Looking for a stylish handmade bag that actually holds up to daily use? This terracotta boho flower bag delivers on both form and function. The construction uses daisy granny squares joined into a sturdy bucket shape, making it perfect for farmers market trips, beach days, or just showing off your crochet skills.
The pattern calls for worsted weight cotton yarn and a 5.0 mm hook. You will work basic stitches like single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), and granny clusters. If you have made a granny square before, you already have most of the skills you need.
This bag makes an incredible gift for the boho lover in your life. The finished piece measures approximately 13 inches wide by 11 inches tall, with a 9 inch handle drop. Expect to spend around 18 to 24 hours on the complete project, which includes six daisy squares, an oval base, handles, and that adorable flower charm with tassels.
What Makes This Bag Special
This is not your average granny square tote. The construction method creates genuine structure that holds its shape without lining. Each of the six daisy squares features cream petals with a pale yellow center, surrounded by a terracotta background with tiny sage green leaf accents at the corners.
The bucket shape comes from how the squares are arranged. Two squares stack vertically for the front, two for the back, and one square on each side. An oval base worked separately gets seamed to the bottom, giving the bag a flat bottom that actually stands up on its own.
The crocheted flower charm hanging from the side adds that perfect finishing touch. It includes a crocheted flower, a braided cord threaded through a wooden bead, and two tassels in coordinating colors.
Skill level: Intermediate. You should be comfortable working in the round, changing colors cleanly, and following detailed stitch counts. The join as you go technique for connecting squares might be new to some crocheters, but the instructions walk you through it step by step.
Time breakdown: Six daisy squares: 9 to 12 hours total (about 1.5 to 2 hours each). Joining and top band: 2 hours. Embellishments: 1.5 to 2 hours.
Materials You Will Need
- Color A (Terracotta): approximately 420 yards / 384 meters, worsted weight, 100% cotton or cotton acrylic blend
- Color B (Cream/Ivory): approximately 210 yards / 192 meters, worsted weight, same fiber
- Color C (Sage Green): approximately 40 yards / 37 meters, worsted weight, same fiber
- Recommended yarns: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Terracotta, Ecru, and Sage; Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK in Pillar Red and Paper White (hold double or adjust gauge if using DK); WeCrochet Dishie in Terracotta, Cream, and Fern. Avoid high stretch acrylic yarn — it will not hold the bucket shape.
- US size H-8 / 5.0 mm hook (primary); US size G-6 / 4.0 mm for tighter tension on the base
- 6 stitch markers
- Yarn needle or tapestry needle
- Scissors
- 2 wooden beads, approximately 12 mm diameter, dark brown
- Bag base insert or heavy cardboard cut to approximately 12.5 by 5.5 inches (optional but recommended for extra structure)
Gauge
- With Color A and US H-8 / 5.0 mm hook in single crochet: 16 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm square
- Daisy granny square gauge (critical): completed square through Round 5 = 6 inches / 15 cm measured corner to corner
Please do not skip the gauge swatch. If your square measures smaller than 6 inches, go up one hook size. If larger, go down one hook size.
Abbreviations
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble crochet
- MR = magic ring
Special Stitches
3 dc cluster: 1. Yarn over twice (as for treble). 2. Insert hook into designated chain space. 3. Yarn over, pull up loop, then yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice (one incomplete dc remains on hook with 2 loops). 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 two more times in the same space (4 loops on hook). 5. Yarn over and draw through all 4 loops.
Join As You Go (JAYG) flat join: 1. When working the last round of a new square and ready to join an edge, work to the corner ch-2 space. 2. Instead of ch 2 for the corner, ch 1, insert hook into the corresponding corner ch-2 space of the adjacent finished square, slip stitch, ch 1. 3. Along shared edges at each ch-1 space between clusters, make no chain, insert hook into the corresponding ch-1 space of the adjacent square, slip stitch. 4. Continue around remaining free sides normally.
