Yes, It’s FREE! Your Go-To Crochet Market Bag Free Pattern Awaits!

Tired of flimsy plastic bags and searching for a stylish, sustainable alternative? Look no further! This comprehensive guide provides everything you need, including a complete crochet market bag free pattern, to create your very own beautiful, eco-friendly ‘Circle Leaf Market Bag’.

Market bags are not just for farmers market hauls anymore! They’re incredibly versatile, perfect for grocery shopping, a day at the beach, carrying your latest crochet project, or simply as a chic everyday accessory. Our unique Circle Leaf stitch creates a lovely, open weave that’s not only fun to make but also highly functional.

Your stunning new crochet market bag, made with love!

What You’ll Need to Crochet Your Market Bag:

• Yarn: Hershner’s Cottage Cotton Yarn (or any worsted weight cotton yarn). The tutorial uses “Posy” (a cute pink!), but it looks fantastic in white or any color of your choice. Cotton yarn is recommended for its durability and washability, making it ideal for market bags.
• Crochet Hook: 4.5 mm G+ hook
• Tools: Scissors, Tapestry Needle (for weaving in ends), Stitch Markers (highly recommended for keeping track of your rounds!).

Getting Started: Crocheting the Oval Base (Rounds 1-8)

This crochet market bag free pattern begins by working the base of your bag from the bottom up, in the round. We’ll start with an oval shape to provide a sturdy foundation.

Creating the Foundation Chain:

1. Make a slip knot and place it onto your hook.
2. Chain 26. (You can make these chains a little tighter if you prefer). We’ll be working around both sides of this chain to form the bottom center of your bag.

Round 1: Building the First Layer (60 stitches total)

1. Start in the back humps of your chain. Work a stacked single crochet into the very first chain from the hook.
2. In that exact same first chain, work 5 more half double crochets (HDC). You’ll have 6 stitches total in that first chain.
3. Work 24 HDC down the length of the chain. This will take you to the very last chain.
4. In the very last chain, work 6 HDC. This turns the corner.
5. Work 24 HDC back down the other side of the chain, until you reach your beginning stitch.
6. Slip stitch to join to the very first stitch of the round (your stacked single crochet). You should have a total of 60 stitches.

Increasing for the Oval Shape (Rounds 2-8):

For these rounds, you’ll be increasing on each end of the oval to expand the base. Each round will increase by 12 stitches (6 on each end). Use stitch markers to denote your increase sections for easier tracking!

• Round 2 (72 stitches):
  • Start with a stacked single crochet in the first stitch (or chain 2 + HDC in same). Mark it.
  • Work 2 HDC in each of the next 5 stitches (total of 6 increases at this end, including your first stitch).
  • HDC in the next 24 stitches.
  • Work 2 HDC in each of the next 6 stitches.
  • HDC in the remaining stitches (should be 24).
  • Slip stitch to join to the first stitch.
• Round 3 (84 stitches):
  • Start with a stacked single crochet in the first stitch (or chain 2 + HDC in same). Then 1 HDC in the same stitch.
  • Repeat [2 HDC in next stitch, 1 HDC in next stitch] 5 more times. (Total 6 repeats of this sequence for the first increase section).
  • HDC in the next 24 stitches.
  • Repeat [2 HDC in next stitch, 1 HDC in next stitch] 6 times for the second increase section.
  • HDC in the remaining 24 stitches.
  • Slip stitch to join.
• Round 4 (96 stitches):
  • Start with a stacked single crochet in the first stitch (or chain 2 + HDC in same). Then 1 HDC in the next 2 stitches.
  • Repeat [2 HDC in next stitch, 1 HDC in next 2 stitches] 5 more times.
  • HDC in the next 24 stitches.
  • Repeat [2 HDC in next stitch, 1 HDC in next 2 stitches] 6 times.
  • HDC in the remaining 24 stitches.
  • Slip stitch to join.
• Continue this pattern of increases through Round 8.
  • Each round, you’ll add one more single HDC in between your “2 HDC in one stitch” increase.
  • For example, Round 5 will be [2 HDC in next, HDC in next 3] x 6 on each end.
  • Round 6: [2 HDC in next, HDC in next 4] x 6 on each end.
  • Round 7: [2 HDC in next, HDC in next 5] x 6 on each end.
  • Round 8 (144 stitches): You’ll end up doing your increases as [2 HDC in first stitch, HDC in each of the next 6 stitches] repeated 6 times on each end.

