• For this crochet emoji granny square pattern, we will be working in rounds.
• Round 1: With scrap yarn (roughly 10-20 yards) make a mr and ch x2 in it. Then dc x12 into the mr and sl st to the first dc in the round (12).
• Round 2: Ch x2 and dc inc in every stitch. Then sl st to the first dc in the round (24).
• Round 3: Ch x2 and dc inc in the next stitch, then dc in the following stitch. Repeat for the rest of the round. Then sl st to the first dc in the round (36). Then fasten off the colored yarn and join the black yarn. We will begin squaring off the crochet circle granny square in round 4.

Crocheting a Circle into a Square:

• Round 4: With the black yarn, ch x2, dc inc + ch + dc inc in the following stitch. This is the first corner.
• Make a hdc in the next 2 stitches, then a sc in the next 4 stitches, follow that with hdc stitches in the next 2 stitches and then finally make the corner stitch again (dc inc, ch x1, dc inc). The only stitch space with multiple stitches is the corner.
• Now repeat the above 3 more times. After the last hdc in the round, sl st to the first dc of the round. (48 stitches with 4 chain spaces)
• Round 5: Ch x2, then dc in the next stitch. When you get to the chain space in the corner make a dc inc + ch x2 + dc inc. Then dc the side of the square (12 per side without the corners). Repeat 3 more times for the rest of the round.
• Once you make the last dc in the round, sl st to the first dc. Then fasten off the yarn.

Embroidery:

• Once you have 13 squares, embroider faces on the diagonal of the square (make sure the square is a diamond shape before embroidering a face otherwise it will be sideways for this particular bag pattern). The faces can be whatever you like - I have added a close up of my crochet faces, essentially I made most of the eye placements in the outer part of the first round of the pattern and added different mouth and eyebrow expressions in the second round. Use smaller stitches to keep control of the expressions.
• Side note: I did not embroider faces on the 3 granny squares that will be folded over to both sides.

Building the Crochet Emoji Bag:

• Once you have the 13 round granny squares made you want to lay them in a flat pattern as indicated by the photo. Then there are a few different methods you can use to attach the squares together.
• Method #1: Sew the squares together like I did above using the sewing technique, the mattress stitch.
• Align the Edges: Place the two crochet pieces you want to join side by side, with the right sides facing each other (the side you want to show should be facing inward). Make sure the edges you're joining are aligned properly.
• Thread Your Needle: Cut a length of yarn (about 18 inches) and thread it through your tapestry needle.
• Insert the Needle: Starting at one end of the edge, insert the needle through the outermost stitch on the first piece.
• Pull the Needle Through: Gently pull the yarn through, leaving a small tail to tie off later. Do not pull too tightly yet.
• Move to the Other Piece: Next, insert the needle into the corresponding stitch on the second piece, just slightly to the left of the edge.
• Repeat: Continue this process along the entire edge. Work your way back and forth between both pieces, stitching into the same stitch on each piece. Your stitches will create a “mattress” effect that lies flat against the crochet fabric.
• Even Tension: As you stitch, make sure to keep an even tension. You want the seam to be neat, but not so tight that it distorts the shape of the pieces.
• Finish Off: When you’ve reached the end, pull the yarn gently to tighten the stitches. Be sure the seam is secure, but not overly tight. Tie off the yarn at the end, weaving in the ends on the wrong side to finish.
• Method #2: If you don't feel like hand sewing, you can crochet the pieces together using the same method above but crocheting the outer loops together instead of sewing through them. You can either use sl st or sc to secure the pieces together.
• Once you figured out which granny square joining method you are going to use, sew/crochet the granny squares together.
• Make sure that half of the squares face one direction, and the other half - when you get to the middle square (mine is the plain green and black granny square which is the middle point), turn your squares so they face the opposite direction otherwise you will have upside down crochet emoji faces.
• Once the granny squares have all been joined together like in the picture, fold it in half by bringing the bottom half to the top. Fold over the granny squares jutting from the sides and sew/crochet those pieces to the main body of the bag.
• Once all the sewing of the bag has been completed you should have the 2 peaks and 3 valleys (an M essentially) as the top edge of the bag.
• Now to move onto the handle.

Crochet Handle for the Tote Bag:

• Round 1: The first thing to do is rejoin the black yarn to the top edge of the bag, preferably the side in one of the valleys.
• Then you will crochet the top edge of the bag with the black yarn. 1 single crochet in each stitch, but when you come to the top of the squares, you want to make 3 single crochets in the very top stitches. Then for the part where the squares meet you want to crochet the 3 most bottom stitches together in a decrease, then continue up the side as before.
• Round 2: Repeat the above process 1 more time but when you get to the first top of the bag chain 80-100 stitches (depending on the length you want the handle to be) and rejoin the chain to the other top of the bag on the same side. Then continue to sc the side of the bag and repeat the process for the other side of the bag. Make sure you have the same amount of chains on both sides for even handles.
• Round 3-5: Sc around the entire outer round including the chains to add length to the bag and width to the bag's handles.
• When the last round is completed fasten off and weave in the ends.
• Now your crochet emoji bag pattern is complete! If you have any holes where the crochet emoji granny squares meet up take some extra black yarn and your needle and sew the holes closed for a neater finish.