Section 1: Daisy Granny Square (Make 6)
Each square builds outward from a center daisy motif. Rounds 1 through 3 create the flower. Rounds 4 through 5 create the terracotta granny frame with green leaf accents.
Round 1 (center ring, Color B): Magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 11 dc into ring. Pull tail to close ring. Sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. (12 dc)
Round 2 (petal spine round, Color B): Ch 1 (does not count as st throughout). Work 1 sc into same st as join. [Ch 4, sk 1 dc, 1 sc into next dc] 5 times. Ch 4, sl st to first sc to join. Do not fasten off.
Round 3 (petal round, Color B): Sl st into first ch-4 loop. Into the same ch-4 loop: work [ch 1, 5 dc, ch 1, sl st to base sc of loop] to form one petal. Move to next ch-4 loop: sl st into loop. [Into loop: ch 1, 5 dc, ch 1, sl st to base sc] repeat for all remaining 5 loops. (6 petals of 5 dc each = 30 dc petals total, plus 6 sl sts at base). Your daisy center is complete — 6 cream petals radiating from the center.
Round 4 (background ring, Color A): Join Color A to any BLO sc between petals. In the same st: 2 dc (first cluster of 3 dc). [3 dc in next BLO sc between petals, ch 2] 5 times. Sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (6 clusters, 6 ch-2 sps)
Round 5 (square formation, Color A): Sl st into first ch-2 sp. Note: You have 6 source spaces. You will distribute them as corners at spaces 1, 2, 4, 5 with side spaces at 3 and 6. Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1). Into same anchor: 2 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc into same anchor. Ch 1. (corner 1 complete). 3 dc into anchor 2. Ch 2. 3 dc into anchor 2. Ch 1. (corner 2 complete). 3 dc into anchor 3. Ch 1. (side cluster between corners 2 and 3). 3 dc into anchor 4. Ch 2. 3 dc into anchor 4. Ch 1. (corner 3 complete). 3 dc into anchor 5. Ch 2. 3 dc into anchor 5. Ch 1. (corner 4 complete). 3 dc into anchor 6. Ch 1. (side cluster between corners 4 and 1). Sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4 to join. (10 clusters of 3 dc, 4 ch-2 corner spaces, 4 ch-1 side spaces)
Color C leaf accents: After Round 5, fasten off Color A. Join Color C into any corner ch-2 sp. Work [sl st, ch 3, sl st] into each of the 4 corner ch-2 spaces. This creates a small leaf shaped accent at each corner. Fasten off Color C. Weave all ends. Completed square: approximately 6 inches / 15 cm.
After completing all 6 squares, each should measure 6 inches / 15 cm when laid flat. If squares vary by more than 1/4 inch, wet block to uniform size before joining.
Section 2: Base (Color A)
The base is a flat oval worked in the round.
Foundation: Ch 19 with Color A. Round 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook: sc across 18 ch sts (18 sc), then work 3 sc into the last ch (corner turn), continue along the underside of the foundation chain: sc in next 17 ch sts, then work 2 sc into the first ch st (to complete the oval). Sl st to first sc to join.
- Round 2: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 18 sc. 3 sc in next sc (corner inc). 1 sc in each of next 18 sc. 3 sc in next sc (corner inc). Sl st to first sc.
- Round 3: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 19 sc. 3 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 20 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sl st.
- Round 4: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 20 sc. 3 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 22 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sl st.
- Round 5: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 21 sc. 3 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 24 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sl st.
- Round 6: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 22 sc. 3 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 26 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sl st.
- Round 7: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 23 sc. 3 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 28 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sl st.
- Round 8: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 24 sc. 3 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 30 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sl st.
- Round 9: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 25 sc. 3 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 32 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sl st.
- Round 10: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. Sl st to join.
Fasten off, leaving a 24 inch / 60 cm tail for seaming. Base measures approximately 13 by 6 inches / 33 by 15 cm.