Transitioning to the Body: Defining the Base (Round 9)

This round creates a subtle, decorative line that defines the bottom of your crochet market bag from the main body. We will no longer be increasing.

• Round 9 (144 stitches):
  • Work this entire round in the third loop of the half double crochets from the previous round. This is the loop on the back side, just below the top ‘V’.
  • Start with a stacked single crochet in the third loop of the first stitch.
  • Half double crochet in the third loop of each remaining stitch around.
  • Slip stitch to join.

Building the Base Wall (Rounds 10-13)

Before starting the decorative body, we’ll build a few more simple HDC rounds.

• Rounds 10-13: Simply half double crochet in each stitch around for these four rounds. Join with a slip stitch at the end of each round.

The Main Event: Crafting the Circle Leaf Body (13 Rounds)

Now for the really fun part of this crochet market bag free pattern – the unique Circle Leaf stitch pattern repeat!

Round 1 (Body Pattern):

1. Place a single crochet (SC) into the very first stitch. Mark this as the first stitch of the round.
2. Work a “Stacked Cluster” (detailed instructions below).
3. Skip the next 5 stitches.
4. Single crochet into the next stitch.
5. Repeat [Stacked Cluster, skip 5 stitches, SC in next stitch] all the way around.
6. Slip stitch to join to your very first SC of the round.

How to Crochet a Stacked Cluster:

1. Chain 3.
2. First Modified Cluster: Yarn over, go into the 3rd chain from the hook, yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops. (2 loops on hook).
3. Yarn over, go back into the 3rd chain from the hook, yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops. (3 loops on hook).
4. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. (First part complete).
5. Chain 3.
6. Second Modified Cluster (stacked on top): Yarn over, go into the 3rd chain from the hook (of the new chain 3), yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops. (2 loops on hook).
7. Yarn over, go back into the 3rd chain from the hook, yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops. (3 loops on hook).
8. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
9. This completes one Stacked Cluster.

Repeat Rounds (Rounds 2-13 of Body Pattern):

This is the repeating sequence for the rest of the bag’s body. You’ll work a total of 13 body rounds with this repeat.

1. At the end of the previous round, slip stitch to join to the first stitch.
2. Slip stitch along the back loop only of the stacked cluster from the previous round until you reach the center of that stacked cluster.
3. Single crochet into the center space of the stacked cluster. Mark this as the first stitch of the new round.
4. Work a Stacked Cluster (as detailed above).
5. Single crochet into the center of the next stacked cluster from the round below.
6. Repeat [Stacked Cluster, SC in center of next stacked cluster] all the way around.
7. When you reach the beginning again, slip stitch to join to your first SC, then slip stitch up to the center of the next stacked cluster to begin the next round.

Continue this repeat for a total of 13 body rounds. You can do more or less to customize the height of your crochet market bag.

Finishing the Top of the Bag (Rounds 1-4)

After completing your 13 body rounds, we’ll create a solid top edge before adding the handles.

Round 1 (Top Edging):

1. Slip stitch back to the center of the previous stacked cluster (similar to starting body rounds).
2. Single crochet into the center of that stacked cluster. Mark this first stitch.
3. Chain 5.
4. Single crochet into the center of the next stacked cluster.
5. Repeat [Chain 5, SC in center of next stacked cluster] all the way around.
6. Slip stitch to join to your very first SC.

Rounds 2-4 (Top Solid Edge):

These rounds will create a solid band at the top of your bag, preparing for the handles.

• For Rounds 2 through 4, simply half double crochet in each stitch all the way around.
• For Round 2, you’ll be working into the chain stitches (counting each chain as a stitch) and the single crochet stitches.
• For Rounds 3 and 4, you’ll be working into the HDC stitches from the previous round.
• Start each round with a stacked single crochet (or chain 2 + HDC in same stitch). Join with a slip stitch at the end of each round.

Adding the Built-In Handles

This is a clever way to add sturdy handles without any seaming! Fold your bag in half to naturally find the sides for handle placement.

