How To Make A Crochet Market Bag – Free Pattern Tutorial

Are you looking for a fun and functional crochet project? This FREE Crochet Market Bag Pattern is just what you need for your next make!

You can browse all of my crochet accessories here for more styles and ideas.

Perfect for trips to the farmers market, the beach, and everyday errands, this bag is designed to be flexible, stretchy, and super quick to make. You can have it ready in only an hour or two.

The Crochet Market Bag features an open mesh design that offers plenty of stretch and durability, which is exactly what you want in a good reusable market bag!

In addition, the bag comes in two useful size options and works up nicely using one or two strands of Bernat Maker yarn, a sturdy yet flexible yarn ideal for projects like this.

So, grab your yarn and favorite hook and let’s get started on your new favorite market bag!

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YOU CAN FIND THE PAID AD FREE AND PRINTABLE PDF PATTERN ON ETSY AND RAVELRY.

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Yarn Suggestions For The Crochet Market Bag

The Crochet Market Bag pattern is written using Bernat Maker. This is a size 5, bulky, tube-style yarn made of cotton on the outside and nylon in the center of the tube. The colors shown are Cream and Lichen.

Below are the suppliers I recommend:
Amazon or Like To Know It (LTK)

Note: The Crochet Market Bag is intentionally designed to have stretch and flexibility. Bernat Maker yarn has a slight stretch, which allows the bag to expand and accommodate a variety of items.

With continued use, you may notice the bag and straps naturally lengthen. If you prefer a sturdier, more structured tote, consider using a yarn with less elasticity, such as 100% cotton or macramé cord. However, in my experience, even when using cotton yarn, the bag still had a good amount of stretch, especially once filled.

Yarn Alternatives For The Crochet Market Bag

Feel free to experiment with different size 5 yarns. Keep in mind the gauge may turn out slightly smaller or larger depending on what you use.

I tried two strands of worsted weight cotton held together, and it turned out great! The gauge was slightly larger than one strand of Bernat Maker. If you want to try the larger bag with worsted cotton, you’ll need 3-4 strands held together.

The bag shown on the left in the photo below is made with 2 strands of Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton in the color Parchment. I think two strands of Lion Brand 24/7 cotton yarn would also be an excellent choice.

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Sizing For The Crochet Market Bag

The Crochet Market Bag (lying flat) measures approximately 13 inches tall (excluding handles), 19 inches tall (including handles) & 12 inches wide (measured across center point).

You can adjust the height of the bag by adding or removing rounds of the mesh pattern. However, more significant changes may require additional modifications to the rest of the pattern.

If you’re comfortable making more advanced adjustments, you can also add or subtract from the starting number of foundation chains, making sure to end round one with an even number of double crochets.

Keep in mind that this may require changes when centering the handles, but the same basic pattern structure can still be used.

Bonus Size
For an extra-large market tote, hold two strands of Bernat Maker together (approximately 525 yards), use an L/8mm crochet hook, and skip rounds 17, 18, and 19 from the pattern instructions.

The bag (lying flat) measures approximately 15 inches tall (excluding handles), 22 inches tall (including handles), and 16 inches wide (measured across center point). The double strands will offer a slightly sturdier tote.

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Bag Liner

Although this bag is meant to create a beautiful open mesh design, crochet bags often benefit from a liner. This will also help prevent stretching.

You can sew in a fabric liner if you prefer, or opt for no-sew purse inserts available on Amazon.

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Screw On Tags

I have a blog post on the different crochet tags I use. The full post with extensive detail can be found here. 

For The Crochet Market Bag, I used Ultrasuede, screw on, custom logo tags from Angie & Britt & vegan faux suede seasonal tags from Savlabot.

Note: You’ll also need Chicago Screws to attach the tags.

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Skill Level

Advanced Beginner

Stitch Key | US Terms

beg – beginning
ch(s) – chain/chains
ch-sp – chain space
dc – double crochet
rnd(s) – round/rounds
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch/stitches

Materials

You can find a complete list of supplies on my Amazon Associates Account here.

Approximately 220 yards of bulky (size 5) yarn
I prefer Bernat Maker (results will vary depending on yarn used)
K/6.5mm Crochet Hook (or size to meet gauge)
Tapestry Needle or Blunt Tipped Drawstring Threader
Flexible Measuring Tape
Scissors

Optional
Optional Screw on Tags
Fabric to line the bag, or pre-made purse insert.

