FREE Easy Messenger Tote Crochet Pattern – Houndstooth Messenger

Looking for a classic tote bag crochet pattern?  The Houndstooth Tote is a beginner messenger tote crochet pattern with a classic finish.  Read on to find out more and to access the free pattern.

Messenger Tote Crochet Pattern Inspiration

Can one ever have too many bags?  The idea for the Houndstooth Messenger, is actually my original idea when I designed the Houndstooth Bucket Bag, however, I started making and ended up with a round base that I refused to pull out!  

Yes, I am a bit lazy like that.  I don’t like frogging and it also required a bit more working out and counting that I really wanted to do at the time.

A few months back though I posted a poll in my Facebook Group asking what members would like to make as their next CAL project and a Bag was the most popular choice.  It seemed the perfect opportunity to finally make this design that has been hanging around in the back of my mind for a while.

Like the Houndstooth Pattern? Check out the Houndstooth Clutch for a quick winner pattern!

Houndstooth Messenger Tote Bag yarn & materials 

To make my Houndstooth Messsenger Tote bag pattern, I used a favourite and the same yarn I used to make the bucket bag – Paintbox Simply Cotton Aran.  The main reason is because I had it on the shelf, so as soon as I decided to go ahead with the project I could easily grab something and start making.  

I like Paintbox Cotton for bags as it is machine washable and fairly sturdy.  It also creates a pretty firm fabric when worked double stranded and has a large range of colours at an affordable price.  For more details on this yarn, check out the review post here.

So, what colours did I use?  For my first and the largest of my samples I used, Dark Aubergine, Paper White and Washed Teal.  Washed Teal is an absolute staple as is Paper White.  For my first medium sized bag I used Midnight, Royal and Paper White.

Houndstooth Messenger Crochet bag pattern info & tips

The Houndstooth Messenger Tote Bag Pattern is a beginner crochet pattern worked in one piece.  The yarn is worked by holding two strands together (double stranded) which gives an added firmness to the structure of the bag.  I also chose double stranding as this design uses multiple colours and I was originally thinking of carrying the colours as I worked.  I didn’t end up doing that as I quickly realised I did not have enough yarn on hand to make a bag out of the colours I had chosen.

The Houndstooth Pattern is created using standard stitches and contrasting colours.  I took a bit of creative license with this and added 3 colours to the design, simply because of lack of yarn, however I like the effect.  The pattern would also work with 2 colours, the most important thing is that they are highly contrasting otherwise the visual effect of the stitches will not appear in this houndstooth messenger bag crochet pattern project.

Gauge isn’t super important except to say, there isn’t a lot of wiggle room in the yarn amounts given.  I had 30sih grams of each colour left when I was finished however, I am a fairly tight crocheter and this is something to note if you are planning to recreate this as a scrap project with a fixed number of colours.

Type: written, and photo tutorial

Terms: US Crochet Terms

Skill level: Beginner, easy – some patience required

Yarn: up to 500g of Paintbox Simply Cotton Aran or any Worsted/Aran or 4 Weight yarn in the same amounts

• Colour A: 250g
• Colour B: 150g
• Colour C: 100g

Hook: 4.5mm

Other materials: stitch markers, darning needle, scissors

Optional: Handle, Fat Quarter to line your bag(s)

Stitches used:

• Chain
• Magic Ring
• Single Crochet
• Double Crochet
• Slip Stitch

Houndstooth Messenger Tote CAL

OOh it’s CAL time.  As a fun way to and make something stylish for yourself or as a gift, the Houndstooth Messenger CAL is coming to you from the 28th October!

Including 3 different sizes, the Houndstooth Messenger is a great option for a stylish tote bag or a laptop case depending on your persuasion! The MEDIUM sized bag will always be available for FREE on the blog, and will be released in parts over 3 weeks, starting the 28th October.

Every week for 3 weeks a new part of the pattern will be available at 10am, with a prize Giveaway including 3 prize winners on the 18th November!

Get an Ad FREE Copy of the pattern 30% off NO CODE REQUIRED until the 11th November

Get the Houndstooth Messenger Pattern

Buy your Ad FREE Digital Download copy of the Houndstooth Messenger Tote Bag Pattern – including all the sizes and photo tutorial here

Houndstooth Messenger Tote Crochet Along

Will you be joining the CAL?

Grab your Materials and I’ll see you there!

