The Highline Grid Tote: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Modern, Textured City Bag

Introducing the Highline Grid Tote

Carry your essentials in architectural style with this structured yet soft tote, featuring a mesmerizing grid of post stitches and a sleek, modern silhouette. Inspired by the geometric lines of a city park, this bag is the perfect accessory for the urban crafter. The Highline Grid Tote combines a dense, sturdy fabric with a clean, contemporary look, making it ideal for everyday use. Whether you're heading to the farmer's market or the office, this bag will elevate your style while keeping your belongings secure.

Materials Needed

To create this stunning tote, gather the following materials:

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton or cotton-blend yarn. Shown in: Color A (Main): 250 yds of a warm charcoal grey. Color B (Accent): 200 yds of a soft, muted sage green. Color C (Grid): 150 yds of a creamy off-white.
• Hook/Needle: Size H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook, plus a tapestry needle for weaving ends.
• Gauge: 14 sts x 8 rows in the Grid Stitch pattern = 4 inches (10 cm). Gauge is crucial for the bag's structure.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Notes

The bag is worked in the round from the bottom up. The Grid Stitch pattern creates a dense, sturdy fabric. The handle is worked separately and sewn on.

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• fpdc = front post double crochet
• bpdc = back post double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round

Special Stitch

Grid Stitch (worked in the round): *fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st*; repeat from * around.

BOTTOM

With Color A (charcoal), ch 26.

• Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (25 sc) Do not turn. Continue working in the round by making sc in the opposite side of the foundation chain. (25 sc) Join with sl st to first sc. (50 sc total)
• Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (50 sc)
• Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, 2 sc in next st. Join. (54 sc)
• Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in last st. Join. (58 sc)
• Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in first 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in last 2 sts. Join. (62 sc)
• Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in first 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in last 3 sts. Join. (66 sc)
• Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in first 5 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in last 4 sts. Join. (70 sc)
• Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (70 sc) Fasten off Color A.

BODY

• Rnd 1: Join Color B (sage) with a sl st in any st. Ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc in each st around. Join with sl st to top of ch-2. (70 dc)
• Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (70 sc) Fasten off Color B.
• Rnd 3: Join Color C (off-white) with a sl st in any st. Ch 2 (counts as first dc), *fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st*; repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-2. (70 sts)
• Rnd 4: Ch 2, *bpdc around next st, fpdc around next st*; repeat from * around. Join. (70 sts) Fasten off Color C.
• Rnd 5: Join Color A with a sl st in any st. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (70 sc)
• Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (70 sc) Fasten off Color A.
• Rnd 7: Join Color B with a sl st in any st. Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (70 dc)
• Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (70 sc) Fasten off Color B.
• Rnd 9: Join Color C with a sl st in any st. Ch 2, *fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st*; repeat from * around. Join. (70 sts)
• Rnd 10: Ch 2, *bpdc around next st, fpdc around next st*; repeat from * around. Join. (70 sts) Fasten off Color C.
• Rnd 11: Join Color A with a sl st in any st. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (70 sc)
• Rnd 12: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (70 sc) Fasten off Color A.
• Rnd 13: Join Color B with a sl st in any st. Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (70 dc)
• Rnd 14: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (70 sc) Fasten off Color B.
• Rnd 15: Join Color C with a sl st in any st. Ch 2, *fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st*; repeat from * around. Join. (70 sts)
• Rnd 16: Ch 2, *bpdc around next st, fpdc around next st*; repeat from * around. Join. (70 sts) Fasten off Color C.
• Rnd 17: Join Color A with a sl st in any st. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (70 sc)
• Rnd 18: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (70 sc) Fasten off Color A.
• Rnd 19: Join Color B with a sl st in any st. Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (70 dc)
• Rnd 20: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (70 sc) Fasten off Color B.
• Rnd 21: Join Color C with a sl st in any st. Ch 2, *fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st*; repeat from * around. Join. (70 sts)
• Rnd 22: Ch 2, *bpdc around next st, fpdc around next st*; repeat from * around. Join. (70 sts) Fasten off Color C.
• Rnd 23: Join Color A with a sl st in any st. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (70 sc)
• Rnd 24: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (70 sc) Fasten off Color A.

HANDLES (make 2)

With Color A, ch 81.

• Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (80 sc) Ch 1, turn.
• Row 2: Sc in each st across. (80 sc) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

ASSEMBLY

1. Fold each handle in half lengthwise and sew the long edges together using the tail, creating a sturdy strap.
2. Pin the handles to the inside of the bag, aligning the ends with the top edge. Place one handle on the front side and one on the back side, spacing them about 4 inches apart from the side seams.
3. Sew the handle ends securely to the inside of the bag using a tapestry needle and matching yarn. Reinforce with a few extra stitches.
4. Weave in all ends.

FINISHING

Optional: Line the bag with fabric for added structure and to prevent items from slipping through the stitches.