A useful crochet tote begins with what you want to carry. A loose market bag can suit bulky produce, while a bag for keys, a phone and a notebook needs a different fabric and possibly a lining. Choose the construction around that everyday use before choosing a decorative stitch.
Stitch terminology: This guide uses US names. US single crochet is UK double crochet; US half double is UK half treble; US double is UK treble. See the full US/UK reference.
Measure the objects and the opening
Lay out the items you expect to carry and measure the largest one. Check both the bag body and the opening: a roomy bag with a narrow top can still be awkward to use. Add the space you want for reaching inside rather than making the body an exact outline of the contents.
Decide whether the bag needs a flat base, a simple folded bottom or a mesh structure that changes shape when filled.
Compare two clear constructions
A panel bag can use a front, a back and a connecting strip around the sides and bottom. For an illustrative body 32 cm wide, 35 cm tall and 10 cm deep, that means two 32 × 35 cm panels and a connecting strip approximately 10 × 102 cm before seam take-up: 35 + 32 + 35.
A net market bag uses a different approach and often expands substantially when filled. The linked Costa Market Bag provides a complete designer example; do not transfer the panel dimensions directly into its shaping.
Choose yarn by the resulting fabric
Make a sample in the stitch you intend to use. Examine its stretch, surface wear and openness. A tightly worked sample is not automatically strong, and a thick strand is not automatically comfortable for handles.
Compare the sample after the care routine on the yarn label. If it grows considerably, allow for that behaviour in the design rather than hoping a seam will hold it to the original size.
Plan handles before completing the body
Decide whether the handles will be crocheted as part of the bag, sewn on separately or supported by another material. Their attachment points need enough fabric to distribute the pull. Two tiny attachment stitches can concentrate stress even when the body is substantial.
Test the handle length with the type of clothing you normally wear. A shoulder strap that fits over a thin top may feel short over a coat. Measure the loaded drop as well as the unloaded strap length.
Use a lining for a specific reason
A lining can keep small objects from escaping, cover the reverse of colourwork or provide pockets. It should fit the finished bag without pulling the crochet inward. Prewash the lining material if its care instructions call for it, then measure the finished crochet before cutting.
A lining does not automatically establish a safe carrying weight. Check the whole construction, including handles and seams, with a modest test load over a low surface.
Budget for the complete bag
Include the handles, joining yarn, lining, thread and any chosen hardware. A yarn estimate for two panels alone misses much of the finished item. Keep the measurements and component list together so you can compare the actual cost with another construction.
Finish the seams and tails, then test the opening, reach and handle comfort. A bag that is pleasant to use will earn its place in your routine more readily than one chosen only for its photograph.
Continue learning
Measure and attach a lining · Plan a motif bag · Sample a more closed fabric
Browse the crochet learning library.