Free Modern Crochet Cables Tote Bag Pattern for Summer

Crochet bags are on trend this summer season and it’s easy to see why! You can make a cute bag with crochet cables using this free pattern for the Carey Cabled Carryall to hold all of your essentials and then some! For this free crochet bag pattern I have a helpful video tutorial for the placement of the stitches on the cables if you are a visual learner.

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Pattern Description

For this Free Crochet Pattern I have noted it to be an Advanced Skill Level Pattern, however an intermediate or beginner crocheter can make this pattern if they take it slow and read each row carefully.

This crochet tote is made with 24/7, a worsted weight cotton yarn from Lion Brand. 24/7 Cotton has beautiful solid colors, bright colors and neutrals to make just about any color combo to match your personal style.

Using a few basic crochet stitches and some more advanced crochet techniques like cables and surface slip stitch you will have a stunning bag with handmade charm for years to come.

The bottom of the bag is made using a flat oval technique that I explain in this video tutorial if you are a visual learner and need some help.

I have used this crochet cable before and have a video showing the stitch pattern to make the placement of the front post stitches easier.

The Carey Cabled Carryall is the perfect size at 16 inches wide by 14 inches deep making it just the right size to carry your essentials and then some. This is definitely a practical project to make for day to day use!

One of my favorite features on this cute pattern is the front pocket, it is a great option to have for items you might need to easily find like a chapstick or your house key!

Although this bag is made using two colors you don’t have to be scared of making a color change on this perfect crochet bag pattern!

The base, body straps and handles are crocheted separately from the bag body. The pocket is the only place where you technically have a color change, but really all you are doing is just starting a new row with a different color.

Check out more of my easy crochet bag patterns, crochet purse patterns, crochet totes, beach bags and so much more under my Bag Category!

Yarn Substitutes

Vanna’s Choice
Color Theory
Local Grown Cotton
Pima Cotton

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Materials

4.00 mm Crochet Hook
3 Skeins of Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Dragonfly [761-177J] – Color A
3 Skeins of Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Ecru [761-098C] – Color B
#4 Worsted Weight Yarn
Color A – 558 yards
Color B – 475 Yards
Minimum 5 Stitch Markers
Tapestry Needle

Gauge

20 sts x 21 rows is 4”x4” in sc in the round OR
18 sts x 22 rows is 4”x4” in sc rows.

Sizing

One Size – 16” Wide by 14” Deep with (2) 7” Handles

Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations

Chain Stitch – ch
Slip Stitch – sl st
Stitch(es) – st(s)
Skip – sk
Stitch Marker – SM
Single Crochet – sc
Single Crochet 3 Together – sc3tog – Work 3 sc stitches together into one stitch for a decrease.
Front Post Double Crochet – FPdc -Work a double crochet as you normally would by placing your hook from front to back to front around the post of the designated stitch.
Foundation Single Crochet – Fsc – Chain 2, insert hook into 2nd chain from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through 1 loop, (2 loops on hook with 1 ch created), yarn over, draw through all loops (1 loop on hook, 1 foundation single crochet with chain at the bottom). *Insert hook to the bottom of the stitch you just made, it will look like the top or “V” of a stitch, yarn over, pull up 1 loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through 1 loop (2 loops on hook with 1 ch created), yarn over, draw through all loops;* repeat from * to * for desired amount of stitches.
Surface Slip Stitch – Surface Sl St – Pull up a loop in the designated stitch, one loop on hook, *insert your hook into the next stitch or space, pull up a loop through stitch or space and through loop on hook, one loop on hook, repeat from * to end creating your sl st on the surface of your previously created stitches.

Pattern Notes

One Size – 16” Wide by 14” Deep with (2) 7” Handles
* Designates a repeat.
Each repeat (rRows 3 to 14 in “Cables…” section) is creating one cable for a total of 5 cable repeats.
Turn at the the end of each base round, place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of rounds.
Be mindful of when it is noted to work behind or in front of a FPdc when crossing sts,
When a FPdc is created you must make sure to skip the stitches behind in the row you are working. For Example: When you “FPdc 2” you must skip the next 2 sts in the row you are creating, leaving them unworked, so each row has the same number of sts.
Row 2 of the Cables notes when to skip stitches after making FPdc sts as a reminder. Apply skipping the same number of sts as FPdc sts made in all FPdc rows.
You will have the same number of stitches in all cable rows until you reach the decrease to create the straps
On the “Tote Base” section even numbered rounds start working with the half circle, on odd numbered rounds you start on the straight edge of 50 sc sts.
“sc 1” means to single crochet in the next stitch.
“sc 2” means to single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches.
“2 sc” means to single crochet twice in the next stitch to create an increase.

Crochet Tote Bag Pattern

Tote Base – Color A

Round 1 – Fsc 50, place SM in first and last st, 4 sc in base of last Fsc, place SM in 4th sc st, sc 49 by working in every base of Fsc across, place SM in last sc, 3sc in same st as last st, sl st to first Fsc.
[106 total stitches]
Notes: There should be 50 sts from SM to SM on both sides and 3 sc between both sets of SM’s to create a half circle at each end. Move SM up to first and last stitch on both sides to mark your place before and after the half circles.

