Carry all of your summer essentials in the new Catalina Tote, a FREE crochet pattern from TLYCBlog!
When the gloriously long days of summer finally hit, I find myself reaching for the brighter side of my yarn stash. That includes lots of hot pink, deep copper, and sunny orange. I pulled my summer color palette together for the new Catalina Tote, a colorful tote bag designed in collaboration with Yarnspirations! Keep scrolling for the FREE crochet pattern!
This post contains affiliate links that support TLYCBlog content. All opinions are my own. Read my full Privacy and Disclosures statement HERE.
PIN IT NOW, MAKE IT LATER!
Find a printer-friendly, PDF version of the Bronwyn Shawl in my Ravelry Shop and on TLYarnCrafts.com. PDF version includes full-color, 4-page instructions.
Favorite this pattern and share your projects with me on Ravelry – click here!
It’s been a summer of experimentation in the TL Yarn Crafts lab! So far, I’ve had a chance to try mini skeins, velvet yarn, and I even found a color-changing yarn cake that I actually like. For the Catalina Tote, I tried a new-to-me yarn called Hempster thanks to yarn support from my friends at Yarnspirations.
Hempster is a mix of cotton and hemp. Hemp as a fiber has been used in the craft industry since the 1960s, mostly in macrame. But more and more yarn companies are incorporating it into yarn for us crocheters and knitters! And we can feel good about working with hemp since it saves more water and uses fewer chemicals than methods of manufacturing other fibers.
Hempster turned out to be the perfect yarn for the new Catalina Tote. It’s a bit more textured than a 100% cotton yarn, which meant that it would be more durable. Also, Hempster comes in over a dozen super-saturated shades that will hold up under the harsh summer sun.
By far, the most exciting part of making my Catalina Tote was finishing it with leather and metal. I hadn’t worked with these materials before, but my friend Erika (instructor and maker behind Paisley & Gold) was gracious enough to lend me some gorgeous leather, a few rivets, and all of her expertise.
The finishing touch of my tote was this lovely yarn-wrapped tassel. I made mine with leftover Hempster. It was so fun to make that I ended up making several more that day to give as gifts and to add to my keychain. Click here for a full photo tutorial to make your own Keyhole Tassel!
If you’re ready to start your Catalina Tote, keep scrolling for the FREE version of the pattern, or pick up a PDF version on TLYarnCrafts.com.
Click here to purchase the Catalina Tote on Ravelry.
Click here to explore more FREE patterns on TLYCBlog.com.
Catalina Tote Pattern
FINISHED SIZE: 14.5″ long x 13″ wide
MATERIALS:
- Patons Hempster, 1 ball each of Ecru (A), Coral Reef (B), Mango (C), Sepia (D), and Spice (E)
- US size D/3 3.25mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
- Scissors
- Darning needle
- Fabric glue
- 30″ leather for straps
- 9 – 9mm rivets
- Swivel hook
GAUGE: 4″ = 18 stitches x 21 rows in single crochet
ABBREVIATIONS:
- Ch = chain
- Sc = single crochet
NOTES:
- Cut each color after 4 row repeat. Crochet over the ends to prevent additional work when finishing.
- Keyhole tassel tutorial: https://youtu.be/3nYq5Du222k
Bag Pattern
W/ A, ch 71.
ROW 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across row, turn. (70 sc.
ROW 2: Ch 1, sc across row, turn.
ROWS 3-4: Repeat Row 2.
ROWS 5-35: Repeat Row 2 with 4 rows each of colors B-E.
NEXT ROWS: Repeat Row 2 with 4 rows each of colors A-E until there are 7 total repeats of these 5 bands of color – ending with 140 total rows. Your piece should measure about 26″ long. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail on the last repeat of E for sewing.
Assembly & Finishing
STEP 1: Fold piece to bring starting chain to last row. Use remaining tail of E to seam rows together. Continue to seam short sides together to make the bottom of the bag. Cut yarn, weave in end.
STEP 2: With wrong side still facing out, fold over 1.5” of opening. Place a bead of fabric glue to set the fold. Lay a gentle weight on the bag to help set the fold and let dry for 12-24 hours.
STEP 3: Cut 2 – 30” x 1” pieces of leather. Attach one end of the strap to the bag with 2 rivets about 3” in from side fold on one side of the bag, then do the same for the other side of the bag. Repeat this for the second strap.
STEP 4: Cut a 0.5” x 3” strip of leather. Thread it through a swivel hook. Attach the leather to the bag with a rivet about halfway between the strap and the side fold.
STEP 5: Use colors A-E to make a keyhole tassel (link to keyhole tassel tutorial). Clip tassel to swivel hook.
STEP 6: Weave in any remaining ends and steam block lightly if needed.
I’m so glad you dropped by to make the Catalina Tote with me! Share your project on Instagram using the #CatalinaTote and #TLYCMakers hashtags. You can also brag in the TLYCMakers Facebook group. And be the first to know about new pattern releases like this one by joining the TL Yarn Crafts email list.
Do you like the free patterns on TLYCBlog.com? Pinning this post shares my content with hundreds of other makers, helping generate income that supports free patterns like this one!
CLICK TO PIN THIS POST!
This is gorgeous! It’s not summer anymore but I want to make one anyway. 🙂