Free Crochet Anime Tote Bag Pattern (Easy C2C Tutorial)

If you’re looking for a free crochet anime tote bag pattern, you’re in the right place. This fun and unique design combines the creativity of anime-inspired style with a functional, everyday crochet tote bag you can actually use.

This crochet tote bag pattern uses a mini C2C (corner-to-corner) technique to create a bold, standout graphic look. Whether you’re an anime fan or want a stylish handmade bag, this project is a great way to level up your crochet skills.

Rep the Fruits Basket anime show with this fun and free crochet anime tote bag pattern. The design is made from two squares crocheted using the mini C2C technique. One side features a cat head, and the other side features a rat head. Details are a combination of crochet and felt accents.

Best of all, this is a free crochet pattern with step-by-step instructions to guide you through the entire process. Grab your yarn and hook, and let’s make a crochet tote bag that’s both practical and eye-catching.

Get the ad-free, large print, printable PDF pattern HERE. Scroll down for the free version.
Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.

How to Crochet an Anime Tote Bag

This free crochet anime tote bag pattern uses a mini C2C technique to create a fun and functional bag. If you’re looking for a unique crochet tote bag pattern, this design is perfect for intermediate crocheters.

Materials

Free Crochet Anime Tote Bag Pattern Details

Worsted #4 Weight Yarn (I used We Love Yarn Classic Acrylic)
US H-8 / 5 mm Crochet Hook
13.5 x 13.5 x 2 Canvas Tote Bag or Fabric for Lining (optional)
Large eye sewing needle (optional – for lining)

Yardage

280 yards blue, 100 yards orange, 90 yards gray

Skill Level

Intermediate

Finished Measurements

13” x 13” not including strap (33 x 33 cm)

Abbreviations

US Terminology

ch = chain
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
rs = right side
ws = wrong side

Mini C2C Technique

When adding a square (and for crocheting the starting square), you will ch 4 and hdc in the 3rd and 4th chs from the hook.

When you are building onto existing squares, you will sl st to the turning ch, ch 2, and then hdc 2 in the space created by the turning ch of the square you are crocheting onto.

New to mini C2C? Check out this step-by-step photo tutorial.

Notes

Do not fasten off the old color when you change to a new color of yarn. Just let it hang off the back of the project and pick it back up when you need it.

Line-by-line instructions are given starting from the bottom right corner and going up to the top left corner. Arrows indicate the direction of the work.

Keep all the yarn tails and color changes on the wrong side of the work.

Gauge

8 mini c2c squares = 4”

Cat Side

Scroll down for the graph.

