Autumn Frame Two-Panel Granny Tote

Project overview

Skill level

Intermediate · US terminology

Finished size

Target body panels: 15 × 15 in (38.1 × 38.1 cm) each before seaming. Each strap is calculated at 1.5 × 20 in (3.8 × 50.8 cm); attaching 1.5 in of each end leaves about 17 in of free strap length. Actual bag size, stretch and strap drop require testing.

Gauge

Target one washed 12-round granny panel at 15 in (38.1 cm) square. Straps: 16 sc and 18 rows = 4 in (10.16 cm), so 6 sc × 90 rows calculates to 1.5 × 20 in. Swatch granny and strap fabrics separately; different hook sizes may be needed.

Testing status

Written draft — maker testing pending

Materials & tools

• Category 4 / medium-weight sturdy cotton or cotton-rich yarn. Plan approximately 700 yd (640 m) total: 180 yd ivory, 200 yd dusty terracotta and 320 yd sage, including straps, joining and swatches. These are unmeasured planning estimates.
• A 4.5–5 mm hook as a starting range; adjust separately for the body-panel target and firm single-crochet straps.
• Four removable corner markers per panel, additional attachment markers, blunt yarn needle, scissors and measuring tape. This pattern has no lining, closure or added gusset.

Abbreviations & stitch notes

• US terminology throughout: ch = chain; sl st = slip stitch; sc = single crochet; dc = double crochet; st / sts = stitch / stitches; sp = space; RS / WS = right / wrong side.
• A granny group is 3 separate dc worked into one indicated space; it is not a cluster closed together. A corner is (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in one corner space.
• In granny rounds the starting ch 3 counts as the first dc. Joining and travel slip stitches never count as additional stitches. Work joined rounds without turning.
• Strap ch 1 does not count as a stitch. Work sc under both top loops, including the first and last stitch.

For a refresher, use our chain and single crochet lesson, double crochet lesson, or US / UK terminology referenceCalculate stitches from your gauge →.

Let's make it, step by step.

Read the full pattern once before starting. Optional checkboxes help you follow the sequence for this page view only.

1. Plan panels and strapsTwo identical panels; two straps

   Make a sample granny panel and single-crochet strap swatch. Aim for a 15-in square after twelve granny rounds and firm strap fabric at 16 sc and 18 rows per 4 in. Record actual sizes. The bag is unlined openwork, so choose its intended contents accordingly.

2. Panel 1: ivory rounds 1–212 dc, then 24 dc

   Ch 4 and sl st in the first ch to make a ring. Ch 3 (counts as the first dc), work 2 dc in the ring, ch 2. Work (3 dc in the ring, ch 2) three times. Join with a sl st to the top of the starting ch 3. Do not turn. Mark all four ch-2 corner spaces. After every later round, move the markers to the four newly made ch-2 corner spaces. Continue with round 2: Sl st in the next 2 dc, then sl st into the next ch-2 corner space. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in that same corner. Ch 1. Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner, ch 1; repeat that corner-and-ch-1 sequence twice more. Join to the top of the starting ch 3. Do not turn.

3. Panel 1: ivory rounds 3–4Round 4: 16 groups / 48 dc

   For each new round, sl st across the next 2 dc and into the next ch-2 corner. In that corner work ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc. Ch 1. Along the next side, work (3 dc in the next ch-1 space, ch 1) in every existing ch-1 side space. In the next corner work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc), then ch 1. Repeat across the next two sides and corners in the same way. After the fourth corner, work the last side’s (3 dc, ch 1) repeats, then join to the top of the starting ch 3. Do not add a fifth corner and do not turn. In round r, each side uses r−2 existing ch-1 spaces; round 3 therefore has one such space per side. Work rounds 3–4 in ivory. Dc totals are 36 and 48; side ch-1-space totals are 8 and 12.

4. Panel 1: terracotta rounds 5–8Four terracotta rounds

   At a change after a completed round, fasten off the old color. With the next color, make a slip knot, place it on the hook and sl st into any ch-2 corner of the most recently completed round. Start the next round there with ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc. Skip the travel slip stitches for that round only. Leave tails long enough to weave securely; do not tie short tails and trim them at the join. Use the same granny-round sequence for rounds 5–8. Dc totals: 60, 72, 84, 96. Side ch-1-space totals: 16, 20, 24, 28. Every round retains four ch-2 corners.

5. Panel 1: sage rounds 9–12Round 12: 48 groups / 144 dc

   At a change after a completed round, fasten off the old color. With the next color, make a slip knot, place it on the hook and sl st into any ch-2 corner of the most recently completed round. Start the next round there with ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc. Skip the travel slip stitches for that round only. Leave tails long enough to weave securely; do not tie short tails and trim them at the join. Use the same sequence for rounds 9–12. Dc totals: 108, 120, 132, 144. Side ch-1-space totals: 32, 36, 40, 44. Fasten off after round 12.

6. Panel 2 and preparationTwo matching 15-in square panels

   Repeat the complete twelve-round panel instructions, including ivory rounds 1–4, terracotta rounds 5–8 and sage rounds 9–12. Weave tails and wash both panels consistently. Shape each to a relaxed 15-in square. Mark one whole side of each as its top opening.

7. Join the bodyThree closed sides; one open top

   Put panels WS together, matching corners and keeping both marked top edges uppermost. With sage and a needle, whipstitch the corresponding outer top loops of dc and the corresponding ch-1 links down one side, across the bottom and up the other side. At the two bottom corners, catch the matching ch-2 corner spaces together securely without bunching them. Leave the entire top side and both upper corner openings free. Secure the join and weave its tails.

8. Strap 1: foundation and row 16 sc

   With ivory, ch 7. Sc in the second chain from the hook and every chain across. Mark the first and last sc.

9. Strap 1: rows 2–906 sc × 90 rows

   Ch 1 and turn; it does not count. Sc in the first stitch and every stitch across. Repeat for 89 additional rows, giving 90 rows total at 6 sc per row. Fasten off with a long sewing tail. Wash and settle the strap as the yarn allows; target 1.5 × 20 in.

10. Strap 2Two equal flat straps

    Repeat the full 7-chain foundation and 90-row instructions for a second ivory strap. Weave the starting tail securely and leave a sewing tail at the finish. Both straps must have the same actual relaxed length.

11. Mark and attach the strapsFour reinforced strap attachments

    Lay the bag flat, one panel facing you. On that panel, mark strap-end center lines 3 in inward from each side seam along the top. Lay one strap in a U above the opening, with its two ends extending 1.5 in downward onto that same panel; keep the strap untwisted. Sew each end through sturdy portions of the panel with a small rectangular outline about 1 in tall, then cross that rectangle diagonally in both directions. Where open spaces occur, pass around supported dc posts rather than floating a stitch across a hole. Repeat on the opposite panel with the second strap at matching positions. Do not accidentally sew the bag opening shut.

12. Inspect before usingUnlined two-panel tote; no gusset

    Secure and weave all sewing tails. Check each attachment from inside and outside, confirm both U-shaped straps are untwisted, and check that the opening is fully free. Start with very light contents while assessing how your made sample stretches. This draft has no tested carrying capacity.

Construction, finishing & helpful notes