5 Free Granny Square Bag Patterns (Linked to Each Designer)

Each of these free granny square bag patterns is a real published pattern with written round instructions, linked to the designer who wrote it. Three use join-as-you-go so there is no seaming stage, one adds a gusset for depth, and one holds four strands together for a bag that stands up on its own.

Granny squares make a good bag for one reason and a bad one for another: they are quick and portable, but the fabric stretches. Every pattern here deals with that somehow.

What you will need

Cotton rather than acrylic, because it does not stretch under load. A hook smaller than the label suggests. And consider holding the yarn double — two of these patterns do, and it is the difference between a bag and a very pretty sack.

Squares	Bag	Assembly
13	Flat tote, ~15″ square	Join as you go — no seaming
24	Large tote or gusseted bag	Panels then seamed

1. Granny Square Tote Bag by Hopelessly Devoted

Thirteen basic squares joined as you go, then edged in single crochet with increases at the peaks and decreases at the valleys to pull the bag into shape — that shaping round is what stops a granny bag looking like a folded blanket. Nadine uses DK cotton on a 3.5 mm hook to 15 by 15.7 inches, with chain-120 handles. Rated easy. Free pattern: Granny Square Tote Bag.

2. Granny Square Tote Bag by Bella Coco

Also thirteen squares joined as you go, but worked with two strands of yarn held together — which doubles the fabric density and is the reason this bag holds weight where a single-strand granny bag sags. Sarah-Jayne Fragola uses Paintbox Cotton DK, twelve balls across several colours, on a 5 mm hook. 39 cm wide and 60 cm to the top of the handle. Free pattern: Granny Square Tote Bag.

3. Boho Sunsets Granny Square Bag

The largest here at 17 by 22 inches, from 24 squares sewn together, folded and joined before the straps go on. Melissa Hassler works it in worsted on a 5.5 mm hook. More squares and more seaming than the join-as-you-go options, but a genuinely large bag at the end of it. Advanced beginner. Free pattern: Boho Sunsets Granny Square Bag.

4. Granny Sunshine Bag

Twenty-four sunflower squares joined into two panels, then assembled with a single long gusset strip — about 180 rows — running along both sides and the bottom. The gusset is what gives this bag depth; every other pattern here makes a flat tote. Carmen Heffernan uses DK cotton blend on 3.5 and 4 mm hooks. Advanced beginner. Free pattern: Granny Sunshine Bag.

5. Granny Square Tote by Delia Creates

Delia works with four strands held together at once, which makes a thick, structured fabric very quickly — the fastest route to a granny bag that stands up on its own. Basic stitches throughout, with both a video tutorial and the written pattern on the page. Free pattern: Granny Square Tote.

The 5 patterns compared

Pattern	Designer	Hook	Size	Yarn	Level
Granny Square Tote Bag	Nadine, Hopelessly Devoted	3.5 mm	15″ × 15.7″	DK cotton	Easy
Granny Square Tote Bag	Sarah-Jayne Fragola	5.0 mm	39 cm wide	DK cotton, doubled	Not stated
Boho Sunsets Bag	Melissa Hassler	5.5 mm	17″ × 22″	Worsted	Adv. beginner
Granny Sunshine Bag	Carmen Heffernan	3.5 / 4.0 mm	12.75″ × 17″ + gusset	DK blend	Adv. beginner
Granny Square Tote	Delia Creates	Not stated	Not stated	Four strands held together	Beginner

Frequently Asked Questions

How many granny squares make a tote bag?

Thirteen for a flat tote using join-as-you-go — that is twelve for the body plus one for the base, and it is the most common arrangement. Twenty-four gives a larger bag or one with a gusset. More squares means more seaming, which is why the thirteen-square patterns are the popular ones.

How do I stop a granny bag stretching out of shape?

Hold the yarn double, or use four strands as one of these patterns does. Granny fabric is open and stretches under load; doubling the yarn is the simplest fix and costs only yarn. Cotton rather than acrylic helps for the same reason.

What is join-as-you-go?

You attach each square to its neighbours on its final round rather than crocheting them all first and seaming later. It removes the assembly stage entirely — which on a bag of 13 to 24 squares is most of the finishing work. Three of these five use it.

Do granny bags need a lining?

Not for structure if the fabric is dense enough, but they do for small items — anything smaller than the chain spaces will fall straight through. A simple fabric lining sewn in by hand solves it, or choose a pattern with a solid base.

For a first granny bag, thirteen squares joined as you go is the least work and the fastest finish. If you want one that holds a laptop rather than a scarf, hold the yarn double and pick a gusseted pattern. Each link goes to the designer’s own page.