Good Morning all.
Finally … Finally, after 2 or 3 years, bringing you a new pattern, designed with the help of Furls Crochet Wander Yarn and Streamline Pride Resin Crochet Hook, to be featured on Furls Crochet Blog Hop 2024.
*Affiliate Disclaimer: this blog post does contain affiliate links, with no extra cost to you, if you do make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission. A way to continue to support my content and us, to keep bringing you more content.
I know that Pride month is over and everything, but I got my inspiration from the vibrant colors of the Pride Flag 🏳️🌈, even from myself being prideful for who I am as a person. So, to say I am honored and proud to bring you a really special design, as a Free Pattern, is literally an understatement, because I am truly grateful.
History of the Pride Flag
The first flag debuted in 1978 in the SF Gay Freedom Day Parade, which included 8 colors at the time: Hot Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Turquoise, Indigo and Violet. Later on, Hot Pink and Turquoise were soon removed, due to difficulties with manufacturing and dying the fabric, resulting in a 6 color flag that is familiar today, being flown.
Each color of the Pride Flag has a meaning and what they stand for —
Red: Life; Orange: Healing; Yellow: Sunlight; Green: Nature; Indigo: Serenity; and Violet: Spirit.
“Many groups within the LGBTQIA2-S community have their own Pride Flags. There are specific flags celebrating the identities of transgender, bisexual, lesbian, pansexual, asexual, and other communities. Still, the rainbow-striped flag has historically been the most used and recognized symbol representing Pride for the LGBTQIAS-2 community overall.” — from dmh.lacounty.gov
If you would like more information or history, simply google for more background information.
A little back story into why I chose to design a Pride Tote, while using Furls Crochet Pride Palette Pack Wander Yarn and their Pride Streamline Resin Crochet Hook.
When I was younger, I had this feeling that I wasn’t normal and just something I wanted to hide and fight off. Nor, did I ever believe this could be true. So, I went on living my life and keep hiding away myself as a person. All the way through Elementary to High School, even into College, I was constantly bullied and made fun of, and called names. They really cut deep into my core. I was called “gay”, “fag”, “don’t want to sit next to the four eyes gay kid”, “don’t want to play with the gay kid, because I might become gay”. So, of course I could never be myself and had to keep my true hidden in the dark. I have had friends that I can be my true self with and not be hidden, but I kept to a small group of people, that I knew would truly love me.
At the young age of 15, finally couldn’t hold it in any longer and couldn’t lie to myself no more, I came out as Gay to my family and friends. My mom told me, “you’re too young to know if you are gay or not, I don’t think that you are and why don’t you wait until are a little older and see if you’re gay.” That hurt my inner core deeply, to the point I was going back into hiding and not being me. I tired it again by coming out and embracing my true self and identity, but I got told yet again, “why can’t you be with a girl, get married and have grandchildren.” In my mind, I was hurt yet again and struggling with hardcore depression, just not understanding why I can’t just be me and who I am meant to be in this life. Let me embrace how I feel on the inside. Yet again, I go back into hiding, because I feel like society and the signs it’s not true and have to pretend to be someone I am not. I know, I have people that love me and want me to embrace my true self.
I started my college journey in 2010. Yes, if you might ask, I still wasn’t OUT officially. I made incredible friends right off from the start and making friends. The personalities just meshed together with mine and considered them my close friends. Still not fully ready to officially OUT and embracing my true self, I needed up getting a girlfriend and we were together for a month, we did spilt up, she told me that she wished I was honest with myself and embraced me, as she wanted to and that she just saw as friends. That what remained and still to this day. I ended up getting with another girl, I can honestly tell you in short words, that it was a waste of time, heart and energy. She constantly told, she thinks I am gay and that is what we were always fighting about constantly. She ended up cheating on me with a girl and that is where we ended that relationship. She constantly was damaging me as person in our relationship, but I walked away before we could get married or have a child. But, she did help me with my inner true feelings about me as a person and to officially embrace me finally. Shortly after that, I ended up moving in with some of my friends and it’s where I needed to be for a short while. They helped me with fully accepting myself to the fullest and to be truly comfortable with myself. Life was finally looking up and school was going wonderful.