Round 2 – Turn, ch 1, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc 50, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc 50, sl st to first stitch in round. [112 total stitches]
Round 3 – Turn, ch 1, sc 50, (2 sc, sc 1) over next 6 sts, sc 50, (2 sc, sc 1) over next 6 sts, sl st to first stitch in round. [118 total stitches]
Round 4 – Turn, ch 1, (2 sc, sc 2) over next 9 sts, sc 50, (2 sc, sc 2) over next 9 sts, sc 50, sl st to first stitch in round. [124 total stitches]
Round 5 – Ch 1, sc 50, (2 sc, sc 3) over next 12 sts, sc 50, (2 sc, sc 3) over next 12 sts, sl st to first stitch in round. [130 total stitches]
Round 6 – Turn, ch 1, (2 sc, sc 4) over next 15 sts, sc 50, (2 sc, sc 4) over next 15 sts, sc 50, sl st to first stitch in round. [136 total stitches]
Round 7 – Turn, ch 1, sc 50, (2 sc, sc 5) over next 18 sts, sc 50, (2 sc, sc 5) over next 18 sts, sl st to first stitch in round. [142 total stitches]
Round 8 – Turn, ch 1, (2 sc, sc 6) over next 21 sts, sc 50, (2 sc, sc 6) over next 21 sts, sc 50, sl st to first stitch in round, do NOT cut yarn, read “Note” below and continue to next section. [148 total stitches]
Next 6 Rounds – Turn, ch 1, sc 148, sl st to first stitch in round. [148 total stitches]

Notes: Now we will begin the four cables called “Body Straps” that extend from the base of the bag and will be secured to the body of the bag.

We will not cut our yarn to start the first Body Strap and continue as if this would be another Round in the tote base, it will be called “Row 1” in the next section below “Cables and Straps”.

Each next Body Strap will begin again in the last Round of the Tote Base.

Cables, Body Straps and Handles – Color A

Body Strap 1 – Continuing from last round of the Tote Base across the straight side.
Row 1 – Turn, ch 1, sc 16.
Row 2 – Turn, ch 1, sc 2, in previous round come down to corresponding stitch and count over 2, FPdc in that stitch, FPdc in next stitch of previous round, sk 2 sc in working row, sc 2, FPdc in each of next 2 sts of previous round, sk 2 sc of previous row, FPdc in each of next 2 sts of previous round, sk 4 sc in working row, sc 2, FPdc in each of next 2 sts of previous round, sc 2.
Row 3 – Turn, ch 1, sc 16.
Row 4 – Turn, ch 1, sc, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, sc 3, sk 2-FPdc, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, FPdc in previous 2-FPdc working behind the last 2 FPdc just created, sc 3, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, sc.
Row 5 – Turn, ch 1, sc 16.
Row 6 – Turn, ch 1, sc, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, sc 3, FPdc in each of next 4-FPdc, sc 3, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, sc.
Row 7 – Turn, ch 1, sc 16.
Row 8 – Turn, ch 1, sc 2, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, sc 2, sk 2-FPdc, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, FPdc in previous 2-FPdc working behind the last 2 FPdc just created, sc 2, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, sc 2.
Row 9 – Turn, ch 1, sc 16.
Row 10 – Turn, ch 1, sc 3, FPdc in each of next 4-FPdc, sc 2, FPdc in each of next 4-FPdc, sc 3.
Row 11 – Turn, ch 1, sc 16.
Row 12 – Turn, ch 1, sc 3, sk 2 FPdc, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, FPdc in previous 2-FPdc working behind the last two just created, sc 2, sk 2-FPdc, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, FPdc in previous 2-FPdc working in front of the last two just created, sc 3.
Row 13 – Turn, ch 1, sc 16.
Row 14 – Turn, ch 1, sc 2, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, sc 2, FPdc in each of next 4-FPdc, sc 2, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, sc 2.
Rows 15 to 60 – Repeat Rows 3 to 14. Ending with a repeat of Row 12, continue to Strap Decrease.

Body Strap Decrease to Create Handle

Row 1 – Turn, ch 1, sc 16.
Row 2 – Sc2tog, sc 2, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, sc 4, sk 4 FPdc, FPdc in each of last 2-FPdc, sc 2, sc2tog. [14 sts]
Row 3 – Turn, ch 1, sc 14.
Row 4 – Sc2tog, sc 2, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, sc 2, FPdc in each of last 2-FPdc, sc 2, sc2tog. [12 sts]
Row 5 – Turn, ch 1, sc 12.
Row 6 – Sc2tog, sc 2, FPdc in each of next 4-FPdc, sc 2, sc2tog. [10 sts]
Row 7 – Turn, ch 1, sc 10.
Row 8 – Sc2tog, sc 2, FPdc2tog twice over next 4-FPdc, sc 2, sc2tog. [8 sts]
Row 9 – Turn, ch 1, sc 8.
Row 10 – Sc2tog, sc 2, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, sc 2, sc2tog. [6 sts]
Row 11 – Turn, ch 1, sc 6.
Row 12 – Sc 2, FPdc in each of next 2-FPdc, sc 2. [6 sts]
Row 13 to 20 – Repeat rows 11 and 12.
Next 28 Rows – Repeat Row 11, finish off.

