If you love crochet bags that combine practical construction with a cheerful handmade design, the Daisy Day Tote is a beautiful project to add to your crochet list. This spacious tote features colorful daisy-style colorwork on both sides and is designed to be both useful and durable. The thick straps are made with thermal stitch, while the main body is worked as two identical panels from the bottom up.
This guide walks through the construction of the Daisy Day Tote in a beginner-friendly way while keeping the original pattern instructions, stitch counts, colors, measurements, and row sequence intact. The project uses three colors of bulky weight yarn and a 6.00 mm crochet hook. The panels are worked with colorwork techniques, then sewn together before the trim and straps are added.
The construction may look complicated at first because the floral design is created through many color changes, but the pattern becomes much easier to manage when it is divided into clear stages. You will first make two matching panels, then create two sturdy straps, join the panels, add the top trim, sew on the straps, and finish by weaving in the ends.
Project Overview
The Daisy Day Tote is made from two separate panels worked from the bottom upward. Each panel follows the same 50-row pattern. The first six rows establish the beginning of the colorwork, while Row 7 expands the width with Foundation Single Crochet stitches to create the bottom shape of the bag. Rows 8 through 50 continue the colorwork design.
Once both panels are complete, they are placed together with the right sides facing and sewn along the sides and bottom. The bottom corners are then closed to form the depth of the tote. A single crochet trim is worked around the top edge, and two thermal-stitch straps are sewn securely into place.
The finished tote measures approximately 16.5 inches wide, 4 inches deep, and 16 inches tall.
Materials You Will Need
- Bulky (5) weight yarn, Lion Brand Rewind in Willow: 3 skeins, 615 yards
- Bulky (5) weight yarn, Lion Brand Rewind in Elm: 1 skein, 185 yards
- Bulky (5) weight yarn, Lion Brand Rewind in Citronella: 1 skein, 40 yards
- J/6.00 mm crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- 4 stitch markers
- Measuring tape
Color A is Willow, Color B is Elm, and Color C is Citronella. The pattern uses US crochet terminology.
Gauge and Finished Measurements
The stated gauge for the Daisy Day Tote is 12 single crochet stitches by 11 rows measuring 4 × 4 inches.
The finished measurements are:
- Width: 16.5 inches
- Depth: 4 inches
- Height: 16 inches
Because the finished dimensions are part of the original pattern specifications, keep these measurements in mind while working and assembling the tote.
Understanding the Colorwork Before You Begin
The main panels use three colors, but the three colors are handled differently. Colors A and B are carried throughout the work and crocheted over as needed. Color C is not carried. Instead, it is dropped when it is not being used and picked up again when it is needed in the following row.
Only the centers of the flowers use Color C, so there is no need to carry this color across the panel. Once the center of one flower is completed, Color C is cut and then used again for the next flower center.
The chart is read from left to right on wrong-side odd rows and from right to left on right-side even rows. Each square on the chart represents one single crochet stitch. The chain 1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch.
If you are unfamiliar with carrying yarn during crochet colorwork, it is worth practicing the technique before beginning the full panel. For Colors A and B, the yarn can be carried along and crocheted over to help hide it. The original instructions also recommend using the available video tutorial if you need additional help with carrying colors or with Row 7.
Panel Construction: Make Two
You will make two identical panels. Each panel begins with Color A and eventually reaches 62 stitches after the shaping in Row 7. From there, the colorwork continues through Row 50.
Rows 1–6: Beginning the Panel
Row 1 [WS]: Work 50 Foundation Single Crochet stitches in Color A and turn. Alternatively, chain 51, work 1 single crochet in the second chain from the hook, and continue across. You will have 50 single crochet stitches.
When using the chart, the first single crochet is located at Row 1, Stitch 7 of the chart.
Row 2 [RS]: Chain 1, 8A, 2B, 40A, turn.
Row 3 [WS]: Chain 1, 39A, 4B, 7A, turn.
Row 4 [RS]: Chain 1, 4A, 2B, 1A, 4B, 1A, 2B, 36A, turn.
Row 5 [WS]: Chain 1, 35A, 12B, 3A, turn.
Row 6 [RS]: Chain 1, 3A, 12B, 35A, turn.
After Row 6, remember to turn your work. Fasten off and set the panel aside temporarily. Row 7 is where the bottom shaping is created, so the next section deserves special attention.
