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:Â Easy
Finished Size:Â 14″ wide x 16″ tall; straps add an additional 14″ (and they will stretch a bit)
Yarn:Â 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: NÂ (9.00 mm) and K (6.5mm)
Gauge:Â With N (9mm) hook, your first 3 rounds should measure 4.5″ across.
You’ll also need:Â Yarn needle, stitch marker
Terms and Abbreviations:
MCÂ (magic circle – view tutorial here)
ST/STSÂ (stitch/stitches)
SL STÂ (slip stitch)
SKÂ (skip)
CHÂ (chain)
SCÂ (single crochet)
DCÂ (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:Â With larger hook and COLOR A, make a magic circle; CH1 (does not count as a stitch).
Round 1:Â In magic circle: 1SC, 1HDC, 10DC. (12)
Round 2:Â 2DC in each ST around. (24)
Round 3: (2DC in next ST, DC in next ST) around. (36)
Round 4:Â (2DC in next ST, DC in each of the next 2 STS) around. (48)
Round 5:Â (2DC in next ST, DC in each of the next 3 STS) around. (60)
Round 6:Â (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:Â 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.
I love this bag. I am working on it. The handle directions are not working for me. Can you please help?
Hello, I am currently working on making this bag, but I am a little confused on rounds 3 and up. It says 2DC in the next st and then DC in the next stitch around. Does this mean I alternate 2DC and DC for each stitch all the way around?
LeClare Nance
Florida
So the pattern says make a magic circle. Do we follow the tutorial doing 12 DC stitches into the magic circle and then do a slip stitch to join it. The pattern also says to jot join unless specifically noted. I’m a very beginner here and just want to get it right. Thank you.
I just started making the handles and i just did the 90 chains. The next step says to skip 20 stitches and then sc in the next 16 stitches. I was wondering were these stitches go. Are they part of the handle or are they being attached to the bag. Thanks so much!!! This pattern has been really fun and cute!!
I just completed this bag and it turned out AMAZING!!! My daughter loved it and asked if I would make one for her. Of course, I gave it to her because that’s what mom’s do!! Thank you for the pattern and I will make another one soon!
Hello I have a question each round crochetting this bag do you do a slip stitch after each round thanks Sharon
I’m referring to Round 7-28…how can the number of stitches (72) not increase if I put two (SC+DC) in one stitch? Wouldn’t that double a stitch? What am I missing? Sorry, if this is a dumb question.
Nevermind…just answered my own question. The second part is not SC, but SKIP a stitch. Ugh. Love the look of your market bag!!
Hi
Just wanted to say I love your pattern. I will make the next ones a little longer as we will use the for grocery shopping.
Thank You
I’ve just made two of these bags using #4 cotton, 5mm hook for the base and 4mm for the top (change color) handle section.
Worked out perfectly!
Did you keep all the same stitch counts? Mine is turning out a good deal smaller.
I have completed 4 of these bags since the beginning of July. Just love it. I made some longer in length and some of the handles were shorter. What a lovely pattern.
Hi Rebecca,
Thank you so much for your wonderful patterns! Can you tell me how tall this bag should be before you get to the part where you switch hooks to make the top (after Round 30). Thank you so much.
Nancy in New Jersey
I don’t have that written down, but judging by the gauge, probably 9″.
When doing the top part of the bag (over the base) do I crochet in the skip st part or in the sc DC part?
You’ll put your hook under the top loops created by the SC stitch.
I just love this bag! The pattern came out beautifully! I used Lily Sugar ‘N cream cotton yarn in red with a cream color on top. Because it is a medium weight yarn, I followed the instructions by measuring the base until it reached 8.5 inches. I love it so much that I think I will whip up a mini version.
Also I used a size 6 crochet hook for most of the bag, and then a size 5 for the single crochet at the top.
I love this bag and the basket patterns, but I have been unable to find the Bernat Maker yarn you used. Any suggestions on where to find it, or what yarn to substitute to get the same look?
Hi Gillian! It’s been harder and harder to find, though the word fro Yarnspirations is that it will start showing up again soon. My Walmart still carries it. There really is no substitute for that yarn :/ but you could double- or triple-strand some thinner cotton yarn to make the baskets.
Hello, I love this patter so much and have been looking for quite some time to find the “perfect” bag! I started this project last night and just want to make sure things are going the way they should be. As my circle gets larger, it isn’t laying flat. Is it supposed to be like that?
Thank you!
Amy
Hi Amy! It’s not going to matter for a slouchy bag like this. As long as your counts are right, you should be ok!
I have a question with this crochet bag after each round do you do a slip stitch or just keep going around and around thanks
I really like this market bag but I’m having g a difficult time trying to figure out how to do the handles. Do you have a tutorial showing how to make the entire bag.
I just finished this pattern with yarn bee dyeworks I got on clearance at hobby lobby. It turned out really great. This is my favorite market bag pattern.
Rebecca, first of all, thank you so much for publishing the recipe for the delicious Market Tote Bag! I have searched for a long time to find this one, particularly because it doesn’t have so many “holes” throughout and I won’t lose my smaller items. I have a question regarding the size of the crochet hooks: you specify size N or 9.00 mm. Looking at my crochet hooks I find the following sizes: J/10 = 5.75 mm; G/7 = 4.5 mm; L/11 = 8.00 mm. This last one is very large and I have never actually used it. I actually can’t imagine using a hook that is 9 mm!!!
Would you be able to get back to me and help me find the correct size, please? I have more hooks than the ones I mentioned; however, I thought it might be closer to the G/7 or the bag will be HUGE.
Thank you so much! Angela
Hi Angela! I really did use a 9mm hook. You’d probably be fine using the 8mm, but I wouldn’t go down more than that; this calls for #5 chunky yarn.
Rebecca, thank you so much for your reply. Meanwhile, I realized that a 9mm hook would be appropriate, since the pattern looks so much better with larger holes and “nobs(?)”. I did not undo all my work, but gradually increased the hook size, and am presently using 9mm. It gives the bag a little different shape which is actually a good thing. Thanks again for your help!
Are you suppose to do the handles before turning it, the right side out?
Do you mean edging them? It wouldn’t really matter. I turned mine right side out.
Before the edging.
It doesn’t matter. It’s all worked in one piece, so whether you happen to hold it right side out or inside out while you crochet it, it doesn’t make a difference. You can even go back and forth from one to the other and you’ll still be crocheting in the correct direction. 🙂
Was in the store and Home Dec was on sale had seen it before and found it interesting. Did a google to find a market bag and came across yours. Almost finished my first and am so glad I bought enough to make 3! Love this pattern, thank you so much.
I’m so glad you like it! This is one of my favorite yarns. Have you seen my baskets? https://YARNANDCHAI.COM/BASKETS ?