When it comes to the latest trends in knitwear, chunky cardigans are...
Unlike sweaters, scarves, and hats, good tote bag knitting patterns are hard to come by. That’s why we’ve found the best knit tote bag patterns from knitwear designers all over the web and listed them here for you.
Generally speaking, knitted tote bags are similar to beret knitting patterns – simple to work up, quick to finish, and very practical. Even better, they never go out of style.
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll find an easy tote bag knitting pattern in this list that you can knit up as a gift or for yourself. Customize your colorways, experiment with the patterns, and make a step towards practical fashion with a functional bag you can use over and over again. If you’re not looking to commit, simply try one of the free tote bag knitting patterns listed here and see how it goes.
Most of the knitting patterns in this list use worsted, chunky, or super bulky weight yarn. We’ve favoured patterns that use natural cotton or linen yarns too, since they are soft, sturdy, and last a long time. That means you can use your tote bag on a day-to-day basis without it losing shape.
13 Tote Bag Knitting Patterns (Free & Paid)
Below are 13 contemporary knitted tote bag patterns for beginners and intermediate knitters. We’ve selected a range of different styles including traditional totes, over-the-shoulder market bags, and cross-body bags. Find your favourite pattern, knit it up, then go out and share your creation with the world!
1. “Junia” Tote Bag
| Price | $4.38/£3.31 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
| Suggested Yarn | Pelini – Rauma Yarn |
| Designer’s Website | Junia Tote – Strikkekaffe |
The “Junia” tote bag comes in one size measuring 36cm long and 32cm wide. It is knit from the top down in stockinette stitch to begin with, while the handles are attached and the edges knit together at the end. This is a classic, simple tote bag design that’s suitable for advanced beginners and fit for all purposes.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 10/6mm Circular Needles (60cm Cable) US Size 6/4mm Double Pointed Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 50g = 102m |
| Yarn Quantity | 250g |
| Accessories | N/A |
2. “Brigitte” Tote Bag Pattern
| Price | $7.64/£5.70 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Suggested Yarn | Field – Gregoria Fibers |
| Designer’s Website | Brigitte Bag – Gregoria Fibers |
This knitted drawstring tote bag is worked simply from the bottom up. Inspired by crochet, the texture and lace stitching produces a vintage design that makes for a great lightweight summer accessory. You’ll need 3 skeins of mid-weight yarn, circular needles, and a basic understanding of how to knit braids for the i-cord.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 1/2.5 mm Circular Needles (60cm-80cm) US Size 4/3.5 mm Circular Needles (60cm-80cm) |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 50g = 110m |
| Yarn Quantity | 3 Skeins |
| Accessories | N/A |
3. “Technicolor” Tote Bag
| Price | $4.79/£3.46 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Suggested Yarn | Sunday – Sandnes Garn |
| Designer’s Website | Technicolor Tote Bag – PetiteKnit |
The Technicolor Tote Bag by PetiteKnit is a playful pattern knitted in three different colors. Knitted in the round using three threads together to get a gradient color shift, it’s an excellent project for intermediate knitters. The finished bag measures 34 cm/13.5 inches in width and 38 cm/715 inches in height – plenty of space for your shopping!
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 11/8mm Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | DK/8 ply (11 wpi) |
| Yarn Quantity | 864 m |
| Accessories | N/A |
4. “Hanna” Tote Bag
| Price | Free |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Suggested Yarn | Recycled Cotton Worsted Yarn – Paintbox Yarns |
| Designer’s Website | Hanna Free Tote Bag – LoveCrafts |
The Hanna Tote Bag is a stylish free tote bag knitting pattern with a playful design that uses three vibrant colors. It’s knit in flat blocks that are stitched together at the end, creating a sturdy market bag strong enough to carry groceries or more. The finished bag measures 41 cm/16 inches wide and 34 cm/13.5 inches high.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 7/4.5mm Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | Worsted Weight |
| Yarn Quantity | 3 Balls |
| Accessories | Scissors |
5. “Pensacola” Knitted Tote Bag
| Price | $3.74/£2.70 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
| Suggested Yarn | Rowan Handknit Cotton – LoveCrafts |
| Designer’s Website | Pensacola Tote – AppleandAcornCo on Etsy |
Made with cotton yarn, the Pensacola Tote bag is an excellent pattern for everyday use. The finished bag measures 32 cm wide and 30 cm high, not including the bag’s handles. The pattern instructions create short handles, but you can easily make the handles longer or shorter to fit your preference. Knit with stripes or in one solid color, just be wary – it’s made out of cotton, so the bag will stretch when you use it.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 7/4.5mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | DK or Worsted Weight |
| Yarn Quantity | 150g |
| Accessories | N/A |
6. “This Way Up” Tote Bag
| Price | $3.46/£2.50 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
| Suggested Yarn | Wendy Supreme Cotton DK – Wool Warehouse |
| Designer’s Website | “This Way Up” Tote Bag – LoveCrafts |
Knit flat with DK yarn, the ‘This Way Up’ tote sports wide straps and lots of space for your things. The bag is knitted in four parts using the garter stitch before being joined together. The finished bag measures 46 cm/18 inches wide and 41 cm/16 inches high, while the straps are 25 cm/10 inches long.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 4/3.5mm Needles US Size 9/5.5mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | DK |
| Yarn Quantity | 15g |
| Accessories | Stitch Markers |
7. Simple Knit Tote Pattern
| Price | Free |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Suggested Yarn | Lantern Yarn – Purl Soho |
| Designer’s Website | Simple Knit Tote – Purl Soho |
