Master the Art of Crochet: Your Ultimate Market Bag Crochet Pattern Guide

Are you ready to create a versatile and beautiful accessory that’s both practical and stylish? Look no further than this comprehensive market bag crochet pattern! Perfect for trips to the farmers market, grocery runs, or simply carrying your everyday essentials, a handmade market bag is a sustainable and fashionable choice. Today, we’re diving into the captivating Circle Leaf Stitch to craft a delightful and functional market bag that will turn heads.

This unique market bag crochet pattern features the beautiful Circle Leaf Stitch, known for its lovely open weave, making it ideal for a lightweight yet sturdy tote. We’ll guide you step-by-step from creating the oval base to perfecting the intricate body stitch and adding sturdy, built-in handles. Get ready to crochet your new favorite accessory!

What You’ll Need: Materials and Tools

Before we begin this exciting market bag crochet pattern project, gather your materials:

Visual Guide: Watch the Market Bag Crochet Pattern Tutorial

To assist you every step of the way, watch the full video tutorial below. This visual aid perfectly complements the written instructions for your market bag crochet pattern project.

Watch the Market Bag Crochet Pattern Tutorial Here!

Getting Started: The Foundation of Your Market Bag

This market bag crochet pattern is worked from the bottom up, in the round, starting with a sturdy oval base.

Creating the Oval Base (Round 1)

1. Start by making a slip knot and placing it onto your hook.
2. Chain 26. (For a tidier look, you can make these starting chains a little tighter.)
3. We’ll be working around both sides of this chain, which will form the bottom center, our starting point for the bag’s base.
4. When working along this chain, we recommend starting in the back humps for a cleaner finish. Begin in the very first chain from the hook (do not use a turning chain). Create a stacked single crochet:
   1. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
   2. Yarn over and pull through two loops. (You should have two loops on your hook.)
   3. Go into that left bar of the stitch you just made, yarn over and pull up a loop.
   4. Yarn over and pull through two loops.

   Immediately place a stitch marker in this first stitch to prevent confusion, as the stacked single crochet creates a seamless edge.

5. Working into that exact same chain (the first chain from the hook), half double crochet (hdc) five more times. This means you will have a total of six stitches in the first chain from the hook.
6. Now, work down the side of the chain: hdc 24 stitches. This will take you all the way to the very last chain.
7. In this last chain, hdc six times. As you work, you’ll naturally curve around the end. Use your tail end to help hold it as you work, then work over the tail a bit to hide it.
8. Hdc 24 stitches all the way back to the beginning of the round along the other side of the chain.
9. Slip stitch to join to the very first stitch of the round.
10. End of Round 1: You should have a total of 60 stitches.

Increasing Rounds for the Base (Rounds 2-8)

We will increase along each side of the base to achieve the desired oval shape. Using stitch markers will make tracking your increases much simpler.

2. Round 2: We’ll increase by 12 stitches (six on each end).
   • Start with a stacked single crochet into the very first stitch of the round (you can substitute this with a chain two and then a half double crochet into the same stitch). Mark this first stitch.
   • For the next five stitches, work two hdc into each (this increases one side).
   • Hdc 24 stitches.
   • Work two hdc into each of the next six stitches (this increases the other side).
   • Hdc 24 stitches.
   • Slip stitch to join to the first stitch.

   End of Round 2: 72 total stitches.

3. Round 3: Increase by 12 stitches again.
   • Start with a stacked single crochet into the first stitch (and mark it), then hdc into the same stitch. Hdc one into the next stitch. Your repeat for this section will be: (2 hdc into the next stitch, then 1 hdc into the next). Repeat this increase pattern a total of six times across this first section.
   • Hdc 24 stitches.
   • Repeat the increase pattern (2 hdc in next stitch, then 1 hdc in next) a total of six times across the second increase section.
   • Hdc 24 stitches.
   • Slip stitch to join.

   End of Round 3: 84 stitches.

4. Round 4: Increase by 12 stitches.
   • (2 hdc in first stitch, then hdc in each of the next two stitches) repeated six times.
   • Hdc 24 stitches.
   • (2 hdc in first stitch, then hdc in each of the next two stitches) repeated six times.
   • Hdc 24 stitches.
   • Slip stitch to join.

   End of Round 4: 96 stitches.

5. Subsequent Rounds (5-8): Continue to increase by 12 stitches each round. The pattern for the increase sections will be: two hdc into the first stitch, followed by hdc into a progressively increasing number of stitches (e.g., three, then four, etc.) before repeating the two hdc. The 24 hdc stitches between increase sections remain constant.
   • Round 5: (2 hdc, hdc in next 3) repeated 6x on each end. Total: 108 stitches.
   • Round 6: (2 hdc, hdc in next 4) repeated 6x on each end. Total: 120 stitches.
   • Round 7: (2 hdc, hdc in next 5) repeated 6x on each end. Total: 132 stitches.
   • Round 8: (2 hdc, hdc in next 6) repeated 6x on each end. Total: 144 stitches.