Body Strap 2 – Continuing from last round of the Tote Base, reattach your yarn in next stitch of last round of the Tote Base after the 1st Body Strap and continue down straight side.
Row 1 – Ch 1, sc 34.
Repeat Rows 2 to 60 and “Body Strap Decrease to Create Handle” Instructions.

Body Strap 3 – Continuing from last round of the Tote Base, reattach your yarn in next stitch of last round of the Tote Base after the 2nd Body Strap and work around the half circle to the straight side.
Row 1 – Ch 1, sc 40.
Repeat Rows 2 to 60 and “Body Strap Decrease to Create Handle” Instructions.

Body Strap 4 – Continuing from last round of the Tote Base, reattach your yarn in next stitch of last round of the Tote Base after the 3rd Body Strap and continue down straight side.
Row 1 – Ch 1, sc 34.
Repeat Rows 2 to 60 and “Body Strap Decrease to Create Handle” Instructions.

Base Completion – Continuing from last round of the Tote Base, reattach your yarn in next stitch of last round of the Tote Base after the 4th Body Strap and complete the half circle.
Row 1 – Ch 1, sc 24, sl st to join, finish off.

Seam the end of Strap 1 to Strap 2 and Strap 3 to Strap 4 to create Handles.

Progress Photo showing after the handles had been seamed and a test fit of the bag body into the bag base. The row of single crochet has not yet been added around the cable strap and handles. You can see the row ends on the cable portion is wavy, the single crochet stitches will correct that.

Base and Strap Trimming – Color A

Place a round of single crochet in the row ends and stitches to create a finished edge around the tote base and straps. Use a sc3tog in each interior corner where the cable straps meet the tote base.

Finish off, weave in all ends and steam or block so that the cables relax and lay flat, this will make assembling your tote bag easier.

Tote Body – Color B

Round 1 – Fsc 148, sl st to join, place SM in last stitch and move up as you complete each round.
Round 2 to 36 – Begin Continuous Rounds – Sc in each stitch. [148 total stitches]
Round 37 – Create Pocket Opening – Sc 27, ch 20, skip 20, sc 101.
Round 38 – Continuous Round – Sc in each sc and sc in back bumps of chs, sc to end. [148 total stitches]
Round 39 to 61 – Continuous Rounds – Sc in each stitch, finish off on last round. [148 total stitches]

Tote Pocket – Color A

Note: Turn your tote bag inside out.
Row 1 – Reattach your yarn to the one side of the ch-20 of Round 37 of the Tote Body, sc across in each chain. [20 total stitches]
Row 2 – Ch 1, turn, 2 sc, sc 18, 2 sc in last stitch. [22 total stitches]
Rows 3 to 32 – Ch 1, turn, sc across, finish off on last row. [22 total stitches]

Pocket Seaming

Using Color B with Tote Bag still inside out.

Cut and thread a 20 inch piece of yarn onto your darning needle.
Lay tote bag body flat and make sure the pocket falls center and align the rows evenly.
Using your seaming method of choice (I used a running stitch) attach your yarn to where you joined to add the pocket and seam the pocket to your tote bag body, finish off.
Turn your Tote Bag right side out.

Tote Base & Body Attachment – Color B

Lay your Tote Base and Body Straps flat so that the semi-circles are perfectly folded in half and cables lay onto of each other.
Lay your Tote Body flat so the the Pocket Opening is perfectly centered, if necessary use a tape measure.
Mark the each stitch at the furthest points and carefully place the Tote Body inside the Tote Base.
Using your Crochet hook pull up a loop on one side using the corresponding marked stitches.
Using a Surface Slip Stitch, attach the Last Round of the Tote Base to the First Round (Fsc Round) of the Tote Body. [148 Surface Slip Stitches]
Finish off by threading your Darning Needle and working though your first Surface Slip Stitch to complete the last one.

Body Strap Attachment – Color A

Lay your Tote Bag flat with the pocket facing you and centered inside the Cable Body Straps.
Make sure the sides of the Cable Body Straps remain the same distance apart as the width of the pocket, slightly overlapping the pocket opening.
Place a SM at each side to mark where the Strap attaches to final round of the Tote Body.
Thread your Darning Needle with approximately 24” of yarn and using a running stitch seam your Cable Body Strap to the Tote Body.
Repeat Step 4 for each side of your Cable Body Straps on the front of your bag.
Flip your bag over and repeat steps 3 to 5 making sure the Cable Body Straps are evenly spaced.

I hope you enjoyed this free bag crochet pattern and if you are looking for more crochet handbag patterns using granny squares or fun stitches be sure to check outlay different styles of bags in my Bag Category full of free patterns!