Row 7: Creating the Bottom Shape
Row 7 is different from the previous rows because the panel is extended by six Foundation Single Crochet stitches on both sides. This creates the wider bottom shape of the tote and increases the row to 62 stitches.
With a new piece of Color A, make 6 Foundation Single Crochet stitches. Join the yarn back into the panel by working 1 single crochet into the last stitch made of Row 6.
Continue across with 6A, 2B, 27A, 10B, and 4A. Then extend the other side by working 6 Foundation Single Crochet stitches in Color A. Turn.
You should now have 62 single crochet stitches.
For the final six Foundation Single Crochet stitches, the original instructions specify chaining 2, working the first Foundation Single Crochet stitch into the first chain, and continuing normally until you have six Foundation Single Crochet stitches. This is an important shaping step, so use the original video tutorial if you need visual assistance.
Rows 8–24: Building the Floral Colorwork
From Row 8 onward, the floral design becomes more recognizable. Continue to follow the stitch sequence carefully, remembering that every square on the chart represents one single crochet and that the chain 1 does not count as a stitch.
Row 8 [RS]: Chain 1, 8A, 6B, 2C, 6B, 24A, 4B, 12A, turn.
Row 9 [WS]: Chain 1, 7A, 3B, 2A, 4B, 2A, 3B, 18A, 6B, 4C, 6B, 7A, turn.
Row 10 [RS]: Chain 1, 7A, 6B, 4C, 6B, 17A, 5B, 1A, 4B, 1A, 5B, 6A, turn.
Row 11 [WS]: Chain 1, 6A, 16B, 18A, 6B, 2C, 6B, 8A, turn.
Row 12 [RS]: Chain 1, 10A, 10B, 20A, 16B, 6A, turn.
Row 13 [WS]: Chain 1, 7A, 14B, 20A, 12B, 9A, turn.
Row 14 [RS]: Chain 1, 9A, 12B, 21A, 4B, 4C, 4B, 8A, turn.
Row 15 [WS]: Chain 1, 5A, 6B, 6C, 6B, 19A, 2B, 1A, 4B, 1A, 2B, 10A, turn.
Row 16 [RS]: Chain 1, 13A, 4B, 21A, 7B, 6C, 7B, 4A, turn.
Row 17 [WS]: Chain 1, 4A, 7B, 6C, 7B, 22A, 2B, 14A, turn.
Row 18 [RS]: Chain 1, 39A, 6B, 6C, 6B, 5A, turn.
Row 19 [WS]: Chain 1, 8A, 4B, 4C, 4B, 16A, 3B, 23A, turn.
Row 20 [RS]: Chain 1, 22A, 5B, 14A, 14B, 7A, turn.
Row 21 [WS]: Chain 1, 6A, 16B, 12A, 7B, 21A, turn.
Row 22 [RS]: Chain 1, 13A, 4B, 4A, 7B, 4A, 4B, 4A, 16B, 6A, turn.
Row 23 [WS]: Chain 1, 6A, 5B, 1A, 4B, 1A, 5B, 3A, 7B, 2A, 7B, 2A, 7B, 12A, turn.
Row 24 [RS]: Chain 1, 12A, 8B, 1A, 7B, 1A, 8B, 4A, 3B, 2A, 4B, 2A, 3B, 7A, turn.
Rows 25–42: Completing the Repeating Design
The middle section continues to build the symmetrical colorwork. This is a good point to slow down and compare your stitches with the chart regularly. Because Colors A and B are carried while Color C is dropped, maintaining neat tension is especially useful for keeping the panel even.
Row 25 [WS]: Chain 1, 12A, 4B, 9A, 25B, 12A, turn.
Row 26 [RS]: Chain 1, 12A, 25B, 10A, 2B, 13A, turn.
Row 27 [WS]: Chain 1, 26A, 23B, 13A, turn.
Row 28 [RS]: Chain 1, 13A, 23B, 26A, turn.
Row 29 [WS]: Chain 1, 27A, 21B, 14A, turn.
Row 30 [RS]: Chain 1, 15A, 7B, 5C, 7B, 28A, turn.
Row 31 [WS]: Chain 1, 24A, 10B, 7C, 10B, 11A, turn.
Row 32 [RS]: Chain 1, 10A, 10B, 9C, 10B, 23A, turn.
