The 2-Hour Crochet Market Bag is a stylish, eco-friendly accessory designed for everyday errands, farmers’ market trips, or casual outings.
Crafting your own reusable tote allows you to reduce plastic waste while customizing a durable piece to fit your personal style.
Using simple, foundational stitches worked in continuous rounds, this pattern builds up quickly into a textured mesh fabric.
It offers customizable sizing options and adjustable handle lengths, making it an excellent project for beginner and intermediate crocheters alike who want a functional, beautiful project in an afternoon.
Materials Needed
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Yarn: Size 4 worsted weight cotton yarn (e.g., Lily Sugar ‘n Cream)
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Color A (Base): ~110 yards for Small; ~200 yards for Large
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Color B (Main Body/Handles): ~190 yards for Small; ~200 yards for Large
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Hook: Size J / 6.0 mm crochet hook
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Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, safety pin (optional)
Pattern Sizing & Finished Dimensions
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Small Bag: 13.5 inches wide by 12 inches tall (excluding handles). Ideal for shorter individuals or quick market trips.
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Large Bag: 12 inches wide by 14 inches tall (excluding handles). Fits taller individuals or larger grocery loads.
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Note: Instructions list the Small Bag first, with the Large Bag in parentheses: Small (Large).
Stitch Guide (US Terms)
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ch: chain
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sc: single crochet
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dc: double crochet
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sl st: slip stitch
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sk: skip
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Shell: Work 5 dc into the same designated chain-2 space.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Bag Base & Lower Section
Using Color A, begin by chaining 85 (75). Join with a sl st to the very first chain to form a circle, taking care not to twist the chain.
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Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc here and throughout). Work 1 dc into every chain around. Sl st to the top of the initial ch-3. Total: 85 (75) dc.
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Round 2: Ch 3, 1 dc in next 2 sts. (Ch 2, sk 2 sts, 1 dc in next 3 sts). Repeat from * to * until 2 sts remain. Ch 2, sk last 2 sts, sl st to top of initial ch-3. Total: 17 (15) dc groups.
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Round 3: Pull hook loop up slightly. Work 1 sc into the middle dc of the 3-dc group. (Work Shell in next ch-2 space, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in middle dc). Repeat from * to * around, ending with a Shell in the final ch-2 space. Sl st to first sc. Total: 17 (15) shells.
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Round 4: Sl st loosely across the next 2 dc. Ch 3, 1 dc in next 2 dc. (Ch 2, sk 3 dc, 1 dc in next 3 dc). Repeat from * to * around, placing your 3-dc groups over the center of each shell. Ch 2, sl st to top of initial ch-3. Total: 17 (15) dc groups.
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Rounds 5–7 (or until complete): Alternate repeating Rounds 3 and 4 until you complete a total of 3 shell rounds for the Small size (or 5 shell rounds for the Large size). Finish on a shell round and fasten off Color A.
Step 2: Upper Body & Rim
Attach Color B to the middle dc of any shell stitch.
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Round 8 (Small) / Round 12 (Large): Ch 2 (counts as dc), 1 dc in next 2 dc. (Ch 2, sk 3 dc, 1 dc in next 3 dc). Repeat around, placing ch-2 spaces over the outer shell edges. Sl st to top of starting ch.
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Round 9 (Small) / Round 13 (Large): Pull loop up slightly, 1 sc in middle dc. (Shell in next ch-2 space, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in middle dc). Repeat around. Sl st to initial sc.
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Body Completion: Repeat the prior two rounds until you have completed 4 shell rounds in Color B.
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Transition Round: Sl st loosely into next 2 dc, ch 1 (counts as sc; mark this st), 1 sc in next 2 dc. (Ch 2, sk 3 dc, 1 sc in next 3 dc). Repeat around. Sl st to marked ch-1. Total: 17 (15) sc groups.
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Solid Rim Round: Ch 1 (mark st), 1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc into the ch-2 space. (1 sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in ch-2 space). Repeat around. Sl st to marked ch-1. Total: 85 (75) sc.
Step 3: Shoulder or Hand Straps
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Handle Foundation: Ch 1 (mark st), 1 sc in next 9 sts. Create your strap opening by chaining 20 for a short hand-tote handle (or chain 60 for a longer shoulder strap). Skip 14 sts, then sc into the next st. Work 1 sc in each of the next 20 (17) sts across to the opposite side.
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Lay the tote flat to align handle placement visually. Chain 20 (or 60) for the second handle, skip 14 sts, and sc into the corresponding st on the back side. Work 1 sc in each remaining st to end of round; sl st to marked ch-1.
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Building Handle Thickness: Ch 1 (mark st), 1 sc in each st around the rim, working 1 sc into every chain along the handles. Sl st to join.
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Finalizing: Work 1 sc in every st around for 3 additional rounds to reinforce handle width. Fasten off and secure ends.
Step 4: Bottom Assembly & Finishing
Turn the market tote inside out and lay flat, ensuring the handles align evenly at the top.
Thread matching Color A yarn onto your hook. Join with a sl st at one bottom corner.
Working through both layers simultaneously, place 1 single crochet into each gap between the double crochet stitches across the bottom edge to seal the bag shut.
Fasten off, weave in all remaining yarn tails with a tapestry needle, and turn the bag right-side out.
