I hope you all are having an amazing spring! I don’t know about you, but I am ready for summer. I’m ready for the beach and swimming. I’m ready for shorts, tank tops and cute totes! Speaking of totes, I have created the super simple and colorful Asbury Tote pattern.
The Yarn
My Asbury Tote is an easy pattern that crochets up super fast. It uses Bernat Maker Home Dec yarn. This is the same yarn I used for my Mochila Bag pattern. This yarn is one of my absolute favorite yarns to work with! The blend of cotton and nylon make this yarn so soft, yet very durable. I actually just found out that Bernat has come out with a Maker Outdoor Stripes yarn as well! I can’t wait to try that too!
The Construction
The Asbury Tote pattern is made by first crocheting the base, then crocheting in the round for the body of the bag. I also added grommets to the bag. This was my first time using grommets and I have to say, it is super easy! A link is included below to a video tutorial that takes you step by step on how to use the exact grommets I used for this tote. I then used twisted cord that I found at Joann’s for the handles! I chose to use three different colors for this tote but it can certainly be crocheted using only one color as well!
Scroll down for the pattern!
Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below, but these are all products I highly recommend. I won’t put anything in this post that I have not personally used or tested.
If you would like to purchase an ad-free printer friendly version of this pattern, click HERE.
MATERIALS
Bernat Maker Home Dec yarn in the colors Woodbury, Cream and Aqua. You will need a little more than half a skein in Woodbury, about 1/4 skein in Cream, and a little less than 1/4 skein in Aqua.
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Grommet Kit – I used this Kit
Hammer (for the grommets)
A yard and a half of 3/8″ twisted cord for the handles. I bought mine at Joann’s but you can buy it at Walmart or on Amazon.
ABBREVIATIONS
Chain (ch)
Single Crochet (sc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Half Double Crochet Cluster – (HDCC) Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook) yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull up loop (5 loops on hook) Yarn over and pull thru all 5 loops on hook. Ch.1 (Essentially you are creating a Half Double Crochet Decrease, Ch.1)
Back Loop Only (blo)
Stitch (st)
ASBURY TOTE PATTERN
Tote dimensions are 15 1/2″ (L) x 14″ (H) x 4″ (W)
Base
Using Woodbury
Chain 37
Row 1 – Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and each remaining ch across. (36)
Row 2 – Ch.1 turn, sc in each st across (36)
Rows 3 thru 12 – Repeat Row 2
Body
You will be working in the round for the body.
Round 1 – Ch.1 turn, 3 sc in the first st, 1 sc in each of the next 34 stitches, 3 sc in the next. Crochet 11 sc along short side of base, in the 11 st crochet 3 sc. Work 1 sc in each of the next 34 stitches, 3 sc in the next. Crochet 10 sc along other short side of base. Slip stitch to first sc of the round. (100)
Rounds 2 thru 5 – Ch.1, sc blo in each st around. Join with ss (100)
Change to Cream
Round 6 – Ch.2, dc blo in each st around. Join with ss. (100)
Change to Aqua
Round 7 – Ch.2 complete HDCC starting in the first st as join. Complete the HDCC all the way around remembering to ch.1 after each st. Join with a ss. (100)
Round 8 – Repeat Round 6 (100)
Rounds 9 thru 24 – Repeat Rounds 2 thru 8 respectively (twice)
The rest of the pattern is crocheted in the round with only the sc stitch.
Round 25 – (Woodbury) Ch.1, sc in each st around. Join with ss. (100)
Round 26 – (Cream) Ch.1, sc in each st around. Join with ss. (100)
Round 27 – (Aqua) Ch.1, sc in each st around. Join with ss. (100)
Round 28 – Repeat round 26
Round 29 – Repeat Round 27
Round 30 – Repeat Round 26
Round 31 – Repeat Round 25
Bind off and weave in ends.
Grommets
Lay your tote flat upside down so the opening is facing you. On the second Aqua round, count 13 stitches in on each side. You will place your grommets between the 13th and 14 sc stitch on each side.
Follow the video HERE for directions on how to add the grommets (eyelets). Start the video at the 19:12 mark.
Handles
I chose to use a twisted cord for my handles. It is nice and sturdy making it perfect for tote handles! I found mine at Joann’s. Unfortunately, the color I chose you can only get in store. You can essentially use any rope/cord you like. Joann’s has a lot to choose from! You can also purchase a similar rope at any Walmart.
I had a yard and a half of the cord cut in store. This made for the perfect length.
Cut the cord in half. Then place one end of one of the pieces of cord through the grommet from inside to outside of the tote. Make a knot to secure. Do the same for the other side. Turn your tote around and do the same with the other piece of cord.
I really hope you have enjoyed this Asbury Tote pattern! Make sure to find me on Instagram and Facebook!
Mary, I love this tote! It’s a great bag & it makes me want to go to the beach! 🙂
The twisted cord handles are amazing! Love that idea 🙂
Thank you Janne! The twisted cord was so easy to use 🙂
Mary, these are my favorite summer colors! I love the handles, too!
Thank you so much Tonya! I’m glad you like the handles and the colors!
This is really beautiful. I will love to make one
I’m so glad you like it! 🙂
Hi I’m working on this right now and I’m wondering if there’s a typo? I was counting the rows of Woodbury in your bag and you have 5 rows of the sc in the blo, but the pattern is only written to have 4 rows of the sc in the blo. I didn’t notice it until I was almost finished with the bag.
Hi Ashlyn!
You’re right! I don’t know how I missed that. I will update it. Thanks for pointing it out to me. 🙂
Will the holes for these grommets allow for a thicker twined rope?
Hi Kim!
It depends on how thick the rope is. I will say with the rope that I chose there is definitely room for a thicker rope.
Hi, I am trying to find the right twined cord.. cannot find a soft one.. most I find are stiffer rope like.. can you see if the one joanns has is the one you used? it says its oyster cord, made of cotton adn rayon.. im worried tho, it says dry clean only.. if you know any other place that has the twined cord like yours please let me know. Thanks! Kim
That should work. It’s not exactly like what I used but I think it will certainly do the job!
I’m working this bag in the Outdoor Stripes in a few different colors and I’m loving how it is turning out so far. Thank you for a very fun and easy pattern.
Hi Tracy!
I’m so glad you like the pattern. I have yet to try the outdoor stripes! Hopefully soon!
This yarn is not available any longer. Do you have a good suggestion for an alternate?