Some bags just get used. Farmers market on Saturday, beach on Sunday, a stack of library books on Monday. This crochet market bag is one of those. It’s roomy, light, and made with a single stitch, so it works up faster than you’d expect.
The handles are what make it special. Instead of crocheting straps, you make them from fabric and knot them through openings in the bag. That means you can change the whole look of your tote in about two minutes, just by swapping the straps.
Why You’ll Love This Crochet Tote Bag
- Beginner friendly. It’s all single crochet, worked in joined rounds.
- Big enough for real life. It holds a towel, sunscreen and a book, or a week’s worth of produce.
- Swappable straps. Make a few pairs and match your bag to your outfit.
- Little to no sewing. Fabric glue works fine for the straps (more on that below).
- Lightweight. Great for warm weather when you don’t want anything heavy on your shoulder.
Yarn and Fabric Ideas
Pick a yarn color you love, then build the fabric around it. A few combinations to get you started:
- Sage green yarn with cream linen straps
- Sandy oatmeal yarn with terracotta stripes
- Butter yellow yarn with denim-blue chambray
- Soft white yarn with a small-print floral
A neutral bag with a bold strap is easy to style. A bright bag with a quiet strap is easy to love. Both work.
Skill level: Confident beginner (you can single crochet in the round).
Materials
- Hook: US H/8 (5.0 mm)
- Yarn: Bulky weight (#5 / chunky), about 570 yards (520 m). A soft tape yarn or a cotton blend works well. Buy a spare skein, because you’ll be carrying a second strand of yarn through the body.
- Fabric: Medium-weight woven fabric such as linen, chambray or a cotton blend, 56 in wide × 24 in long (142 × 61 cm)
- For the straps: Fabric glue, or a needle and thread, or a sewing machine
- Also handy: Ruler or tape measure, pencil or fabric chalk, scissors, straight pins, yarn needle, stitch marker
Gauge and Finished Size
Gauge: 10 sc × 11 rounds = about 3 × 3 in (7.5 × 7.5 cm), worked with the doubled yarn.
Finished size: About 12 in tall × 19 in wide (30 × 48 cm), laid flat.
Abbreviations (US terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- inc – 2 sc in the same stitch
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
Before You Start
- The starting ch 1 of each round does not count as a stitch.
- From Round 2 onward, hold a second strand of yarn behind your work and crochet over it. This is what gives the bag its shape and stiffness.
- End every round with a snug sl st into the first sc of that round. Begin the next round with ch 1, then work your first sc into that same joining stitch.
- Stitch counts are shown in [brackets].
- If your increases start lining up like spokes on a wheel, stagger them by working a few plain sc at the start of the round and finishing with the same number at the end. Just make sure you land on the right count.
The Pattern
Part 1: The Bag Body
Round 1: Ch 2, work 6 sc into the 2nd ch from the hook. Join with a sl st. [6]
Add the second strand of yarn from here on.
Rounds 2–14 (the base): Each round has 6 increases, evenly spaced.
| Round | Instructions | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | inc in every st | 12 |
| 3 | 1 sc, inc 6 times | 18 |
| 4 | 2 sc, inc 6 times | 24 |
| 5 | 3 sc, inc 6 times | 30 |
| 6 | 4 sc, inc 6 times | 36 |
| 7 | 5 sc, inc 6 times | 42 |
| 8 | 6 sc, inc 6 times | 48 |
| 9 | 7 sc, inc 6 times | 54 |
| 10 | 8 sc, inc 6 times | 60 |
| 11 | 9 sc, inc 6 times | 66 |
| 12 | 10 sc, inc 6 times | 72 |
| 13 | 11 sc, inc 6 times | 78 |
| 14 | 12 sc, inc 6 times | 84 |
Rounds 15–59 (the sides): Same idea, but the increases now get spread further apart.
| Round | Instructions | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | sc in each st | 84 |
| 16 | 13 sc, inc 6 times | 90 |
| 17–18 | sc in each st | 90 |
| 19 | 14 sc, inc 6 times | 96 |
| 20–22 | sc in each st | 96 |
| 23 | 15 sc, inc 6 times | 102 |
| 24–27 | sc in each st | 102 |
| 28 | 16 sc, inc 6 times | 108 |
| 29–33 | sc in each st | 108 |
| 34 | 17 sc, inc 6 times | 114 |
| 35–40 | sc in each st | 114 |
| 41 | 18 sc, inc 6 times | 120 |
| 42–48 | sc in each st | 120 |
| 49 | 19 sc, inc 6 times | 126 |
| 50–57 | sc in each st | 126 |
| 58 | 20 sc, inc 6 times | 132 |
| 59 | sc in each st | 132 |
Round 60 (strap openings): Sc in the next 15 sts. Ch 5, skip 5 sts. Sc in the next 26. Ch 5, skip 5. Sc in the next 30. Ch 5, skip 5. Sc in the next 26. Ch 5, skip 5. Sc in the last 15. Join. [132 sts, counting each chain]
Rounds 61–64: Sc in each sc, and work 5 sc into each ch-5 space. Join. [132]
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Part 2: The Fabric Straps
- Press your fabric so it’s flat and crease-free.
- Cut four strips, each 5½ × 56 in (14 × 142 cm).
- Give both short ends of every strip an angled cut: mark 2 in in from one corner along the end, draw a line to the opposite corner, and trim.
- Place two strips together with right sides facing. Sew or glue around the edges, leaving a 2 in gap along one long side.
- Turn the strap right side out through the gap, press it, then close the gap with a few hand stitches or a line of glue.
- Repeat with the other two strips.
Glue really is fine here. Once the straps are knotted onto the bag, the weight sits on the knots, not the seams. So the seam doesn’t need to be perfect, and it barely shows when you carry the bag.
Part 3: Assembly
- Flatten the bag so the two 30-stitch stretches sit on the side folds. The openings will land centered on the front and back.
- Feed one end of a strap through an opening from the inside out, and tie a firm knot.
- Feed the other end through the second opening on the same side and knot it.
- Flip the bag over and repeat with the second strap.
That’s it. Your crochet market bag is ready to go.
Tips for a Sturdier, Better-Looking Bag
- Keep tension consistent. The second strand makes the fabric dense, so a tight hand can make it hard to work. If your hook feels stuck, go up half a hook size.
- Choose your fabric wisely. Medium-weight woven fabrics hold a knot best. Very thin fabric slips, and very thick fabric bulks up.
- Make a spare set of straps. Since they swap so easily, one bag can have several looks.
- Care: Check your yarn label first. In general, hand washing gently and air drying flat is the safest option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What yarn is best for a crochet market bag?
Look for bulky yarn with some structure. Tape yarn and cotton blends both work well because they hold their shape under weight.
How do I make a crochet bag sturdier?
Crochet over a second strand of yarn, as this pattern does. A tight, dense stitch like single crochet also helps a lot.
Can I make this bag without sewing?
Yes. Fabric glue is enough for the straps, and everything else is crocheted.
Is this crochet bag pattern good for beginners?
Yes. If you can single crochet in the round, you have all the skills you need.
Show Me Your Bag
Made yours? I’d love to see it! Share a photo on Pinterest or Instagram and tag @maisiecrochet (adjust to your real handle). And if you want to make it later, save this pattern to your crochet board so it’s easy.