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Citrus Tote Bag Pattern

Citrus Tote Bag Pattern
4.1★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
1.5K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

✨

Stylish Touch

An elegant detail to elevate any look, combining traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities.

About This Citrus Tote Bag Pattern

This pattern creates a cheerful Citrus Tote Bag constructed from citrus-themed granny squares. Each square is crocheted in rounds, embroidered with white segment lines, and joined to form the bag body. The pattern covers making 13 squares, joining them, and creating sturdy straps.

Citrus Tote Bag Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Perfect for summer markets and everyday errands, this bag combines playful colorwork with practical construction. Detailed stitch and assembly instructions help you get crisp squares and a polished finish.

Why You'll Love This Citrus Tote Bag Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it brings a fresh, summery look to a classic granny-square tote. I enjoy how the embroidered segment lines add personality and detail to each square. The construction is satisfying — joining the squares into a bag shape feels like solving a little puzzle. I also love that the design is adaptable: you can change colors to make limes, oranges, or grapefruits in minutes.

Citrus Tote Bag Pattern step 1 - construction progress Citrus Tote Bag Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Citrus Tote Bag Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Citrus Tote Bag Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love swapping the color palette to create different citrus fruits — try lime greens for limes or deeper orange tones for oranges.

I often make a mini version by using fingering yarn and a smaller hook to create a keychain or coin pouch.

I recommend adding a fabric lining for extra durability and a clean inside finish; choose a cotton that complements your yarn color.

To make the bag chunkier and quicker, use a bulky yarn and larger hook for oversized citrus motifs and a sturdy market tote.

I sometimes add interior pockets before sewing the bag closed for organization — sew them to squares before assembly for best results.

Embellish with beads or small tassels at the corners for a playful accent that reflects your personal style.

If you want adjustable straps, crochet longer straps and add buttonhole closures or sew on D-rings for length changes.

Experiment with join methods: try whipstitch or mattress stitch instead of crocheted slip-stitch join for an invisible seam.

I like to embroider different segment patterns—use thinner yarn or embroidery floss for fine lines and a more delicate look.

For a gift-ready finish, press the finished squares gently and tuck woven ends before packaging; consider matching gift tags or care instructions.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch counts in the citrus center rounds leads to uneven circles; count your stitches after each round and mark the first stitch to stay accurate. ✗ Not cutting and securing yarn tails after each color change can result in unraveling later; leave a 6 inch tail and weave in or tie off as instructed immediately after each round. ✗ Crocheting corners too tight will make the square edges curl; keep a relaxed tension for corner 2 edc, ch 1, 2 edc to allow the square to lay flat. ✗ Skipping the test granny square will cause sizing surprises; make a test square and adjust hook size so your finished squares lay flat and match the pattern gauge.

Citrus Tote Bag Pattern

Make a bright, summery Citrus Tote Bag using fun citrus granny squares. This pattern guides you through crocheting each citrus square, adding embroidered segments, and assembling a stylish tote with straps. You will enjoy the playful colorwork and neat finishing techniques to create a gift-ready bag.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Citrus Tote Bag Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Medium weight yarn (Worsted / #4) - light yellow (center) - small amount (use scraps or approx 20-50g)
  • 02
    Medium weight yarn (Worsted / #4) - dark yellow (ring) - small amount (use scraps or approx 20-50g)
  • 03
    Medium weight yarn (Worsted / #4) - white (segment lines and round) - small amount (approx 10-30g)
  • 04
    Medium weight yarn (Worsted / #4) - light blue (background / rounds and joining) - main color for squares - recommended multiple skeins depending on bag size
  • 05
    I used Impeccable yarn by Loops & Threads (Medium / 4)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 4.5mm
  • 02
    Yarn needle / tapestry needle for weaving in ends and embroidery
  • 03
    Scissors
  • 04
    Stitch markers (recommended)
  • 05
    Pins for assembly (optional)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Citrus Granny Square :

Round 1 :

Color - light yellow Begin with a magic circle, ch 2 (this counts as first dc). Dc 11 in magic circle. Pull tight. Sl st to join round with original ch 2. (12 stitches total)

Round 2 :

Ch 2 then 1 dc in the same stitch. Make 2 dc in each dc of the previous round until you reach the beginning. After the final stitch, use a sl st to join with the first ch 2 in the round. (24 stitches total)

Info :

Cut yellow yarn leaving a 6 inch tail to sew in. Pull the end through the slip stitch and pull tight.