Handle Round:

1. After joining your last round of the top solid edge, start the new round with a stacked single crochet in the first stitch.
2. Half double crochet in the next 17 stitches. (This makes a total of 18 stitches from the beginning, including your stacked SC).
3. Chain 70 for your first handle.
4. Skip 32 stitches on the bag.
5. Half double crochet into the next stitch.
6. Half double crochet for a total of 40 stitches along this side of the bag. (The first HDC after skipping counts as one of these 40).
7. Chain 70 for your second handle.
8. Skip 32 stitches on the bag.
9. Half double crochet for the remaining 22 stitches in the round until you’re back to the beginning.
10. Join to your first stacked single crochet.

Reinforcing the Handles (Final 3 Rounds)

These last three rounds integrate the handles into the bag structure, making them strong and durable.

• Next 3 Rounds: Start each round with a stacked single crochet. Half double crochet in each stitch around.
• This includes working HDC into each of the 70 chain stitches on both handles. Simply work into the chains as you normally would.
• Join with a slip stitch at the end of each round.

These rounds can be a bit repetitive due to the high stitch count, but they are crucial for a strong, well-formed handle. Put on your favorite podcast or audiobook and enjoy the meditative rhythm of crochet!

The Invisible Join & Finishing Touches

For a seamless, professional finish, we’ll use an invisible join for the very last round.

1. After working your last stitch of the final HDC round, do NOT slip stitch to join. Fasten off, leaving a tail of about 6-8 inches.
2. Thread your tapestry needle with the yarn tail.
3. Skip the very first stitch of the round. Insert your needle under both loops of the second stitch of the round (as if to crochet it) from front to back. Pull the yarn through.
4. Now, go back down into the center of the last stitch you actually crocheted (usually just through the back loop or the center of the V), where your yarn tail originally emerged. Insert your needle from top to bottom. Pull the yarn through.
5. This creates a “mock stitch” that perfectly mimics the look of the other stitches, making your join virtually invisible.
6. Weave in any remaining ends securely. Trim off excess yarn.

Why Choose This Crochet Market Bag Free Pattern?

• Eco-Friendly: Say goodbye to single-use plastic bags! This reusable bag is a stylish step towards a greener lifestyle.
• Durable & Sturdy: Made with cotton yarn and a solid base, this bag can handle heavy groceries, beach towels, or multiple skeins of yarn.
• Versatile Design: The open weave Circle Leaf stitch is visually appealing and practical.
• Customizable: Adjust the height, handle length, and color to match your personal style and needs.
• Rewarding Project: Even if you’re a relatively new crocheter, tackling a project like this is a fantastic way to expand your skills and create something truly useful.

Yarn Choices & Care for Your Crochet Market Bag

While the pattern suggests Hershner’s Cottage Cotton, here are some tips on yarn and care:

• Yarn Type: Cotton yarn is highly recommended for market bags due to its strength, durability, and absorbency. Blends with cotton (e.g., cotton/acrylic) can also work. Avoid delicate fibers like silk or superwash wool that might stretch out too much with heavy use.
• Yarn Weight: The pattern uses worsted weight (or Aran weight) yarn, which is a good standard. Adjust your hook size if using a different weight.
• Care: Most cotton bags can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cold water and laid flat to dry. This helps maintain the bag’s shape and prevents stretching. Always check your yarn label for specific care instructions!

Tips for Crochet Success with Your Free Pattern:

• Stitch Markers are Your Best Friend: Especially for the base increases and marking your first stitch of each round.
• Maintain Consistent Tension: This will ensure your bag has an even look and shape.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Recount: If something feels off, pull back a few stitches and recount. It’s better to fix it early!
• Watch the Video: The provided video tutorial is an invaluable resource, especially for the stacked single crochet and the unique stacked cluster stitch.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this comprehensive crochet market bag free pattern and tutorial! These bags are truly a joy to make and use. Whether you’re heading to the market, the beach, or just out with your essentials (like more yarn, of course!), your new handmade bag will be a statement piece.

Be sure to hit that subscribe button on the video channel and like the video for more fun projects. If you loved the Circle Leaf stitch, check out more patterns featuring this beautiful stitch for other wearables and accessories!

Happy Crocheting!