Step out in style with The Golden Hour Sunburst Tote! This bag features a bold, sunny mustard color and a unique construction from four lacy crochet squares. Once the squares are joined, the resulting rectangle is cleverly folded into a sharp, triangular shoulder bag—a perfect accessory for market trips, beach days, or adding a pop of color to your everyday wear.
This detailed pattern is written for a Medium Triangle Tote (approx. 20 inches wide at the top, 15 inches high from top to point) and is suitable for the Intermediate crocheter, due to the specific motif and folding technique.
Materials Needed 🧶
- Yarn: Approximately 450-550 yards of Worsted Weight (Aran / #4) yarn. A durable fiber like cotton or a cotton blend is best for bag structure.
- Main Color (MC): Mustard Yellow/Golden Orange
- Crochet Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8), or the size needed to obtain gauge.
- Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends and seaming.
- Stitch Markers: For assembly placement.
- Scissors.
Skill Level & Notes 💡
- Skill Level: Intermediate. Requires working in the round to create a large motif, accurately joining squares, and performing the diagonal folding and seaming.
- Construction: The bag is made from four identical squares joined into one large 2×2 rectangle. This rectangle is then folded diagonally to form the bag shape.
- Chains: Ch 3 at the beginning of DC rounds always counts as the first DC unless noted otherwise.
Gauge 📏
In Sunburst Lace Square pattern (Part 1): One finished square should measure approximately 9.5 inches x 9.5 inches.
Abbreviations 📚
| Abbreviation | Description |
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| rep | repeat |
| sp | space |
| DC-CL | Double Crochet Cluster (3 dc in same sp) |
| HDC-BLO | Half Double Crochet Back Loop Only |
Special Stitches ✨
DC Cluster (DC-CL)
- DC-CL: Work 3 dc into the same chain space or stitch. This forms the classic “granny square” shell.
V-Stitch (V-st)
- V-st: (Dc, ch 1, dc) worked into the same stitch or space.
Part 1: The Sunburst Lace Square 🟪
Make 4 total.
Round 1 (Solid Center): Ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 11 dc into the ring. Sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. (12 dc)
Round 2: Ch 3. Dc in the same st (DC-INC). [Dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st] rep around. Sl st to join. (18 dc)
Round 3: Ch 3. Dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (18 dc)
Round 4 (Corner Setup): Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2). Dc in the same st. (Corner V-st). [Sk 4 sts, V-st (dc, ch 2, dc) in the next st] rep 3 times. Sk 4 sts. Sl st to the 3rd ch of beg ch-5. (4 V-sts with ch-2 corners)
Round 5 (Lace): Sl st into the ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc). [DC-CL in the same ch-2 sp, ch 1, sk dc, V-st in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1, sk dc, Corner: DC-CL, ch 3, DC-CL in the corner ch-2 sp] rep 3 times. Finish with a DC-CL, ch 3 in the beg ch-2 sp. Sl st to the top of beg ch-3.
Round 6: Sl st into the ch-3 sp. Ch 3. DC-CL in the same sp. [Ch 1, DC-CL in the next ch-1 sp] rep across the side until the corner ch-3 sp. (Corner) [DC-CL, ch 3, DC-CL] in the ch-3 corner sp. Rep from * to * around the square. Sl st to join.
Round 7: Ch 1, sc in the same st and in the next 2 sts. [Sc in the ch-1 sp, sc in the next 3 dc] rep across the side until the corner ch-3 sp. (Corner) [3 sc] in the ch-3 corner sp. Rep from * to * around. Sl st to join. (This round creates a clean, dense edge.)
Fasten off. Weave in all ends on the 4 squares.
Part 2: Assembly & Folding 📐
- Join Squares: Arrange the 4 squares in a 2×2 large rectangle. Using a tapestry needle and yarn, whipstitch or mattress stitch all adjoining inner edges together. The final piece should be roughly 19 inches x 19 inches.
- Diagonal Fold: Lay the large rectangle flat. Fold it diagonally so that the two opposite corners meet, forming a large triangle. The seam running across the middle of the panel should now form the diagonal base of the triangular bag.
- Seam the Sides: You will now have three edges to seam: the two side edges that meet at the bottom point, and the top opening. Use your tapestry needle and yarn to whipstitch or mattress stitch the two raw side edges together, starting from the corner where they meet and working up to the top opening edges. Use a tight stitch for durability.
- Reinforce Point: Securely stitch the bottom point several times to ensure the closure is strong.
Part 3: The Shoulder Strap 🔗
The strap is worked flat in a dense stitch for strength and comfort.
- Strap Foundation: Ch 11 (or a number to make the strap the desired width, approx. 2 inches). Hdc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (10 hdc)
- Rows 2 – 150 (or desired length): Ch 1, turn. Work HDC-BLO in each st across. (10 hdc)
- Tip: 150 rows is roughly 55-60 inches, a good length for a crossbody/shoulder tote.
- Fasten off.
- Attach Strap: Lay the bag flat. Securely sew one end of the strap to one top corner of the bag opening and the other end of the strap to the other top corner. Stitch the strap ends to the outside edge of the bag opening for a clean finish.
Video Tutorial:
Finishing and Final Touches 🫧
- Top Edging (Optional): Attach yarn at the top opening and work one round of Reverse Single Crochet (Crab Stitch) around the entire opening for a strong, coiled edge that prevents stretching.
- Weave in all remaining ends very carefully.
- Blocking (Recommended): Gently steam block the finished bag. Stuff the bag with towels or paper and set the triangular shape while the yarn cools to maximize structure.
Your beautiful Golden Hour Sunburst Tote is now ready to carry your treasures!