Round 3 :

New color - white Create a slip knot and place it on the crochet hook. Join on the last stitch in round 2 with a sl st, then ch 1. Make 2 sc in the next stitch. In the next stitch, make 1 sc. Continue alternating between 2 sc and 1 sc per stitch all the way around. Join with a sl st to first ch 1 in the round. (36 stitches total)

Info :

Cut white yarn leaving a 6 inch tail to sew in. Pull the end through the slip stitch and pull tight.

Round 4 :

New color - dark yellow Create a slip knot and place it on the crochet hook. Join on the last stitch in round 3 with a sl st, then ch 1. Make 1 sc in each st all the way around. Finish the round with a sl st to first ch 1 in the round. (36 stitches total)

Info :

Cut dark yellow yarn leaving a 6 inch tail to sew in. Pull the end through the slip stitch and pull tight.

Round 5 :

Color - light blue Create a slip knot and place it on the crochet hook. Join on the last stitch in round 4 with a sl st, then ch 2. Make 1 dc in the next stitch. Make hdc in the next four stitches, then dc in the next two stitches. To make the corner, in the next stitch make 2 edc, ch 1, then 2 edc. *Make dc in the next 2 stitches, hdc in the next 4 stitches, then dc in the next 2 stitches. Make another corner in the next stitch with 2 edc, ch 2, then 2 edc* Repeat steps in * 2 more times creating 4 corners. Finish the round with a sl st to the first ch 2 in the round.

Info :

Cut light blue yarn leaving a 6 inch tail to sew in. Pull the end through the slip stitch and pull tight.

— Embroidery :

Info :

To make the lines, cut a piece of white yarn about 14 inches long. Tie off one end on the wrong side of square near the center. Using the yarn needle, pull the white yarn through the center of the square and push it back through between the white and dark yellow rounds. Continue weaving the white yarn through the square in between the white and dark yellow rounds and coming up through the middle at the four corners, top, bottom, and sides. Tie off the white yarn on the wrong side when done. To finish the square, weave in the tails using the yarn needle.

— Assemble the bag :

Info :

Make 13 Granny Squares

Info :

Position two squares together with the right side facing each other. Create a slip knot and place it on the hook. Insert the crochet hook through the corners of both squares, make a sl st, and ch 1. Make a sc in each stitch along the side of the square, inserting the hook through stitches in both squares each time.

Info :

Attach 11 squares in this configuration. I recommend continuing along the red line then the blue line. However, any order will work if this shape is the end result.

Info :

Once all the squares are attached, fold it in half to align the top and the bottom. The remaining two squares will be the sides of the bag (folded in half in this diagram). Stitch along the red and blue lines.

— Straps :

Info :

To avoid gaps, the ch 1 that creates the corner are counted as a st when creating the straps. Times when crocheting in this space is noted in each row.

Part One - Row 1 :

Create a slip knot and place it on the crochet hook. Lay bag flat with right side out. Join using a slip stitch onto the corner (made by the ch 1) on the right side. Make one double crochet in the next 10 st. Next, dc6tog including the ch 1 that creates the corner of each square (you will be inserting your hook in the 2 edc and ch 1 from the first granny square and then the ch 1 and 2 edc in the next granny square). Continue up the next granny square making a dc in each of the next 11 st (the last dc will be in the ch 1 creating the corner). Ch 2 and turn work.

Part One - Row 2 :

Skip the first st (ch 2 counts as first dc in this row) and make dc in the next 8 st. Next, dc5tog. Make one dc in the next 9 st. To finish the row, ch 1, cut yarn leaving 6 in to weave in, and pull the end through the loop and pull tight.

Info :

Flip over and repeat part one on the other side.

Part Two - Intro :

In this part the straps of the bag are created. Choose one side of the bag to be Side A and the other will be Side B. This will determine the number each granny square will be referred to. This portion will be created in one continuous round demonstrated by the red portion in the diagram.

