st. (88 sc)
Bobble Round 1 (Color F, Mustard): Ch 1. (Bo in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st) around. Join with sl st. (44 bobbles, 44 ch-1 spaces)
Bobble Round 2 (Color E, Sky Blue): Join Color E. Ch 1. (Bo in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk bobble) around. Join with sl st. (44 bobbles, 44 ch-1 spaces)
Bobble Round 3 (Color C, Mint): Join Color C. Ch 1. (Bo in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk bobble) around. Join with sl st. (44 bobbles, 44 ch-1 spaces)
Bobble Round 4 (Color D, Lavender): Join Color D. Ch 1. (Bo in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk bobble) around. Join with sl st. (44 bobbles, 44 ch-1 spaces)
Bobble Round 5 (Color B, Coral): Join Color B. Ch 1. (Bo in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk bobble) around. Join with sl st. (44 bobbles, 44 ch-1 spaces)
Closing Round (Color A): Join Color A. Ch 1. Sc in each bobble and each ch-1 sp around. Join with sl st. (88 sc)
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Section 5: Upper Rainbow Stripe Border
Setup Round: Join Color B (coral) at any top corner. Ch 1. Work 32 sc along front, 12 sc along side, 32 sc along back, 12 sc along other side. Join with sl st. (88 sc)
Rounds 1-2 (Color B, Coral): Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (88 sc)
Rounds 3-4 (Color G, Light Pink): Join Color G. Ch 1, sc around. Join. (88 sc)
Rounds 5-6 (Color H, Peach): Join Color H. Ch 1, sc around. Join. (88 sc)
Rounds 7-8 (Color F, Mustard): Join Color F. Ch 1, sc around. Join. (88 sc)
Rounds 9-10 (Color E, Sky Blue): Join Color E. Ch 1, sc around. Join. (88 sc)
Rounds 11-12 (Color C, Mint): Join Color C. Ch 1, sc around. Join. (88 sc)
Rounds 13-14 (Color D, Lavender): Join Color D. Ch 1, sc around. Join. (88 sc)
Rounds 15-16 (Color I, Periwinkle): Join Color I. Ch 1, sc around. Join. (88 sc)
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Section 6: Handles
Make 2 handles.
Color sequence: Work approximately 10 sc in each color before switching: Color B, Color G, Color H, Color F, Color E, Color C, Color D, Color I. Repeat for full length.
Cut one piece of rope cord to 24 inches. Attach Color B securely to one end.
Sc tightly around the rope cord, encasing it completely. Work in a continuous spiral, changing colors every 10 sc. Continue until the cord is covered, leaving 2 inches exposed at each end.
Attach handles: Sew each handle end to the inside of the bag approximately 3 inches from each corner, centered on front and back panels.
Attach star charms with jump rings at each handle base.
Section 7: Tassels
Make 2 tassels.
Tassel body: Wrap cream yarn around 5-inch cardboard 60 times. Tie tightly at top with a 10-inch length of yarn. Cut loops at bottom. Wrap yarn around bundle 1 inch from top to form neck. Trim ends to 4 inches.
Tassel toppers: Make one crocheted ball in Color B (coral) and one in Color D (lavender).
Thread tassel tie through ball, secure at neck.
Attach both tassels to front center of bag opening, hanging approximately 5 to 6 inches below.
Finishing and Blocking
Weave in ALL remaining ends. Cotton doesn’t felt, so secure each end with a double knot before weaving.
Wet blocking: Submerge the finished bag in cool water for 10 minutes. Gently press out excess water. Stuff interior with plastic bags to hold shape. Pin top opening to correct dimensions. Allow to dry completely for 24 to 48 hours.
Care Instructions
Hand wash in cool water with gentle soap. Reshape and lay flat to dry. Do not machine wash or tumble dry. Store stuffed with tissue to maintain shape.
Tips for Success with This Tote Bag Pattern
Take your time with color changes. Make all joins on the wrong side and weave in ends as you go. You’ll thank yourself later.
Block your granny squares before joining if they’re looking uneven. A quick spray with water and pinning to size works wonders.
Check your bobble tension. Bobbles should pop out on the right side. If they’re hiding, you might be working them too loosely.
Use stitch markers liberally. Mark the beginning of rounds, corner positions, and anywhere you tend to lose count.
I really hope you love making this rainbow granny square tote bag as much as I loved putting this tutorial together. It’s the kind of project that reminds you why you fell in love with crochet in the first place.
If this pattern caught your eye, go ahead and save it to your Pinterest boards so you can find it when you’re ready to start. And please, please leave a comment below if you make one! I would absolutely love to see your color combinations and finished bags. Happy hooking!
