8 rounds · filed under dense · 5 of them
Crochet Bags · added 17 Oct 2026
Chunky single crochet tote bag with ridged texture
Back-loop single crochet builds a ribbed, dense fabric for a sturdy aqua tote bag with rounded handles and a flat base.
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Time
- 4-6 hours
- Hook
- 8 mm
- Yarn
- Super Bulky
- Rounds
- 6
About this pattern
Run a hand across the body of this tote and you feel ridges, not a smooth plane. That comes from working single crochet through the back loop only, round after round, which leaves the front loop standing up as a raised horizontal line. The result is a fabric with real tooth to it: dense, slightly stiff, and thick enough that it does not sag or go limp when you set it down.
The shape is a straight-sided rectangle sitting on a flat base, which means it holds its own outline even before anything goes inside it. Use it for groceries, a beach towel and sunscreen, or everyday carry where you want a bag that stands upright on a counter rather than slumping over. Keep the inside load light to moderate, since the chunky yarn already carries its own weight before you add anything to it.
The swatch in numbers
- Rounds
- 6
- Parts
- 4
- Level
- Intermediate
- Time
- 4-6 hours
- Hook
- 8 mm
- Yarn
- Super Bulky
The yarn and the hook
- Super bulky yarn, approximately 350 yards (320 meters)
- 8 mm crochet hook (US L/11)
- Yarn needle
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
- Optional fabric lining and sewing thread
Stitches, spelled out
ch chain; sc single crochetDense; sl st slip stitch; st stitch; rep repeat; hdc half double crochetDense.
Tension and hand-feel
After Round 1 of the Bag Body, count stitches around the base: the pattern expects approximately 82, and the edge should sit flat against the base with no gaps or bunching.
If the count is noticeably off or the edge puckers, adjust stitch spacing around the corners first, and move up or down half a hook size if the fabric still feels tight or loose.
Base Panel
Ch 32.
Bag Body
Attach yarn to one long edge of the base.
Handles
Make two identical handles.
Ch 6.
Special Stitch
Texture Stitch: Work single crochet stitches through the back loop only (BLO) to create raised horizontal ridges. This stitch is responsible for the thick ribbed texture.
How the texture is built
- The Base Panel is worked flat in 12 rows rather than in the round, which keeps the rectangle's corners square and the floor of the bag dense and non-stretchy under weight.
- Working sc BLO through all 22 body rounds leaves the front loop of every stitch exposed as a horizontal ridge, which is what gives the walls their braided, woven look and extra body.
Putting the pieces together
If you swap the yarn
| Cotton rope-style super bulky | Produces a firmer, less drapey fabric with sharper ridge definition; the same 8 mm hook works, and the base holds its square corners even more rigidly. |
|---|---|
| Chenille super bulky | Gives a plush, soft hand with more drape and less structure, so the bag body relaxes more under weight; consider a slightly smaller hook to keep the BLO ridges visible. |
| Wool-blend super bulky | Adds warmth and a bit more give in the stitches, with the fabric softening slightly over time; same hook size works but expect a touch more stretch across the body. |
Colorways
- Tonal Wave Base Panel and Rounds 1-11 of the Bag Body in light aqua, Rounds 12-22 in a deeper aqua, handles worked in the deeper shade to frame the opening.
- Contrast Trim Base Panel and all 22 rounds of the Bag Body in one solid color, both Handles crocheted in a contrasting color so the carry points stand apart from the ridged body.
Washing and blocking
Hand wash in cool water for acrylic, cotton-blend, or recycled-fiber yarn, since machine washing can flatten the raised BLO ridges.
Lay the bag flat to dry and reshape the rectangle base and rounded handle curves while the fabric is still damp.
Store empty or lightly stuffed with tissue to hold its shape, and avoid hanging by the handles for long periods, which can stretch the dense body fabric.
When it does not look right
- The base rectangle curls up at the edges instead of lying flat.
- Turning rows were worked too tightly; loosen tension slightly on the next attempt or block the finished panel flat under light steam.
- The bag body flares outward wider than the base.
- Round 1 of the Bag Body picked up more than the expected 82 stitches; rip back and recount evenly across all four sides of the base.
- The handles twist or roll when sewn on.
- The long strip was attached before flattening; pin and block each handle strip flat first, then sew securely at the same two points on each side of the bag opening.
Questions people ask
Can the tote be made smaller?
Yes, shorten the Base Panel chain and reduce the 12 rows to a smaller rectangle, then work fewer than 22 rounds on the Bag Body to match the new base size. The handle length and stitch count can stay the same.
Why work single crochet through the back loop only instead of a regular stitch?
BLO sc leaves the front loop standing proud as a visible ridge on every round, which is what creates the thick, braided-looking texture across the body. A regular sc round would lie flatter and lose that woven appearance.
Does this bag need a lining?
A lining is optional but recommended if you plan to carry heavier items, since the chunky yarn is already heavy on its own. A simple fabric lining sewn to the inside edge helps the dense BLO fabric hold its shape longer under load.
How long does this project take to finish?
an 8 mm hook and super bulky yarn, the stitches build up fast, typically a few hours spread across the Base Panel, Bag Body, and two Handles. The thick yarn covers more ground per stitch than a standard-weight project would.
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