A modern take on the mesh shopper tote. The perfect market bag for trips to your favourite shops. Carry produce, books, and any other treasures you find on your weekend adventures. This bag is lightweight, durable, stylish, and would also be handy for a quick trip to the beach (throw in a towel, sunscreen, and a good book). Scroll down for the free pattern or purchase an inexpensive downloadable PDF from Etsy HERE or Ravelry HERE!
My favourite thing about this crochet design are those long slats that make up the mesh body. They remind me of the stacked subway tile trend in interior design . . it feels fresh and modern to me. I wanted the bag to have a more practical solid base and I like how the top edge and straps mirror that. The stitches are very simple and easy to achieve (especially with the video tutorial that accompanies the pattern).
I chose Bernat® Handicrafter® Cotton Yarn (in the colour ‘Jute’) for this project and I love how it turned out. It’s got a rugged earthy vibe thanks to the cotton texture and neutral tone. I think this bag would also be sweet in the ‘Off White’ or ‘Overcast’ yarn colours if you’re looking for more neutral tones. A bright colour like ‘Emerald’ or ‘Red’ could be really fun if you’re looking for a bag that will pop. To explore all of the colour options and learn more about the yarn I used click HERE.
When I first shared an image of this bag on social media I was asked what I use mine for. The mesh slats, while very cool, make the bag an unpractical choice for carrying smaller items UNLESS you have a clear pouch or something similar to place inside the bag for when smaller items need a place a stay safe. I’ve used my bag for produce, books & papers, crochet projects in progress (I carry my hooks in a pencil case in the bag), beach essentials like a towel, lotion, etc. What would you use yours for?
Okay, let’s dive in . .
F I N I S H E D S I Z E
Body – 13” wide x 13” deep
Straps – 20” long
Please Note: The bag is stretchy and expands/lengthens slightly when filled
M A T E R I A L S
Hook
– US H / 8 – 5.00mm crochet hook
Yarn
– Any medium weight yarn (size 4 / ‘worsted’ / 10 ply)
◦ Bernat® Handicrafter® Cotton Yarn (in Jute) was used
▪ Amount needed – approximately 218 yards or 200 meters
Extras
– scissors
G A U G E
18 stitches = 4 inch
18 rows = 4 inch
Pattern for gauge: *(sc, ch 1 , skip 1), repeat from *
P A T T E R N A B B R E V I A T I O N S
English (US) terms
ch – Chain: Yarn over, pull through loop on hook
sc – Single Crochet: Insert hook into stitch/chain, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook
TrTr – Triple Treble: Yarn over 4 times, insert hook into stitch/chain, yarn over and pull through, (yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook) x 5
sl st – Slip Stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch and loop on hook
N O T E S
• Beginning chain does NOT count as a stitch in stitch counts
• Bag is worked in the round from the bottom up
• Bottom of bag is open and then slip stitches closed at end of pattern
C H A R T
V I D E O T U T O R I A L
There is a video tutorial available for this pattern on YouTube:
CLICK HERE
W R I T T E N P A T T E R N
English (US) terms
BODY OF BAG
Round 1 |
Ch 115, sl st into first chain to form a circle,
Ch 1, (working around chain), sc in first chain,
*(ch 1, skip 1 chain, sc in next chain),
repeat from * until 1 chain remains,
Ch 1, skip last stitch, join with sl st to first sc
[114 sts]
Round 2 |
Ch 1, sc in same stitch,
*(sc in next ch 1 space, ch 1, skip 1 stitch),
repeat from * until 1 stitch remains,
sc in last stitch,
Join with sl st to first sc
[114 sts]
Round 3 |
Ch 1, sc in same stitch,
*(ch 1, skip 1 stitch, sc in next ch 1 space),
repeat from * until 1 stitch remains,
Ch 1, skip 1 last stitch,
Join with sl st to first sc
[114 sts]
Round 4 to Round 13 |
Repeat Round 2 & Round 3 until you complete Round 13
Round 14 |
Ch 6, TrTr in first ch 1 space,
*(TrTr in next ch 1 space),
repeat from * around,
Join with sl st to top of beginning chain
[57 sts]
Round 15 |
Ch 6, TrTr in space between first 2 TrTr from prev round,
*(TrTr in space between next 2 TrTr from prev round),
repeat from * around,
Join with sl st to top of beginning chain
[56 sts]
Round 16 |
Ch 6, TrTr in space between beginning chain and first TrTr from prev round,
*(TrTr in space between next 2 TrTr from prev round),
repeat from * around,
(last TrTr should be between last TrTr and beginning chain from prev round),
Join with sl st to top of beginning chain
[57 sts]
Round 17 to Round 19 |
Repeat Round 15 & Round 16 until you complete Round 19
Round 20 |
Ch 1, sc in same stitch,
sc in space between beginning chain and first TrTr from prev round,
*(ch 1, sc in space between next 2 TrTr from prev round),
repeat from * around,
(last sc should be between last TrTr and beginning chain from prev round),
Join with sl st to first sc
[114 sts]
Round 21 |
Ch 1, sc in same stitch,
*(ch 1, skip 1 stitch, sc in next ch 1 space),
repeat from * around,
Join with sl st to first sc
[114 sts]
Round 22 |
Ch 1, sc in same stitch,
*(sc in next ch 1 space, ch 1, skip 1 stitch),
repeat from * until 1 stitch remains,
Sc in last stitch,
Join with sl st to first sc
[114 sts]
Round 23 |
Ch 1, sc in same stitch,
*(ch 1, skip 1 stitch, sc in next ch 1 space), repeat from * around,
Join with sl st to first sc
[114 sts]
Round 24 |
Ch 1, sc in same stitch,
Sc in next ch 1 space,
*(ch 1, skip 1 stitch, sc in next ch 1 space) x 4
Chain 63, skip 37 stitches,
Sc in next ch 1 space,
*(ch 1, skip 1 stitch, sc in next ch 1 space) x 10
Chain 63, skip 37 stitches,
Sc in next ch 1 space,
*(ch 1, skip 1 stitch, sc in next ch 1 space) x 4
Join with sl st to first sc
[166 sts]
Round 25 |
Ch 1, sc in same stitch,
*(ch 1, skip 1 stitch, sc in next ch 1 space [or into ch when you reach handles]),
repeat from * around,
Join with sl st to first sc
[166 sts]
Finish Off
Turn bag inside out and seam bottom of bag closed using slip stitches
Turn bag right side out
Weave in ends
Thank you for LOOPING together this LAKESIDE inspired project with me! Please tag me in pictures of your finished bag so I can see what colour/yarn you chose – @lakesideloops
