Mermaid's Favorite Crochet Tote

Resembling the scales on a mermaid tail, this Mermaid's Favorite Crochet Tote is unique and gorgeous. This crochet purse pattern makes a lovely accessory you can use year-round. This crochet bag would be perfect for any shopping trip. Added details like the pop of color on the handle and crocheted flower make this bag stand out. This crochet purse pattern is sized perfectly to contain all of your essentials, and then some. We think you'll agree that this purse is just marvelous.

Intermediate

Crochet HookG/6 or 4 mm hook, H/8 or 5 mm hook

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

To see this pattern featured with other great crocodile stitch designs, check out Crocodile Couture and Decor: 24 Crocodile Stitch Patterns + Tutorial.

MATERIALS:

Bernat Super Value yarn: Main Color (MC) Clay (53041) - 1 ball, Contrast A Bronze (53609) - 1 ball, Contrast B Rouge (53531) - 1 ball
Sizes U.S. G/6 (4 mm) and U.S. H/8 (5 mm) crochet hooks or size needed to obtain gauge.

SIZE:
Approx 12" [30.5 cm] wide and 10" [33 cm] high, excluding handles.

GAUGE:
13 sc and 14 rows = 4" [10 cm] with larger hook.

BAG
Ch 3 at beg of rnd counts as dc throughout. With larger hook and MC, ch 84. Join in ring with sl st to first ch, taking care not to twist chain.
1st rnd: (Base rnd). Ch 3. 1 dc in each ch around. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. 84 dc.
2nd rnd: (Tears rnd). Ch 1 . Work 5 dc down post of first dc ofprevious rnd. Ch 1. Work 5 dc up post of 2nd dc of previous rnd – beg scale st made. Miss next 5 dc. *Work 5 dc down post of next dc of previous rnd. Ch 1. Work 5 dc up post of next dc of previous rnd – scale st made. Miss next 5 dc. Rep from * 11 times more. Join with sl st to ch 1.
3rd rnd: (Base rnd). Sl st to 3rd dc of next missed 5-dc group of previous rnd. Ch 3. 1 dc in same sp as last sl st. *1 dc in each of next 2 dc. 1 dc between 2 dc of scale st. 1 dc in each of next 2 dc.** 2 dc in next dc. Rep from * 11 times more; then rep from * to ** once more. Join with sl st to top of ch 3.
4th rnd: (Tears rnd). Ch 1. Beg scale st. Miss next 5 dc. *Scale st. Miss next 5 dc. Rep from * 11 times more. Join with sl st to ch 1. Rep 3rd and 4th rnds for pat until work from beg measures approx 8" [20.5 cm].
Next rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each dc of last base rnd. Join with sl st to first sc. 84 sc. Fasten off.

Bag Edging
With smaller hook, join A with sl st to any sc.
1st rnd: Ch 1. 3 sc in same sp as last sl st. Miss next 2 sc. *3 sc in next sc. Miss next 2 sc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first sc.
2nd rnd: Sl st in next sc. Ch 1. *3 sc in next sc. Miss next 2 sc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first sc. Rep last rnd until edging measures 2" [5 cm]. Fasten off.

HANDLES (2)
With larger hook and 2 strands of A, ch 4.
1st rnd: Draw up a loop in 2nd ch from hook. Draw up a loop in each of next 2 ch (4 loops on hook).
2nd rnd: Drop all loops from hook. Pick up last loop worked (4th loop). Working from right to left, insert hook in 1st loop (this will cause a circle to form). Yoh and draw through loop. Insert hook into 2nd loop. Yoh and draw through loop. Insert hook into 3rd loop. (4 loops on hook). Rep last rnd until work from beg measures 18" [45.5 cm] long. Break yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through rem sts and fasten securely.