   At the end of Round 8, you will have a total of 144 stitches.

Building the Bag Body: Laying the Groundwork for the Stitch Pattern

Now that the base is complete, we stop increasing. The 144-stitch count will be our base for the body of this market bag crochet pattern.

Rounds 9-13 (Half Double Crochet Section)

9. Round 9 (In the Third Loop):
   • We will work in the third loop for this round. This isn’t mandatory, but it creates a nice, defined line between the bottom and the body of the bag, pushing the stitch forward for a distinctive look.
   • To find the third loop: After joining with a slip stitch, locate the top ‘V’ of your hdc stitch. Rotate your work slightly, and you’ll find a horizontal bar behind the ‘V’ – this is the third loop.
   • Do a stacked single crochet into that third loop.
   • Then, hdc in the remaining stitches around, in the third loop, without increasing. Continue hdc in the third loop for the entire round, then join.
10. Rounds 10-13 (Normal Half Double Crochet):
    • Just hdc in each stitch around as normal to complete this base section of the body. Join with a slip stitch at the end of each round.

The Main Body Stitch Pattern: The Captivating Circle Leaf Stitch

This is where your market bag crochet pattern truly comes to life with the beautiful Circle Leaf Stitch! This first body round will be slightly different as we’re transitioning from hdc stitches. The second body round will establish the repeat for all subsequent body rounds.

Round 1 (Transition to Stitch Pattern)

1. Start by placing a single crochet (sc) into the very first stitch. Definitely grab a stitch marker and mark this as the first stitch of the round.
2. Next, we’re going to create what we call a “stacked cluster.” This is the easiest way to describe the stitch we’re after, essentially a modified cluster stitch performed twice, stacking one on top of the other:

   How to Make a Stacked Cluster:

   1. Chain three.
   2. Yarn over, go back into the third chain from the hook, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through two loops. (You should have two loops on your hook.)
   3. Yarn over again, go back into the third chain from the hook, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through two loops. (Now you have three loops on your hook.)
   4. Yarn over and pull through all three loops. (This completes the first part of our modified cluster.)
   5. Now, to stack another one on top: Chain three.
   6. Yarn over, work into the third chain from the loop, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through two loops.
   7. Yarn over again, go back into that third chain from the hook, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through two loops.
   8. Finish by yarning over and pulling through three loops. This completes your stacked cluster!
3. Working back down to the body of the bag, skip the next five stitches (count them: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
4. Then, sc into the next stitch. Immediately after the sc, you will create another stacked cluster.
5. Skip the next five stitches again.
6. Repeat: Single crochet into the next stitch (after skipping five), then do a stacked cluster. Then, skip five stitches and single crochet into the next. Continue this repeat (Sc, Stacked Cluster, Skip 5) all the way around for Round 1 of the body portion.
7. Once you’ve made it all the way around, slip stitch to join to that very first stitch.

Round 2 Onwards (Repeating the Body Pattern)

This round establishes the repeating pattern for the main body of your bag.

2. Now we’ll start Round 2, which will be the repeat for the remaining body rounds. Slip stitch to the center of the stacked cluster from the previous round. (You can either slip stitch through the back loop only, or if you want to hide those slip stitches more effectively, work them on the back of your work.)
3. Single crochet into that space (the center of the stacked cluster). Now that we’ve single crocheted into the center of the previous stacked cluster, we’re positioned to start Round 2.
4. For Round 2, we’ll work similarly to before: chain three and start that stacked cluster as before, repeating the steps outlined above.
5. After you’ve created that stacked cluster, you are going to single crochet around the center of the stacked cluster from the round below—right into that space.
6. Repeat: Create a stacked cluster, then single crochet in the center of the stacked cluster from the round below. Continue this all the way around.
7. When you get back to the beginning of the round, simply slip stitch to join to the first stitch. Then, slip stitch up to the center of the stacked cluster, and begin again with a single crochet stitch to start the next round.

Work this pattern around and around for 13 total rounds to achieve that beautiful stitch pattern. Of course, you can customize the height of your market bag crochet pattern by doing more or fewer rounds to suit your preference.

Finishing Touches: The Top and Handles

Top Edging Rounds

Now that you’ve completed 13 body rounds (or your desired height), it’s time to start the top of the bag.

