The Sweetheart Stitch Tote: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Heart-Embellished Valentine's Day Bag

Introducing the Sweetheart Stitch Tote

Carry your Valentine's treats in this charming, textured tote featuring a grid of raised hearts. The soft, chunky yarn and sturdy single crochet base make it both cozy and practical. This free crochet pattern is perfect for beginners looking to create a handmade gift or a special bag for themselves. The heart motif is created using a combination of single crochet and puff stitches, giving the bag a beautiful, dimensional texture that stands out.

Materials Needed

Yarn

• Main Color (MC): Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (super bulky weight, 80% acrylic, 20% wool) in 'Fisherman' (cream) – approximately 150 yards
• Contrast Color (CC): Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in 'Cranberry' (deep red) – approximately 50 yards

Hook & Notions

• US Size N/P (10 mm) crochet hook
• Yarn needle for weaving ends
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (optional, for counting rounds)

Gauge

8 single crochet stitches and 9 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. Adjust hook size if necessary to match gauge.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Notes

• The bag is worked in joined rounds from the bottom up.
• The heart motif is created using a combination of single crochet and puff stitches.
• Ch 1 at the beginning of each round does not count as a stitch.
• Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch of the round.

Bottom of Bag (worked in continuous spiral)

Round 1: With MC, make a magic ring, ch 1, work 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (18 sts)

Round 4: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (24 sts)

Round 5: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (30 sts)

Round 6: *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (36 sts)

Round 7: *Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (42 sts)

Round 8: *Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (48 sts)

Sides of Bag (worked in joined rounds)

Round 9: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (48 sts)

Round 10-11: Repeat Round 9. (48 sts each round)

Heart Motif Section (Rounds 12-17)

Round 12: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts with MC, work a puff stitch in next st with CC (puff stitch: yo, insert hook, yo, pull up loop, yo, insert hook into same st, yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through all 5 loops on hook)* repeat from * to * around, join with sl st. (8 puff stitches, 40 sc)

Round 13: Ch 1, sc in each st around, working sc in the top of each puff stitch as well, join. (48 sts)

Round 14: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts with MC, puff stitch in next st with CC, sc in next 3 sts with MC* repeat from * to * around, join. (8 puff stitches, 40 sc)

Round 15: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (48 sts)

Round 16: Ch 1, *sc in next 1 st with MC, puff stitch in next st with CC, sc in next 5 sts with MC* repeat from * to * around, join. (8 puff stitches, 40 sc)

Round 17: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (48 sts)

Top of Bag

Round 18-20: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (48 sts each round)

Round 21 (Eyelet round for drawstring): Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next st* repeat from * to * around, join. (32 sc, 16 ch-1 spaces)

Round 22: Ch 1, sc in each st and in each ch-1 space around, join. (48 sts)

Fasten off and weave in all ends with a yarn needle.

Drawstring

With CC, make a chain approximately 30 inches long. Fasten off. Weave the chain through the eyelet holes, starting and ending at the same side. Tie a small knot at each end of the chain to prevent fraying.

Optional Lining

Cut a piece of fabric to fit the inside of the bag and sew it in place for added durability. This step is optional but recommended for a more polished finish.

Your Sweetheart Stitch Tote is now complete! Fill it with Valentine's treats, small gifts, or use it as a cozy everyday bag. The textured hearts and chunky yarn make it a standout piece that's sure to be cherished.