Are you tired of struggling with flimsy plastic bags that tear and break on your way home from the market? It’s time to ditch the disposable options and embrace a more sustainable and stylish alternative with this crochet tote bag pattern. In this article, you’ll discover why crochet market bags are essential for eco-friendly shopping, learn how to choose the right yarn for your bag, follow a step-by-step guide to crocheting your own market bag, and explore ways to customize it to reflect your unique style. Say goodbye to single-use plastic and hello to a chic and durable market bag that will revolutionize your shopping experience.
Jump into the crochet tote bag pattern now, or PIN it for later here!
Why Crochet Tote Bags are Essential for Sustainable Shopping
One of the main reasons why crochet market bags are essential for sustainable shopping is their durability and reusability. By investing in a well-made crochet market bag, you can significantly reduce your reliance on single-use plastic bags that harm the environment. Plus, these bags are not only practical but also stylish, allowing you to make a fashion statement while doing your part for the planet.
Choosing the Right Yarn for Your Market Bag
When choosing the right yarn for your crochet market bag, it’s important to consider both practicality and aesthetics. Opt for a durable and washable yarn, such as cotton or a cotton blend, to ensure that your bag can withstand the weight of groceries or other items. Additionally, selecting a yarn in a color or texture that you love will not only make the crocheting process more enjoyable but also result in a market bag that reflects your personal style. By carefully choosing the yarn for your project, you can create a market bag that is both functional and visually appealing.
I chose a 100% recycled yarn for this project. It is a blend of 70% Recycled Cotton and 30% Recycled Polyester. I love the natural colors that will blend with my personal style. That ticks all the boxes for the perfect fiber for my crochet tote bag pattern.
This crochet tote bag pattern is supported by ads on my blog. If you’d rather print the pattern for some cozy couch crocheting, you can find the ad-free, printable PDF in my Etsy shop here or on Ravelry here.
This pattern is written in US terms. If needed, you can find a handy term conversion chart right here in my Resource Library.
You can find the printable, AD-FREE version of this crochet pattern here:
Crochet Tote Bag Pattern Guide:
Size & Gauge:
Size: Unstretched, the bag will end up being 14″ tall x 13″ wide (not including the strap). The strap drop is 10″. The mesh makes the bag super flexible and stretchy so you’ll have a LOT more room than that!
Gauge: The gauge is not critical on this bag! It’s extremely stretchy due to the mesh. If you use the recommended yarn and hook yours will end up being super close to my measurements. It’s a bag – don’t stress about gauge.
Policies & Disclaimers:
This crochet tote bag pattern is for PERSONAL USE ONLY. This pattern or parts of it may not be reproduced, resold, distributed, published, altered, translated, posted or shared without authorization. You can sell your finished items provided that you credit Off the Beaten Hook as the designer using this verbiage, “This pattern was designed by Lindsey Roe and Off the Beaten Hook.” Thank you for your respectfulness!
This post contains affiliate links for materials I use and love. If you purchase something using one of these links I may earn a small commission which in no way affects the cost to you. These partnerships help me support my small business which allows me to provide you with free crochet patterns. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support!
What makes this pattern eco-friendly and sustainable?
THE YARN: I use only sustainable and eco-friendly yarn that has been ethically grown/raised and processed, putting the people and the planet first. This is why I chose 100% recycled yarn for this pattern.
THE SLOW YARN MOVEMENT: I’m participating in the Slow Yarn Movement. There’s far too much to talk about here, but please take a few minutes to learn about what this means by reading the article I wrote about the Slow Yarn Movement as part of my 6-part Sustainable Crochet Series.
IT’S A REUSABLE ALTERNATIVE TO EVERYDAY DISPOSABLES: This reusable market tote can replace disposable plastic or paper bags at the market! Plus it’s way more fun to use something you’ve handmade, right!?
If you’re interested in learning more about sustainable crochet you can read all about it in the 6-part series I did covering everything about Sustainable Crochet and how to implement it into your own crafting starting today!