Round 1 :

On granny square 4 make one dc in the next 11 st (ending in the ch 1 space in the corner). Make 2 dc in each row from part one (4 total).

Round 1 :

Ch 60

Round 1 :

Make 2 dc in each row from part one (4 total) on granny square 3*. Make one dc in the next 11 st (the first will be the ch 1 forming the first corner of granny square 3). Next, dc6tog (including the ch 1 forming corners). You have now returned to side A.

Round 1 :

On granny square 2 make one dc in the next 11 st (ending in the ch 1 space in the corner). Make 2 dc in each row from part one (4 total).

Round 1 :

Ch 60

Round 1 :

Make 2 dc in each row from part one on square 1. Use a slip st to join the round. Ch 2

Round 2 :

Skip the first st (ch 2 counts as first dc in this row) and make dc in the next 8 st. **Next, dc5tog. Make one dc in the next 13 st. Continue with one dc in each ch creating the strap (60). Make one dc in the next 13 st.** Repeat steps within ** one more time across the second strap.

Round 2 :

Finish the row with one dc in the next 4 stitches, then use a sl st to join the round. Cut the yarn leaving 6 in to weave in, pull the end through the loop and pull tight.

Info :

Turn the bag inside out and weave in all the ends using a tapestry needle.

— Stitch Guide :

Slip Stitch :

Insert hook, yarn over, pull through all loops on hook

Single Crochet :

Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook

Half Double Crochet :

Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through 3 loops on hook

Double Crochet :

Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, pull through last two loops on hook

Extended Double Crochet :

Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through first loop on hook, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, pull through last two loops on hook

Double Crochet Five Together :

Yarn over, *insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook* Repeat between * 4 more times (inserting in 5 stitches total) Yarn over and pull through 6 loops on hook

Double Crochet Six Together :

Yarn over, *insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook* Repeat between * 5 more times (inserting in 6 stitches total) Yarn over and pull through 7 loops on hook

Assembly Instructions

  • Make 13 citrus granny squares following Rounds 1-5 and complete the white segment embroidery on each square before joining.
  • Position two squares together with right sides facing and join by inserting the hook through both corners, sl st and ch 1, then sc through corresponding stitches across the side to seam them together.
  • Continue attaching squares in the recommended configuration (attach 11 squares first, following the red and blue joining lines shown) until the layout matches the diagram and the remaining two squares form the side panels.
  • Fold the assembled panel in half to align top and bottom, then sew along the designated seams to close the sides and form the bag shape.
  • Create the top border (Part One) by working the rows across the top center, then make the straps (Part Two) by working the continuous round, ch 60 sections, and finishing rounds as directed.
  • Turn the bag inside out and weave in all ends securely with a tapestry/yarn needle; press and shape if needed.

Important Notes

  • 💡Make a test granny square before starting the full project to check gauge and edge behavior—adjust hook size if edges are wavy or cupped.
  • 💡Leave approximately 6 inch yarn tails after color changes to weave in later for a secure finish and neat wrong side.
  • 💡Count stitches and use a stitch marker at the start of rounds to avoid losing your place, especially during increases and corner sequences.
  • 💡When creating straps, remember that ch 1 corners are counted as stitches; follow the pattern notes to avoid gaps in the strap join.

This Citrus Tote Bag pattern combines playful color and practical function to brighten your everyday routine. 🍋 Make bright citrus granny squares, add embroidered segment lines, and assemble into a stylish market tote that turns heads. 🧶 Have fun customizing colors and enjoy carrying your handmade summer favorite!

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FAQs

What size will the finished bag be?

The finished bag size depends on your gauge and yarn amounts; using the recommended medium weight yarn and 4.5mm hook the assembled bag made from 13 granny squares forms a medium tote suitable for everyday use (approx measurements will vary).

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights but this will change the square size and overall bag dimensions; adjust your hook size accordingly and make a gauge test square to ensure the final layout matches the pattern.

Do I need advanced crochet skills to make this bag?

This pattern is rated Intermediate; you should be comfortable with basic stitches (sc, dc, hdc), working in rounds, changing colors, and following joining and strap construction instructions.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in 5-7 hours overall, though time may vary based on experience, yarn handling, and whether you embroider and weave ends as you go.