Tulip Square Trapeze Tote
Make a granny square tote using my free crochet pattern including video tutorial. The Tulip Square Trapeze Tote is composed of 5 squares that have been joined together using slip stitches. The straps are created by working in the round to form tubes. Optionally you can add fabric lining.
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About this pattern
Tulip Square Collection
I have turned my Tulip Square into many different projects.
All patterns are available for free up to size 5XL including video tutorials.
Tulip Square Collection
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About the yarn
For this Granny Square Tote, I used Lion Brand Rewind yarn, which is a very popular tape yarn for accessories such as bags. I really loved how soft and lightweight this yarn is.
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Finished Dimensions
Width: 15” / 38 cm
Height: 15” / 38 cm
Straps: 12” / 30.5 cm (measured from top of bag)
Gauge
With a 6mm hook:
12 dc x 7 rows =
4 x 4” / 10 x 10 cm
Stitches & Abbreviations
- st: stitch
- ch: chain
- ch-sp: chain space
- ch-2 sp: chain space with 2 chains
- sl st: slip stitch
- sl st blo: slip stitch worked in back loop only
- sc: single crochet
- bpsc: back post single crochet
- bpsc2tog: back post single crochet 2 together (decrease)
- dc: double crochet
- v-st: v-stitch: (1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc) in one st
- puff st: puff stitch: yarn over, pull up a long loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull up a long loop in same st (5 loops on hook), pull up a long loop in same st (7 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 7 loops on your hook, chain 1 to secure stitch.
- **: repeat what is between the asterisks as many times as directed
- < >: amount of stitches you should have at the end of a row
Notes
- This pattern is written in US terminology
- Squares are worked in joined rounds and straps are worked in continuous rounds.
Video tutorial
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Written pattern
Squares
Round 2:
*(1 puff, ch 2, 1 puff) into corner, ch 1,
[1 puff in next ch-sp, ch 1] repeat across,
repeat from * 3 more times, sl st in 1st puff, sl st into corner (4 sets of 3 puff)
Round 5: Repeat round 2 <4 sets of 7 puff>
Round 6: Repeat round 3 (4 sets of 23 dc)
Round 7: Repeat R4 <4 sets of 18 dc / 9 v-st>
Round 8: Repeat R2 <4 sets of 11 puff>
Round 9: Repeat R3 <4 sets of 35 dc>
Fasten off, weave ends. Square should measure 11 x 11” / 28 x 28 cm.
Make a total of 5 squares.
Questions
If you have any questions about this pattern, you can join my Facebook Group
Assembly
Arrange all squares as indicated below, with the right sides facing upwards. Slip stitch everything together using loose tension. Turn your work with the wrong sides facing upwards. Fold the bag like the photo and slip stitch the sides together.
Tip for slip stitching: insert your hook in the front loop of the square on top and the back loop of the square below. You can find a tutorial here.
You can also use the ‘invisible seam method’, you can find a tutorial here.
BPSC
After joining the squares, work a round of bpsc around the top of the bag. Join in the right corner (ch-2 sp) and work as follows:
1 sc in corner <1 st>,
FRONT: *bpsc2tog, 1 bpsc in next st* repeat across <23 sts>,
1 sc in corner, 1 bpsc in sl st join, 1 sc in corner <3 sts>,
LEFT SIDE: *bpsc2tog* repeat across <17 sts>,
skip last st, 1 sc in corner, 1 bpsc in sl st join, 1 sc in corner <3 sts>,
BACK: *bpsc2tog, 1 bpsc in next st* repeat across <23 sts>,
1 sc in corner, 1 bpsc in sl st join, 1 sc in corner <3 sts>,
RIGHT SIDE: *bpsc2tog* repeat across <17 sts>,
skip last st, 1 sc in corner, 1 bpsc in sl st join <2 sts>,
sl st in 1st st <total 92 stitches>
Fasten off, weave ends.
Straps
Notes:
– Work in continuous rounds.
– Use a tight tension.
With a 4.5mm hook, ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a ring. You can also begin with a magic ring.
Round 1: 5 sc into ring
Round 2: 1 sc in each st around
Repeat round 2 until strap measures 39” / 99 cm. Fasten off, weave ends.
Make a total of 2 straps.
To attach the straps to the bag, pull the tubes through the gaps (corners) of the puff stitch round and tie a knot on the inside of the bag.
Snaps (optional)
In order to close the bag, you can make a puff stitch on the inside of the bag. Insert your hook in the 18th stitch, make a puff stitch, fasten off and weave ends.
Now simply pull the puff stitch through the two center stitches on the back to close the bag.
Alternatively you can add a magnetic snap which can be purchased at any craft store.
Fabrics Lining (optional)
Optionally you can add a fabric lining to make your granny square tote bag sturdier.
Video tutorial coming tomorrow!
Amazon products I used
TOOLS I USED
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End of pattern.
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Beautiful pattern! Easy to follow! Thank you so much!
Hi! Lovely pattern thank you! I believe the first * in row 3 has to go like this:
Round 3:
ch 5, 2 dc into corner, *1 dc in next puff,
[2 dc in next ch-sp, 1 dc in next puff] repeat across, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into corner,
repeat from * 3 more times………
Instead of:
Round 3:
ch 5, 2 dc into corner, 1 dc in next puff,
*[2 dc in next ch-sp, 1 dc in next puff] repeat across……….
Thank you very much!
In your materials section it says LB “retape” yarn and when I click the link it brings me to wool ease. I kept trying to type “retape” and even “tape” on LB’s site and wondering why isn’t this yarn showing up?? Then I scrolled up and see your picture of the yarn, it’s REWIND tape yarn. Just letting you know!! I’m so excited to make this bag, it’s lovely!
I went through the exact same rigamarole as you did! Sadly, by the time I figured it out and landed on the Lion Brand REWIND order page I found that the Willow shade was sold out.
All good! The Capri Breeze looks very lovely and summery so I think I’ll choose that shade for the Tulip tote.
It’s a beautiful and relatively simple bag to create and I can’t wait to receive my yarn order to start hooking =D
Thank you Wilma. You are a wonderfully talented young designer x0x0
Geri
Ottawa, Canada
ps Ottawa’s internationally-renown Tulip Festival takes place this month, May 12-23 2023. Canada’s capital city along with its surrounding areas is blanketed with nearly a half million tulips lovingly arranged in breathtaking displays. We’d love to see you!
Love this pattern! In the written pattern here, a puff stitch is 7 loops and a chain to secure. In the video tutorial on Youtube, the puff stitch is 5 loops and a chain to secure. Which is correct for this pattern? Thanks!
I imagine that would depend on how tight you crochet. You want the puff part to be small enough to slide into the space to which it is aligned and large enough to hold the top of the bag together securely.
Wouldn’t hurt to whip up a test puff stitch (: