Recycled Sari Silk Statement Tote — Free Crochet Pattern No.2 🧵💛
💛 Pattern No.2 in the Knitsilk Free Pattern Series. Three balls of Knitsilk Recycled Sari Silk. One statement tote that carries not just your belongings — but a story. Every ball is reclaimed from the sarees of India, which means every bag is completely, irreplaceably unique. The pattern is beginner-friendly. The yarn does the rest.
📌 Project at a Glance
| Skill Level | Beginner / Confident Beginner |
| Yarn | 3 × 100g Knitsilk Recycled Sari Silk (approx. 50 yards per ball) |
| Total Yarn Available | Approx. 150 yards |
| Expected Usage | Approx. 110–140 yards (varies with yarn thickness & tension) |
| Hook | 9mm; use 10mm for especially thick or firm yarn |
| Finished Size | Approx. 10 in wide × 9 in tall |
| Handle Drop | Approx. 9–10 in |
| Gauge | Flexible — exact gauge is not critical |
🧶 Materials
- 3 × 100g balls Knitsilk Recycled Sari Silk Multicolor (approx. 50 yards each)
- 9mm crochet hook (10mm if yarn is especially thick or firm)
- Tapestry needle for finishing and attaching handles
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Optional: stitch marker, magnetic snap, fabric lining
🌈 Before You Start: Embrace the Yarn
Recycled sari silk is intentionally irregular. You may encounter:
- Changes in thickness throughout each ball
- Loose fibres and fringe from the original sari fabric
- Unexpected colour transitions and joins between sections
- Different textile textures within a single ball
These are characteristics of the material — not mistakes. Do not try to make the yarn perfectly uniform. Let the colour changes and texture variations create the design. The irregularities are what make your bag completely unique.
🧵 Basic Stitches Used in This Pattern
Before starting, make sure you are comfortable with:
| Stitch | Abbreviation | Where Used |
|---|---|---|
| Slip Knot | - | Starting the foundation chain |
| Chain | ch | Base, turning chains, handles |
| Single Crochet | SC | Base, body Round 1, top edge, handles |
| Half Double Crochet | HDC | Bag body (main stitch) |
| Slip Stitch | SL ST | Joining rounds |
Use a slightly larger hook (9–10mm) and keep your tension relaxed. Sari silk is irregular — let the texture be part of the beauty!
🧵 The Pattern — Step by Step
Round 1: SC in 2nd chain from hook and across. Work 3 SC in the final chain (this creates the curve). Continue SC along the underside of the foundation chain. Work 2 SC in the final stitch. SL ST to join.
Round 2: Continue SC around the oval. Add increases at the rounded ends as needed to keep the base flat.
Round 3: Continue SC around. Aim for approximately 8–9 in long × 3–4 in wide.
- If the base cups upward, add an increase at each curved end
- If the edge waves or ruffles, reduce increases in the next round
- The goal is a flat oval — but slight variations are natural with sari silk
Once the base is the desired size, stop increasing and begin working straight up.
Round 2: Ch 2, HDC in every stitch around, SL ST to join.
Continue HDC rounds until the body measures approximately 8 in from the base.
Round 2: SC around, SL ST to finish.
Fasten off and leave an 8–10 in tail for weaving in.
Attach yarn approximately 2 in from a side seam.
Row 1: SC back along the chain.
Row 2: SC back along.
Row 3: SC back along.
Fasten off. Repeat for second handle.
Using a tapestry needle, sew each handle securely to the inside of the bag top edge.
Reinforce each attachment point with several passes of yarn — the handles carry weight and need to be firmly secured.
If desired, lightly mist and reshape the bag. Avoid aggressive stretching.
Optional: add a magnetic snap sewn inside the top edge, or a simple cotton fabric lining for a professional finish.
🌈 Colour & Yarn-Join Tips
- Natural joining: Use Ball 1, then Ball 2, then Ball 3 as each runs out. When one ball ends, overlap the new yarn with the old for a few stitches and continue. No need for a perfect join — the variations make each bag unique
- Deliberate colour blocks: For cleaner colour transitions, begin a new ball at the start of a round
- Yarn Join Tip: Overlap the new yarn with the old for a few stitches rather than tying a knot. This is the strongest join for irregular sari silk and becomes invisible in the finished fabric
🔧 Troubleshooting
- Base is cupping: Add an extra increase at each rounded end in the next round
- Base edge is waving / ruffling: Reduce increases in the next round — you may have too many
- Yarn is very stiff or hard to crochet: Go up to a 10mm hook. This is normal with denser sari silk sections
- Yarn splits or frays: Work slowly and insert the hook carefully through the centre of each stitch
- Bag body is too wide / too narrow: The oval base size determines the bag width. Adjust the base length in Step 1 to change the finished bag dimensions
- Handles feel loose: Reinforce attachment points with additional passes of yarn through the same points
🧵 Optional Extras
Sew inside the top edge before finishing. Adds a professional closure and protects bag contents
A simple cotton lining adds structure and prevents small items slipping through the stitches. Sew by hand or machine
Use leftover yarn for a tassel, small flower, bow, or crochet heart to personalise your bag
🚿 Care Instructions
- 💧 Hand wash gently in cool water
- 🧴 Use mild detergent suitable for delicate fibres
- ❌ Do not wring or twist — press gently to remove water
- 🐕 Lay flat to dry — reshape the bag while damp
- 🔥 Avoid high heat — no tumble dryer, no direct radiator
♻️ From Sari to Statement Bag — The Story Behind the Yarn
Every ball of Knitsilk Recycled Sari Silk began as a saree — worn, celebrated, and storied. When a saree reaches the end of its wearable life, Knitsilk’s artisans reclaim the fabric, strip and spin it into yarn that carries the colours and character of its origins. Your tote bag contains the history of multiple sarees. No two are alike. No two ever will be.
Reclaimed sari textile waste given a beautiful second life
Every bag is unique — yours exists nowhere else
Diverts beautiful sari fabrics from landfill
Supports skilled artisan communities across India
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I made this tote in a weekend and I’ve had so many compliments. The colours are completely wild and beautiful — nothing you could buy in a shop. And the pattern was so easy even my daughter could follow it."
— Nathalie P., Paris, France
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This is my third Knitsilk sari silk project and this tote is my favourite. I added a fabric lining and magnetic snap and it looks completely professional. My friends can’t believe I made it myself."
— Rosa M., Barcelona, Spain
📌 Pattern No.1 — One-Ball Recycled Sari Silk Knitted Headband
📌 Why European Crafters Are Choosing Recycled Sari Silk Yarn
📌 How to Choose the Right Sari Silk Yarn for Your Project
3 × 100g • Approximately 150 yards total • Every set is unique • Ships worldwide from India
Shop Recycled Sari Silk Multicolor →Commercial Sample Note: This pattern is based on approximately 50 yards per 100g ball. Recycled sari silk varies in thickness — individual results will vary. Always check your yardage before beginning.
Knitsilk Europe — Premium Silk Yarns, Ribbons & Fibres. Crafting Luxury, one stitch at a time.