Summer is the perfect season to make a handmade tote, and this crochet granny square bag pattern is a modern take on a classic. Made from just three large granny squares folded together — no complicated shaping required — it works up surprisingly fast and turns into a roomy, eye-catching beach bag, market tote, or everyday carry-all.

The full free pattern is below — materials, abbreviations, complete row-by-row instructions for the squares, plus the shoulder strap and assembly guide. Block out a weekend, grab three balls of cotton yarn, and you’ll have a finished bag in time for your next beach day, farmer’s market run, or sunny afternoon adventure.

Why you’ll love this crochet granny square bag

• No complicated shaping — three large granny squares folded into a bag means you skip the math and just enjoy the rhythm of working in the round.
• Modern colorblock look — the shift from blue to gray to white at the outer rounds gives it a contemporary feel that doesn’t look “vintage granny.”
• Roomy and practical — perfect for beach days, farmer’s markets, festivals, library trips, or as a year-round project bag.
• Quick weekend project — each granny square is meditative to work, and the bag comes together in 8–10 hours total.
• Cotton-friendly — uses durable 100% cotton yarn for a sturdy bag that holds its shape, gets softer with use, and is fully machine washable.
• Customizable colorways — try cream, sage, and dusty pink for a softer palette, or rotate any 3 of your favorite colors.
• Builds your granny square skills — once you’ve made one giant granny square, you’ve unlocked a foundational crochet skill that shows up in countless other patterns.

Pattern details

• Skill level: Intermediate — comfortable with working in the round, granny square construction, color changes, and basic assembly.
• Finished size: Approximately 15″ × 15″ with a 100″ shoulder strap (fully customizable)
• Construction: Three large granny squares folded and seamed to form the bag body, finished with a multi-color crochet shoulder strap and single crochet border
• Stitches used: Chain, slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet

Materials for the crochet granny square bag

• 🧶 3 balls each of worsted weight 100% cotton yarn in 3 colors:
  • Marine Blue (or any deep blue/navy)
  • Slate Gray
  • Champagne White (or cream)
• 🪝 4.5 mm crochet hook
• 🪡 Tapestry needle with a large eye for seaming
• ✂️ Scissors
• 📍 Stitch markers (helpful for tracking corners on each round)

For yarn options, try Lily Sugar’n Cream for a budget-friendly worsted cotton option, or any DK cotton in a similar gauge. Cotton is the best choice for bags because it’s durable, holds its shape under weight, and gets softer with every wash. Not sure what yarn weight to use? Check out the complete yarn weights guide for a full breakdown.

Abbreviations

Written in standard American crochet terms.

• beg — beginning
• ch — chain
• sc — single crochet
• dc — double crochet
• sl st — slip stitch
• sp(s) — space(s)
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• yo — yarn over
• rs — right side
• * * — repeat instructions between asterisks

Pattern notes before you start

• This bag is constructed from 3 identical large granny squares. Two squares form the front and back of the bag, and one square folds in half to form the bottom and sides.
• Each square uses all three colors — work the first 8 rounds in Marine Blue, then switch to Slate Gray, Champagne White, and back to Marine Blue for the outer rounds.
• Block your squares before assembly for the sharpest corners and cleanest seaming.
• The shoulder strap is worked on the right side only — fasten off at the end of every row and start fresh from the beginning of the chain each time. This creates a flat, even strap without curling.

The crochet granny square bag pattern

Granny squares (make 3)

With Marine Blue, ch 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring.

Round 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as first st), 2 dc into ring, (ch 2, 3 dc into ring) 3 times, ch 1, 1 sc into top of ch 3 at beg of round.

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as first st), 2 dc into ch sp partly formed by sc at end of previous round, *ch 1, skip 3 dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next ch sp*, repeat from * to * twice more, ch 1, 3 dc into same ch sp as used at beg of round, ch 1, 1 sc into top of ch 3 at beg of round.