In October 2013, I was sitting and talking with a friend. I looked at her and said, “I am Gay!!” I felt relieved and could feel the shackles breaking off. I was no long a prisoner to ME!! I was free to finally me myself, by saying those 3 words!! She was truly happy for me. More than anything, I was happy and tearful, where the flood gates opened. 2 years later, in 2015, I got married to my husband and we have been married for 9 years almost 10 years. My family loves me for the person that I am inside and out, more than anything, I am happy and proud with me.
With all the back story, which is what brought this design to life. To embrace yourself as who you are and where you want to go with your life. Fully feeling proud, happy and grateful as you as a person. Now, you will have the constant pleasure, of carrying this beautiful tote where life journeys will carry you and always bring that happiness and joy back into your smile.
Design
I was browsing and scrolling through YouTube, came across a video where you can 3 strands from skein of yarn — didn’t even know that was possible. I was wanting a tote bag that was more sturdier and heavier, not flimsy by no means, where I could use less yarn, but hold true the vibrant colors of the Pride Flag. Put my thinking cap on and trying to find how I can take my vision to paint on a canvas, the lightbulb blinked on. I wanted to work it from the bottom up, using only beginner stitches, for a classic and elegant look. Also, created my own strap, with simple and elegant stitches, that touched the design name perfectly. The strap is also made with 3 strands from one skein, to give it a sturdier feel and won’t break too easily. This tote will hold all your yarn for making that next showstopper sweater or blanket, plus you can even take to the farmers markets to get those yummy fruits and veggies, without having to add a liner to this tote bag. Final touches, keep this bag looking elegant and classy.
Yarn
So, I have used Furls Crochet Wander Yarn. Which, is by far my favorite ever. It’s 100% premium acrylic. It’s soft to the touch and super squishy, making it smooth to work with. There is 120yds in each skein of yarn. It is a medium worsted weight yarn. It has a shimmer shine throughout the whole 120yds, making your fabric and project, stand out in the crowd. There is 52 vibrant and beautiful colors to choose from, that will make your projects shine and stand out. They have Wander Palette Packs and Pride Palette Packs, to pick from as well. For this Tote Bag specifically, I chose to use their Pride Palette Packs in Rainbow. It was the colors I was looking for and help bring this bag to life. You don’t have to choose the Rainbow pack, you can use the Bi, Trans or Pan packs as well, or you can simply choose from the 52 Wander Yarn colors as well. You will also have 2 different colors to make the strap as well for the bag. But, you can also use a solid color throughout the bag and strap as well. Furls Wander Yarn will and can make your personality take center fold.
Hook
When I picked out Furls Wander Yarn, I was going to use one of my own Furls Streamline Crochet Hooks from my collection in size I/9 (5.5mm). To my surprise 😲 and shocked, when I opened my box of yarn from Furls Crochet sent me this Streamline Pride Hook. I can honestly tell you, I cherish my Streamline Pride Resin Hooks with my whole heart. I feel proud and happy, when I get to design or just crochet with them. They represent the Pride Flag to its full force. The colors represent a carousel, in the same spinning fashion. But, they are uniquely different in the color blocking sequence fashion, where you never know which one you will receive, as the colors might longer where some colors are smaller than others from the tip to the bottom. Furls Crochet Streamline Pride Crochet Hooks joined the Furls Family in June 2021, they have been restocked several times and are essential tool have, that has a big meaning to have in your collection. Right off Furls Crochet website: “The Pride hook is about celebrating wins, giving visibility and recognition. It’s about showing everyone in the crochet community that queer folx are here, proud, and an integral part of this space. Every single Pride Streamline hook is different and unique - though it’s hard to tell - so there's no telling what you'll get until you unbox (oh, the anticipation)!” I use mine all the time, the way they glide through the yarn is like butter. They make your stitches fly and popping, while making a big impact of feeling proud and honored. They are ergonomic, not leaving your hands feeling fatigued or sore, you can crochet faster. Honestly, FURLS CROCHET HOOKS are the only ones that I use and will always use.
