Learn how to crochet a farmers market bag for your groceries with this free pattern! This easy crochet tote bag is made in one piece and comes in 2 sizes.
It’s the perfect bag to bring to your local farmers market, and it also makes a great lunch tote!
Scroll down for the free crochet pattern and guided video tutorial, or click here to purchase the ad-free printable PDF pattern.

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Easy Crochet Market Bag
My latest free crochet pattern is a crochet farmers market bag! This easy versatile crochet bag is made in 1 piece and comes in 2 sizes. It’s made using basic crochet stitches and features an adorable shell stitch border.
So if you need a cute bag for the summertime or just need an extra grocery bag that has a lot of space, I think you’ll enjoy making this crochet pattern.
It’s a fun easy pattern that can be worked up in just a few days.

Crochet a Market Bag in 2 Sizes
This crochet farmers market bag comes in 2 sizes – small or large. The small size works great when you want to bring something for lunch and the bigger size works great for groceries.
I like to bring the small version with me to work to put all my snacks in and I bring the bigger size one with me when grocery shopping.
And let me tell you, a lot can fit into these crochet bags (super expandable). I like to call them my 2-for-1 bags because it carries so much, yet the bag itself doesn’t take up a lot of space.
So I just love these types of crochet bags. I hope you do too!

How to Crochet a Market Bag for Beginners
Crocheting your own bag is fun and easy! This farmer’s market bag is great for beginners as it’s worked in one piece. So no seaming is required for this pattern.
You’ll first start by making the top portion of your crochet bag using single crochets, then you will make the body portion of your bag using the mesh stitch. And then you will finish creating the top portion again using single crochets.
All that’s left to do after this is to make the handles and the border which are crocheted directly onto the bag.
So I would say it’s a pretty simple pattern and there’s also a helpful video tutorial included.
What Yarn is Best to Use for a Crochet Market Bag?
I highly recommend using cotton yarn (or cotton blend yarn) for a crochet market bag. I find cotton yarn to be super durable and sturdy.
For this crochet bag pattern, I used one of my favorite mercerized cotton yarns, which is Lion Brand 24/7 cotton yarn. I’m a huge fan of this yarn because it holds up really well.
I’ve used it for many crochet home decor projects and I can’t recommend it enough. This line also comes in 37 different colors, so you really have a ton of color options to choose from.
As always though, if you can’t get a hold of this yarn, any number 4 worsted-weight yarn will work. You can also check yarnsub.com for some yarn substitutions.
Alright, let’s start our pattern!
Other Free Crochet Bag Patterns

1. Crossbody Bag Pattern. / 2. Granny Square Bag Pattern
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Description:
Learn how to crochet a farmers market bag with this free crochet pattern and step-by-step video tutorial. This versatile bag can be made in two different sizes – small or large.
Materials:
- Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Yarn in the color Camel (Weight 4/3.5 oz, 186 yds), or you can use another worsted weight yarn. You will need 1 skein (186 yds) for the small size, and 3 skeins (558 yds) for the large size.
- Size 4.0 mm (G) crochet hook.
- Darning Needle.
- Stitch Markers.
- Scissors.
Bag Size:
Small: diameter/width – 8 1/2″ inch, height (including strap) – 10 1/4″ inch.
Large; diameter/width – 16 1/2″ inch, height (including strap) – 22 1/2″ inch.
Gauge:
20 stitches x 20 rows = 4″ inch square in single crochet.
Abbreviations:
ch – chain: Yarn over, pull through loop on hook.
ss – slip stitch: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook.
sc – single crochet: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through last two loops on hook.
dc – double crochet: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch and pull through, yarn over and pull through first two loops on hook, yarn over and pull through last two loops on hook.
shell stitch – Make 4 double crochets in the same stitch to create a shell stitch.
Pattern Notes:
- Pattern written in U.S. terms.
- This crochet market bag can be made in 2 sizes: small and large. The sizing guide follows S(L). Example: ch 16 (31) means chain 16 for the small size, and chain 31 for the large size.
- Ch 1 at the beginning of each row does not count as a stitch.
- Pattern is explained in 5 different sections: 1-Top Portion of Bag, 2-Mesh Portion of Bag, 3-Other Top Portion of Bag, 4-Strap Portion of Bag, 5-Shell Stitch Border.
- Total stitches for row are indicated between ( ).
Pattern
Section 1: Top Portion of Bag
Ch 16 (31)
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, and in each chain across. Ch 1, turn. 15 (30).
Row 2: Sc in first stitch, and in each stitch across. Ch 1, turn. 15 (30).
Row 3 – Row 6: Repeat row 2. 15 (30).
Now you will start working the mesh portion of your bag.
Section 2: Mesh Portion of Bag
For both sizes:
Row 1: ch 5, turn, and ss into the first stitch. * ch 5, and ss into the next stitch. Continue to repeat from * till the end of the row. 15 (30) mesh stitches.
Now follow the pattern according to the size you’re making.
Small Size: Repeat row 1 until you have 44 rows total. (15 mesh stitches per row).
Large Size: Repeat row 1 until you have 80 rows total. (30 mesh stitches per row).

Now you will start working the other top portion of the bag.
Section 3: Top Portion of Bag
For both sizes:
Row 1: ch 1, turn, and make a sc in the first mesh stitch. Then continue by making a sc in each mesh stitch until the end of the row. Ch 1, turn. 15 (30).
Row 2: Sc in first stitch, and in each stitch across. Ch 1, turn. 15 (30).
Row 3 – Row 6: Repeat row 2. 15 (30).
Now you will make single crochets on the side of your bag and make chains to create the strap of your bag.

