DIY Yoga Mat Tote

I've been going a little yarn crazy recently. In the past month I finished two baby blankets, a full-sized blanket, a dog sweater, two hats, three ear warmers, two pairs of bunny slippers, and two yoga mat totes. I suppose the falling leaves, the cooler weather and the cinnamon scent in the air put me in a cozy, crafty mood.

This is a guide for you to make a yoga mat tote for yourself. I also sell them on Etsy if you are not familiar with crochet or don't have the time.

I made one for myself...

...and one for my roommate, Alyssa...

We recently started going to yoga classes together so it's only fitting that we have matching totes.

Material:

• G-hook
• Worsted Weight (4) Yarn
• Yarn Needle

Stitches:

• Double Crochet
• Slip Stitch
• Chain Stitch
• Single Crochet

Note: after every round do another round of slip stitches to help the tote bag keep it's shape and give it a bit more strength.

Pattern:

Drawstring

Slip knot, then chain 40. Fasten off. Tie on pompoms if desired

Round Base

Slip knot then chain 4, join to first chain with a slip stitch.

Round 1 - Chain 3 (counts as one double crochet), 19 dc into center of loop. ss into top of chain 3. You should have a total of 20 stitches.

Round 2 - Chain 3, *2 dc into next stitch, 1 dc into next stitch, repeat from * ss into top of chain 3. You should have 30 stitches.

Round 3 - Chain 3, *2 dc into next stitch, 1 dc into next stitch, repeat from * ss into top of chain 3. You should have 45 stitches.

Round 4 - Chain 1, 1 single crochet into each stitch, ss into top of chain 1.

Tote Body

Round 5-28 - Chain 3, 1 dc into each stitch, ss into top of chain 3.

Top

Round 29 - Chain 1, 1 sc into each stitch, ss into top of chain 1.

Round 30 - Chain 3, *dc2tog, dc into the next stitch, repeat from * ss into top of chain 3. You should have 30 stitches.

Round 31 - We want your drawstring to be on the opposite side of the bag from the seam. Hold the center of your draw string against the top of the previous rounds seam and do the following round around the drawstring (as if you are crocheting over ends). Chain 3, 1 dc into each of the next 13 stitches. When you reach the 14th stitch stop crocheting around the drawstring and dc into the next four stitches. On the 18th stitch pick up the drawstring from the opposite end and start crocheting around it again, dc into the next 12 stitches. Ss into the top of the chain 3 for a total of 30 dc around.

Round 32 and 33 - Chain 3, 1 dc into each stitch, ss into top of chain 3.

Strap

Slip knot, chain 62, *turn work, sc into 2nd chain from hook, sc into each stitch until the end* chain 1. Repeat between the *s for 4 or 5 rows, sew onto tote along the seam at about the 8th round and the 26th round.

For mine I was using up a bunch of yarn from my sc blanket. I was also figuring out the pattern. By the time I made Alyssa's I had perfected the design (which I am sharing with you here). I recommend using one color for the rounds 1-8 and for rounds 26-33 and for the strap for a more cohesive design. Of course I always encourage taking creative liberty. That's one of the many reasons DIY rocks, you can make it exactly fit your style and needs. Enjoy!