Row 33 [WS]: Chain 1, 22A, 11B, 9C, 11B, 9A, turn.
Row 34 [RS]: Chain 1, 9A, 11B, 9C, 11B, 22A, turn.
Row 35 [WS]: Chain 1, 22A, 11B, 9C, 11B, 9A, turn.
Row 36 [RS]: Chain 1, 10A, 10B, 9C, 10B, 23A, turn.
Row 37 [WS]: Chain 1, 24A, 10B, 7C, 10B, 11A, turn.
Row 38 [RS]: Chain 1, 15A, 7B, 5C, 7B, 28A, turn.
Row 39 [WS]: Chain 1, 27A, 21B, 14A, turn.
Row 40 [RS]: Chain 1, 13A, 23B, 26A, turn.
Row 41 [WS]: Chain 1, 26A, 23B, 13A, turn.
Row 42 [RS]: Chain 1, 12A, 25B, 25A, turn.
Rows 43–50: Finishing the Panel
The final rows return to the color arrangement that completes the panel design. Continue checking your stitch placement rather than relying only on how the finished motif looks from a distance.
Row 43 [WS]: Chain 1, 25A, 25B, 12A, turn.
Row 44 [RS]: Chain 1, 12A, 8B, 1A, 7B, 1A, 8B, 25A, turn.
Row 45 [WS]: Chain 1, 25A, 7B, 2A, 7B, 2A, 7B, 12A, turn.
Row 46 [RS]: Chain 1, 13A, 4B, 4A, 7B, 4A, 4B, 26A, turn.
Row 47 [WS]: Chain 1, 34A, 7B, 21A, turn.
Row 48 [RS]: Chain 1, 22A, 5B, 35A, turn.
Row 49 [WS]: Chain 1, 36A, 3B, 23A, turn.
Row 50 [RS]: Chain 1, 62A.
Fasten off and leave a long tail for seaming down the side.
Repeat the complete panel instructions to make the second identical panel.
Making the Two Sturdy Straps
The straps are worked separately using thermal stitch. This construction makes them extra sturdy, which is particularly useful for a large tote intended to carry everyday essentials.
Make 2 straps.
Begin with Chain 9, leaving a long starting tail to use for sewing later.
Row 1: Work 1 single crochet through the back loop only of the second chain from the hook and across. Turn. You will have 8 single crochet stitches.
Row 2: Chain 1. Insert your hook into the back loop only of the first stitch plus the back loop only of the stitch from the row below and work 1 single crochet. Continue across the row, putting your hook in the back loop only of the current row and the back loop only of the row below. Turn. You will have 8 single crochet stitches.
Repeat Row 2 until the strap reaches approximately 24 inches.
Final Row: Chain 1. Insert your hook under both the front and back loop of the first stitch, plus the back loop only of the row below, and work a single crochet. Continue working single crochet stitches across, putting your hook under both the front and back loop of the current stitch and the back loop only of the stitch in the row below.
Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing the strap to the bag. Repeat these instructions to make the second strap.
Joining the Tote Panels
Place both completed panels together with the right sides facing each other. Use the yarn tails and yarn needle to sew the sides of the bag together along Rows 7–50.
Next, sew the bottom of Row 1 of both panels together.
The bottom corners are then sewn to create the depth of the tote. Open each corner of the bag and line up the side seam with the bottom seam. Sandwich the corresponding sections together and sew across to close the corner.
Adding the Top Trim
Once the bag has been assembled, turn it so the right side is facing out. Join yarn with a slip stitch to the top of the bag, into the stitch directly to the left of one of the side seams.
Chain 1 and work 1 single crochet into the same stitch and into each stitch around the top edge. Slip stitch to the first stitch made to join.
Fasten off.
The completed top trim contains 124 single crochet stitches.
Attaching the Thermal-Stitch Straps
Turn the bag so the wrong side is facing out. Position the first strap approximately 4.5 inches in on both sides of the first panel.
The strap edges should overlap the bag by about 3 inches from the top of the bag. This placement helps make the tote extra sturdy and secure.
Before sewing, make sure both sides of the strap are aligned evenly and that the strap is not twisted. Stitch markers can be used to hold the strap in position while you sew.
Sew both ends of the strap down on all four sides using your stitch of choice. Repeat the same process on the other side of the bag, making sure the second strap is even with the first.
