This pastel rainbow tote turns 40 tiny sunburst granny squares into a cheerful, roomy bag that actually gets used. You work simple four-round squares with puff petals, join them into two panels, add a crisp white band and scalloped edge, then finish with sturdy handles. The scattered sherbet colors give you total creative freedom, and the finished bag measures a perfect 15 by 15 inches for market runs or beach days.
Materials You Will Need
Gather these supplies first so the project flows without interruptions.
Yarn is worsted weight cotton (Aran or 10-ply) in six colors:
- White (main color): about 450 yards / 410 meters
- Yellow: about 110 yards / 100 meters
- Pastel pink: about 110 yards / 100 meters
- Pastel blue: about 110 yards / 100 meters
- Lavender: about 110 yards / 100 meters
- Mint green: about 110 yards / 100 meters
Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, or Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/8 all deliver solid results. Grab a 4.0 mm (US G/6) hook, tapestry needle, stitch markers, and scissors.
Gauge
One completed sunburst square should measure 3 inches / 7.5 cm across with the 4.0 mm hook and worsted cotton. Squares running large? Drop a hook size. Running small? Go up. Forty identical squares need to line up cleanly, so check gauge early.
Abbreviations
US terms only. Here’s the full list:
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- puff = puff stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sp = space
- rep = repeat
- BLO = back loop only
UK crocheters: US sc equals UK dc, US dc equals UK treble. Stitch counts stay the same.
Special Stitches
A few techniques show up often. Master them once and the rest feels easy.
Puff Stitch (The Petals)
Yarn over, insert hook in the stitch or space, yarn over and pull up a loop to the height of the round. Repeat three times in the same place (7 loops total). Yarn over and draw through all 7 loops, then chain 1 to close. Each puff forms one rounded petal.
5-dc Shell (Scallop Trim)
Work 5 double crochets into the same stitch. That creates the fanned scallop along the top band.
Whip-Stitch Join
Hold two squares with right sides facing up and edges aligned. With white yarn and a tapestry needle, sew through the back loops of matching stitches. You get a flat, nearly invisible join.
The Sunburst Square Pattern
Make 40 squares total (20 for each panel). Start every square with a magic ring in white.
Round 1: White Center
Magic ring. Chain 3 (counts as first dc), work 11 dc into the ring. Join with slip stitch to the top of the chain 3. Pull closed. Fasten off white. 12 dc
Round 2: Petal Color
Join your petal color in any dc. Chain 1. Work a puff in the same stitch, chain 1. *Puff in the next dc, chain 1.* Repeat around. Join to the top of the first puff. Fasten off. 12 puffs, 12 ch-1 spaces
Round 3: Frame Color (Squares It Off)
Join frame color in any ch-1 space. Chain 3, work 2 dc in the same space. *Work 3 dc in each of the next 2 ch-1 spaces. In the next ch-1 space, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) for a corner.* Repeat around, ending the final corner with (3 dc, ch 2) and join. Fasten off. 48 dc, 4 corner spaces
The corners fall at every third space, turning the 12 petals into a neat square with 12 dc per side.
Round 4: White Border
Join white in any corner ch-2 space. Chain 1. *(Sc, ch 2, sc) in the corner space, then 1 sc in each of the next 12 dc along the side.* Repeat around. Join. Fasten off and weave ends. 56 sc, 4 corner spaces
Each finished square becomes a tidy 3-inch tile with 14 stitches along every side. That even count is what lets the panels line up perfectly.
Color Planning Tips
Each square uses three yarns: a white center, a petal color, and a frame color. Mix the five pastels freely so no two touching squares share the same frame color. That scattered sherbet look is the whole charm.
Jot down a 5×4 color grid before you start. It keeps petals and frames balanced. Repeating petal colors is fine. Just avoid identical frames side by side.
Building the Panels
Lay out 20 squares in a 5×4 grid for the front panel, then repeat for the back.
- Set out your front grid with 5 squares across and 4 down. Shuffle any that clash.
- With white yarn, whip-stitch the squares side by side through the back loops, matching all 14 stitches. Join the four rows into one panel.
- Whip-stitch the horizontal seams to complete the 5×4 panel. Repeat for the back panel.
Keep tension relaxed and even. Tight seams pucker the corners while loose seams gap. Aim for a flat, fabric-like join.
Joining the Bag
Hold the two panels with right sides facing out (wrong sides together) so the seam sits on the outside like the rest of the squares.
- With white yarn, whip-stitch the front and back together down one side, across the bottom, and up the other side. Leave the top open.
- Work a few extra anchoring stitches at the two bottom corners where stress hits hardest.
