Ocean Wave Granny Square Bamboo Tote Free Crochet Pattern

I love a tote that starts as a happy pile of little squares, and this one makes me smile every time I look at it! Each square begins as a cheerful two-colour sunburst, then we square it off in white, block all 27 squares, and join them into panels so the bag gets real depth and shape.

The bamboo handles are my favourite finishing touch. They give the whole tote a polished look, and the gold clasps mean you can clip them on and off in seconds. The suggested palette is deep navy, sea teal, soft sage, pale mint, warm sand, cream, and a pop of coral, but we keep white for every squaring round so the finished bag still reads as one cohesive piece.

This pattern is rated Easy Plus. If you have made a granny square before and you are comfortable working in the round, you can absolutely make this bag. We will take it step by step, square by square.

Materials

• 250 grams or about 470 yards of worsted weight cotton yarn in white for the main colour
• 6 to 8 accent colours of worsted weight cotton yarn, about 30 grams each (deep navy, sea teal, soft sage, pale mint, warm sand, cream, and coral)
• 4.0 mm (US G/6) crochet hook
• 1 pair of bamboo handles, approximately 5 inches (13 cm)
• 4 gold swivel clasps
• 4 D-rings
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Optional fabric lining

Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• st/sts: stitch / stitches
• sp: space
• beg: beginning
• rep: repeat
• sk: skip

Special Stitches

• Corner group: work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) all into the same stitch or space. This creates the corner increase that shapes your square.
• Magic ring: an adjustable loop used for Round 1. Make the ring, work your stitches into it, then pull the tail tight to close the centre hole completely.

Gauge & Size

• Finished size: approximately 12 inches wide by 13 inches tall by 4 inches deep, with the bamboo handles adding another 5 inches of height
• Gauge: one finished sunburst square measures 4 inches (10 cm) across after blocking
• Construction: 27 sunburst squares joined into a front panel, a back panel, two side strips, and a base strip, finished with a single crochet top border and tabbed bamboo handles
• Skill level: Easy Plus

Sunburst Square Pattern

Make 27 squares total. Rounds 1 and 2 form the sunburst centre, and Rounds 3 and 4 square it off in white. Use Colour A for the centre, Colour B for the sunburst ring, and white for the squaring and border rounds. The beginning chain 3 counts as the first double crochet throughout unless stated otherwise, each round is joined with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3, and we change colour in the final yarn over of the last stitch before a new round.

Round 1 (Colour A): Make a magic ring. Chain 3 (counts as first dc). Work 15 dc into the ring. Join to the top of the beginning ch-3 with a slip stitch. Pull the ring closed tightly. (16 dc)

Round 2 (Colour B): Join Colour B in any stitch. Chain 3, dc in the same stitch, then work 2 dc in each stitch around. Join to the top of the beginning ch-3. (32 dc)

Round 3 (White): Join white in any stitch. Chain 3, dc in the next 2 stitches. Work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next stitch for your corner, dc in the next 7 stitches. Repeat from the corner twice more. Work the 4th corner in the next stitch, dc in the next 4 stitches. Join. (44 dc and 4 corner spaces)

Round 4 (White): Chain 3, dc in each dc to the first corner. Work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the corner ch-2 space, dc in each dc to the next corner. Repeat around. Join and fasten off. (60 dc and 4 corner spaces)

Square check: each finished side should have 15 dc counted from corner space to corner space, including the corner dc, and all four sides should match. Pin each square to 4 inches (10 cm), spritz with water, and let it dry completely before joining.

Building the Panels

Lay your squares out before joining and balance the colours by eye. The front panel uses 9 squares (3 by 3), the back panel uses 9 squares (3 by 3), the two sides use 6 squares total (1 by 3 each), and the base uses 3 squares (3 by 1), for 27 squares in all.

Joining step 1: Place two squares right sides together. If you prefer a visible ridge on the outside, as shown in the photos, place them wrong sides together instead.

Joining step 2: With white yarn, single crochet through both back loops along one side. Work 1 sc per stitch and 1 sc into each corner ch-2 space. (17 sc per seam)

Joining step 3: Join all rows of a panel first, then join the rows together the same way to complete the 3 by 3 grid.

Joining step 4: Make 2 large panels (front and back), 2 side strips, and 1 base strip.

Joining the Bag

Step 1: Single crochet the base strip (3 squares) to the bottom edge of the front panel. (53 sc)

Step 2: Single crochet the opposite long edge of the base to the bottom of the back panel. (53 sc)

Step 3: Single crochet a side strip down one short edge of the front, across the end of the base, and up the back. Repeat on the other side. (53 sc per side)

Step 4: You now have an open box. Turn right side out and ease the corners into shape.

For the optional lining, cut fabric measuring 12 by 13 inches plus a 4 inch gusset, add 1/2 inch seam allowance on all sides, sew the lining, then hand-stitch it inside the top edge of the bag before adding the border.

Top Border and Handles

Round 1 (White): Join white at a top back corner. Single crochet evenly around the entire top opening, keeping a steady 1 sc per stitch. Join. (106 sc)

Rounds 2 through 5: Chain 1, sc in each stitch around, join. Repeat for four rounds total to build a firm, clean rim. (106 sc each round)

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Handle step 1: Make 4 short white tabs. Chain 8, sc back along the chain, then work sc in rows until approximately 1.5 inches long. (7 sc per row)

Handle step 2: Thread each tab through a gold D-ring, fold in half, and sew securely to the inside of the top rim. Position two tabs spaced for each handle, about 2.5 inches (6 cm) in from each top corner.

Handle step 3: Clip the bamboo handle’s swivel clasps onto the D-rings. Wrap the handle bases with white yarn for the polished finished look.

Finishing & Assembly

Weave in all remaining ends. With 27 squares and lots of colour changes there will be plenty, so I love weaving them in as I finish each square to keep the job manageable.

For care, hand wash in cool water with a gentle detergent, press the water out gently without wringing, and reshape flat to dry away from direct heat and sunlight. Remove the bamboo handles before washing and dry them separately.

Tips

Block before joining. I know I say it a lot, but blocked squares join evenly and create that satisfying grid, and it really is the key to a professional-looking bag.

Use stitch markers to mark your corners as you work Round 3 and Round 4. It helps you stay on track, especially when you are making 27 squares.

Use coral sparingly. Just three or four squares with coral will let it read as an accent rather than a theme, and navy works beautifully as the most repeated centre colour to anchor the spread.

Every square added in any direction changes the size by 4 inches (10 cm), so for a bigger beach bag work the front and back at 4 by 4 squares, and for a mini grab bag drop to 2 by 3 panels with a 2-square base.