← Row 1 [RS]: (b) x 1 (1 square)
→ Row 2 [WS]: (b) x 2 (2 squares)
← Row 3 [RS]: (b) x 3 (3 squares)
→ Row 4 [WS]: (b) x 4 (4 squares)
← Row 5 [RS]: (b) x 5 (5 squares)
→ Row 6 [WS]: (b) x 6 (6 squares)
← Row 7 [RS]: (b) x 7 (7 squares)
→ Row 8 [WS]: (b) x 8 (8 squares)
← Row 9 [RS]: (b) x 9 (9 squares)
→ Row 10 [WS]: (b) x 10 (10 squares)
← Row 11 [RS]: (b) x 3, (o) x 5, (b) x 3 (11 squares)
→ Row 12 [WS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 8, (b) x 2 (12 squares)
← Row 13 [RS]: (b) x 3, (o) x 8, (b) x 2 (13 squares)
→ Row 14 [WS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 10, (b) x 2 (14 squares)
← Row 15 [RS]: (b) x 3, (o) x 10, (b) x 2 (15 squares)
→ Row 16 [WS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 12, (b) x 2 (16 squares)
← Row 17 [RS]: (b) x 3, (o) x 12, (b) x 2 (17 squares)
→ Row 18 [WS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 13, (b) x 3 (18 squares)
← Row 19 [RS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 14, (b) x 3 (19 squares)
→ Row 20 [WS]: (b) x 3, (o) x 15, (b) x 2 (20 squares)
← Row 21 [RS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 16, (b) x 3 (21 squares)
→ Row 22 [WS]: (b) x 4, (o) x 16, (b) x 2 (22 squares)
← Row 23 [RS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 17, (b) x 4 (23 squares)
→ Row 24 [WS]: (b) x 5, (o) x 17, (b) x 2 (24 squares)
← Row 25 [RS]: (b) x 3, (o) x 17, (b) x 5 (25 squares)
Corner: Start decreasing on both ends
→ Row 26 [WS]: (b) x 5, (o) x 17, (b) x 2 (24 squares)
← Row 27 [RS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 17, (b) x 4 (23 squares)
→ Row 28 [WS]: (b) x 4, (o) x 16, (b) x 2 (22 squares)
← Row 29 [RS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 16, (b) x 3 (21 squares)
→ Row 30 [WS]: (b) x 3, (o) x 14, (b) x 3 (20 squares)
← Row 31 [RS]: (b) x 6, (o) x 10, (b) x 3 (19 squares)
→ Row 32 [WS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 10, (b) x 6 (18 squares)
← Row 33 [RS]: (b) x 6, (o) x 8, (b) x 3 (17 squares)
→ Row 34 [WS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 8, (b) x 6 (16 squares)
← Row 35 [RS]: (b) x 5, (o) x 7, (b) x 3 (15 squares)
→ Row 36 [WS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 7, (b) x 5 (14 squares)
← Row 37 [RS]: (b) x 4, (o) x 6, (b) x 3 (13 squares)
→ Row 38 [WS]: (b) x 3, (o) x 5, (b) x 4 (12 squares)
← Row 39 [RS]: (b) x 3, (o) x 6, (b) x 2 (11 squares)
→ Row 40 [WS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 5, (b) x 3 (10 squares)
← Row 41 [RS]: (b) x 3, (o) x 4, (b) x 2 (9 squares)
→ Row 42 [WS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 4, (b) x 2 (8 squares)
← Row 43 [RS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 3, (b) x 2 (7 squares)
→ Row 44 [WS]: (b) x 2, (o) x 2, (b) x 2 (6 squares)
← Row 45 [RS]: (b) x 5 (5 squares)
→ Row 46 [WS]: (b) x 4 (4 squares)
← Row 47 [RS]: (b) x 3 (3 squares)
→ Row 48 [WS]: (b) x 2 (2 squares)
← Row 49 [RS]: (b) x 1 (1 square)

Reference the chart below.

Rat Side

Scroll down for the graph.