- Turn right side out. The bag naturally rounds at the base.
Want a flat bottom? Pinch each lower corner into a small triangle and tack it down with a few stitches before adding the band.
Top Band and Scallop Edge
Work this section in continuous rounds in white around the open top.
Round 1: Foundation
Join white at a side seam. Work 144 sc evenly around the opening (about 72 across front and 72 across back). Join. 144 sc
Rounds 2 through 8: Band
Chain 1, sc in each stitch around, join. Repeat for a total of 7 plain rounds, building a band about 3 inches tall. 144 sc each round
Round 9: Scallop Edge
Chain 1. *Sc in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches, 5 dc in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches.* Repeat around (24 shells). Join and fasten off.
Why 144? The number divides cleanly by 6, so every scallop lands evenly with no awkward gap at the seam.
Handles
Make 2 handles in white for a 9-inch drop.
Handle Instructions (Make 2)
Chain 71. Sc in the 2nd chain from hook and across (70 sc). Rows 2 through 5: Chain 1, sc in each stitch across. Turn. Fasten off leaving a long tail.
For a rounder handle, fold the strip lengthwise and whip-stitch the long edges together.
Attaching the Handles
On the front band, position the handle ends above the 2nd and 4th squares, roughly 3 inches apart. Mirror this on the back. Sew each end firmly to the inside of the band with the long tails, stitching back and forth several times for strength.
Finishing Your Tote
Weave in every remaining end and trim closely. With 40 squares and all those color changes, you will have quite a few ends. Weave them as you go during construction.
Gently steam-block the bag over a towel-stuffed form to even out the squares. Let it dry fully before use so the cotton sets its shape.
Care Instructions
Hand wash in cool water. Reshape and dry flat. Cool iron or steam is fine. Never use bleach. Cotton may relax slightly with use, so a quick reshape after washing keeps the squares looking crisp.
Size Customizing Options
- Mini pouch: 3 wide × 3 tall per panel (18 squares total), band Round 1 about 84 sc
- Standard (as shown): 5 wide × 4 tall (40 squares), band 144 sc
- Beach bag: 6 wide × 5 tall (60 squares), band a multiple of 6
Whenever you resize, round the band’s Round 1 count to the nearest multiple of 6 so the scallops still divide evenly. Want longer straps? Add chains in multiples of about 6 per extra inch of drop.
Skill Level and Time Estimate
This pattern rates intermediate. You need comfort with basic stitches, working in the round, and joining motifs. The puff stitch may feel new at first, but it becomes intuitive after a few petals.
Expect 18 to 25 hours depending on your speed. The squares work up quickly once you find your rhythm, yet 40 of them plus assembly and finishing still adds up. Perfect TV or travel project.
Pattern Notes to Remember
- Squares work in joined rounds with the right side always facing.
- Change color in the last yarn-over of the round’s closing stitch for clean edges.
- Beginning chain 3 counts as the first dc unless noted.
- Weave in ends as you go because 40 squares add up fast.
This tote makes a wonderful gift for anyone who loves cheerful handmade accessories. The pastel palette suits spring and summer, but you can easily swap in autumn tones or jewel colors for a completely different vibe.
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FAQ’s
Can I use acrylic yarn instead of cotton?
You can, but the bag will drape more and lose some structure. Cotton holds its shape better and washes cleaner. If acrylic is what you have, consider adding a firm lining and reinforcing the base corners.
How do I keep the puff stitches looking even?
Pull every loop to the same height before closing the stitch. Practice a few on scrap yarn until the motion feels automatic. Consistent tension is the whole secret to plump, rounded petals.
What if my squares end up different sizes?
Check gauge after the first couple of squares and adjust your hook. Blocking each square lightly to a true 3-inch size before joining also helps everything line up cleanly.
Is the whip-stitch join the only option?
No. You can use a continuous join-as-you-go method or single crochet through both loops if you prefer a more textured seam. Whip-stitch just stays the flattest and least visible.
How many ends will I really have to weave?
Quite a few. Forty squares mean a lot of color changes. Weave ends as you finish each square and you avoid a soul-crushing pile at the end. Trust me on this one.
Can I make the handles longer for shoulder carry?
Absolutely. Add chains in multiples of about 6 for every extra inch of drop. Test the length against your body before sewing them on permanently.
Final thoughts
There you have it—a bright, practical Pastel Rainbow Granny Square Tote that looks like a lot more work than it actually is. Once the first few sunburst squares click into rhythm, the rest of the project moves with satisfying speed. Grab your pastels, start that first magic ring, and watch the sherbet grid grow. Happy crocheting.