Section 3: Assembling the Square Body
The 6 squares assemble into a cylindrical body. Join front panel: hold two squares with RS facing outward and wrong sides together. Using Color A and the JAYG method, join along one shared edge. Join back panel: repeat for back panel. Join side squares: using JAYG, join the left side square to the left edge of the front panel, then the right side square to the right edge of the front panel. Close the cylinder: join the left edges of the left side square to the left edge of the back panel, and the right edges of the right side square to the right edge of the back panel.
The assembled cylinder should measure approximately 38 inches / 97 cm in circumference and 12 inches / 30 cm tall.
Section 4: Attach Base
Position the oval base against the bottom opening of the cylinder, right sides both facing out. With Color A, use a single crochet seam: hold pieces together and sc through both layers all the way around the oval perimeter, matching the 72 stitches of the base to the bottom edges of the four joined squares. Sc evenly around. Join with sl st. Fasten off and weave in end.
Section 5: Top Band (Color A)
Round 1 (pickup round): Join Color A at any top edge corner ch-2 sp of the assembled cylinder top. Ch 1. Work sc evenly around the entire top opening. Total pickup: 24 sts x 4 sides = 96 sc. Sl st to first sc.
Rounds 2 through 8: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Sl st to first sc to join. Fasten off after Round 8. The top band adds approximately 2 inches / 5 cm of solid height above the square grid.
Section 6: Handles (Color A, Make 2)
Foundation: Ch 61 with Color A. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (60 sc). Rows 2 through 6: Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn. (60 sc). Row 7: Sc in each sc across. Do not turn. Do not fasten off.
Fold the handle strip in half lengthwise (RS out), aligning the two long edges. Sl st through both layers along the entire long edge to create a closed strap tube. Finished handle: approximately 15 inches / 38 cm long and 0.75 inch / 2 cm wide.
Position each handle symmetrically on the top rim. Each handle end sits approximately 3.5 inches / 9 cm from the center front (or back) seam. The handle ends overlap the inside of the top rim by approximately 2 inches / 5 cm. Using Color A, sc firmly through the handle end and top band layers for 2 inches to secure each end. Use a tapestry needle to reinforce with whip stitches through all layers.
Section 7: 3D Flower Charm
Flower: Magic ring. Ch 2, 10 hdc into ring, sl st to top of ch-2. Pull ring closed. (10 hdc). Petal round: [Ch 3, 4 dc into same st, ch 3, sl st into same st (petal made), sl st into next st] 5 times. (5 petals). Fasten off, leaving a 12 inch tail for attachment.
Braided cord: Cut 6 strands of Color A and 3 strands of Color B, each 16 inches / 40 cm long. Divide into 3 groups and braid firmly to approximately 5 inches / 13 cm. Knot both ends. Thread one end through a dark wooden bead and secure with a large knot beneath the bead.
Tassels (make 2, one Color A and one Color B): Wrap yarn 20 times around a 3 inch / 7.5 cm piece of cardboard. Slide off and tie firmly at top with a 6 inch tail. Wrap a contrasting strand around the tassel approximately 0.5 inch / 1.2 cm from the top and tie off. Trim evenly to approximately 2.5 inches / 6 cm below wrap. Tie both tassels to the bottom of the braided cord below the bead.
Attach the 3D flower to the top of the braided cord. Stitch the entire charm unit to the upper right side seam of the bag at the top band level.
Size Customization
- Smaller tote: Make 4 squares (2 front, 2 back, no separate side panels) and join into a flat sided tote. Shorten base foundation chain to ch 9 and work 6 base rounds.
- Taller bag: Add 1 additional square to each vertical column (3 squares front, 3 back) and increase base foundation to ch 29, working 12 base rounds. This adds approximately 6 inches / 15 cm of height.
Final Thoughts
This bag is one of those projects that looks far more complicated than it actually is. Once you get the rhythm of the daisy squares down, the rest comes together smoothly. The structured bucket shape really does hold up beautifully, especially if you add the optional cardboard base insert. Happy crocheting!