1. Round 1 (Chain Arches):
   • Slip stitch back to the first stitch of the round. Slip stitch along the back of the previous stacked cluster until you reach the center of that stacked cluster. This is how we’ll start.
   • Single crochet into the center of that stacked cluster and mark that first stitch.
   • Then, chain five.
   • Next, go to the center of the next stacked cluster and single crochet, then chain five.
   • Repeat: Single crochet in the center of the next stacked cluster, then chain five, all the way around. This round helps to even out the top of the bag so we can work into these chain stitches and single crochet stitches on the next round.
   • Now that you’ve worked all the way around, move your stitch marker from the first stitch, and slip stitch to join.
2. Rounds 2-4 (Half Double Crochet Edging):
   • For Rounds 2 through 4 (you can do more or less if desired), we’re simply going to half double crochet into each stitch all the way around. For this first hdc round, you’ll be working into the chain stitches. For subsequent rounds, you’ll just work into the half double crochets themselves.

Creating the Handles

Now for the top of the bag with the integrated handles! This ingenious design means no seaming required.

1. Fold your bag in half so it sits naturally. This will help you visualize handle placement.
2. Join for your last round (or start where you left off). Begin this round with a stacked single crochet.
3. Half double crochet 17 stitches. This totals 18 stitches from the beginning of this round.
4. First Handle Chain: Now that we’ve worked the first 18 stitches, we are going to chain 70. This chain will be the length of your bag handle, designed to easily fit over your arm. You can adjust the length by chaining more or less (shorter for hand-carrying, longer for a cross-body style). Just be sure to keep track of your chain count so you can make the other handle the same length. Double-check that you haven’t twisted your chain.
5. After chaining 70, skip 32 stitches on the bag body, then half double crochet into the next stitch. You will then work a total of 40 half double crochets on this side (the back of the bag).
6. Second Handle Chain: Once again, chain 70 stitches.
7. Skip 32 stitches along this side of the bag body.
8. After skipping 32 stitches, half double crochet for the remaining 22 stitches in this round until you are back at the beginning, where you will join.
9. Final Handle Rounds (3 Rounds of Half Double Crochet):
   • Now that you’ve joined, start the next round with a stacked single crochet.
   • Then, half double crochet into each stitch all the way around. At the end of this current round, you’ll have a total of 220 stitches to work with. We’re going to half double crochet all of these stitches for three rounds. This includes working hdc into all those chain stitches that form the handles, which is what gives us that larger stitch count.
   • These final rounds are perfect for meditative crochet; grab your favorite show, podcast, or audiobook and relax as you simply do the same stitch over and over.

The Grand Finale: Finishing Your Market Bag

The Invisible Join

Now that we’ve worked those final rounds, you have these beautiful, built-in handles! To create a seamless, professional finish on the very last round of your market bag crochet pattern, an invisible join is highly recommended:

1. After your last stitch, do not join with a slip stitch. Instead, fasten off, leaving a tail of about 6-8 inches, and thread your yarn tail onto a tapestry needle.
2. Go to the second stitch of the round (not the first you’d normally slip stitch to join). Insert your needle from front to back through both loops of this second stitch, as if you were crocheting it. Pull your yarn through.
3. Let that pulled yarn sit on top of the first stitch.
4. Now, go down the center of the *last* stitch you crocheted (the one immediately before the very first stitch of the round). Insert your needle from top to bottom into the center of that stitch. Pull your yarn through.

You’ll see you’ve created a mock stitch that looks just like all the other stitches, seamlessly joining the round. This loop will sit perfectly on top of the first stitch of the round, creating a seamless, invisible join that helps finish the top edge cleanly and evenly without adding extra fabric or stitches, keeping your stitch count correct.

Now, you can weave in any remaining ends securely with your tapestry needle, and fasten off.

Beyond the Pattern: Maximizing Your Market Bag

You’ve successfully completed your beautiful new market bag crochet pattern! These bags are not just practical for shopping; they are incredibly versatile and a wonderful statement of your crafting prowess.

• Versatile Uses: Beyond the farmers market, use your bag for beach days, carrying craft projects (because, of course, you’re not going anywhere without your yarn!), a stylish gym bag, or even as an eco-friendly gift wrap for other handmade items.
• Care & Maintenance: Cotton market bags are generally easy to care for. Machine wash on a gentle cycle with cold water, and lay flat to dry to maintain their shape and integrity.
• Customization Ideas: Don’t stop at one! Experiment with different yarn colors and combinations. Add stripes by changing colors every few rows, or embellish your bag with fun tassels, pompoms, or appliques to truly make it your own.
• Sustainable Style: By crocheting your own reusable market bag, you’re making a conscious choice to reduce plastic waste, embracing a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle with a beautiful, handmade accessory.

We truly hope you enjoyed crafting this delightful market bag crochet pattern. Happy crocheting!