This Simple Knit Tote is a modern tote bag knitting pattern made with a cotton-linen yarn mix. Though the design is classic, the mix of yarn creates a fluffy effect that adds a contemporary twist. The pattern is completely free and contains instructions to knit the bottom flat, pick up around the edges and knit the body of the bag in the round. The straps are knit separately and joined in the middle with a 3-needle bind off.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 8/5mm Circular Needles (60cm to 80cm Cable) |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | Worsted/Aran |
| Yarn Quantity | N/A – See Pattern |
| Accessories | Stitch Markers |
8. “Summer Commitment” Tote Bag
| Price | Free |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
| Suggested Yarn | N/A |
| Designer’s Website | Summer Commitment – Espace Tricot on Ravelry |
Knit with bulky yarn, the Summer Commitment tote bag is another free pattern that calls for knitting both flat and in the round – great for practicing both skills. The bottom and straps are knit flat and then the main body is knit in the round, while the straps are eventually joined using kitchener stitch. If you’re looking to knit a cross-body style bag, then you’ll need to pick up an extra skein of yarn, too.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 10/6mm Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | Bulky (7 wpi) |
| Yarn Quantity | 325m |
| Accessories | N/A |
9. “Mohave” Slouchy Tote Bag Knitting Pattern
| Price | $5.00/£3.64 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Suggested Yarn | Re-Tweed – Lion Brand Yarns |
| Designer’s Website | Mohave Slouchy Tote Bag – MamaInaStitch on Etsy |
This pattern creates an oversized, slouchy bag with wide straps perfect for beach trips. The design is both comfortable and practical, with playful tassels for extra fun and flair. Knit it in the round using circular needles and two different colors of yarn, or choose one solid color if you prefer.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 11/8.0mm Circular Needles (40cm Cable) |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | N/A – See Pattern |
| Yarn Quantity | N/A – See Pattern |
| Accessories | Darning Needle |
10. Two-Color Slouchy Tote bag
| Price | $5.07/£3.83 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
| Suggested Yarn | N/A |
| Designer’s Website | Two Color Slouchy Tote Bag – LoveCrafts |
This seamless tote bag knitting pattern is easy and beginner-friendly. It features shorter straps but you can easily lengthen them to knit a shoulder bag instead. The finished measurements are 41 cm/16” in length, 39 cm/15.4” in width, while the handles are 25 cm/9.8” long.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 17/12mm Circular Needles (80cm Cable) |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | Super Chunky |
| Yarn Quantity | 100m (Color A) 50m (Color B) |
| Accessories | Stitch Markers Sewing Thread Scissors |
11. “Nina’s Mini Bag” Knitting Pattern
| Price | $7.81/£6.13 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Suggested Yarn | Cotton DK – Paintbox Yarns Shiny Happy Cotton – Wool and the Gang |
| Designer’s Website | “Nina’s Mini Bag” – PastelPurlsStudio on Etsy |
This knitted tote bag is an eco-friendly pattern with a stripped-back, fashionable design that’s great for summer. Made with DK weight yarn, the bag is worked up in flat panels and sewn together at the end to create a loose, stretchy texture.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 8/5mm Circular Needles (60cm to 80cm Cable) |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 50g = 125m (Yarn A) 100g = 142m (Yarn B) |
| Yarn Quantity | 2 Balls (Yarn A) 1 Ball (Yarn B) |
| Accessories | N/A – See Pattern |
12. Free “Summer Fling” Tote Bag Pattern
| Price | Free |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Suggested Yarn | Pure Linen – Rowan |
| Designer’s Website | Summer Fling Tote Bag – Dayana Knits |
Summer Fling Hobo is a beautiful free tote bag knitting pattern perfect for casual outfits and strolling around town. Made with beautiful linen yarn which is both soft and firm, it’s bound to hold its shape well over time. The pattern contains instructions to knit in two colors, with one skein required for each color.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 3/3.25mm Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 130m = 50g |
| Yarn Quantity | 2 Skeins (154m per skein) |
| Accessories | N/A |
13. Free Knitted Tote Bag by Yarn Plaza
| Price | Free |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
| Suggested Yarn | Lana Grossa Cotton Mix 80 – Ravelry |
| Designer’s Website | Knitted Tote Bag – Yarn Plaza |
This free tote bag knitting pattern from Yarn Plaza is made out of soft cotton in three different colors. The twisted handle offers a unique take on a basic design that’s perfect for everyday use. It’s knit in the round using 9 balls of mid-weight yarn.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 4/3.5mm Circular Needles (100cm Cable) |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | Bulky/12 ply (7 wpi) |
| Yarn Quantity | 9 Balls |
| Accessories | N/A |
How Do You Knit a Tote Bag?
Knitting a tote bag or market bag is relatively easy compared to a lot of knitting projects. The easiest way to knit a tote bag is to use circular needles to knit the bottom of the bag flat, work the body of the bag in the round, and then knit each side of the strap separately to be joined at the end.
Unlike more complicated projects like polo sweater knitting patterns, tote bags generally don’t require much shaping or decreasing, which means the process of construction is as simple as the final product.
Each knitted tote bag pattern will vary, but the size of the average tote bag is roughly 12 inches wide and 14 inches tall. You can vary the length of the bag’s handles based on your preference, or change the size of the opening depending on the items you’ll be storing in the bag.
Tote bag patterns are more common in crochet than knitting. Knitwear designers will vary the techniques required for their patterns, but most tote knitting patterns will require knowledge of knit and purl stitching, casting on and off, slip stitches, decreasing, and sometimes stockinette and lace stitches.
The simplicity of most tote bag knitting patterns means you can let your creativity flow as you’re following the instructions. If you have the skills, try mixing different techniques and yarn types to create your own unique texture and design.