The Purring Paws Market Tote: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Kitten-Faced Everyday Bag

Introducing the Purring Paws Market Tote

Carry your yarn and treasures in this charming, textured tote featuring a sweet kitten face motif. The sturdy, single-crochet construction and playful cat ears make it a cozy, functional accessory for any cat lover. This free pattern is designed to be approachable for confident beginners, using basic stitches and simple shaping to create a bag that is both beautiful and durable. The kitten face is created using a straightforward intarsia or tapestry crochet technique, and the ears are worked separately and sewn on for a polished finish. Whether you're heading to the farmer's market or just need a stylish everyday bag, the Purring Paws Market Tote is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Materials Needed

To create your own Purring Paws Market Tote, you will need the following materials:

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn (e.g., Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton) in three colors:
  • Main Color (MC) - Cream: Approximately 250g
  • Contrast Color 1 (CC1) - Warm Gray: Approximately 100g
  • Contrast Color 2 (CC2) - Dusty Rose (for nose): Approximately 20g
• Hook: Size H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
• Other: Yarn needle for weaving in ends and embroidery, scissors, stitch markers (optional)

Gauge: 14 sc x 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. Achieving the correct gauge is important for the final size and shape of the bag.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Notes Before You Begin

• The tote is worked in joined rounds from the bottom up.
• The kitten face is created using intarsia or tapestry crochet techniques (carrying the unused yarn along the back of the work).
• The ears are worked separately and sewn on.
• The handles are crocheted directly into the top edge.
• Ch 1 at the beginning of each round does not count as a stitch.

Bottom of Bag

With MC, ch 26.

• Round 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (25 sc). Ch 1, turn. Work 25 sc down the opposite side of the foundation chain. Ch 1, turn. (50 sc)
• Round 2: Sc in each sc around, working 2 sc in the first and last sc of each side to create an oval base. (54 sc)
• Round 3: Sc in each sc around, working 2 sc in the first and last 2 sc of each side. (62 sc)
• Round 4: Sc in each sc around, working 2 sc in the first and last 3 sc of each side. (70 sc)
• Round 5: Sc in each sc around, working 2 sc in the first and last 4 sc of each side. (78 sc)
• Round 6: Sc in each sc around, working 2 sc in the first and last 5 sc of each side. (86 sc)
• Round 7: Sc in each sc around, working 2 sc in the first and last 6 sc of each side. (94 sc)
• Round 8: Sc in each sc around, working 2 sc in the first and last 7 sc of each side. (102 sc)
• Round 9: Sc in each sc around, working 2 sc in the first and last 8 sc of each side. (110 sc)
• Round 10: Sc in each sc around, working 2 sc in the first and last 9 sc of each side. (118 sc)

Fasten off. The base is now a flat oval.

Body of Bag

• Round 11: With MC, sc in each sc around, joining with a sl st to the first sc. Ch 1. (118 sc)
• Rounds 12-20: Repeat Round 11. (118 sc each round)

Kitten Face Motif (worked over Rounds 21-35)

Note: The face is created by working a section of CC1 stitches in the center of the front panel. The remaining stitches are worked in MC. Carry the unused yarn loosely along the back of the work.

• Round 21: Work 59 sc with MC, then 59 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 22: Work 58 sc with MC, then 60 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 23: Work 57 sc with MC, then 61 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 24: Work 56 sc with MC, then 62 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 25: Work 55 sc with MC, then 63 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 26: Work 54 sc with MC, then 64 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 27: Work 53 sc with MC, then 65 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 28: Work 52 sc with MC, then 66 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 29: Work 51 sc with MC, then 67 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 30: Work 50 sc with MC, then 68 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 31: Work 49 sc with MC, then 69 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 32: Work 48 sc with MC, then 70 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 33: Work 47 sc with MC, then 71 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 34: Work 46 sc with MC, then 72 sc with CC1. (118 sc)
• Round 35: Work 45 sc with MC, then 73 sc with CC1. (118 sc)

Nose and Eyes (embroidered after)

• Using CC2 (Dusty Rose), embroider a small triangle for the nose at the center of the CC1 section.
• Using black yarn, embroider two small circles for eyes above the nose.
• Using black yarn, embroider a small vertical line from the nose down for the mouth.

Top of Bag

• Rounds 36-40: With MC, sc in each sc around. (118 sc each round)

Handles (make 2)

• Row 1: With MC, ch 6. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (5 sc) Ch 1, turn.
• Rows 2-40: Sc in each sc across. (5 sc) Ch 1, turn.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Ears (make 2)

With CC1, ch 2.

• Row 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Ch 1, turn. (3 sc)
• Row 2: 2 sc in first sc, sc in next, 2 sc in last. Ch 1, turn. (5 sc)
• Row 3: 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 3, 2 sc in last. Ch 1, turn. (7 sc)
• Row 4: 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 5, 2 sc in last. Ch 1, turn. (9 sc)
• Row 5: 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 7, 2 sc in last. Ch 1, turn. (11 sc)
• Row 6: 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 9, 2 sc in last. Ch 1, turn. (13 sc)
• Row 7: 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 11, 2 sc in last. Ch 1, turn. (15 sc)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly

1. Sew the handles: Position the handles on the inside of the bag, spacing them about 4 inches apart on each side. Using the long tail, sew each handle securely to the top edge of the bag.
2. Sew the ears: Position the ears on the top edge of the bag, directly above the kitten face. Using the long tail, sew each ear securely in place.
3. Weave in all ends: Using a yarn needle, weave in all remaining yarn tails to secure them and give your bag a neat finish.

Your Purring Paws Market Tote is now complete! Enjoy your new handmade accessory, perfect for carrying your yarn, groceries, or any daily essentials with a touch of feline charm.