Prada-Style Bag

Original design by @Elsa

A structured tote inspired by a Prada bag, worked from a flat oval base up into a double-crochet body with built-in handles.

Difficulty: Intermediate
Hook: 3.0mm

Materials

As an Amazon Associate, Hooklore earns from qualifying purchases. Links open Amazon — a matching product or search results.

Stitches used: ch, sc, dc, inc, sl st, tr

Prada-Style Bag — Body & Oval Base Chart (worked as charted)

Oval Base: start with a foundation ch, work sc/dc around both ends with even increases (V = 2 in one st) to form a flat oval; finish with a round of dc.
Body: pick up around the base and work the body upward in rows of dc (T-bars) with a top edging of sc (X).
Handles: on the top rows, leave two arch-shaped openings (skip a span and ch across, then sc back over the arch on the return) to form the built-in handle holes; sc around the handle arches to reinforce.
Symbols: X = sc, T with bar = dc, oval = ch, V = 2 sc in one st.

Notes

Structured tote resembling a Prada bag: flat oval base, dc body worked up from the base, with two integrated arch handles at the top edge. See image_2 (post-level) for the second diagram credited to @Mochi Chan.

Prada-Style Bag — Oval Base (written) + Motif Charts

Oval Base
Rnd 1: Ch 28, from 2nd ch: 26 sc, 3 sc in the end st (W), 25 sc back along the other side, inc (V)
Rnd 2: inc, 25 sc, 3 inc, 25 sc, 2 inc = 56
Rnd 3: (inc, sc), 25 sc, 3(inc, sc), 25 sc, 2(inc, sc) = 62
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc), 25 sc, 3(2 sc, inc), 25 sc, 2(2 sc, inc) = 68
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc), 25 sc, 3(3 sc, inc), 25 sc, 2(3 sc, inc) = 74
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc), 25 sc, 3(4 sc, inc), 25 sc, 2(4 sc, inc) = 86
Body: continue straight up from the base.
Page also shows a granny-square motif chart and a striped band chart (legend: oval=ch, +=sc, T=hdc, dc, tr, dtr).

Notes

Written oval base worked to 86 sts over 6 rounds. W=3 sc in one st, V=inc. Then work the body straight up. Symbol legend included for the extra motif/band charts.

Round Base — Flat Circle Increase Chart (worked as charted)

Rnd 1: MR, work 6-8 sc in ring
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (inc around)
Rnd 3: *sc, inc* around
Rnd 4: *2 sc, inc* around
Continue adding one plain sc between increases each round so the circle stays flat; work as many rounds as needed for the base size.
Symbols: + = sc, splayed cross = 2 sc in one st (inc), o = MR/ch.

Notes

Standard flat circle base worked in the round with even increases each round. Shown with a finished round coaster/base.

Square Base — Center-Out Chart (worked as charted)

Start: MR (center ring marked o).
Work sc around, placing 2 sc (or sc, ch, sc) in each of the 4 corners every round so flat corners form a square.
Each round: sc along the 4 sides, corner increase at each corner; repeat, adding sts to the sides as the square grows.
Symbols: + = sc, splayed cross = 2 sc in one st, o = center ring.

Notes

Flat square base worked from a center ring with 4 corner increases per round. Shown with a finished square piece.

Long Oval Strap/Base — Worked Around a Foundation Chain (as charted)

Foundation: ch a length for the strap/base.
Rnd 1: work sc along one side of the chain, 3 sc (or inc) around the end, sc back along the other side, inc around the other end; join.
Rnd 2+: sc around, working end increases (2-3 sc in the end sts) each round so the oval widens evenly while the long sides stay straight.
Symbols: X = sc, chevron/V = 2 sc in one st (inc), oval = ch.

Notes

Long flat oval (used as a strap or base band) worked in the round around a starting chain, increasing only at the two ends.

Oval Base — Round Chart (worked as charted)

Foundation: ch a length, then work around both sides.
Rnd 1: sc/hdc along one side of the chain, fan of increases (V) around one end, sc/hdc along the other side, increases around the other end
Rnd 2-5: continue around, spacing the end increases (V) a little wider each round so the oval grows flat while the sides stay parallel (rounds numbered 1-5 in the chart)
Symbols: dash = sc/hdc, V/chevron = 2 sts in one (inc), filled dash = sl st.

Notes

Flat oval base, ~5 rounds, increases concentrated at the two ends. Shown with a finished oval piece.

Oval Base — Double-Crochet Round Chart (worked as charted)

Foundation: ch a length; work around both sides in dc.
Rnd 1: dc along one side, fan of dc increases (V) around the end, dc along the other side, dc increases around the other end
Rnd 2+: dc around with increases fanned at each end (V) each round to keep the oval flat while the long sides remain straight; a chain runs up the center marking the start of rounds
Symbols: T with bar = dc, V/chevron = 2 dc in one st (inc), oval = ch.

Notes

Flat oval base worked in double crochet with end increases each round. Center chain marks round starts. Shown with a finished oval piece.