Crochet Wave Market Bag Pattern

Brighten your market runs with a handcrafted, textured tote that balances eye-catching style with practical everyday durability.

This versatile market bag features an intricate wave-like motif achieved by working varying stitch heights across alternating rows.

Supported by a sturdy, solid oval base and reinforced handles, the dynamic openwork body comfortably holds produce, books, or daily essentials.

Whether you are aiming to stash fresh market finds or work through your yarn stash, this engaging pattern offers a rewarding project that blends classic craft technique with modern functional design.

Project Essentials

• Yarn Requirements: Approximately 380 yards of DK or light worsted weight yarn (cotton or hemp blends work best for durability)

• Hook Sizes: $4.0\text{ mm}$ (US G/6) for base/body and $3.25\text{ mm}$ (US D/3) for top trim

• Notions: Locking stitch marker, yarn needle, pair of scissors

• Gauge: 18 half double crochet stitches $\times$ 13 rows = $4\text{ inches}$ square

• Finished Measurements: Approximately $14\text{ inches}$ wide (measured flat) by $15\text{ inches}$ tall (excluding handles)

Stitch Glossary (US Terminology)

• ch: chain

• sl st: slip stitch

• sc: single crochet

• hdc: half double crochet

• dc: double crochet

• tc: treble crochet

• st(s): stitch(es)

• ch-sp: chain space

• sk: skip

• hdc4tog: half double crochet 4 together (decrease across join points)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Oval Base Foundation

Using the $4.0\text{ mm}$ hook, work continuous continuous spiral rounds without joining at the end of each round. Place a marker in the first stitch of every round to keep track.

• Round 1: Chain 43. Place 3 hdc into the 2nd chain from your hook. Work 1 hdc in each of the next 40 chains. Work 6 hdc into the final chain. Rotating your work to navigate along the opposite side of the foundation chain, place 1 hdc into each of the next 40 chains, then add 3 hdc into the very first chain. (Total: 92 sts)

• Round 2: Place 2 hdc into each of the next 3 sts. Hdc across 40 sts. Place 2 hdc into each of the next 6 sts. Hdc across 40 sts. Place 2 hdc into each of the remaining 3 sts. (Total: 104 sts)

• Round 3: Repeat [1 hdc, 2 hdc in next st] 3 times. Hdc across 40 sts. Repeat [1 hdc, 2 hdc in next st] 6 times. Hdc across 40 sts. Repeat [1 hdc, 2 hdc in next st] 3 times. (Total: 116 sts)

• Round 4: Repeat [1 hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st] 3 times. Hdc across 40 sts. Repeat [1 hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st] 6 times. Hdc across 40 sts. Repeat [1 hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st] 3 times. (Total: 128 sts)

• Rounds 5–10: Work 1 hdc into every stitch around. (Total: 128 sts per round)

Step 2: Wave Pattern Body

Before starting Round 11, execute a slip stitch into the next stitch to align your yarn properly.

• Round 11: Ch 2 (counts as sc + ch 1), turn work, sk 2 sts. Work 1 sc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 dc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 tc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 tc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 dc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 sc, ch 1, sk 1 st. Repeat from * to * 6 times. Work 1 sc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 dc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 tc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 tc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 dc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1 st. Join with a sl st to top of starting ch-2. (Total: 128 sts/spaces)

• Round 12: Ch 1 (does not count as st), turn work, sc in first ch-sp. Work 1 sc into every stitch and chain space around, placing 2 sc into the final space. Join with sl st to first sc. (Total: 128 sts)

• Round 13: Ch 1 (does not count as st), turn, sk first st. Sc in each st around. Join to top of beginning ch. (Total: 128 sts)

• Round 14: Ch 5 (counts as tc + ch 1), turn, sk first st. Work 1 dc, ch 1, sk 1, 1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1, 1 sc, ch 1, sk 1, 1 sc, ch 1, sk 1, 1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1, 1 dc, ch 1, sk 1, 1 tc, ch 1, sk 1, 1 tc, ch 1. Repeat from * to * 6 times. Work 1 dc, ch 1, sk 1, 1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1, 1 sc, ch 1, sk 1, 1 sc, ch 1, sk 1, 1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1, 1 dc, ch 1, sk 1, 1 tc, ch 1. Join with sl st to 4th chain of turning chain. (Total: 128 sts/spaces)

• Round 15: Ch 5, turn, 1 tc into next tc. Ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, 1 hdc in next hdc, ch 1, 1 sc in next sc, ch 1, 1 sc in next sc, ch 1, 1 hdc in next hdc, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, 1 tc in next tc, ch 1, 1 tc in next tc. Repeat from * to * 6 times. Ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, 1 hdc in next hdc, ch 1, 1 sc in next sc, ch 1, 1 sc in next sc, ch 1, 1 hdc in next hdc, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1. Join to 4th chain of turning chain. (Total: 128 sts/spaces)

• Round 16: Repeat Round 12.

• Round 17: Repeat Round 13.

• Round 18: Ch 2 (counts as sc + ch 1), turn, sk 1 st. Work 1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 dc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 tc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 tc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 dc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 sc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 sc, ch 1. Repeat from * to * 6 times. Sk 1 st, 1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 dc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 tc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 tc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 dc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 sc, ch 1. Join to top of starting ch-2. (Total: 128 sts/spaces)

• Round 19: Ch 2 (counts as sc + ch 1), turn. Work 1 sc in next sc, ch 1, 1 hdc in next hdc, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, 1 tc in next tc, ch 1, 1 tc in next tc, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, 1 hdc in next hdc, ch 1, 1 sc in next sc, ch 1. Repeat from * to * 6 times. Work 1 sc in next sc, ch 1, 1 hdc in next hdc, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, 1 tc in next tc, ch 1, 1 tc in next tc, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, 1 hdc in next hdc, ch 1. Join to top of starting ch-2. (Total: 128 sts/spaces)

• Rounds 20–35: Repeat the sequence of Rounds 12 through 19 two additional times.

• Rounds 36–42: Repeat Rounds 12 through 18 sequentially one last time to finish the main textured section.

Step 3: Top Border & Integrated Straps

Switch to your smaller $3.25\text{ mm}$ hook for a tighter, reinforced upper border. Do not turn work at the beginning of these rounds; work continuously in spiral format.

• Round 43: Ch 1, work 1 hdc into each stitch across the whole round without joining. (Total: 128 sts)

• Rounds 44–45: Work 1 hdc into every stitch around. (Total: 128 sts)

• Round 46 (Strap Creation): Hdc in first 32 sts. Chain 80 (first handle), sk next 30 sts on the bag rim, hdc in next 34 sts. Chain 80 (second handle), sk next 30 sts on the bag rim, hdc in remaining 2 sts.

• Round 47: Hdc in each stitch up to the chain space, work 1 hdc into each of the 80 individual chain loops across the handle. Hdc across the bag side to the next handle, work 1 hdc into each of the 80 chain loops, then hdc in remaining sts to complete the round.

• Rounds 48–49: Work 1 hdc into every stitch around. To reinforce the base of the handles, work a hdc4tog decrease over the 4 stitches situated right at each inner corner where the handles connect to the main body border.

• Finishing: Slip stitch into the final 3 stitches to smooth out the transition height of the spiral. Cut yarn leaving a tail, pull through, and weave in all loose ends securely using a yarn needle.