← Row 1 [RS]: (b) x 1 (1 square)
→ Row 2 [WS]: (b) x 2 (2 squares)
← Row 3 [RS]: (b) x 3 (3 squares)
→ Row 4 [WS]: (b) x 4 (4 squares)
← Row 5 [RS]: (b) x 5 (5 squares)
→ Row 6 [WS]: (b) x 6 (6 squares)
← Row 7 [RS]: (b) x 7 (7 squares)
→ Row 8 [WS]: (b) x 8 (8 squares)
← Row 9 [RS]: (b) x 9 (9 squares)
→ Row 10 [WS]: (b) x 10 (10 squares)
← Row 11 [RS]: (b) x 11 (11 squares)
→ Row 12 [WS]: (b) x 12 (12 squares)
← Row 13 [RS]: (b) x 13 (13 squares)
→ Row 14 [WS]: (b) x 2, (g) x 6, (b) x 6 (14 squares)
← Row 15 [RS]: (b) x 6, (g) x 7, (b) x 2 (15 squares)
→ Row 16 [WS]: (b) x 2, (g) x 9, (b) x 5 (16 squares)
← Row 17 [RS]: (b) x 4, (g) x 10, (b) x 3 (17 squares)
→ Row 18 [WS]: (b) x 3, (g) x 11, (b) x 4 (18 squares)
← Row 19 [RS]: (b) x 4, (g) x 11, (b) x 4 (19 squares)
→ Row 20 [WS]: (b) x 4, (g) x 14, (b) x 2 (20 squares)
← Row 21 [RS]: (b) x 2, (g) x 14, (b) x 5 (21 squares)
→ Row 22 [WS]: (b) x 5, (g) x 15, (b) x 2 (22 squares)
← Row 23 [RS]: (b) x 2, (g) x 15, (b) x 6 (23 squares)
→ Row 24 [WS]: (b) x 6, (g) x 15, (b) x 3 (24 squares)
← Row 25 [RS]: (b) x 3, (g) x 15, (b) x 7 (25 squares)
Corner: Start decreasing on both ends
→ Row 26 [WS]: (b) x 6, (g) x 15, (b) x 3 (24 squares)
← Row 27 [RS]: (b) x 2, (g) x 15, (b) x 6 (23 squares)
→ Row 28 [WS]: (b) x 6, (g) x 14, (b) x 2 (22 squares)
← Row 29 [RS]: (b) x 2, (g) x 13, (b) x 6 (21 squares)
→ Row 30 [WS]: (b) x 5, (g) x 13, (b) x 2 (20 squares)
← Row 31 [RS]: (b) x 5, (g) x 9, (b) x 5 (19 squares)
→ Row 32 [WS]: (b) x 5, (g) x 8, (b) x 5 (18 squares)
← Row 33 [RS]: (b) x 5, (g) x 8, (b) x 4 (17 squares)
→ Row 34 [WS]: (b) x 4, (g) x 7, (b) x 5 (16 squares)
← Row 35 [RS]: (b) x 5, (g) x 6, (b) x 4 (15 squares)
→ Row 36 [WS]: (b) x 4, (g) x 6, (b) x 4 (14 squares)
← Row 37 [RS]: (b) x 4, (g) x 5, (b) x 4 (13 squares)
→ Row 38 [WS]: (b) x 3, (g) x 6, (b) x 3 (12 squares)
← Row 39 [RS]: (b) x 3, (g) x 5, (b) x 3 (11 squares)
→ Row 40 [WS]: (b) x 2, (g) x 6, (b) x 2 (10 squares)
← Row 41 [RS]: (b) x 2, (g) x 5, (b) x 2 (9 squares)
→ Row 42 [WS]: (b) x 2, (g) x 4, (b) x 2 (8 squares)
← Row 43 [RS]: (b) x 2, (g) x 3, (b) x 2 (7 squares)
→ Row 44 [WS]: (b) x 6 (6 squares)
← Row 45 [RS]: (b) x 5 (5 squares)
→ Row 46 [WS]: (b) x 4 (4 squares)
← Row 47 [RS]: (b) x 3 (3 squares)
→ Row 48 [WS]: (b) x 2 (2 squares)
← Row 49 [RS]: (b) x 1 (1 square)
Reference the chart below.

Cat Eyes

With white, magic circle or ch 2 and work into the 2nd ch from the hook.

Round 1: hdc 6, turn. (6)

Round 2: ch 1, 2 hdc in each st, turn. (12)

Round 3: ch 1, (hdc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st) x6, turn. (18)

Round 4: ch 1, (hdc in the next 2 sts, 2 hdc in the next st) x6, do not turn. (24)

Ch 1, hdc 10 sts evenly across the side of the work. Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Cat Teeth (Make 2)

With white, ch 11, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, picot stitch, sl st 8, picot stitch (see below), sc in the last ch and fasten off.

Picot Stitch: ch 3, sl st to the 3rd ch

Rat Eyes

With black, magic circle or ch 2 and work into the 2nd ch from the hook.

Round 1: hdc 8, sl st to join. (8)

Round 2: ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, sl st to join. Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. (16)

Adding the Details

You can use embroidery or needle felting to add the straight pupils to the cat’s eyes. You will also need to add a little white highlight to the rat’s eyes and a nose for the rat.

Felt is used to make the rat’s eyebrows, the cat’s mouth, the cat’s tongue, the cat’s nose, and the red mark on the cat’s forehead.

Details can be sewn or hot-glued on. (Fabric hot glue is recommended for maximum hold)

Finishing the Bag

Sandwich the backs of the two squares together so that the right sides are facing outwards. Sl st around the two pieces on 3 sides, working through both squares at once. Then sc around the top opening of the bag.

If using the canvas tote for lining, drop it inside the crochet bag and sew it in place using a wide eyed sewing needle and blue yarn to match the bag. (You can use thread instead if you prefer, but it’s a little fussier)

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