FREE Houndstooth Messenger Tote Pattern

Skill Level: Beginner

Terms:  US Terms

Materials used: 8 – 10 x Paintbox Simply Aran Cotton, 100% Cotton, 50g 85m/93ds or 400 – 500g of any Aran or 4 weight yarn in 3 colours

• Colour A – 200 – 250g
• Colour B – 100 – 150g
• Colour C – 100g

Hook: 4.5mm

Other items:  

Scissors, darning needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 14 sts x 12 rows = 4ins

Finished Size: 11 x 2 x 11ins

Notes: 

Please read through the entire pattern BEFORE you start your project
This pattern is made in one piece worked from the bottom up
This pattern is worked with two strands of yarn held together
Do not turn when making this pattern
Ch3 counts as a dc
Ch1 does NOT count as a sc

Stitches & Abbreviations:

• Chain – ch
• Single Crochet – sc
• Half Double Crochet – hdc
• Double Crochet – dc
• Front Post Treble Crochet – fptr
• Back Loop Only Single Crochet – blsc
• Slip Stitch – sl-st

Part One – Base

Start:

Using Colour A

Ch 41

Round 1:

Hdc in the second chain from the hook (skipped ch does not count as a st), hdc in 38 sts, 3hdc in the next st, hdc in 38 sts, 2hdc in the same st as beg hdc, join with a sl-st in the top of the beg hdc. 82

Round 2:

Ch1, 2hdc in the same st, hdc in the next 38 sts, *2hdc in the next st* 3 times, hdc in the next 38 sts, *2hdc in the next st* twice.  Join with a sl-st in the top of the beg hdc.  88

Round 3:

Ch1, sc in the same st, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next 40 sts, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next 2 sts, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next 40 sts, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next st.  Join with a sl-st in the top of the beg sc.  92

Round 4:

Ch1, blsc in the same st, blsc in each st around.  Join with a sl-st in the top of the beg blsc. 92

Body

Round 5:

Ch1, sc in the same st, dc in the next st, *sc in the next st, dc in the next st* repeat around.  Join with a sl-st in the top of the beg sc.

Round 6:

Ch3, sc in the next st, *dc in the next st, sc in the next st* repeat around.  Join with a sl-st in the top of the beg ch3.

Rounds 7 – 8:

Repeat rounds 5 – 6

Part Tw0 – Body

Repeat rounds 5 – 6, using the table below to note colour changes.    

Round 9 Colour B, Round 10 Colour A	Round 21 Colour B, Round 22 Colour C
Round 11 Colour B, Round 12 Colour A	Round 23 Colour B, Round 24 Colour A
Round 13 Colour C, Round 14 Colour B	Round 25 Colour C, Round 26 Colour B
Round 15 Colour C, Round 16 Colour A	Round 27 Colour C, Round 28 Colour A
Round 17 Colour B, Round 18 Colour C	Round 29 Colour B, Round 30 Colour A
Round 19 Colour B, Round 20 Colour A	Round 31 Colour B, Round 32 Colour A

Part Three – Handle

Round 29 (33): using Colour A

Ch1, sc in the same st, dc in the next st, *sc in the next st, dc in the next st* repeat around.  Join with a sl-st in the top of the beg sc.

Round 30 (34):

Ch3, sc in the next st, *dc in the next st, sc in the next st* repeat around.  Join with a sl-st in the top of the beg ch3.

Rounds 31 -32 (35-36):

Repeat rounds 31-32 (35-36)

Crochet Handle

If using a premade/purchased handle, move on to the alternative Round 37 here.

Round 37:

Ch1, sc in the same st, dc in the next st, *sc in the next st, dc in the next st* 8, (11, 14)times, ch12 (16, 20), sk 10 (14, 18), sc in the next st, *dc in the next st, sc in the next st* 8 (13, 18)times, ch 12 (16, 20), sk 10 (14, 18), dc in the next st, *sc in the next st, dc in the next st* 8 (6, 4) times.  Join with a sl-st into the top of the beg sc.

Round 38:

Ch3, *sc in the next st, dc in the next st,* 8 (11, 14) times, (sc, dc), *sc in the next st, dc in the next st* 5 (7, 9) times, (sc,dc), *sc in the next st, dc in the next st* 8 (13, 18) times, (sc,dc), *sc in the next st, dc in the next st* 5 (7, 9) times, (sc,dc), *sc in the next st, dc in the next st* 8 (6, 4) times.  Join with a sl-st into the top of the beg ch3.

Rounds 39 – 40:

Ch1, sc in the same st, sc in each st around.  Tie off and secure all your ends.

Premade/Purchased handle

If using a premade / purchased handle

Round 37:

Ch1, sc in the same st, sc in each st around.  Tie off and secure all ends.

Lay the bag flat and measure along the top, placing your handles across the ‘centre’ 5 inches of the side.  I used a large darning needle and double stranded colour A to sew / attach my handles to the bag.  The attachment method will largely depend on the handles used. 

I hope you enjoyed the post and look forward to seeing your Houndstooth Messenger Totes!

Join Me in the Facebook Group to share your tote and enter the Giveaway Draw.

Full details on how to enter are there – deadline Midnight 18th November, good luck!

Looking for another easy textured crochet bag pattern project?  Check out the On the Bias Tote and Marian Bay Bag

Bye for now,

B x