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

"Crocheting for Calm" series - Crocheted Cat Blankets

Hello! This is the first post in my "Crocheting for Calm" series. I hope you enjoy!

To help myself relax in the evenings, I've been forcing myself to stop all work by a particular time and to purposefully sit and do something fun. This plus wanting to de-stash some of my yarn (gotta make room so I can buy more!) has me making little blankets with the intention of donating them to a local cat shelter. 

They work up in just an evening or two since they are only 20-22 inches square (a great size for a snuggly kitty waiting for a new home). Here are some of my first batch...

...blanket #1 with shell edging...

Blanket #1 I did in double crochet (US) with a varigated yarn. I finished it off with a single crochet border in blue, then a basic shell stitch (5 dc in one sc) in pink.

...blanket #2 with bobble border and blanket #3 closed ripple...

Blanket #2 is worked in a double crochet throughout. The border has one row of single crochet in pink, then a row of 5 single crochets and a bobble repeated around in blue, and finished with another row of single crochets in pink.

Blanket #3 is done in what is referred to as a "closed ripple" stitch. It's been a long time since I attempted a ripple and I like how quick this tiny blanket worked up. Once I got the rhythm of the stitch down, it was pretty easy. 

....blanket #4 crab stitch border...

Blanket #4 I did in half double crochets with a few bobble rows here and there, but the fun part was the "crab stitch" edging which is where you're basically single crocheting from left to right (backwards!). Just another fun technique that I learned from Donna Kooler's "Encyclopedia of Crochet" book. This was my first attempt at the crab stitch and her explanation was perfect.

Of course, as I was working on these, our kitties had to test them out. Fluffy Orange Cat preferred to lay on one and have another one on top of him. Now to wash them up and get them over to the shelter!

I have made several more and will post pics soon so check back often!

Also, check out my Etsy shop for some non-cat crochet accessories (women's necklaces, rings, etc.)!

Grace and peace,
:) Ann