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Gauge | Working in Rows

7 rows and 11dc = 4 Inches with K Hook

Please check your gauge before starting, as tension can vary greatly from person to person and depending on the yarn used.

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Special Stitches

Chain Space (ch-sp)
A chain space is the space/gap in your work that is created by making a chain. The space is located below the chain.  Normally, you’d insert your hook into the front and back loops of the stitch, but when you work into a chain space, you insert your hook into the space underneath the chain.
See photo below for example:

Back Hump or Bump of a Chain
The back hump (also known as the back bump) is located on the backside of a crochet chain. While the front of the chain looks like a row of “V” shapes, with a front and back loop, the back features a small bump or bar behind each “V”. To locate the back hump or bump slightly rotate the chain or chains toward you. 

Invisible join
After completion of the last stitch of the round, fasten off. With a tapestry needle, weave tail end under both loops of the next stitch. Next, weave through the back loop only of the last stitch of the round. Weave in tail.

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Video Instructions For The Crochet Market Bag Pattern

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Written Instructions For The Crochet Market Bag Pattern

For the larger tote shown above, hold two strands of Bernat Maker together, use an 8mm crochet hook, and skip rounds 17, 18, & 19 from the instructions below. Additional info shown in the sizing section above.

Base Instructions

– Beg ch/chs do not count as st.
– Join each rnd with sl st in beg dc.

Foundation Ch. Loosely ch34 (ch should measure approximately 11-12 inches, un-stretched)

Rnd 1. Working in back hump, 3dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in remaining chs across, ending with 6dc in last ch, working in remaining 2 loops along the backside of foundation ch, dc in remaining chs across, ending with 3dc in last ch, join. (74dc)

Rnd 2. Ch1, 2dc in next st, dc in next 34sts, 2dc in next 3sts, dc in next 34sts, 2dc in last 2sts, join. (80dc)

Rnd 3. Ch1, 2dc in next st, dc in next 37sts, 2dc in next 3sts, dc in next 37sts, 2dc in last 2sts, join. (86dc)

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Mesh Sides

– The beg ch4 counts as 1^st dc & ch1 of each rnd.
– Join each rnd with sl st in 3^rd ch from beg ch4.

Rnd 4. Ch4, sk next st, *dc in next st, ch1, sk next st, repeat from * around, join. (43dc 43chs)

Rnd 5-19. Ch4, (dc, ch1) in each dc around, join. (43dc, 43chs)
(height should measure approximately 11 inches, width 12-12.5 inches)

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Band

– Beg ch does not count as st.
– Join each rnd with sl st in beg sc.
– Work sc loosely so the band doesn’t cinch up too much.

Rnd 20. Ch1 *2sc in next ch-sp, 1sc in next ch-sp, repeat from * around, ending with 2sc in last ch-sp, join. (65sc)

Rnd 21-22. Ch1, sc in each st around, join. (65sc)

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Handles

– Beg ch does not count as st.
– Join each rnd with sl st in beg sc.
– Work sc and sl sts loosely so the top band doesn’t cinch up too much.

Rnd 23. Ch1, sc in next 10 sts, (starting 1^st handle) ch40, sk next 11 sts, sc in next 22 sts, (starting 2^nd handle) ch40, sk next 11 sts, sc in last 11 sts, join. (43sc, 80chs)

Rnd 24. Ch1, sc in each sc and ch around (work in back humps of chs), join. (123sc)
Rnd 25. Ch1, sc in each st around, Do NOT Join. (123sc)
Rnd 26. Loosely sl st around, fasten off using the invisible join method. (123sl st)

Your Crochet Market Bag is complete, enjoy!!

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I’d love to see pics if you try The Crochet Market Bag Pattern. Be sure to tag me @simplymadebyerin

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Pattern and images are copyright-protected and the sole property of Simply Made By Erin.  The written pattern is for personal use only.  Please do not redistribute, transfer, or sell the pattern or images.

Feel free to do what you like with the finished product, but please credit me as the designer.
You may copy and paste the following information to your product:
Pattern Designed By Simply Made By Erin www.SimplyMadeByErin.com

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