Skip to Content

Crochet Farmers Market Bag – Free Pattern

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.

A crochet farmers market bag in the color camel (orange). with eucalyptus branch.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

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.

Model has a French market bag on her shoulder.

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!

A large crochet farmers market bag and a small crochet farmers market bag.

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

2 Free Crochet Granny Square Bag Patterns.

1. Crossbody Bag Pattern. / 2. Granny Square Bag Pattern

PIN IT for later

A crochet market bag.

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.

  • Purchase an ad-free, printable, PDF pattern HERE.
  • Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.

Materials:

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 22 rows total. (15 mesh stitches per row).

Large Size: Repeat row 1 until you have 40 rows total. (30 mesh stitches per row).

Different rows on the crochet bag.

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. 

Part 1, 2, 3 section of the 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. 

2 small crochet market bags with 3 green apples.

Jody

Sunday 26th of November 2023

Nice video and great directions. I made the little bag this afternoon and love how the shell stitch really finishes it off nicely and gives it some body. It also makes it very fun to use up leftover cotton yarns. You don’t need very much to make a couple rows of color during making the mesh with the main one. thanks!

Nicky

Sunday 26th of November 2023

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed making the pattern. 😊

Jocelyn Zame

Friday 3rd of November 2023

So good to see someone who holds their yarn the same way I do. I have tried all different ways but is the most comfortable. This is a great bag thank you for this great tutorial. I'm going to make lots for Christmas gifts this year. Thank you Jocelyn

Nicky

Wednesday 8th of November 2023

You're welcome! They would make such cute Christmas gifts.😊Oh yeah, I know what you mean. I've tried a few different ways, but I always come back to this way of holding my yarn.

Jen

Thursday 31st of August 2023

I'm making the larger size bag and when I get to part 2, I have only 29 mesh loops. I did not chain one after my final row 6. Was I supposed to? The directions were unclear.

Nicky

Thursday 31st of August 2023

Hi there, thank you for your question. I'm thinking you missed a stitch in the first part. So when you make your first six single crochet rows, you should have a total of 30 stitches for the large size. Then when you start the second part, you have to chain 5 to start your mesh stitches.

Maddie

Wednesday 14th of June 2023

This bag is awesome to make, but please know that the Large size is GIANT! I made it thinking it wouldn't stretch, and boy was I wrong! I am able to fit about 20 spools of yarn in the bag I made lol. But overall this bag is great!

Nicky

Friday 16th of June 2023

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying the bag 😊. Oh yeah, they definitely stretch. I love it though, because so much fits in them. Also, just a quick tip, but if you find that your bag has stretched out to much after a few uses. Just put it in the wash machine and then the dryer, and your bag goes back to it's original shape. I love doing this to my bags. Plus, it's gets a little refresh! ✨

Mamie

Sunday 23rd of April 2023

I just finished the small bag and found stitch markers to be so helpful! Love it! I wonder if you have directions for a Medium size bag. Please share if you do. Thank you πŸ™‚

Nicky

Tuesday 25th of April 2023

Thank you for sharing! 😊 Stitch markers are lifesavers. I love using them as well in my crochet projects. I don't have a medium size yet for the bag, but all make sure to make one in the future.