Crochet Market Bag: The Stretchy Mesh Tote (Free Pattern)

The pattern

Base (solid, so small items can't fall through)

1. Rnd 1: 8 sc in a magic ring. (8)
2. Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (16)
3. Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) 8 times. (24)
4. Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) 8 times. (32)
5. Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) 8 times. (40)
6. Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) 8 times. (48)
7. Rnd 7: (Sc 5, inc) 8 times. (56)
8. Rnd 8: (Sc 6, inc) 8 times. (64)
9. Rnds 9–10: Sc in each st around. (64)

The base should measure about 8 in (20 cm) across and lie flat.

Mesh body

1. Rnd 11: *Sc 1, ch 3, skip 3 sts.* Repeat from * around, join with a sl st to the first sc. (16 mesh spaces)
2. Rnd 12: Sl st into the first ch-3 space. *Sc in the ch-3 space, ch 3.* Repeat from * around, join. (16)
3. Rnds 13–30: Repeat Rnd 12. (16 spaces each round)

Eighteen mesh rounds gives a bag about 15 in deep. Add or remove rounds to taste — remember mesh stretches a long way when loaded.

Closing the top

1. Rnd 31: *Sc in the ch-3 space, 3 sc in the same space.* Repeat around to gather the mesh back in. (64)
2. Rnds 32–34: Sc in each st around. (64)

Handles

1. Rnd 35: Sc 8, ch 40, skip 16 sts, sc 16, ch 40, skip 16 sts, sc 8. Join. (32 sc and two ch-40 loops)
2. Rnd 36: Sc in each st and in each chain around. (112)
3. Rnd 37: Sc in each st around. (112)
4. Rnd 38: Sl st in each st around. Fasten off and weave in the ends. (112)

Three rounds over the handle chains is what stops a loaded bag cutting into your hand — don't skip them.

Make it your own

• Shoulder length: ch 56 instead of 40 for each handle.
• Tighter mesh: use ch 2 and skip 2 for smaller holes that hold onions and lemons.
• Two-tone: a contrast base and handles with a neutral mesh looks sharp.
• Bigger sibling: our granny square tote for a solid-sided bag.

Common questions

How much weight can a crochet market bag hold?

A cotton mesh bag comfortably carries 10–15 lb (5–7 kg). It will stretch dramatically when full and spring back when empty — that's the mesh doing its job.

Why cotton and not acrylic?

Cotton takes repeated loading without permanently stretching and washes at a high temperature when it gets grubby. Acrylic mesh sags out of shape after a few heavy shops.

My bag is too stretchy — what went wrong?

Either the hook was too big, or the mesh chains were longer than 3. Go down a hook size, or use ch 2 mesh for a firmer net.

Can I machine wash it?

Yes — cotton washes at 30–40 °C. Dry it flat; hanging a wet mesh bag stretches it out of shape.

How long does it take?

About four hours. The mesh rounds are quick and very repetitive once you're into the rhythm.

Keep one folded in your bag and you'll never take a plastic one again. 🥬