Here is a free crochet market bag pattern to help save the environment. It’s economical too; after the initial cost of the yarn, you will save yourself 5 cents each time you use it (at least in my area). It doesn’t sound like much, but it does add up.
When I first crocheted this market bag I was a bit iffy on it because it stretched down to the ground when I used it to carry some fruits on one of my walks. You can see the amount of stretch in the image above. It’s literally like a bean pole.
I was just going to rip it out and forget about it… but before I did that, I packed it full of boxes and realized it was the best market bag I ever carried around. It still stretches a lot, but when you pack it full with boxes it stretches out width-wise rather than length-wise. So that worked out good, and I decided it was a go after all.
It folds down nicely, making it easy to take along anywhere. And best of all, it holds about the same amount of groceries as a plastic grocery bag, yet it’s way more secure and durable!
Other similar patterns that you may enjoy include the easy breezy bag, and the bullion stitch market bag.
Interlocked Free Crochet Market Bag Pattern
I used an acrylic material, but feel free to substitute with
Skill Level: Intermediate
Materials:
Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable (2 Colors)
Crochet Hook: I/9-5.50mm
Gauge: 2″ over first 2 rnds
Finished Size: Bottom measures 10″ in diameter. Width by height before stretch is 11″x11″ not counting handles. Will stretch to a height of about 20″ not counting the handles.
Abbreviations:
Ch/Chs = Chain/Chains
FO = Fasten Off
Hdc = Half Double Crochet
Hk = Hook
Rep = Repeat
Sc = Single Crochet
Sk = Skip
Sl St = Slip Stitch
St/Sts = Stitch/Stitches
Special Stitch Instructions:
Click here for a photo tutorial on how to do the interlocked stitches.
Pattern Instructions:
Rnd 1: Ch 2, work 8 hdc into 2nd ch from hk; join with sl st in first hdc. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1 (does not count as st now and throughout), work 2 hdc in same st as join and into each st around; join with sl st in first hdc. (16 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, hdc in same st as join, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first hdc. (24 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, hdc in same st as join and into next st, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first hdc. (32 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, hdc in same st as join and into next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first hdc. (40 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, hdc in same st as join and into next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first hdc. (48 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, hdc in same st as join and into next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first hdc. (56 sts)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, hdc in same st as join and into next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 6 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first hdc. (64 sts)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, hdc in same st as join and into next 6 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 7 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first hdc. (72 sts)
Rnd 10: Ch 1, hdc in same st as join and into next 7 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 8 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first hdc. (80 sts)
Rnd 11: Ch 1, hdc in same st as join and into next 8 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 9 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first hdc. (88 sts)
Rnd 12: Ch 1, hdc in same st as join and into next 9 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 10 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first hdc. (96 sts)
Note: Continue with more increase rounds for a larger size making sure to end with a multiple of 6 at last round: (120, 144, 168, etc).
Rnd 13: Ch 1, hdc in first 3 sts, *ch 3, sk next 3 sts, hdc in next 3 sts; rep from * around; ch 3; join with sl st in first hdc. FO.
Rnd 14: With next color, ch 97 (or as many as you have sts in the round + 1), hdc in 2nd ch from hk and in next 2 chs, weave the chs in and out of the ch-3 sps as shown in the tutorial, ch 3, *sk next 3 chs, hdc in next 3 chs; rep from * across; ch 3, join with sl st in top of first hdc. Secure the tail end in bottom of first hdc.
Rnds 15-21: Rep rnd 14 until you have reached a desired height.
Note: For next two rounds work with single crochets instead of half double crochets.
Rnds 22-23: With next color, ch 97, sc in 2nd ch from hk and in next 2 chs, weave the chs in and out as pictured above, ch 3, *sk next 3 chs, sc in next 3 chs; rep from * across; ch 3, join with sl st in top of first sc. Secure the tail end in bottom of first sc.
Rnd 24: Continue with same color as last rnd, ch 1, sc in same st as join and into each st and ch around; join with sl st in first sc. (96 sts)
Handles
Rnd 25: Ch 1, sc into same st as join and into next 14 sts, *ch 18 (or any number depending on how long or short you want the handles), sk next 15 sts*, sc in next 33 sts; rep from * to * once; sc in remaining 18 sts; join with sl st in first sc. (66 sts and 36 chs)
Rnd 26: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and into each st and into each ch around; join with sl st in first sc. (102 sts)
Rnds 27-29: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and into each st around; join with sl st in first sc. FO at last rnd.
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