Simple Market Bag free crochet pattern

I ventured out to the Walmart a few weeks ago to wander around. The craft section looked like it had been hit by a tornado. Understandable. There were a handful of skeins of yarn, but mostly thick, wooly, wintery ones. 

Tucked in the back of a lower shelf sat hidden 3 bright yellow balls of sunshine! I didn't know what I was going to do with them, but I needed a little crafty pick-me-up and these did the trick!

happy yellow color

When I got home, I thought, "hmmmm, I should make a mesh-like tote bag to take to the store when I only need a few things. That way I won't have to touch the cart cooties!" 

A quick PINTEREST search came up with a few patterns, but on closer inspection, they were complicated. I needed easy. So I made my own pattern. Here it is! 

Let me know if you make one or if you see any mistakes. I just kinda winged it and wasn't fussy about gauge, size, numbers, etc. 

It's a great size (12" x 16") and should work well at the store tomorrow.

*Affiliate links* the links below are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you purchase an item through them at no additional cost to you. 

vintage daisy button

Simple Market Bag

By Ann Dreyer Designs

Materials:

• Yarn: 3 skeins of Peaches & Cream cotton in Sunshine (it would also be super soft in Lion Brand Yarn's 24/7 cotton)

• Hook: size H (I'm loving my new Clover Soft Touch hooks!)

• Needle and embroidery floss or thread to sew on handles
• 2 decorative buttons

Notes:

• Pattern is in US terms.

• Bag is worked bottom up.

• I recently learned how to make a foundation cord from THIS video from Outstanding Crochet. It’s so easy and is a great strong, hole-free way to begin the bottom of this bag as well. My market bag begins with a foundation cord and then single crochets are worked across 1 edge, then the piece is rotated 180 degrees (not turned like in normal row crochet) and single crochets are worked across 2nd edge.

• Handle is worked separately and then sewn on with embroidery floss.

• Bag is worked in rounds and handle is worked in rows.

mesh detail

Stitches:

• SC = single crochet

• SL ST = slip stitch

• Ch = chain

• BLO = back loop only

• DC = double crochet 

For bag (measures approx. 12" wide by 16" tall):

Make a foundation cord of 40 chains (see video linked above).

Round 1 - SC across, 3 SC in last stitch, rotate 180 degrees and SC across, 3 SC in last stitch, SL ST to 1st SC, Ch. 1.

Round 2 - SC around in BLO, SL ST to 1st SC, Ch. 1.

Rounds 3-5 - repeat round 2. At the end of round 5, Ch. 3.

Start of “mesh”:

Round 6 - [skip 1, DC in next stitch, Ch. 1] repeat around ending with SL ST in top of 2nd chain of Ch. 3, Ch. 3. 

Rounds 7-24 - [DC in next Ch. 1 space, Ch. 1] repeat around ending with SL ST in top of 2nd chain of Ch. 3, Ch. 3 (on round 24, only Ch. 1). (In the pic below, the arrow shows where I put the DC after the first Ch. 3.)

place DC IN chain 1 space

Top border:

Round 25 - SC in each DC and Ch. 1 around, SL ST to Ch. 1, Ch. 1.

Rounds 26-29 - SC around in BLO, SL ST to Ch. 1, Ch. 1.

Finish off. Weave in ends.

Handle (measures approx. 30" long):

Make a foundation cord of 105 chains (feel free to adjust number to make handle longer or shorter).

Rows 1-4 - SC in BLO across, Ch. 1, turn.

Finish off. Weave in ends.

Attach handle:

With coordinating embroidery floss or sewing thread, sew handle to bag. Add embellishments. Enjoy!

finished bag

I hope you liked this pattern and found it simple and fun. Click on an image to Pin for later! Thanks!

:) Ann