Finishing the Daisy Day Tote
After both straps have been sewn securely into place, fasten off and weave in all remaining ends. Take a moment to inspect the side seams, bottom corners, trim, and strap attachments.
Because the straps are a major structural part of the tote, check that they are evenly positioned and securely sewn before using the bag. The original instructions specifically emphasize placing the straps far enough down on the inside of the tote before seaming so that the attachment remains secure.
Beginner Tips for Working the Pattern
- Keep the colors organized. Since Colors A and B are carried through the work, keeping the yarn strands separated can make color changes easier to manage.
- Do not carry Color C. Drop Color C when it is finished and pick it up again when it is required in the next row.
- Remember that the chain 1 is not a stitch. Count the actual single crochet stitches when checking your row.
- Use the chart as a visual checkpoint. Each chart square represents one single crochet.
- Pay special attention to Row 7. The six Foundation Single Crochet stitches added at each side change the width from 50 stitches to 62 stitches.
- Check your work after every row. This is particularly useful in the colorwork sections, where an early missed color change can affect the appearance of the motif.
- Keep your straps untwisted. Before sewing them onto the bag, lay them flat and verify that both sides are positioned evenly.
Optional Bag Lining and Insert
The original pattern notes that a sewn liner could be added to the crochet bag. If you prefer not to sew a liner yourself, the designer also mentions using a bag insert to help organize the inside and provide a firm bottom for additional shape.
The important point is that the crochet construction itself does not require a liner. The tote can be completed using the crochet panels, seams, trim, and straps described in the pattern.
Daisy Day Tote Construction Checklist
- Make Panel 1.
- Make Panel 2, identical to Panel 1.
- Complete Row 7 carefully on each panel with the six Foundation Single Crochet stitches at both sides.
- Finish Row 50 and leave long tails for seaming.
- Make 2 straps using thermal stitch.
- Repeat Row 2 for each strap until it reaches approximately 24 inches.
- Sew the two panels together along the sides.
- Sew the bottom of Row 1 together.
- Sew the bottom corners closed.
- Add the top single crochet trim for 124 stitches.
- Position and sew both straps securely.
- Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Common Points to Double-Check
The Daisy Day Tote has several construction details that are worth checking before moving to the next stage. First, confirm that both panels are identical. Since the two panels create the front and back of the tote, matching colorwork is important to the finished appearance.
Next, check Row 7 carefully. This is the shaping row that adds six Foundation Single Crochet stitches to each side. The completed row contains 62 single crochet stitches.
During colorwork, remember the difference between the carried colors and Color C. Colors A and B are carried, while Color C is dropped and picked up again when needed.
Finally, pay close attention to strap placement. The first strap is positioned approximately 4.5 inches in on both sides of the first panel, with the strap edges overlapping the bag by about 3 inches from the top. The second strap should be positioned evenly with the first.
Why This Tote Makes a Great Crochet Project
The Daisy Day Tote combines several useful crochet techniques in one project. You get to practice single crochet colorwork, Foundation Single Crochet, carrying yarn, thermal stitch, panel construction, seaming, shaping, and secure strap attachment.
The floral colorwork gives the bag a distinctive decorative finish, while the bulky weight yarn and thermal-stitch straps contribute to its practical character. The finished dimensions of 16.5 inches wide, 4 inches deep, and 16 inches tall also make it a generously sized carry-all project.
Another useful feature is the construction method. Rather than crocheting the entire bag continuously in the round, the tote is built from two identical flat panels. This gives you a clear opportunity to complete and inspect each panel before moving on to assembly.
Final Thoughts
The Daisy Day Tote is a rewarding crochet bag project for anyone who enjoys combining practical accessories with detailed colorwork. Its construction follows a logical sequence: create two matching panels, add the bottom shaping, crochet two sturdy thermal-stitch straps, sew the bag together, finish the top edge with single crochet, and securely attach the straps.
The key to a neat result is careful attention to the original stitch sequences and color placement. Keep Colors A and B under control as you carry them through the work, leave Color C unc arried as instructed, and use the chart as a visual reference throughout the panel.
Once the final ends are woven in and the straps are securely attached, the result is a spacious handmade tote featuring daisy-inspired colorwork on both sides. The combination of decorative stitches, sturdy straps, and structured construction makes the Daisy Day Tote a project that is as useful as it is eye-catching.