Now … will get into the important part, the actual information and everything to make your own Tote. Are you ready, because I am ready to share it with you FULLY READY!!
Love is Love Pride Tote Bag
Skill Level — Beginner+
Hook — Furls Crochet Streamline Pride I/9 (5.5mm) or hook to obtain gauge
Yarn — Furls Wander Yarn (Tote: Rainbow Palette Pack — 2 Pomegranate, 2 Marmelade, 2 Intrepid, 2 cottage, 2 Laguna and 2 Enchanted) (Strap: 2 Moonbeam)
Materials — Scissors, Tape Measurer, Tapestry Needle (for weaving in ends), Stitch Markers, and 1 button
Gauge — 11 stitches x 14 rows = 4” x 4” Square
Measurements
Tote — Height: ~18.25”; Width: ~18.75”
Tote with Strap — Height: ~34.5”
Strap — Height: ~35.5”; Width: ~3.25”
Stitch Abbreviations
- R: round or rows
- Ch: chain
- SC: single crochet
- HDC: half double crochet
- DC: double crochet
- SLST: slip stitch
- Puff: puff stitch
- Picot: picot stitch
- PM: place marker or stitch marker
- FO: fasten off
- YO: yarn over
- BS: back side
- FS: front side
- RS: right side
- ST: stitch
- SK: skip
- Ch1SP: chain 1 space
- **: to be repeated
- (): stitch count and side notes
Special Stitches
• 3 strands from 1 skein — you have 1 skein of yarn and don’t want 2 extra skeins, you simply can do this from just 1 skein of yarn. Let’s do this: simply find end from the center for easy pulling, make S, grab from the center, make a slip knot, you will see a loop and a long tail still connected to the skein, pull the long tail through the loop, now making your loop a little longer, you will continue pulling the long tail through the loop. You can watch this video, for a more visual description — https://youtu.be/tieArIwQ9Vk?si=u1UX-iFkuKk_huxZ
• Puff Stitch — still working 3 strands, will give this stitch a bulkier look and more detailed look, plus this stitch is only used on the strap and have 2 different ways to make this stitch. 1st one used with the HDC: YO, insert hook into indicated stitch, YO, pull a loop, 3 loops on your hook, YO, insert hook back into same stitch, YO, pull up a loop, 5 loops on your hook, YO, pull through all 5 loops on your hook, ch1 to close. 2nd one stand alone: YO, insert hook into indicated stitch, YO, pull up a loop, 3 loops on your hook, YO, insert hook back into same stitch, YO pull up a loop, 5 loops on your hook, YO, insert hook back into same stitch, YO, pull up a loop, 7 loops on your hook, YO, pull through all 7 loops on your hook, ch1 to close.
• Picot Stitch — working with 1 strand, stitch is worked between 2 SC, no need to SK a ST in between. To begin: after completing SC, ch5, SLST back into first ch made or you can SLST through the middle v on top and the left post of SC. Here you can watch a video for a more visual description — https://youtu.be/MQmO74im2N0?si=A4mL1xcRiaZomtd_
Pattern Notes
- Pattern uses US Crochet Terminology
- Pattern is worked from the bottom up working in rounds, making strap separately working in turning rows and creating a border, seaming strap to the side of tote, adding border and adding a button to the front of bag for closure.
- Ch’s at the beginning of each round or row don’t count as a stitch.
- The Tote and Strap are made using 3 strands from 1 skein of yarn. Refer to the Special Stitches to learn how you can do this.