Round 3: Ch 3 (counts as first st), 2 dc into ch sp partly formed by sc at end of previous round, *ch 1, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next ch sp, ch 1, skip 3 dc**, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next ch sp*, repeat from * to end, ending last rep at **, 3 dc into same ch sp as used at beg of round, ch 1, 1 sc into top of ch 3 at beg of round.

Round 4: Ch 3 (counts as first st), 2 dc into ch sp partly formed by sc at end of previous round, *(ch 1, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next ch sp) twice, ch 1, skip 3 dc**, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next ch sp*, repeat from * to end, ending last rep at **, 3 dc into same ch sp as used at beg of round, ch 1, 1 sc into top of ch 3 at beg of round.

Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as first st), 2 dc into ch sp partly formed by sc at end of previous round, *(ch 1, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next ch sp) 3 times, ch 1, skip 3 dc**, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next ch sp*, repeat from * to end, ending last rep at **, 3 dc into same ch sp as used at beg of round, ch 1, 1 sc into top of ch 3 at beg of round.

Round 6: Ch 3 (counts as first st), 2 dc into ch sp partly formed by sc at end of previous round, *(ch 1, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next ch sp) 4 times, ch 1, skip 3 dc**, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next ch sp*, repeat from * to end, ending last rep at **, 3 dc into same ch sp as used at beg of round, ch 1, 1 sc into top of ch 3 at beg of round.

Round 7: Ch 3 (counts as first st), 2 dc into ch sp partly formed by sc at end of previous round, *(ch 1, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next ch sp) 5 times, ch 1, skip 3 dc**, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next ch sp*, repeat from * to end, ending last rep at **, 3 dc into same ch sp as used at beg of round, ch 1, 1 sc into top of ch 3 at beg of round.

Round 8: Ch 3 (counts as first st), 2 dc into ch sp partly formed by sc at end of previous round, *(ch 1, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next ch sp) 6 times, ch 1, skip 3 dc**, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next ch sp*, repeat from * to end, ending last rep at **, 3 dc into same ch sp as used at beg of round, ch 1, 1 sc into top of ch 3 at beg of round.

Switch to Slate Gray.

Rounds 9 & 10: Ch 3 (counts as first st), 2 dc into ch sp partly formed by sc at end of previous round, *dc in every st across to corner, ch 2*, repeat from * to * 3 more times, join with a sl st to top of ch 3 at beg of round.

Switch to Champagne White.

Rounds 11 & 12: Ch 3 (counts as first st), 2 dc into ch sp partly formed by sc at end of previous round, *dc in every st across to corner, ch 2*, repeat from * to * 3 more times, join with a sl st to top of ch 3 at beg of round.

Switch to Marine Blue.

Rounds 13 & 14: Ch 3 (counts as first st), 2 dc into ch sp partly formed by sc at end of previous round, *(ch 1, skip 4 dc, 3 dc into next ch sp) to corner, ch 1, skip 3 dc**, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next ch sp*, repeat from * to end, ending last rep at **, 3 dc into same ch sp as used at beg of round, ch 1, 1 sc into top of ch 3 at beg of round.

Repeat rounds 9–12 once more for the final outer rounds.

Fasten off and weave in ends. Block each square to identical measurements before assembly.

Shoulder strap

The shoulder strap is worked on the right side only — fasten off every row and start fresh from the beginning of the chain each time. Do not turn the work. This creates a clean, flat, color-striped strap with no curling.

With Champagne White, leave a 6″ tail and ch 100. Fasten off, leaving a 6″ tail at the end.

Row 1 (Slate Gray): Leave a 6″ tail. Sc in every ch across. Fasten off, leaving a 6″ tail at the end.

Repeat Row 1 in the following color sequence (always working from the beginning of the chain, on the right side, with fresh 6″ tails):

• Row 2: Marine Blue
• Row 3: Slate Gray
• Row 4: Marine Blue
• Rows 5–7: Slate Gray
• Row 8: Marine Blue
• Row 9: Slate Gray
• Row 10: Marine Blue
• Row 11: Slate Gray
• Row 12: Champagne White

Assembly

Lay out your 3 granny squares. Two squares will form the front and back panels of the bag. The third square will be folded in half lengthwise to form the bottom and sides — like a long strip wrapped around the bottom edge.