Section 4: Strap Portion of Bag
Follow the pattern according to the size you’re making.
Small Size: ch 1, and make 1 sc in each single crochet row on the side of your bag (6). Now make 1 sc in each mesh stitch row (22). Then make 1 sc in each single crochet row again on the side of your bag (6). (34 sc total).
Then ch 40, and attach your long chain to the last stitch on the other side of your bag with a ss.
Then ch 1, and make 1 sc in each single crochet row on the side of your bag (6). Now make 1 sc in each mesh stitch row. (22). Then make 1 sc in each single crochet row again on the side of your bag (6). (34 sc total).
Then ch 40, and attach your long chain to the last stitch on the other side of your bag with a ss.
You should have a total of 148 stitches.
Large Size: ch 1, and make 1 sc in each single crochet row on the side of your bag (6). Now make 1 sc in each mesh stitch row. (40) Then make 1 sc in each single crochet row again on the side of your bag (6). (52 sc total).
Then ch 90, and attach your long chain to the last stitch on the other side of your bag with a ss.
Then ch 1, and make 1 sc in each single crochet row on the side of your bag (6). Now make 1 sc in each mesh stitch row. (40). Then make 1 sc in each single crochet row again on the side of your bag (6). (52 sc total).
Then ch 90, and attach your long chain to the last stitch on the other side of your bag with a ss.
You should have a total of 284 stitches.
For both sizes:
Ch 1, and make a sc in the same stitch you placed your ss. Place a stitch marker, and make a sc in each stitch across your bag until you reach the beginning of your stitch marker. 148 (284).
Now you will work the shell stitch border around your bag.
Section 5: Shell Stitch Border
Follow the pattern according to the size you’re making.
Small Size: Make 1 sc in the first stitch, skip 2 stitches, and make a shell stitch in the next stitch. * Skip 2 stitches, make 1 sc in the following stitch, skip 2 stitches, and make a shell stitch in the next stitch. Continue to repeat from * till last 3 stitches, skip 2 stitches, make a shell stitch in the following stitch, and ss to first sc stitch.
Large Size: Make 1 sc in the first stitch, skip 2 stitches, and make a shell stitch in the next stitch. * Skip 2 stitches, make 1 sc in the following stitch, skip 2 stitches, and make a shell stitch in the next stitch. Continue to repeat from * till last 4 stitches, skip 2 stitches, make a sc in the following stitch, skip next stitch, and ss to first sc stitch.
Finish off and weave in ends for both sizes.

Karty Pracy Dzieci
Sunday 9th of February 2025
Amazing! You explain things in such a clear and concise way.
Nicky
Tuesday 18th of February 2025
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying the pattern. 😊
Isabel
Saturday 18th of January 2025
Hi, after starting the large bag & then going through all the comments, I’m thinking the large bag is way too big. I was wondering if I stopped at 60 rows, instead of the 80 rows would my bag turn out alright? My cotton yarn is a little difficult to undo once I continue trying to complete my bag that’s why I will wait for a reply.
I should have started with the small size bag 1st, before the large 1. But I do plan to complete a small bag too. Thank you
Isabel
Wednesday 29th of January 2025
@Nicky, thank you, I tried it & it came out perfect. I love it.
Nicky
Wednesday 22nd of January 2025
Hi there, I think it will be ok because the yarn does stretch a bit. As long as you don't mind the size being a bit smaller than the original size, I think it'll be ok.
Julie
Monday 6th of January 2025
I made a medium size. Twenty-one chain, six rows of sc for the band - all with a 3.5mm hook with white packaging cotton string (equivalent to a light worsted). Changed hook to 4.00 and made 20 mesh loops. I repeated for 50 rows and then changed to 3.5mm hook and followed the pattern instruction for the rest of the bands, just with the reduced number of initial stitches and mesh rows. It isn't hard to adjust the size as the pattern is simple to follow, particularly with the excellent video provided for those of us who are more visual. I made a 50 ch strap so I could carry the bag over my shoulder and that is perfect. The strap has four rows of sc which I felt was wide enough but can be wider if preferred. This is a good medium size and you can carry it by the handles if you wish and it won't drag on the ground yet it will accommodate a nice lot of groceries as it expands widthwise. Maybe this will help someone who wanted that mid size.
Julie
Wednesday 15th of January 2025
@Nicky, You're welcome Nicky. I am on my third bag at the moment. Soon all my market bags will be handmade. It really is a great pattern!!
Nicky
Thursday 9th of January 2025
Thank you so much Julie for the extra advice. I think it'll be very helpful for others who may want to adjust the size as well. 😊
Jane
Thursday 30th of May 2024
If I were to make the mesh one color and the top, handles and border a different color, would the yarn needed be 50/50 in quantity? or would one or the other take more of that color?
Nicky
Friday 31st of May 2024
Hi there, the mesh and the top part make up the bulk of the pattern. So you would need more yarn for the mesh and top part. I would say you need a little less than one ball of yarn for the border and the handles.
Sarah
Thursday 23rd of May 2024
For the single crochet around, do you single crochet into the chain that makes the handle or around it?
Nicky
Monday 27th of May 2024
Hi there, yes, so you want to make a single crochet in each chain.