The Meadowlark Daisy Chain Tote Free Pattern – Crochet a Sunlit Garden Carryall

Carry a Sunlit Garden: The Meadowlark Daisy Chain Tote Free Crochet Pattern

Imagine strolling through a sun-drenched meadow, gathering wildflowers in a bag that captures that very essence of summer. That's the magic of the Meadowlark Daisy Chain Tote. This free crochet pattern blends the timeless charm of daisy granny squares with a modern, slouchy silhouette, creating a bag that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary. With its rich, earthy palette of cream, golden yellow, sage, dusty rose, and terracotta, this tote is more than just an accessory—it's a wearable piece of garden-inspired art. Whether you're headed to the farmer's market or a beach picnic, this boho beauty is the perfect companion. Let's dive into this rewarding project that's perfect for confident beginners ready to explore the world of motifs and joining techniques.

Materials Needed: Gathering Your Yarn Garden

Before you begin, assemble your materials. This project uses worsted weight cotton yarn, which is ideal for bags due to its durability, stitch definition, and ability to hold shape. Here's your complete shopping list:

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn in 5 colors:
  • MC (Cream): Approx. 400g – for the background, joining, and strap
  • A (Golden Yellow): Approx. 100g – for the daisy centers
  • B (Sage Green): Approx. 150g – for the ring around the center
  • C (Dusty Rose): Approx. 100g – for the daisy petals
  • D (Terracotta): Approx. 100g – for the border framing the petals
• Crochet Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) hook, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Other: Yarn needle for weaving in ends and sewing the strap, scissors

Gauge & Square Size

Getting the right gauge ensures your bag comes together perfectly. One completed daisy granny square should measure 4 inches (10 cm) across. Additionally, 16 single crochet stitches x 18 rows should equal 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. Always make a test swatch to check your tension before starting the full project.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Meadowlark Tote

This tote is constructed from 12 daisy granny squares (6 for each side), joined seamlessly, then finished with a simple border and strap. Follow these detailed instructions carefully to create your own sunlit carryall.

Part 1: The Daisy Granny Square (Make 12)

Each square is worked in the round, building the daisy motif layer by layer. Take your time with these—they are the heart of your bag.

Round 1 (Center): With Color A (Golden Yellow), make a magic ring. Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet). Work 11 double crochet (dc) into the ring. Join with a slip stitch (sl st) to the top of the beginning chain-3. You should have 12 dc total. Fasten off Color A and weave in the end.

Round 2 (Sage Ring): Join Color B (Sage Green) in any dc stitch. *Chain 5, skip the next dc, slip stitch (sl st) in the next dc.* Repeat from * to * around. You will create 6 chain-5 loops. Fasten off Color B. This ring will frame your yellow center.

Round 3 (Daisy Petals): Join Color C (Dusty Rose) in any of the chain-5 loops from Round 2. In each chain-5 loop around, work the following sequence: (Single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), 3 double crochet (dc), hdc, sc). This creates a petal shape. Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round. You will have 6 petals. Fasten off Color C.

Round 4 (Terracotta Frame): Join Color D (Terracotta) in the space between any two petals (this is the sc from Round 2). *Chain 4, single crochet (sc) in the next space between petals.* Repeat from * to * around. You will have 6 chain-4 loops. Fasten off Color D.

Round 5 (Corner Clusters): Join Color MC (Cream) in any chain-4 loop. Work (3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc) in each chain-4 loop around. Join with a sl st to the first dc. You will have 6 corner clusters. This begins to square off your circle.

Round 6 (Finishing the Square): Chain 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in the same space. *Chain 1, 3 dc in the next corner space, chain 2, 3 dc in the same corner space.* Repeat from * to * around, ending with chain 1, 3 dc in the starting corner, chain 2. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning chain-3. Fasten off and weave in all ends. Your first daisy square is complete! Repeat this entire process to make 12 squares total.

Part 2: Assembling the Panels

Now we'll turn your beautiful squares into two large panels for the front and back of the tote.

Arrange 6 squares in a 2×3 grid (2 squares wide, 3 squares tall) for each side of the tote. Play with the placement of your colors to create a pleasing, balanced layout. With Color MC (Cream), use a flat slip stitch join to connect the squares. This join creates a nearly invisible seam on the right side. Connect the squares horizontally first, then vertically, to form a solid 2×3 panel. Repeat this process for the second side of the bag.

Part 3: Seaming the Sides

With the right sides of the panels facing each other (wrong sides facing out), hold the two panels together. Starting at the bottom corner, use Color MC to single crochet (sc) through both layers along the bottom edge and up one side. This creates a sturdy seam. Repeat on the other side, leaving the top open. Once both sides are seamed, turn the bag right side out. The seams will be on the inside.

Part 4: Finishing the Top Edge

To give your tote a clean, professional finish, we'll add a simple border around the top opening.

Round 1: With Color MC, join your yarn at the top of one side seam. Single crochet (sc) evenly around the entire top opening. Join with a sl st to the first sc.

Round 2: Chain 1, single crochet (sc) in each sc around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off and weave in the end.

Part 5: Creating the Strap

This tote features a long, comfortable strap that's crocheted flat and then attached.

With Color MC, chain 120 (or your desired strap length). Row 1: Single crochet (sc) in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. Row 2: Chain 1, single crochet (sc) in each sc across. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

To attach the strap, use your yarn needle and the long tail to sew the ends of the strap securely to the inside of the bag at both side seams. Make sure it's attached firmly to support the weight of your belongings. Weave in all remaining ends.

Your Meadowlark Daisy Chain Tote is complete! Fill it with your favorite books, a sunhat, and a picnic blanket, and carry a little piece of a sunlit garden wherever you go. Happy crocheting!