Free Crochet Reversible Tote Bag Pattern with Pockets – Easy Single Crochet Bag

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This cute free crochet reversible tote bag pattern has many pockets, even some you can remove. It also can be compressed or expanded easily. This pattern uses Lion Brand Jeans yarn.

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Functional crochet patterns are simply my favorite. This pattern was created in 2017 and it was my first official functional pattern with lots of details and features, such as pockets, being reversible, compressible, and having a removable pocket. Who would love all these features in a bag?

This pattern used to be part of a Crochet Along (CAL) that was sponsored by my awesome friends at Lion Brand.

The Reversible Tote Bag is called the “Modular Pocket Bag” and Is made using Lion Brand Jeans yarn. It’s the ideal weekend project, even beginners. It is made only with single crochets and then sewn all together. And no worries, I have a full detailed video tutorial for the sewing part of the pattern.

But I must tell you the Lion Brand Jeans yarn is simply incredible. So soft and easy to use. If you haven’t tried it before, you should. But no worries, if you don’t have this yarn handy. You can substitute it for any worsted weighted yarn of your choice.

How to Reverse the Tote Bag

To reverse the crochet tote bag, you simply flip it inside out. Both sides have pockets, whether it’s from the inside or outside. Furthermore, it also has a removable pocket you can use or leave out as you wish.

Get the PDF of the Crochet Reversible Tote Bag

So, let me now give you the supplies you need in order to crochet this cute pattern.

This pattern is also available as an ad-free, printer-friendly pdf pattern that can be purchased at the links below for only a small fee.

If you like this bag crochet pattern, you might like these also:

1. Windmill Bag
2. Summer Bag
3. Multipurpose Bag
4. Bobble Basketweave Bag

How to make a Reversible Tote Bag

Material List

• Jeans Yarn in color Faded (505-105V): 2 skeins -> used for the outside/inside pockets and the straps
• Jeans Yarn in color Stonewash (505-109W): 2 skeins -> used for the removable pocket
• Jeans Yarn in color Top Stitch (505-121E): 2 skeins -> used for the outside/inside pockets and the straps
• Jeans Yarn in color Classic (505-110AF): 2 skeins -> used for the large main front and back panel
• Jeans Yarn in color Brand New (505-108R): 1 skein -> used for the bottom and side (one piece) and to sew all the pieces together
• Jeans Buttons which are used for decoration and to compress the Modular Pocket Bag (optional if you don’t want to compress the bag)
• 5.0mm hook
• scissors
• tapestry needle
• Plastic canvas that is 10.5 in x 13.5 in  (optional, but it helps to stabilize the bag bottom)
• Natural Cotton Rope in 3mm thickness  (optional, but it prevents the straps from being pulled and stretched when using the bag)
• Hair Ties
• Pins

Stitch used, in US terms

• sc = single crochet 
• overcasting stitch
• backstitch

Final Size of tote bag

16 (width) x 10.5 (height) x 4.5 (depth) inches

Gauge

4 sc x 5 rows = 1 square inch

Written Pattern of the Reversible Tote Bag

Crochet Main Front and Back Panel (make 2 panels) in color Classic

Make a chain of 61

Row 1: 1 sc in each ch, starting from the 2^nd chain from the hook, ch 1 turn (60 sts)

Row 2-50: 1 sc in each sts, ch 1, turn

Fasten off after row 50 and weave in the ends.

Crochet Pocket Panels in colors Top Stitch (make 2 panels) and Faded (make 2 panels) -> 4 panels in total

Make a chain of 61

Row 1: 1 sc in each ch, starting from the 2^nd chain from the hook, ch 1 turn (60 sts)

Row 2-30: 1 sc in each sts, ch 1, turn

Fasten off after row 30 and then weave in the ends.

Crochet Removable Pocket Panels (make 2 panels) in color Stonewash

Make a chain of 61

Row 1: 1 sc in each ch, starting from the 2^nd chain from the hook, ch 1 turn (60 sts)

Row 2-50: 1 sc in each sts, ch 1, turn

Fasten off after row 50 and weave in the ends.

