Crochet Patterns / August 28, 2024

À Bien-Tôte – Crochet Pattern for Sturdy, Modern, Minimalist Tote Bag using Alpine Stitch [photo tutorial + full stitch chart included]

Hi friends!

This post includes everything you need to know about À Bien-Tôte, a minimalist tote bag design featuring the alpine stitch, thick, sturdy straps, and a round base. Named À Bien-Tôte as a play on the French term À bientôt which means “see you soon.” I’m trying to only design patterns that I would personally wear and use, and this bag is no exception. The interesting texture and clean, refined look of this tote bag has me reaching for it again and again, and I hope you love making your own version of one of my favourite designs!

Get the Lion Brand Crochet Kit here (in your desired colourway)!

Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry, Etsy, and my website.
Add your finished project to Ravelry here!
Shop the recommended yarns, Lion Brand 24/7, here.
- Shop the full Lion Brand crochet kit here on (comes with all yarn required + a FREE copy of the PDF pattern)!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Shop my new book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

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About

This modern, utilitarian tote bag is the perfect companion for your next coffee shop date or library study session, featuring a round base and durable handles that can be worn over your shoulder or carried in your hand. The thick, sturdy fabric will keep your belongings safe.

With plenty of room for a laptop, a coffee tumbler, your favorite book, plus room to spare, À Bien-Tôte is spacious enough for all your everyday essentials.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted held double–Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in colorway “Café Au Lait”

100% Cotton
186 yds (170 m) per 3.5 oz (100 g) skein
Find this yarn on lionbrand.com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes available in your region
Click here for the one-stop-shop crochet kit!

Yardage: 7 skeins or 1150 yds (1052 m)

Yarn Substitution: Substitute Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton with any similar medium, worsted weight (category #4) yarn that matches gauge. Cottons will work best for this project, particularly those that feel “stiff” to lend some structure to your finished bag. Worsted weight yarn held double is equivalent to 1 strand of most bulky weight yarns. Note that worsted weight is often referred to as “aran” in the U.K., or “10-ply” in Australia.

Hook: Size U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, and at least 6 locking stitch markers

Measurements

All length measurements taken with bag lying flat. Circumference measured around textured body panel.

Gauge

In order to make this pattern a little more accessible, gauge is included for free in case you would like to swatch before purchasing the pattern. This way you can determine whether or not you have the appropriate materials for this project before committing.

Gauge for Base and Handles

4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = 12 sc and 14 rows, lightly blocked.

Gauge for Textured Body

4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = approximately 12 sts and 13 rows, lightly blocked.

For Swatch

Ch 19.

Row 1 (RS): Dc in 3rd ch from hook (does not count as a st) and in each ch across. [17 dc]

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. [17 sc]

Row 3: Ch 2, *dc in next sc, fpdc in next dc from 2 rows below, sk next sc (the sc directly above the st you just worked); rep from * to last st, dc in last st, turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.

Row 5: Ch 2, *fpdc in next dc from 2 rows below, sk next sc (the sc directly above the st you just worked), dc in next sc; rep from * to last st, fpdc in next dc from 2 rows below, turn.

Rep Rows 2-5 until you have at least 16 rows completed. Measure the innermost 4” (10 cm) of your blocked swatch to get the most accurate measurement.

Pattern Notes

Skill Level: Easy

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row/round.

Right Side / Wrong Side: The right side will face you as you crochet odd numbered rounds while working the textured panel (the body) of the bag.

Yarn Held Double: To increase strength and durability, this entire bag is worked with yarn held double, meaning two strands of yarn are held together and used as if they were one. Note that two worsted weight strands held double is approximately equivalent to 1 strand of bulky weight yarn.

Stitch Pattern: The textured stitch pattern used for the main body of this bag is called the Alpine Stitch, comprised of a 4-row repeat using sc, dc, and fpdc.

Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch anywhere in this pattern.

Construction: This bag is crocheted from the bottom-up in joined rounds. You will begin with the base, increasing each round by 6 stitches. Once the proper bag circumference is reached, you will crochet straight for several rounds without any shaping. Next, you will crochet the textured panel that makes up the body of the bag. Two sections of this textured panel will be extended on either side of the bag, providing shaping to the handle area. Lastly, you will crochet the handles.

Supplementary Materials: Additional materials can be found on pages 8 and 9, including a full stitch chart for the base of the bag and helpful photo tutorials to demonstrate a few techniques used in this pattern.

Terms + Abbreviations

Written in U.S. Crochet terms

ch: chain
cluster: a group of 3 sc worked into the same stitch (In U.K. terms, this refers to a group of 3 dc worked into the same st)
dc: double crochet (tr in U.K. terms)
fpdc: front post double crochet (RtrF in U.K. terms)
inc: increase – work 2 sc in designated stitch
PM: place marker
rep: repeat
rnd(s): round(s)
RS: right side
sc: single crochet (dc in U.K. terms)
sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together (dc2tog in U.K. terms)
sk: skip
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
WS: wrong side