Two-Tone Puff Panel Tote: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

The Two-Tone Puff Panel Tote is a wonderfully forgiving project for anyone who has just learned the basics of crochet and wants to make something they will actually carry around all summer. It is worked as one flat rectangle in a bumpy, textured puff stitch, split into four bold color blocks of butter yellow and white, then folded in half and seamed up the sides to become a bag. The raffia yarn gives it a crisp, slightly structured feel with a clean, modern, almost space-age look, while the puff stitches add a soft, pillowy grid of texture you will want to touch. Because there is no shaping, no increasing, and no working in the round until the very end, it is a perfect first bag, first color-block project, or first raffia project.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Raffia yarn, worsted/aran weight, 100% cellulose rayon or paper raffia. Color A = butter yellow, approx. 120 yd; Color B = white, approx. 120 yd.
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry or blunt sewing needle, stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape, rust-proof pins for assembly.
• Finished size: Approx. 14 inches wide x 14 inches tall (35.5 cm x 35.5 cm), excluding handles.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
• st / sts – stitch / stitches.
• sp / sps – space / spaces (the little gap made by a chain).
• sc – single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through everything on the hook.
• puff st – puff stitch: [yarn over, insert hook into the indicated space or stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop] 3 times (7 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 7 loops, ch 1 to close the puff.
• inc – increase (not used in this pattern, but listed for reference in case you adapt the size).

Gauge

14 sts and 14 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in puff stitch pattern. To check, work a small swatch of puff stitches and chain-1 spaces, then measure across the middle of the swatch; if you have more stitches than 14 per 4 inches, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Raffia can split and fray, so keep your tension relaxed and avoid tugging tightly on the puff pulls; smooth the strands as you go.
• Count your puff stitches at the end of every row until you trust the rhythm — each row should always have 24 puffs and 23 chain-1 spaces.
• When changing colors, change on the last chain of the final row of the old color so the new color begins cleanly on the next row.
• Keep the panel flat and untwisted as you work; a quick measure every 12 rows will confirm your rectangle stays square.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Panel (worked flat, turning at the end of each row)

Setup: With A, ch 50.

Row 1: Puff st in 3rd ch from hook, [ch 1, skip 1 ch, puff st in next ch] across, ending with puff st in last ch, turn. (24 puff sts, 23 ch-1 sps)

Row 2: Ch 2, puff st in first ch-1 sp, [ch 1, puff st in next ch-1 sp] across, turn. (24 puff sts, 23 ch-1 sps)

Rows 3–12: Repeat Row 2. (24 puff sts, 23 ch-1 sps) Change to B.

Rows 13–24: Repeat Row 2. (24 puff sts, 23 ch-1 sps) Change to A.

Rows 25–36: Repeat Row 2. (24 puff sts, 23 ch-1 sps) Change to B.

Rows 37–48: Repeat Row 2. (24 puff sts, 23 ch-1 sps) Do not fasten off.

Fold and Seam

Fold the panel in half with right sides together, matching the short ends.

Side seam (first edge): Join A at one side edge and work sc evenly along the side edge to seam, approx. 24 sc. Fasten off.

Side seam (second edge): Repeat on the other side edge, approx. 24 sc. Fasten off.

Top Edging

Rnd 1: Join A at the top edge. Sc evenly around the top opening, approx. 48 sc. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off. Repeat for the other top edge if needed.

Handles (make 2)

Row 1: With A, ch 30. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (29 sc) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly and Finishing

Turn the bag right side out. Pin each handle to the top edge of the bag, positioning them approx. 3 inches from each side edge, with the ends of each strap about 3 inches apart. Try the bag on your shoulder or arm before sewing to confirm the placement feels comfortable. Using the long tails and A, sew each handle end securely in place with several passes of small, tight stitches, then knot on the inside. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, threading each tail through a few puff stitches before trimming. Block lightly by misting with water and shaping the bag flat to dry, stuffing the inside with a towel or paper so the rectangle holds its shape; do not iron raffia directly.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Color play: Swap the four bands for two colors only, or use a single color for a minimalist look — the stitch texture still reads beautifully.
• Bigger tote: Add 12 more rows before folding for a taller bag, or chain a longer starting row in multiples of 2 for a wider one; adjust the side seam and top edging stitch counts to match.
• Sturdier handles: Work the handle rows twice (two layers sewn together) or add a round of sc around each strap for a thicker, more durable finish.