About This Market Bag Pattern
This pattern creates a compact, rectangular market bag worked from a flat bottom rectangle up into a textured body using cross stitches and double crochets. The bag includes instructions for creating handle holes, long carrying handles, and optional comfortable shoulder crochet pads. The pattern includes detailed row-by-row instructions, photos, and finishing notes so you can reproduce the sample exactly or customize it.
Suitable for light-worsted nylon yarn and a small hook to achieve a neat, sturdy fabric. You will learn spiral single crochet finishing, creating handle holes, and attaching sewn handles securely.
Why You'll Love This Market Bag Pattern
I absolutely love this pattern because it combines practical construction with pretty stitch texture to create a bag you will actually use every week. I enjoy how the repeating cross-stitch rows give a lace-like look while keeping the bag strong enough for errands. Changing yarn colors partway through makes each bag feel unique and gives a fun, ombre result with minimal effort. The handle hole placement and sewn handles provide a secure finish I always appreciate when testing for durability. I also love that the pattern includes photo guidance and a video link, which makes the process more reassuring and enjoyable for makers.
Switch Things Up
I love how easily this pattern can be customized: swap out yarn colors to create ombre, stripes, or block color effects to suit your wardrobe.
I often make a larger version by using a thicker yarn and a larger hook for a roomy market tote; decrease the foundation chains if you want a smaller pouch.
I sometimes add a cotton lining for extra strength and to keep small items from poking through the holes; sew the lining in before attaching handles.
I recommend experimenting with handle length — shorten for a hand-held tote or lengthen for a crossbody style by adding another 20-40 cm to the chain length.
I like to reinforce handle attachment points with an extra row of single crochet or a small leather patch on the inside for heavier loads.
For a more polished look, try hiding color change joins inside a decorative slip-stitch row or by using duplicate stitch to tidy edges.
I also enjoy adding pockets: crochet a small pocket panel and sew it to the inside before finishing the top rows for practical storage.
To make the bag sturdier, consider using two strands of yarn held together at the base or using a linen-cotton blend yarn for extra durability.
I sometimes embellish with tassels, pom-poms, or an appliqued motif to personalize each bag for gift-giving or seasonal themes.
Don't be afraid to combine stitches — you can replace the cross stitch rows with other openwork patterns as long as stitch counts and row heights remain compatible.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
✗ Not counting starting chains and turning chains accurately; recount your chains and the first row immediately to ensure the foundation has the correct number of stitches.
✗ Skipping stitch markers when working spiral single crochet rows; place a marker in the first stitch of each spiral row to keep your rounds aligned and avoid drift.
✗ Changing yarn color without securing ends neatly; carry or weave in ends at color changes and tidy them as you go to avoid bulky seams later.
✗ Making handle holes too small or uneven; measure and mark 7cm from each side as instructed, use stitch markers and double-check spacing before skipping stitches.