Crochet Straps in colors Top Stitch (2 straps) and Faded (2 straps)

Make a chain of 6

Row 1: 1 sc in each ch, starting from the 2^nd chain from the hook, ch 1 turn

Row 2-150: 1 sc in each sts, ch 1, turn

Fasten off after row 150 and weave in the ends.

Crochet Bottom and Side Panel (make 1 panel) in color Brand New

Make a chain of 141

Row 1: 1 sc in each ch, starting from the 2^nd chain from the hook, ch 1 turn

Row 2-20: 1 sc in each sts, ch 1, turn

Fasten off after row 20, leave a long tail for sewing later (estimating to be 1 – 1.5 yards)

You can make this panel thicker by adding more rows or make it thinner by crocheting less rows.

Now you need to start preparing the straps and sew everything together.

Preparing the straps

Cut the Natural Cotton Rope to about 38 inches or longer (it will be cut to about 38 inches later).

Now using the corresponding color tie the rope using very strong knots to either end of the straps on one side only, like the picture shows. Do this for all 4 straps.

Sewing Tutorial for the Crochet Reversible Tote Bag

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Sewing everything together

First you will need to pin all the pieces in place by laying them like a sandwich.

Start by placing one Main Front Panel on a surface, then add one color piece of the pocket panels flush on the bottom (corner to corner) and pin it.

Do the same for the reversed side with the other color of the pocket panel. Now do the same for the other Main Front Panel and the pocket panels so you have 2 sets of them.

Next, fold the Bottom/Side Panel and lay it on top of one of the set/sandwiches you just made, just like the picture shows, and then pin it down.

Using the color Brand New, sew the complete sandwich (which has 4 layers at some spots and 2 layers on spots) together neatly using the overcasting stitch (shown as orange lines).

Next, you will fold the Bottom/Side Panel outwards such that the non-sewn edge is parallel to the sewn edge on all 3 sides. See the picture to better understand it.

Now lay the second set/sandwich on top making sure that the pocket colors that need to together match. For example, if the pocket color top stitch is shown (and already sewn on one sandwich) add the second sandwich such that the pocket with the top stitch color touches it.

Now sew the other sandwich onto the Bottom/Side Panel (again 4 layers at some spots and 2 layers on spots) using the overcasting stitch. Now you finished the main part of the bag.

Sewing on the straps/handles

Place the one strap with the opposite color of the pocket color onto the bag in a U shape and pin it down such that the strap is 4 inches from the edge of the bag. Do that for all 4 straps.

Then start sewing one color at the time onto the bag ONLY (do not sew the straps of opposing colors together yet, that comes after) using the backstitch. The part to be sewn first is shown with red lines below.

Now flip the bag inside out and do the same with the other color strap. After the straps are sewn onto the bag, sew the straps of opposing colors together using the backstitch also.

Adding the buttons

Lay the buttons out the way you want them to be placed. Then, using a hammer, connect the jeans buttons to the bag. Make sure you have enough yarn between the button back and front, so the button won’t fall off. Do not place the button thru the holes, or you will lose them.

How to use the hair tie for the Reversible Tote Bag

To make the bag compressed, add the hair ties to the buttons that you add to the bag by wrapping them around. You might have to make the hair tie that is towards the top of the bag a bit smaller as that part has fewer layers and the hair tie might fall off if the bag is not full.

Sew the removable pocket together

Now you place the 2 panels of the removable pocket on top of each other and sew 2 lines (using the backstitch) 2 inches from the edge downwards (where the 50 rows are). I added orange lines on the picture below to show where to sew. Next, sew the bottom together using the overcasting stitch. Finally, add 3 sets of strings per edge of the pocket (there are 2 edges per side, so you will need 12 strings in total) equally apart.

You can now add the removable pocket to the bag by simply tying them onto the bag from the inside like shoelaces.

Inserting the Plastic Canvas

Cut the plastic canvas to the long side such that it is 3.5 inches wide. You can now simply place it inside the bag for more stability.

You are now done and can use your Crochet Reversible Tote Bag! Enjoy 

Don’t you love that you can reverse the crochet tote bag and also match it to your outfit? And how cool is it that there is a removable pocket and that you can compress or expand the Reversible Tote Bag?

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