To assemble:

1. Fold the third granny square in half. This becomes the bottom + side gusset.
2. With Champagne White and a tapestry needle (or working with sc and a crochet hook), seam one long edge of the folded gusset to one side and bottom of the front panel.
3. Repeat on the opposite side: seam the other long edge of the folded gusset to the side and bottom of the back panel.
4. The top of the bag stays open — this is where the bag opens.

Border

Starting at the top left side of the bag, attach Champagne White and dc across the top of the bag (front panel) and along the top of the back. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Attach the shoulder strap

Use the 6″ tails on each end of the shoulder strap to securely attach the strap to both sides of the bag — one end to each top side. Weave in any remaining ends.

Your finished bag is ready for beach days, market runs, and everyday adventures!

Tips for success

• Block your squares before assembly. Wet block each granny square to identical measurements on a flat surface. This makes seaming dramatically easier and gives you sharp, even corners on the finished bag.
• Count carefully through Round 8. The blue granny square section grows by one ch-sp set per round. Use stitch markers at each corner if you’re losing your place.
• Don’t pull the seaming yarn too tight. When seaming the gusset to the front and back panels, work loosely so the seam doesn’t pucker.
• Consider adding a fabric lining. If you plan to carry heavier items, a simple fabric lining sewn into the inside of the bag gives it more structure and prevents small items from poking through the granny square holes.
• Reinforce the strap attachment. The shoulder strap takes the most stress. Tie tight knots and weave in ends through multiple stitches to make sure the strap stays firmly attached.

Frequently asked questions about the crochet granny square bag

How long does this granny square bag take to make?

Most crocheters finish this bag in 8–12 hours of working time. Each granny square takes about 2–3 hours, the shoulder strap adds 1–2 hours, and assembly takes about an hour. It’s a perfect weekend-long project.

What yarn is best for crochet bags?

100% cotton yarn is the gold standard for crochet bags. It’s durable enough to hold weight, holds its shape over time, gets softer with every wash, and doesn’t stretch out like acrylic does under load. Worsted weight (#4) is the most popular weight for bags because it produces a sturdy fabric that’s still flexible.

Can I make this bag in different colors?

Absolutely. The pattern works beautifully in any 3-color combination. Try cream, sage, and dusty pink for a softer palette, terracotta, cream, and mustard for a warm earthy look, or rainbow stripes for a playful festival vibe. You can also work the entire bag in a single color for a more minimalist modern feel.

Can I make the bag bigger or smaller?

Yes. To make a smaller bag, work fewer rounds in the blue section before transitioning to the outer color rounds. To make a larger tote, add additional ch 1 / 3 dc repeats to each round in the blue section. The bag scales naturally as your squares get bigger.

Does this bag need a lining?

It depends on what you plan to carry. For beach days, towels, and lightweight items, no lining needed. For everyday use with a phone, wallet, keys, and smaller items that could slip through the granny square spaces, a simple fabric lining sewn inside the bag adds structure and prevents small items from falling out.

Can I substitute the cotton yarn?

You can, but cotton really is the best choice for bags. If you must substitute, look for a sturdy, non-stretchy worsted weight yarn. Avoid acrylic — it stretches under weight and won’t hold the bag shape. Wool blends can work but may not be machine washable, which limits the bag’s everyday usability.

More free crochet bag and summer patterns to love

If you loved this granny square bag, here are more free crochet patterns from the SeeLoveShare bag and summer collection:

• Easy Boho Granny Tote — a modern boho tote made from joined granny squares
• Crochet Shells & Squares Coverup — beach coverup to pair with your finished tote
• Yarn Weights Guide — pick the perfect yarn weight for any project
• Crochet Flower Blossom Afghan — a vintage granny square throw
• Starburst Crochet Baby Blanket — textured fan stitches in soft cotton

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Happy crocheting and happy beach season! 🧶☀️