Summer Crochet Raffia Tote – Free Crochet Pattern

This summer crochet raffia tote is make with cellulose raffia, perfect for the beach! The shells give it a beautiful texture, and you can embellish your crochet raffia tote with pom-poms, tassels or other fun items to give it extra pops of color flair. This tote will be your new favorite summer accessory! This post contains affiliate links which means I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!  

Ever since I saw my dear friend Alexis’s from Persia Lou share her cute Chain Edge Raffia Clutch, I have had a raffia project on my design bucket list. I love the look of it!
Though I don’t know that raffia can really be considered “yarn” (what is the exact definition, anyway? ) it is a lovely medium for summer projects. It has beautiful stitch definition, which is why I chose to use it to make this crochet raffia tote in the shell stitch. 

When I finished it up, I decided it needed a bit of flair. (kinda boring, right?)

Thirty minutes and couple tassels later, this summer tote is perfect for the beach! I considered pom-poms, but ultimately went with the tassels. I am excited to see what you decide to add to your tote, so please share with me! 

The crochet pattern itself is very simple and repetitive once you start on the shells, so I hope you love making this crochet raffia tote! 

SUMMER CROCHET RAFFIA TOTE – FREE CROCHET PATTERN 

Please remember: You are free to use this pattern to make and sell, but do not republish or distribute this pattern in any way. DO NOT use my photos in your listings. Please do share my blog links! It’s a quick and FREE way of supporting Whistle and Ivy and more free crochet patterns in the future. 
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What you need: (affiliate links)
– 6mm hook
– Premier Home Raffia Yarn – 5 Balls of Sterling, 1 Ball of Turquoise 
– Extra scraps of cotton yarn from your stash 
– Plastic Darning Needle 

Abbreviations: (US Terms) 
Ch – Chain
Sc – Single crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Sl st – Slip Stitch
St – Stitch
Sk – Skip 

Gauge:  13 sc = 4″ (Gauge Pattern)

Approx. Finished size (not including handles)  18.5″ wide x 15″ tall 

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(Worked from the bottom up. Chain does not count as a stitch, always work first st in the same st as the chain.) 

Crochet Raffia Tote Pattern: 

Ch 43
1. Work 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in each ch cross, leaving last ch unworked. Work 4 sc in last ch. Working across the other side of the chain: sc in each ch, leaving last ch unworked. Work 2 more sc in last ch (same ch as the first 2 sc). Join. ( 88 sts)

2. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in next 2 sts. Sc in next 40 sts. Work 2 sc in next 4 sts. Sc in next 40 sts. Work 2 sc in next 2 sts. Join. (96 sts)

3. Ch 1. *Sc in next st. Work 2 sc in next set* work twice. Sc in next 40 sts. *Sc in next st. Work 2 sc in st* work 4 times. Sc in next 40 sts. *Sc in next st. Work 2 sc in next st* work twice. Join. (104 sts)

4. Ch 1. *Sc in next 2 sts. Work 2 sc in next set* work twice. Sc in next 40 sts. *Sc in next 2 sts. Work 2 sc in st* work 4 times. Sc in next 40 sts. *Sc in next 2 sts. Work 2 sc in next st* work twice. Join. (112 sts)

5. Ch 1. *Sc in next 3 sts. Work 2 sc in next set* work twice. Sc in next 40 sts. *Sc in next 3 sts. Work 2 sc in st* work 4 times. Sc in next 40 sts. *Sc in next 3 sts. Work 2 sc in next st* work twice. Join. (120 sts)

6. Ch 2. (start in same st as chain) *Work 5 dc in next st. Sk next 2 st. Sc in next st. Sk next 2 sts.* work 20 times. Join with first dc. ( 192 sts)

7. Ch 2. *Sc in 3rd dc of next shell. Dc 5 in next sc* work 20 times. Join with first sc. (192)

8. Ch 2. Dc 5 in same st. *Sc in the 3rd dc of next shell. Dc 5 in next sc* work 19 times. Sc at the top of last shell. Join with first dc. (192 sts)

Want more summer patterns? I’ve got you covered! 

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Repeat rows 7 and 8 respectively until you complete 26 rows. 

27. Ch 1. Hdc in same st. Sc in next 3 sts. *Hdc in next 3 sts. Sc in next 3 sts* work all around, leaving last 2 sts unworked. Hdc in last 2 sts. Join.  (the hdc should be worked in the low parts of the shells). (192 sts) 

28. Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join.  (192 sts) 

Join second color.

29. Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join. (192 sts) 

HANDLES PATTERN: 

Continuing where you left off: 
30.  Ch 1. Sc in next 20 sts. Ch 70. Sk 18 sts. Sc in next 41 sts. Ch 70. Sc in next 23 sts. Join. (224 sts) 

31.  Ch 1. Sc in next 20 sts. Working around the 70 chain loop (instead of inserting your hook into the loops of the chain, put your hook under the chain and work around the long 70-chain loop) Sc 70 times. Sc in next 41 sts. Work 70 sc sts around next 70-chain loop. Sc in next 23 sts. Join. (224 sts) 

32.  Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join. (224 sts) 

33.  Sl st in each st around. Tie off. (224 sts) 
Weave in all ends. 

EMBELLISHMENTS: 

To add a bit of flair, make a chain that is slightly longer than the circumference of the bag. Tie knots in both ends and weave in and out around the top of the bag. Tie the ends in a loose knot. 

Make a few colorful tassels with cotton yarn from your stash. Add a tie with cotton or t-shirt yarn by taking 3 lengths of yarn, that are twice and long as you need. Loop around one handle and braid together. 
Then, tie all the tassels to the braid. I used my hook to fish it through the braid fibers, instead of tying around the whole braid. Then I tied the two tails into a knot in the back. 

What are you crocheting this summer? 

 

xoxo,