- It will feel more on the heavier side, it’s because you have created a more bulkier fabric, then with using 1 or 2 strands of yarn.
- For the Tote — you will be working in the round and joining to first stitch to finish the round.
- For the Strap — you be working in working in turning rows, turning counterclockwise and chaining afterwards
- For the Tote — color changes will be known where to make them, but also want to leave it up to you, because you can do the color changes or you can leave out the color changes, if you want to keep the tote a solid color. I went with the color block stripe, as the Rainbow Pride Flag.
- For the Strap — I worked it in a solid color, but you are more than welcomed to make it with multiple colors, but know that the color changes are simply up to you.
- For the Tote — after you make your starting chain and do your foundation stitches, the last chain will have 3 stitches placed into it and turn your chain working back into the same chains as well.
- For the Tote — the bottom of the Tote has increase stitches to get to your stitch count.
- For the Strap — once you have completed the Strap, your bag will be folded, where the bag is folded is where you will seam the strap onto your bag.
Now … Let’s get into making your new Tote!!!
Pattern …
Start with using Enchanted by using 3 strands and Ch41
R1: in second Ch from hook place 3SC, SC in the next 38ch’s, 3SC in next Ch, working along the opposite side, SC in the 38ch’s, SLST into first SC to join. (79)
R2: Ch1, SC in the same st, 3SC in next st, SC in the next 40 stitches, 3SC in the next st, SC in the next 39 stitches, SLST into first SC to join. (86)
R3: Ch1, SC in the same st, SC in the next st, 3SC in the next st, SC in the next 42 stitches, 3SC in the next stitch, SC in the next 40 stitches, SLST into first SC to join. (90)
R4: Ch1, SC in the same st, SC in the next 2 stitches, 3SC in the next st, SC in the next 44 stitches, 3SC in the next st, SC in the next 41 stitches, SLST into first SC to join. (94)
R5: Ch1, SC in the same st, SC in the next 3 stitches, 3SC in the next st, SC in the next 46 stitches, 3SC in the next st, SC in the next 42 stitches, SLST into first SC to join. (98)
R6: Ch1, SC in the same st, SC in the next 4 stitches, 3SC in the next st, SC in the next 48 stitches, 3SC in the next st, SC in the next 43 stitches, SLST into first SC to join. (102)
R7: Ch1, SC in the same st, SC in the next 5 stitches, 3SC in the next st, SC in the next 50 stitches, 3SC in the next st, SC in the next 44 stitches, SLST into first SC to join. (106)
R8-12: Ch1, SC in the same st and in the next 105 stitches, SLST into first SC to join. (106)
CHANGE TO LAGUNA!
R13-23: Ch1, SC in the same st and in the next 105 stitches, SLST into first SC to join. (106)
CHANGE TO COTTAGE!
R24-33: Ch1, SC in the same st and in the next 105 stitches, SLST into first SC to join. (106)
CHANGE TO INTREPID!
R34-43: Ch1, SC in the same st and in the next 105 stitches, SLST into first SC to join. (106)
CHANGE TO MARMALADE!
R44-51: Ch1, SC in the same st and in the next 105 stitches, SLST into first SC to join. (106)
CHANGE TO POMEGRANATE!
R52-57: Ch1, SC in the same st and in the next 105 stitches, SLST into first SC to join. (106)
FO AND WEAVE IN YOUR ENDS!!
Now … Let’s make the STRAP!!
