Make a pink-and-white crochet heart tote bag from 18 tapestry-style heart squares. This project uses simple half double crochet colorwork, slip-stitch joining, and sturdy crochet handles. The finished bag is built from two matching 3 × 3 panels, making it a satisfying project for confident beginners who want to practice color changes and modular bag construction.
Crochet Heart Tote Bag Overview
Crochet one heart square first, repeat it until you have 18 matching squares, join them into two 3 × 3 panels, seam the bag together, then finish with crochet handles.
Why You'll Love This Crochet Heart Tote
- Graphic heart design: bold tapestry-style hearts using only two yarn colors.
- Modular construction: the bag is built from repeating squares, so the project is easy to organize.
- Great colorwork practice: each square helps you improve controlled yarn changes and tension.
- Easy to customize: switch pink and white, alternate inverted hearts, or use your own color palette.
- Useful finished project: the completed piece becomes a practical everyday crochet tote.
Inspiration & Optional Video Reference
The written instructions on this page are designed to stand on their own. If you prefer seeing a similar heart-tote construction in motion, the video below can be used as an additional visual reference for general colorwork and bag-building techniques.
Additional inspiration: Crochet Heart Tote Bag video by Krystal Everdeen .
Materials & Tools
Stitches Used
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| st / sts | stitch / stitches |
Before You Start
Uneven tension can make the heart lean or cause one square to finish larger than another.
Do not pull the unused color too tightly across the back of the square. A tight float can make the heart motif pucker.
Crochet and block one complete heart square before making the remaining 17. Use it as your size and tension reference.
Why Size 4 Acrylic Works Well for This Bag
Size 4 acrylic yarn is a practical choice for a modular tote because it is lightweight, widely available, consistent across repeated squares, and easy to handle during frequent color changes. Cotton can create a firmer fabric with less stretch, but it usually makes the finished bag heavier. Whichever fiber you choose, keep the yarn weight consistent across every square so both 3 × 3 panels finish at the same size.
How to Keep the Tote From Stretching
- Use firm, even tension: dense stitches resist stretching better than loose fabric.
- Reinforce the handles: sew each handle through several rows instead of attaching it to only one row.
- Block lightly: shape the panels without aggressively stretching them larger.
- Keep joins secure: relaxed slip stitches should lie flat without becoming loose.
- Optional lining: a lightweight cotton lining can carry part of the load and reduce stress on the crochet fabric.
Step 1 - Crochet the Heart Square
Each heart square is worked flat in half double crochet with two colors. The motif is 21 stitches wide and 18 rows tall. Color A is the square background and Color B forms the heart.
Make the plain foundation rows
Begin in Color A and create a 21-stitch-wide panel. Work the first three rows entirely in the background color.
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Crochet Moodboard Heart Color Sequence
The chart below is a complete 21-stitch × 18-row heart panel written specifically for this Crochet Moodboard version. Work every row in half double crochet and keep the total at 21 stitches. Color A is the background; Color B forms the heart.
Rows 1–3: A21. (21 sts)
Row 4: A9, B3, A9. (21 sts)
Row 5: A8, B5, A8. (21 sts)
Row 6: A7, B7, A7. (21 sts)
Row 7: A6, B9, A6. (21 sts)
Row 8: A5, B11, A5. (21 sts)
Row 9: A4, B13, A4. (21 sts)
Row 10: A3, B15, A3. (21 sts)
Row 11: A3, B6, A3, B6, A3. (21 sts)
Row 12: A4, B5, A3, B5, A4. (21 sts)
Row 13: A5, B4, A3, B4, A5. (21 sts)
Row 14: A6, B3, A3, B3, A6. (21 sts)
Row 15: A7, B2, A3, B2, A7. (21 sts)
Row 16: A8, B1, A3, B1, A8. (21 sts)
Rows 17–18: A21. (21 sts)
Build the point of the heart
The first Color B stitch appears in the center of Row 4. Each following row widens the heart evenly on both sides.
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Widen the middle of the heart
Continue expanding Color B while maintaining an equal number of background stitches on both sides.
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Shape the two upper lobes
Rows 13 onward separate the contrast color into two sections, creating the indentation at the top of the heart.
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Step 2 - Crochet 18 Heart Squares
The tote uses 18 heart squares total. Make nine squares for the front and nine for the back.
- Complete the first heart square.
- Lightly block it so the edges sit square.
- Use that square as the size reference for the other 17.
- Keep the same yarn, hook and tension throughout the project.
- Alternate pink-background and white-background hearts if you want the checkerboard effect shown in the finished bag.
Step 3 - Arrange the Front and Back Panels
Arrange nine squares into a 3 × 3 grid for the front panel. Repeat with the remaining nine squares for the back.
Front Panel
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Step 4 - Join the Squares
The project tutorial uses slip-stitch joining. Work with the squares aligned edge to edge and keep the join relaxed so the panel does not buckle.
- Join three squares to create the first horizontal row.
- Repeat until you have three horizontal rows.
- Join the three rows vertically to form one 3 × 3 panel.
- Repeat the process for the second panel.
- Lay both panels flat and check that they are the same size.
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Step 5 - Join the Bag Body
Place the finished front and back panels together with the heart motifs facing outward. Join the two side edges and the bottom edge using the same slip-stitch method. Leave the entire top edge open.
Work slowly around the lower corners. If your join becomes too tight, the tote can pull inward; keeping the slip stitches relaxed helps the bag retain its rectangular shape.
Step 6 - Crochet and Attach the Handles
Crochet two matching straps in the same yarn and stitch pattern, then compare them side by side before attachment. The exact finished length can be adjusted to your preferred hand-carry or shoulder-carry fit. What matters most is that both straps match and are attached symmetrically.
- Center the first handle on the front panel.
- Place the second handle in the same position on the back panel.
- Count squares or stitches from each side edge to keep the placement symmetrical.
- Reinforce each attachment point by sewing securely through several stitches.
- Test the handles with light weight before regular use.
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Step 7 - Finishing
- Weave in every loose yarn tail on the inside of the tote.
- Inspect each slip-stitch join and reinforce any loose corners.
- Lightly block the finished bag if the square grid needs straightening.
- Lay the bag flat until completely dry.
- Check the handles and seams before carrying heavier items.
Troubleshooting
Why is my heart square puckering?
The inactive yarn is probably being carried too tightly. Relax the unused strand before changing colors and gently spread the finished stitches along it.
Why are my squares different sizes?
Tension has changed between squares. Compare each new square with your first blocked square and correct the tension before making more.
Why is my joined panel wavy?
Slip stitches that are too tight can pull the edges inward. Join loosely and keep both square edges aligned stitch for stitch.
How do I make the bag stronger?
Reinforce the handle attachment areas and consider adding a lightweight fabric lining if you plan to carry heavier items regularly.
How to Customize Your Heart Tote
- Classic: pink and white.
- Valentine: red and cream.
- Minimal: black and natural.
- Soft spring: sage and cream.
- Pastel: lilac and white.
- Checkerboard: alternate the heart and background colors between squares.
Finished Crochet Heart Tote Bag
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Save This Crochet Heart Tote Bag for Later
Save this project to your Crochet Tote Bags Pinterest board so you can return to the tutorial whenever you are ready to crochet.
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