FLOWER
With larger hook and B, ch 2. 1st rnd: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with sl st in first sc. 2nd rnd: Ch 1. Working in front loops only, 1 sc in first sc. (1 hdc. 2 dc. 1 hdc) in next sc. *1 sc in next sc. (1 hdc. 2 dc. 1 hdc) in next sc. Rep from * once more. Do not join with sl st. 3 petals.
3rd rnd: Do not ch 1. Working in rem back loops of 1st rnd, 2 sc in each sc around. Join with sl st to first sc. 12 sc.
4th rnd: Ch 1. Working in front loops only, 1 sc in first sc. (1 hdc. 2 dc. 1 hdc) in next sc. *1 sc in next sc. (1 hdc. 2 dc. 1 hdc) in next sc. Rep from * 4 times more. Do not join with sl st. 6 petals.
5th rnd: Do not ch 1. Working in rem back loops of 3rd rnd, 2 sc in first sc. 1 sc in next sc. (2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in next sc) 5 times. Join with sl st to first sc. 18 sc.
6th rnd: Ch 1. Working in front loops only, 1 sc in first sc. (1 hdc. 2 dc. 1 hdc) in next sc. *1 sc in next sc. (1 hdc. 2 dc. 1 hdc) in next sc. Rep from * 7 times more. Do not join with sl st. 9 petals.
7th rnd: Do not ch 1. Working in rem back loops of 5th rnd, 2 sc first sc. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. (2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc) 5 times. Join with sl st to first sc. 24 sc.
8th rnd: Ch 1. Working in front loops only, 1 sc in first sc. (1 hdc. 2 dc. 1 hdc) in next sc. *1 sc in next sc. (1 hdc. 2 dc. 1 hdc) in next sc. Rep from * 10 times more. Do not join with sl st. 12 petals.
9th rnd: Do not ch 1. Working in rem back loops of 7th rnd , 2 sc first sc. 1 sc in each of next 3 sc. (2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 3 sc) 5 times. Join with sl st to first sc. 30 sc.
10th rnd: Ch 1. Working in front loops only, 1 sc in first sc. (1 hdc. 2 dc. 1 hdc) in next sc. *1 sc in next sc. (1 hdc. 2 dc. 1 hdc) in next sc. Rep from * 13 times more. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off. 15 petals.

FINISHING
Join bottom edge: With larger hook, join MC with sl st at bottom edge. Working through both thicknesses, work 1 row of sl st across bottom edge to join. Fasten off. Sew Handles and Flower to top of Bag as shown in picture.

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Delphine Bryant

May 30, 2018

Do not get me wrong, this is a stunning tote. I am a flower child and I just love the flower used on this bag. Without any photo directions, I hope that I can make it. I tend to be a visual learning and I have little patience. The flower really cinches the whole project for me.

Morehouse17

May 30, 2018

I am always late to the party but the Crocodile sticth is really popular. I am not a mermaid and I would put this tote high up on my favorite list. The addition of the flower really put it over the top. The muted beige is great for the fall and winter months. I want something bright and vibrant. What do you think about red scales or maybe even green?

Daughter of Light

Feb 17, 2018

The "scales" on this bag definitely lend itself to the pattern's given name, but I too see ocean colors when we talk about mermaids so when I make this one up I'll probably switch out the clay for "lush" and switch out the "bronze" for "fresh lilac ombre" to tie it all together and then finally change out the "rouge" for "light damson" to make the flower! This would be a perfect bag for my niece, who loves all things mermaid!

achumley0003 31706 34

Aug 24, 2017

This is a cute bag pattern that would especially cute for little girls who like mermaids I am going to make one for my daughter I especially love the way they made the handles That never occurred to me For the people that are having trouble with the straps try not to over think it You are making loops dropping them all then you pick up the last loop and picking up the first loop you made and pulling the yarn through only that loop like a slip stitch but don't pull it through the fourth loop and keep the loop you just made on the hook so you'll still have two loops still on your hook Now you pick up the next and do the same thing And do the same with the last loop Then you will start over by dropping all of the loops again pick up the…Read More last loop you made and then pick up the loop that was the first loop on previous round And you basically keep doing this over and over until you reach the desired length I hope it all makes since It is hard to explain but once you figure it out it isn't actually hard to do

Hippie Chick

Jul 24, 2017

Mermaids are the hot ticket item for this summer. For this project, we need to rename the crocodile stitch to the mermaid stitch. Brighter yarn color choices really need to be switched out for the gray in this tote. When I think of mermaids I think of blues and purples instead of gray.

ChaCha Rizzo

Jan 18, 2017

I saw something like this bag in a designer store and it was very expensive. I'm going to make my own version with this free crochet purse pattern. Thank you!

raekee 6380815

Apr 22, 2016

i made this for my granddaughter, but i changed it up a bit. i made it smaller (she's 8), added a flat bottom, lined the purse with material, and made a flat shoulder strap and also lined it with the material. i searched for a more simple flower to use also. here's a pic.

Karenkarpati 06337 03

Apr 07, 2016

I do not understand the pattern instructions for the handle either. Is there a name for the stitch so I can find a video on-line?

Hippie Chick

Jul 24, 2017

Here is the location of the original pattern http//www.yarnspirations.com/patterns/mermaid-tear == s-purse.html?id=193467 maybe it will help?

maagicweaver

Jul 05, 2015

I do not understand Rd. 2 and 3 from bag pattern at all. Can someone make a video please? The tote is gorgeous, I want to make it.

Hippie Chick

Jul 24, 2017

Here is the location of the original pattern http//www.yarnspirations.com/patterns/mermaid-tear == s-purse.html?id=193467 maybe it will help?