Love is Love Pride Tote Strap …
Start with Moonbeam using 3 strands and Ch9
R1: In 2nd Ch from hook place a SC and SC in the next 7ch’s, turn. (8)
R2: Ch1, SC in the same st and in the next 7 stitches, turn. (8)
R3-15: repeat R2. (8)
R16: Ch1, sk first st, HDC in the next st, PUFF back into sk st and around HDC, *sk next st, HDC in the next st, PUFF back into sk st and around HDC,* turn. (8)
R17: repeat R16. (8)
R18: Ch1, SC in the same st and in the next 7 stitches, turn. (8)
R19-40: repeat R18. (8)
R41: Ch2, DC in same st and in the next st, SK next st, PUFF in the next st, Ch1, PUFF in the next st, SK next st, DC in the next 2 stitches, turn. (4DC, 2PUFF, 1Ch1)
R42: Ch2, DC in same st and in the next st, SK next st, PUFF into Ch1SP, Ch1, PUFF into same Ch1SP, SK next st, DC in the next 2 stitches, turn. (4DC, 2PUFF, 1Ch1)
R43: Ch1, SC in same st and in the next st, SC into the top of the PUFF, place 2SC into the Ch1SP, SC into the top of the PUFF, SC in the last 2 stitches, turn. (8)
R44: Ch1, SC in the same st and in the next 7 stitches, turn. (8)
R45-67: repeat R44. (8)
R68-69: repeat R41 and R42.
R70: repeat R43. (8)
R71-92: repeat R44. (8)
R93: ch1, SK first st, HDC in the next st, PUFF back into the SK st and around HDC, *SK next st, HDC into next st, PUFF back into the SK st and around HDC,* turn. (8)
R94: repeat R93. (8)
R95: Ch1, SC in the same st and in the next 7 stitches, turn. (8)
R96-109: repeat R95. (8)
Don’t FO!!
Strap Border
Turn and Ch1, SC in the next 8 stitches, SC down the strap in the next 115 rows, SC in the next 8 stitches, SC up the strap in the next 115 rows, SLST into first SC to join.
FO and weave in your ends.
Attach Strap to Tote
With your Tote folded, count 8 stitches on both sides of the Tote, mark with your SM the stitch before and after your 8 stitches on both sides. Attach your Strap to the Tote with any seaming method you would like (I used the SC method). FO and weave in all your ends.
Bag Border (optional)
You will have 45 stitches on both sides, after you have attached Strap. You will not be using 3 strands in this section, only 1 strand will be used.
On BS, start on the Right with RS facing you, attach your yarn with a SLST directly in the st after the strap, make a SC in the same st, Picot, SC in the next st, *SC in the next st, Picot, SC in the next st,* until 1 st remains, Picot, SC in last st. FO and weave in your ends.
On FS, start on the Left with RS facing you, attach your yarn with a SLST directly in the st after the strap, make a SC in the same st, Picot, SC in the next st, *SC in the next st, Picot, SC in the next st,* until 1 st remains, Picot, SC in last st. FO and weave in your ends.
Attach a BUTTON on the FS of your Tote, right in the middle for closure and keep your items secured inside. (Optional)
YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR “LOVE IS LOVE PRIDE TOTE BAG.”
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME READ, SCROLL AND MAKE THIS NEWEST DESIGN. It means a lot to me. This one holds a special heart to me. I really hope you enjoyed it. Can’t wait 😜 to see your Tote Bag.
If you have any questions or concerns that may arise, while you making this, please send me an email at coltystiyched@gmail.com
I encourage you to show off your newest Love is Love Pride Tote Bag, so we can how it turned out and the colors you chose to use. When doing so, please tag @coltystitched and use #loveislovepridetotebag, so we can how it turned out and share what you made. Thank you again.
Copyright Disclaimer
This pattern belongs to ColtyStitched. This pattern is for recreational use only. You aren’t allowed to copy or paste this pattern in full or partial. You’re not allowed to recreate, use or sell this pattern off as your own. You’re NOT ALLOWED to recreate, use or sell any or all photos contained in this pattern off as your own, as they are the sole property to ColtyStitched. You’re not allowed to translate this pattern, without prior permission from ColtyStitched to do so. You’re not allowed to use this pattern for educational purposes, without prior permission from ColtyStitched to do so. You’re allowed to sell what you make from this pattern, but you’re encouraged to tag my website in your product description, as ColtyStitched is the designer.