Materials you will need:
YARN:
70% Recycled Cotton, 30% Recycled Polyester | 3/Light Worsted/DK
140 yds (128 m) / 1.75 oz (50g) per ball
YARN SUBSTITUTION OPTIONS:
If you can’t access the recommended yarn, want to explore other colors, or would just prefer to use a different yarn for this crochet market bag free pattern, here are some others that will work well! All of these are DK weight:
- Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton
- Rico Essentials Organic Cotton DK
- Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK
- Rowan Handknit Cotton
- Debbie Bliss Cotton DK
Cotton Blend & Other Fiber Options:
- Scheepjes Linen Soft (Cotton/Linen/Acrylic)
- Paintbox Yarns Simply DK (Acrylic)
- Stylecraft Bamboo & Cotton Blend
- Sirdar Stories DK (Cotton/Acrylic)
- Valley Yarns Haydenville DK (Wool/Acrylic)
OTHER TOOLS & MATERIALS:
Abbreviations used in the crochet tote bag pattern:
ch – chain
st – stitch
hk – hook
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
mc – magic circle
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
rs or RS – right side
ws or WS – wrong side
inc – increase
dec – decrease
(…) x – repeat instructions indicated number of times
[…] – number of stitches in row/round
PH – photo reference number
The Crochet Tote Bag Pattern
Base & Mesh:
NOTES:
- The base is worked in continuous rounds – do not join after each round
- When you see “1 dc + 1 sc”, it means make 1 dc AND 1 sc in the same st – see PHOTO 4
Rnd 1: st 10 hdc in a mc [10]
Rnd 2: hdc inc in each st around [20]
Rnd 3: (hdc, hdc inc) x10 [30]
Rnd 4: (hdc 2, hdc inc) x10 [40]
Rnd 5: (hdc 3, hdc inc) x10 [50]
Rnd 6: (hdc 4, hdc inc) x10 [60]
Rnd 7: (hdc 5, hdc inc) x10 [70]
Rnd 8: (hdc 6, hdc inc) x10 [80]
Rnd 9: (hdc 7, hdc inc) x10 [90]
Rnd 10: (hdc 8, hdc inc) x10 [100]
Rnd 11: (hdc 9, hdc inc) x10 [110]
Rnd 12: (hdc 10, hdc inc) x10 [120]
Rnd 13: (hdc 11, hdc inc) x10 [130]
Rnd 14: (hdc 12, hdc inc) x10, sl st to first st, ch 2 [140] PH 02
Rnd 15 (rs): make 1 dc and 1 sc in same st as sl st, ch 4, sk 4 (1 dc + 1 sc in next st, ch 4, sk 4) x across, ending with a ch 4, sk 4, sl st to the top of the first dc, turn [28 ch-4 spaces/gaps] PH 02-05
Rnd 16-40: ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), sc in same space, (ch 4, sk 4 chs, 1 dc + 1 sc in top of dc from previous rnd) x across, ending with a ch 4, sk 4, sl st to the top of the first dc turning ch, turn [28 ch-4 spaces/gaps] PH 06 & 07
You’ll complete the mesh at Rnd 40 which will be the WS. You will now turn and begin working in continuous rows around the RS of the bag. Do not turn after each rnd.
Rnd 41 (rs): ch 1, hdc around using the following repeat pattern: make 4 hdc in each “gap”, 1 hdc in the top of each dc and 1 hdc in the top of each sc from Rnd 40, sl st to first st [168] PH 07
Rnd 42: ch 1, (hdc 5, hdc dec) x24, sl st to first st [144]
Rnd 43: ch 1, (hdc 4, hdc dec) x24, sl st to first st [120]
Rnd 44: ch 1, (hdc 3, hdc dec) x24, sl st to first st [96]
Rnd 45: ch 1, (hdc 2, hdc dec) x24, sl st to first st [72] PH 08 & 09
Strap
NOTES:
- The strap is worked in short turning rows of hdc. Ch 1 and turn at the end of each row.
- To begin Row 1 of the strap, you’ll pick up right where you left off after Rnd 45.
Row 1: hdc in next 6 st along Rnd 45, ch 1, turn [6]
Row 2-70: hdc 6, ch 1, turn [6] PH 10 & 11
Bring loose end of strap to opposite side of bag – there will be 30 stitches separating the straps on each side – PH 10. Holding the right sides together (wrong sides out) PH 12, slip stitch across the 6 stitches to attach the strap to the other side of the bag PH 13. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Customizing Your Market Bag to Fit Your Style
To make your market bag truly your own, consider adding embellishments such as buttons, beads, or tassels. You can also experiment with different stitch patterns or colors to create a unique design that reflects your personality. Whether you prefer a minimalist look or a vibrant, eye-catching bag, the possibilities for customization are endless. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make your market bag one-of-a-kind. So, grab your crochet hook and yarn, and let your imagination run wild with possibilities for customizing your market bag to fit your style!
In a world where sustainability is key, the ultimate crochet market bag pattern offers a stylish and eco-friendly alternative to flimsy plastic bags. By following the step-by-step guide and customizing your bag to fit your style, you can make a statement while making a difference. So grab your crochet hook and start on your journey to sustainable shopping today. As you crochet your way to a greener future, remember that every stitch counts in reducing plastic waste and creating a more beautiful world.
I hope you loved using this free crochet tote bag pattern! I would love to see yours! Please post pictures on instagram and tag me @offthebeatenhook and use #offthebeatenhook. Cheers!
PIN THIS CROCHET TOTE BAG PATTERN FOR LATER!
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