A simple, stylish make you'll actually use.
This granny square mini tote bag comes together from just three squares and is perfect for small everyday essentials or thoughtful handmade gifts.
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Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Pattern
- Project Snapshot
- Materials Needed
- Stitches and Abbreviations - US Terms
- Gauge
- Emily's Notes
- Finished Size
- ⭐ Want more crochet projects like this? ⭐
- Instructions
- Crochet Tips, Yarn Choices, and Color Inspiration
- What Can You Use This Mini Tote For?
- FAQ
- More Crafts You Might Like To Try
- More Easy Patterns For You To Try
- Stay Connected
This granny square mini tote is a beginner-friendly crochet bag made by joining classic granny squares into a compact, functional tote.
It is a quick and satisfying project that is ideal for using up scrap yarn while practicing color changes and square assembly.
The finished bag is lightweight yet practical, making it perfect for small essentials, gifting, or casual everyday use.
If you're looking for a granny square mini tote bag that's beginner-friendly but still feels like a complete, wearable project, this is a great one to try.
This crochet granny square tote bag sits right in that sweet spot between practical and creative.
You're not making a complicated bag shape from scratch; instead, you're using familiar granny squares and turning them into something functional you can actually carry.
That shift, from square to bag, is what makes it feel so satisfying.
As a small giftable crochet project, this mini tote is especially useful. It works well as a little market bag, a project pouch, or even a cute gift bag that's more interesting than wrapping paper.
Because it's small, it's also ideal for batching if you want to make multiple versions in different colours.
This 3 granny square tote bag pattern is also a great way to practice consistency.
Each square becomes part of a bigger structure, so it naturally encourages even tension and neat finishing, without feeling overwhelming.
Why You'll Love This Pattern
- A fun way to turn classic granny squares into something wearable and useful
- Perfect for using scrap yarn or experimenting with color combinations
- Quick to make, with each square working up fast and satisfying
- Helps build confidence with joining squares and basic bag construction
- A lightweight tote that's ideal for small essentials or casual use
- Easy to customize in size, colour layout, and strap style
Project Snapshot
Skill Builder: granny squares, joining motifs, basic bag construction
Best For: small essentials, gifting, scrap yarn projects
Pattern Outcome: compact granny square tote bag for everyday use or gifting
Project Type: accessory / bag
Time Label: weekend project, it took me about an evening to make one of these bags
Materials Needed
Yarn
- #3 Light (light worsted, DK, 8ply) acrylic yarn, with about 14 wraps per inch (WPI)*
- You will need 5 colors.
Hook
- 4mm (G-6)
Other
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
*Wraps per inch (WPI) - this is a measure of yarn thickness. To measure WPI, count how many times the yarn wraps around a ruler in one inch. There are more wraps for thinner yarn and fewer wraps for thicker yarn.
Stitches and Abbreviations - US Terms
- Ch - Chain
- St/s - Stitch/es
- Col - Color
- Sl st - Slip Stitch
- Dc - Double Crochet
- Rpt - Repeat
- Ch1-sp - Chain 1 Space
- Hdc - Half Double Crochet
- Sp - Space
- [ ] at the end of each row indicates how many stitches are needed in that row.
Gauge
Gauge is not too important for this crochet bag.
Emily's Notes
This is one of those projects where the final look really depends on your color choices.
I like laying out a few granny squares before joining anything so I can see how the colors balance together.
It makes a big difference to the finished bag, especially if you're using scrap yarn with lots of different shades.
Finished Size
This mini granny square tote bag is about 6.5 inches (17 cm) wide and 6.5 inches (17 cm) tall (not including the length of the handles).
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Copyright Notice
This pattern and its contents are protected by copyright law. It may not be copied, altered, redistributed, resold, translated, or used to produce photo or video tutorials in any format, either in whole or in part.
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Instructions
Making the granny square
Foundation, col A - ch3, sl st into 1st st to make a ring.
Round 1 - ch3 (counts as 1dc, ch1), * 1dc, ch1, into ring, rpt from * 7 times, sl st into 2nd ch of ch3 to join, ch1, cut yarn, fasten off weave in ends [16 sts].
Round 2, col B - sl st yarn into any ch-1 sp, ch2 (count as 1dc), (2dc, ch1) in same sp as ch2, *(3dc, ch1) in next ch-1 sp, rpt from * 7 times, sl st into top of ch-2 to join, ch1, cut yarn, fasten off, weave in ends. [24dc, 8ch1].
Round 3, col C - sl st yarn into any ch-1 sp, ch2 (count as 1dc), (2dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) in same sp as ch2, (3hdc, ch1) in next ch-1 sp, *(3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) in next ch-1 sp, (3hdc, ch1) in next sp, rpt from * 3 times, sl st into top of ch-2 to join, ch1, cut yarn, fasten off, weave in ends. [24dc, 12hdc, 4ch2, 8ch1].
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Round 4, col D - sl st yarn into any ch-2 sp, ch2 (count as 1dc), (2dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) in same sp as ch2, (3dc, ch1) in next 2 ch-1 sps, *(3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) in next ch-1 sp, (3dc, ch1) in next 2 ch-1 sps, rpt from * 3 times, sl st into top of ch-2 to join, ch1, cut yarn, fasten off, weave in ends. [48dc, 4ch2, 12ch1].
Round 5, col E - sl st yarn into any ch-2 sp, ch2 (count as 1dc), (2dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) in same sp as ch2, (3dc, ch1) in next 3 ch-1 sps, *(3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) in next ch-1 sp, (3dc, ch1) in next 3 ch-1 sps, rpt from * 3 times, sl st into top of ch-2 to join, ch1, cut yarn, fasten off, weave in ends. [60dc, 4ch2, 16ch1].
Make 2 more granny squares, you need 3 in total.
Stitching the Squares Together
Before you continue, make sure your granny squares are about the same size. You may need to block them into shape and size.
You can join your granny squares using any stitching technique you'd like (e.g. whip stitch, flat slip stitch seam). When you stitch it together, work in the back loops only.
Step 1: Lay your squares flat, so they form a v shape as shown. Next, fold the outer point of each square in to meet the middle. This is how your finished bag will look.
Step 2: Thread yarn onto a yarn needle. Starting from the middle of the bag, stitch the edges together, working your way down on a diagonal to the left, turning the squares over so that you can work along the diagonal on the opposite side, and then repeating for the unjoined square. This way you can join the squares continuously. Once sewn together, fasten off.
Making the Handle
Join your handle color to the top right ch2-sp (corner) space of the square. Ch 72 (or more if you want a longer handle), then sl st into the opposite ch2-sp (corner).
Ch1, working your way back up along the ch, make 1 sc in each ch across, then sl st back into the 1st ch2-sp. Ch1, make 1 sc in each ch across, sl st back into the opposite ch2-sp.
FO, weaving in any ends.
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Crochet Tips, Yarn Choices, and Color Inspiration
- Make all three squares before joining to compare sizing
- Lay out the bag shape first so you can visualise placement
- Join squares securely to avoid stretching over time
- Add a lining for extra structure and durability
What Can You Use This Mini Tote For?
- Carrying small everyday essentials (phone, keys, wallet)
- Project bag for crochet on the go
- Market or craft fair accessory bag
- Gift bag for handmade items
- Yarn scrap storage or work in progress holder
- Small everyday carry bag for essentials
FAQ
Just three squares for this design.
Cotton or sturdy acrylic works best for structure and durability.
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