Waaaaaay back when I started writing patterns, I wrote a pattern for a Market Tote Bag. The pattern was not especially well-written (hey, I’ve come a long way in 4 years), and was missing some information. I’d always meant to go back and rewrite it, but kept putting it off because it wasn’t a popular pattern. Well, all that changed when some of the girls in my super awesome Facebook group discovered it and started showing off their finished bags, inspiring many others to find and make the pattern as well. I figured I had better get it fixed up!
So what’s different?
Besides updated language that better matches my current easy-to-understand pattern lingo, I also changed the yarn I used for a couple different reasons. First of all, the original pattern called for acrylic yarn, which is fine, but since those days I’ve discovered that cotton is so much better for a bag like this. Also, the original pattern called for a #4 weight yarn, but when I went to remake it, I couldn’t get the base as large as it needed to be, no matter what I did. Yup, that’s right – same yarn, same hook, same crocheter, and a completely different tension from 4 years ago! (This is why I’m always saying check your gauge, people!) Anyways, I had to decide whether to stay true to the stitch counts or the yarn weight, and I chose the stitch counts. I switched to a #5 bulky weight yarn called Bernat Maker Home Dec, which is a wonderful, easy yarn to work with. I also upped the hook sizes to accommodate the yarn change.
So, if you happened to be right in the middle of making the Market Tote Bag from the previous pattern, don’t worry – the pattern, as far as stitch counts go, is the same as it was before.
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MARKET TOTE BAG
View on Ravelry
Difficulty: Easy
Finished Size: 14″ wide x 16″ tall; straps add an additional 14″ (and they will stretch a bit)
Yarn: Approx. 435 yards of Bernat Maker Home Dec, a #5 bulky weight cotton/nylon blend. I used 310 yards of COLOR A (“Cream”) and 125 yards of COLOR B (“Clay”).
Hooks: N (9.00 mm) and K (6.5mm)
Gauge: With N (9mm) hook, your first 3 rounds should measure 4.5″ across.
You’ll also need: Yarn needle, stitch marker
Terms and Abbreviations:
MC (magic circle – view tutorial here)
ST/STS (stitch/stitches)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)
DC (double crochet)
SC+DC (put an SC and a DC in the same stitch)
Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) This bag, including its handles, is worked in a continuous, seamless round. Do not join or turn unless specifically instructed. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of your rounds.
(3) To make this pattern with a different yarn weight, continue to increase the base until it measures about 8.5″ across. You will need to refigure the placement of the straps.
(4) If you use two colors as I did, your first color will require almost all of the skein. If you run out of yarn too soon, you can remove a round in the body of the bag to accommodate.
INSTRUCTIONS
To Begin: With larger hook and COLOR A, make a magic circle; CH1 (does not count as a stitch).
Round 1: In magic circle: 1SC, 1HDC, 10DC. (12)
Round 2: 2DC in each ST around. (24)
Round 3: (2DC in next ST, DC in next ST) around. (36)
Round 4: (2DC in next ST, DC in each of the next 2 STS) around. (48)
Round 5: (2DC in next ST, DC in each of the next 3 STS) around. (60)
Round 6: (2DC in next ST, DC in each of the next 4 STS) around. (72)
Rounds 7-28: (SC+DC in next ST, SK next ST) around. (72)
Round 29: (SC+DC in next ST, SK next ST) 35 times; 2 STS remain. 2SC in next ST; SK final ST. (72)
Switch to smaller hook.
Round 30: SC in each ST around. (72)
Switch to COLOR B (optional); fasten off COLOR A.
Rounds 31-36: SC in each ST around. (72)
Round 37 (creating the handles): CH90. SK 20 STS; SC in each of the next 16 STS. CH90. SK 20 STS; SC in each of the next 16 STS. (32SC + 180CH)
Round 38: SC in each of the 90 chains. SC in each of the next 16 STS along the top. SC in each of the next 90 chains. SC in each of the next 16 STS along the top. (212)
Rounds 39-41: SC in each ST around (continuing to go up and down the handles). (212)
To finish: SL ST to the first SC of the final round. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Edging the Handles
We’re going to add an SC edging to give the handles just a little bit more strength. With bag right side out, reattach yarn in the bottom left corner of one of the handles and CH1. SC in same ST, and continue to SC in each chain stitch going up and down the handle. Continue to SC in each ST across the top of the bag (the area between the beginning and the ending of the handle). Join with a SL ST to the first SC. Fasten off yarn, then repeat the process on the other handle. Fasten off and weave in ends.
