Daisy Mesh Tote Bag – A Whimsical Crochet Project

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Daisy Mesh Tote Bag – Complete Step-by-Step Pattern

1. Gathering Your Supplies

To create this whimsical bag, you'll need yarn in three colors and a hook that creates a firm yet flexible fabric.

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton or cotton blend yarn (e.g., YarnArt Jeans, Catania, or similar, approx. 160m / 50g).
  • Sage Green: Approx. 200g (for the bag body, straps, and tassels)
  • White: Approx. 100g (for the daisy petals)
  • Yellow: Small amount (for the daisy centers)
• Hook: 3.5 mm or 4.0 mm (choose the size that gives you a firm mesh that still has good drape).
• Notions:
  • Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and sewing
  • Scissors
  • Stitch markers
  • Small beads (optional, for the daisy centers on the straps)
• Finished Size: Approximately 30 cm wide x 35 cm tall (12" x 14"), not including straps or tassels.

What you'll master: Creating mesh fabric, crocheting 3D flowers, and assembling a functional, embellished accessory.

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2. Abbreviations & Special Techniques

Let's quickly review a few terms. If you're new to any of these, don't worry—you'll be a pro by the time you finish your first daisy!

• ch: Chain
• sc: Single crochet
• dc: Double crochet
• tr: Treble crochet (triple crochet)
• sl st: Slip stitch
• sp: Space
• st(s): Stitch(es)
• Mesh Stitch: (dc, ch 1, skip 1 st) - creates the openwork net pattern
• Daisy Petal: A small, rounded petal created with a cluster of stitches
• Tassel: A decorative fringe element made from chains and clusters

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3. The Mesh Bag Body (Sage Green)

We'll start by creating the main body of the bag using a simple mesh stitch that creates a beautiful, breathable net.

• Foundation Chain: Ch 60 (adjust for desired width).
• Row 1: Dc in the 4th ch from the hook (counts as first dc + ch 1), skip 1 ch, dc in next ch. Repeat from * across. You should have 30 dc stitches with ch-1 spaces between them.
• Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn. Dc in the first ch-1 space, ch 1, dc in next ch-1 space. Repeat from * across, ending with dc in the top of the turning ch from the previous row.
• Rows 3-40: Repeat Row 2 until the piece measures approximately 35 cm (14 inches) from the foundation chain.
• Finishing: Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the side seam.

What you'll master: Creating consistent mesh fabric and maintaining even tension in openwork patterns.

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4. The Straps (Sage Green, Make 2)

Each strap will be decorated with daisies along its length.

• Foundation Chain: Ch 50 (adjust for desired strap length).
• Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and each ch across. (49 sc)
• Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (49 sc)
• Rows 3-4: Repeat Row 2.
• Finishing: Fasten off, leaving long tails for sewing. You will attach daisies to these straps later.

What you'll master: Creating sturdy, flat straps for bag construction.

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5. The Daisy Flowers (Make 30-40)

These 3D daisies are the star of the show! We'll make them in two parts: the white petals and the yellow center.

Daisy Petals (White, Make 30-40):

• R1: Ch 2. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, 3 hdc in the same st, 3 dc in the same st, ch 2, sl st in the same st. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
  • This creates one petal.
• Assembly: Make 6-8 petals per daisy. Arrange them in a circle and sew them together at the base, creating a flower shape.

Daisy Center (Yellow, Make 30-40):

• Instructions: Ch 2. 6 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook. Fasten off, leaving a tail.
• Assembly: Sew the yellow center to the middle of the white petals.

Alternative Quick Daisy:

• R1: MR. Ch 1, (sc, 3 hdc, sc, sl st) in MR x 6. Fasten off.
• R2: Join yellow yarn in the center. Ch 1, 6 sc in the center. Fasten off.

What you'll master: Creating dimensional flower appliqués and managing multiple small motifs.

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6. The Tassels (Sage Green, Make 20-25)

These playful tassels add movement and charm to the bottom of the bag.

• Instructions: Ch 20 (adjust for desired tassel length).
• Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc in next 3 ch, dc in next 5 ch, hdc in next 3 ch, sc in last ch.
• Finishing: Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to the bag.

Alternative Tassel with Cluster:

• Instructions: Ch 25. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: sc, hdc, (dc, tr, dc) in next ch, hdc, sc. Fasten off.

What you'll master: Creating decorative fringe elements with varied stitch heights.

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7. Assembly & The Magic of Embellishment

Now for the most rewarding part: bringing your daisy bag to life!

1. Form the Bag: Fold the mesh rectangle in half with right sides together. Using your long tail and a tapestry needle, whip stitch the side seams from the bottom up, leaving the top open.
2. Attach the Straps: Pin the straps to the inside top edge of the bag, positioning them evenly (about 8-10 cm from each side seam). Sew them securely, going through all layers multiple times for strength.
3. Add the Daisy Flowers: This is where the magic happens! Pin your daisies to the front of the bag in a scattered, natural-looking pattern. Start from the bottom and work your way up, clustering more daisies near the bottom and fewer near the top. Sew each daisy securely.
4. Decorate the Straps: Attach 3-4 smaller daisies to each strap, spacing them evenly. You can also add small beads to the strap daisies for extra sparkle!
5. Attach the Tassels: Sew the tassels to the bottom edge of the bag, spacing them evenly. They should hang freely, creating a beautiful fringe effect.
6. Final Touches: Weave in all loose ends. If desired, you can add a fabric lining to the inside of the bag for extra structure and to prevent small items from falling through the mesh.

What you'll master: Multi-step structural assembly and strategic placement of decorative elements.

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Final Section: Where to Go from Here

Congratulations! You've just crafted a whimsical, one-of-a-kind Daisy Mesh Tote Bag. This project is a beautiful way to practice your mesh crochet, flower-making, and embellishment skills.

From here, try experimenting with different flower types! You could make a "sunflower" version with yellow petals and brown centers, a "lavender" version with purple flowers, or even mix different flower types for a wildflower meadow effect. You could also adapt this pattern to make a smaller pouch, a beach bag, or even a decorative wall hanging. Happy crocheting, and enjoy your beautiful new handmade accessory!