An accessory worth gushing over – my Crochet Velvet Tote Bag – is a free crochet pattern here on the blog!
Read through my inspiration, design process, and lots of info on the stunning yarn I chose, or scroll on down for the free pattern.


The Inspiration + Design
I love a good tote bag (seriously, who doesn’t?) but I wanted a little more luxury with my utility. So when I had a bunch of my favorite velvet yarn laying around I knew I wanted a squishy circular tote to hold my projects.
I love the luxe mixed media look of leather and super soft velvet, so I knew I wanted a sleek leather handle with my eggplant velvet bag. I love the cognac brown leather and the sturdiness it adds to my squishy bag – especially when it’s weighted down with half a dozen skeins of yarn!
I held the yarn double for this bag so that it had a tad bit more structure to keep the circular shape but this yarn is so pliable and drapey that the bag moves really naturally. It doesn’t squish my project because the structure is a little more rigid, but it also hasn’t lost it’s shape. Win win!


The Yarn
Lion Brand has been releasing stunning yarn after stunning yarn this season and they’re not stopping with this new velvet style yarn, Vel-Luxe. It’s a worsted weight polyester based yarn that feels like crushed velvet & it really is what the label says – LUXE.
There are several velvet yarns on the market but I love this one because it’s a worsted weight (unlike the bulky ones I’ve seen) and it doesn’t shed. Let me say that again – IT DOES NOT SHED. Hallelujah! Finally a textured yarn with incredible feel and finish without any yarn fuzzies left behind!
The color palette LB chose for this yarn is really wonderful too, it’s refined and elevated with neutrals and color that are everything we want to wear. I made my sample in Eggplant, but I’m so in love with every color – it was hard to choose just one color! Browse them all here.



PATTERN
- Get the ad-free, large print, printable PDF pattern HERE.
- Grab the Ultimate Pattern Bundle that includes 150+ patterns just like this one on sale for $20 today HERE.
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- Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.
To sum it up: The perfect textured circular tote bag made with luxurious velvet yarn. It’s the perfect size for a project bag or a large purse for everything you need on-the-go. I love simple construction with pretty texture and this bag fits the bill!
Materials:
–Lion Brand Vel-Luxe yarn (Weight: 4/Medium – 5.3 oz, 246 yds)
Color: Eggplant (2 skeins)
–Leather bag strap handles (click to grab the ones I used!) — here is an alternate long strap option too.
-Scrap light weight yarn (or strong thread) for sewing bag strap
-Tapestry needles (large eye and sharp darning)
Click here to shop my favorite tools and materials!
Gauge:
10 sts x 8 rows in Hdc = 4″ (yarn held double)
Finished Measurements:
Diameter: 16″
Depth: 4″
Abbreviations (US Terms):
3rd loop – work in the 3rd loop of the stitch only (positioned behind the two top loops)
ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet
rnd(s) – round(s)
rpt – repeat
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
Skill Level:
Level 1 – Beginner
Pattern Notes:
-Entirety of pattern is worked holding a double strand of Vel-Luxe yarn.
-Sizing is adjustable to be as large or small as you like – to make your bag smaller, do not complete all the rounds of the bag panels before moving on. To make your bag larger, continue in the same pattern of the bag panels to desired size.
-Bag may be made with another super bulky yarn in place of the double stranded worsted velvet yarn I used. Pay close attention to gauge when adjusting yarn.
-Bag will be made in two identical pieces and seamed.
-Place a stitch marker in the first st of each round if you need help identifying where to begin.

Crochet Velvet Tote Bag
Bag Panels:
*make 2
Make a magic ring
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 8 hdc in ring, sl st to join (8)

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around, sl st to join (16)
*Note: To achieve an invisible seam, work your sl st into the first hdc of the previous rnd, ch 2, and work the first 2 hdc of the next rnd into the same st as your ch 2.
Rnd 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc; rpt from * around, sl st to join (24)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc next 2 sts; rpt from * around, sl st to join (32)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc next 3 sts; rpt from * around, sl st to join (40)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc next 4 sts; rpt from * around, sl st to join (48)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc next 5 sts; rpt from * around, sl st to join (56)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc next 6 sts; rpt from * around, sl st to join (64)
Rnd 9: Ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc next 7 sts; rpt from * around, sl st to join (72)
Rnd 10: Ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc next 8 sts; rpt from * around, sl st to join (80)
Rnd 11: Ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc next 9 sts; rpt from * around, sl st to join (88)
Rnd 12: Ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc next 10 sts; rpt from * around, sl st to join (96)

You should now have a flat circle about 12″ in diameter.
Edging:
Rnd 13: Ch 2, 3rd loop hdc in each st around, sl st to join (96)

Rnds 14-16: Ch 2, hdc in each st around (96)
Finish off, weave ends.

Assembly:
With a long piece of spare yarn double stranded (for strength) threaded on a tapestry needle, and wrong sides facing together, whip stitch 72 sts from Rnd 16 from each panel – leave 24 sts unsewn.
Weave ends.

Strap:
Position strap on bag. I lined up the bottom of the strap with the round of 3rd loop hdc.
With scrap yarn (I used 24/7 Cotton from Lion Brand in Ecru), sew into place with a small, sharp tapestry needle.
Repeat on other side of bag.
You’re done! Go flaunt your new luxurious tote bag out and about!

OTHER FREE CROCHET PATTERNS

1. Crochet Elle Convertible Shawl / 2. Crochet Rancher Poncho / 3. Crochet Audrey Tunic
How long are the bag handles you used? The link you provided is a dead end but I will order elsewhere once I know the correct length to look for. Thanks!
Awesome pattern! What a gorgeous bag. I can’t wait to make it.
I can’t seem to link to the straps. Can you please tell me the length of the straps you used, so I can find some that will work. Thanks!
I seriously love this! Velvet yarn is so soft and amazing to work with. Never would have thought to pair it with leather straps.
I’m sorry but this yarn does shed.