These aren't really tote bags, but they are so much fun to make and turn out darling. The pattern comes in three sizes. There are free patterns/tutorials online that do not use the curtain grommet if you Google "Japanese knot bag".
https://www.connectingthreads.com/pa...n__D56093.html
They would make cute lunch bags or knitting bags. I made some small ones for my DGDs. They are reversible, too.