Crochet Granny Stitch Market Bag Pattern

ByLee Ma

Granny stitch market bag

Crafting your own reusable tote combines practical sustainability with classic handmade charm.

The granny stitch market bag is a functional, eco-friendly project that transforms basic yarn into a sturdy, expandable carryall for daily errands or farm-stand trips.

Utilizing a textured cluster design, this bag builds outward from a solid base before shaping into raised sides that naturally stretch to hold produce and everyday essentials.

Whether you are aiming to reduce single-use plastics or looking for a customizable stash-buster project, this tutorial guides you step-by-step through materials, sizing adjustments, stitch logic, and final construction.

Project Overview & Specs

  • Skill Level: Easy / Intermediate

  • Finished Dimensions: ~31 cm wide × 32 cm high (excluding straps)

  • Design Structure: Worked in the round from the bottom base upward, incorporating continuous corner increases and center-edge decreases to form a contoured basket shape.

Materials & Tools

  • Yarn: ~200 grams of Sport / Lightweight (Category 3) 100% Cotton Yarn.

    • Note: Cotton provides minimal stretch and high strength under weight.

  • Crochet Hook: 3.5 mm (or size needed to meet desired fabric density)

  • Notions: 4 stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors

Yarn Substitution Alternatives:

If using a different brand or fiber, select a sturdy, non-mercerized or low-stretch cotton. Adjust hook size accordingly to maintain a firm fabric:

  • Option A: Lion Brand Pima Cotton (100g / 170m)

  • Option B: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK (100g / 250m)

  • Option C: Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK (50g / 125m)

Key Abbreviations (US Terminology)

  • ch / chs: chain / chains

  • sc: single crochet

  • dc: double crochet

  • sl st: slip stitch

  • sp / sps: space / spaces

  • st / sts: stitch / stitches

  • CL (Cluster / Granny Group): 3 double crochet stitches worked into the same space/chain-gap.

  • dc3tog (Decrease): Double crochet 3 together across designated chain spaces and stitches to decrease width.

Special Stitch Definitions

Double Crochet Cluster (CL) Work 3 full double crochets into the designated chain space or gap.

Dec-Cluster 1 (dc3tog – Round 14 Decrease)

  1. Yarn over, insert hook in the chain-1 space preceding the center marker, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops (2 loops on hook).

  2. Yarn over, insert hook into the middle double crochet of the center cluster stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops (3 loops on hook).

  3. Yarn over, insert hook in the next chain-1 space following the center cluster, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops (4 loops on hook).

  4. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on the hook to complete the decrease.

Dec-Cluster 2 (dc3tog – Round 15+ Decrease)

  1. Yarn over, insert hook into the chain-1 space before the previous decrease, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops (2 loops on hook).

  2. Yarn over, insert hook directly into the top of the dc3tog stitch from the previous round, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops (3 loops on hook).

  3. Yarn over, insert hook into the next chain-1 space, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops (4 loops on hook).

  4. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on the hook.

Color Palette Guide (Optional Color Blocks)

  • Rounds 1–8: Dark Navy

  • Rounds 9–12: Medium Denim Blue

  • Rounds 13–15: Neutral Grey

  • Rounds 16–18: Light Denim Blue

  • Rounds 19–21: Soft Light Blue

  • Rounds 22–24: Soft Light Grey

  • Rounds 25–27: Ice Blue

Pattern Instructions

Pattern Instructions

Step 1: Base Expansion

  • Round 1: Form a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a loop). Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc into ring, ch 3, [1 CL into ring, ch 3] 3 times. Sl st to top of beg ch-3 to join. (4 corner spaces, 4 CL groups)

  • Round 2: Sl st across to the first corner ch-3 sp. (Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 1 CL) into corner sp. *Ch 1, skip 3 sts, (1 CL, ch 3, 1 CL) into next corner sp; rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, sl st to top of beg ch-3 to join. (4 corners, 8 CL groups)

  • Round 3: Sl st to corner sp. (Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 1 CL) in corner sp. *Ch 1, skip 3 sts, 1 CL in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip 3 sts, (1 CL, ch 3, 1 CL) in corner sp; rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, 1 CL in final ch-1 sp, ch 1, sl st to top of beg ch-3 to join. (4 corners, 12 CL groups)

  • Round 4: Sl st to corner sp. (Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 1 CL) in corner sp. *[Ch 1, skip 3 sts, 1 CL in next ch-1 sp] across to next corner, ch 1, (1 CL, ch 3, 1 CL) in corner sp; rep from * around, ending with ch 1, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (4 corners, 16 CL groups)

  • Rounds 5–13: Repeat Round 4 continuously. Each round adds 4 cluster groups total (1 per side). At the end of Round 13, you should have 52 total CL groups (13 per side).

Marking Step: Count 6 CL groups from each corner on all 4 sides. Place a stitch marker into the 7th (middle) CL group of each side.

Step 2: Body Shaping (Creating Side Walls)

  • Round 14: Sl st to corner sp. (Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 1 CL) in corner sp. *Work [ch 1, 1 CL in next ch-1 sp] 4 times. Execute Dec-Cluster 1 over the next ch-1 sp, the marked middle cluster st, and the following ch-1 sp. Work [ch 1, 1 CL in next ch-1 sp] 4 times, ch 1, (1 CL, ch 3, 1 CL) in corner sp; rep from * around, ending last sequence with sl st to top of beg ch-3.

  • Round 15: Sl st to corner sp. (Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 1 CL) in corner sp. *Work [ch 1, 1 CL in next ch-1 sp] 4 times. Execute Dec-Cluster 2 over the preceding ch-1 sp, the previous round’s dc3tog stitch, and the next ch-1 sp. Work [ch 1, 1 CL in next ch-1 sp] 4 times, ch 1, (1 CL, ch 3, 1 CL) in corner sp; rep from * around, sl st to top of beg ch-3.

  • Rounds 16–27: Repeat Round 15 for 12 additional rounds. The center decreases will draw the edges inward while corners point upward.

  • Round 28 (Border): Sl st to corner sp. Ch 1, (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in corner sp. Work 1 sc in every st and every ch-1 sp along each edge, placing (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in each corner sp. Sl st to first sc to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Step 3: Strap Extensions & Assembly

Straps are worked as 4 separate pointed panels directly from the corner spaces of Round 27 (ignore Round 28 for strap attachment points).

Individual Extension Panel (Make 4):

  1. Row 1: Join yarn in the ch-1 space immediately preceding any corner on Round 27. Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc + ch 1), skip 3 sts, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) into the corner sp, ch 1, skip 3 sts, 1 dc into the next ch-1 sp. Turn.

  2. Row 2: Ch 4, skip the ch-1 sp and 3 sts, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) into the corner ch-3 sp, ch 1, 1 dc into the 3rd chain of the turning ch-4 from the previous row. Turn.

  3. Rows 3–7 (or desired half-length): Repeat Row 2 until the extension reaches half your preferred overall strap length.

  4. Strap Peak Row: Ch 4, skip all double crochet stitches, work 1 sc into the tip ch-3 corner sp, ch 4, sl st into the top of the outer dc st. Fasten off, leaving a tail for joining.

Strap Joining & Finishing

  1. Align the extensions from adjacent corners so they meet to form two continuous shoulder handles.

  2. Turn the bag inside out (wrong side facing).

  3. Using a tapestry needle or single crochet joins, seam matching strap ends securely across their flat edges.

  4. Fasten off, weave in all remaining loose yarn ends securely, and turn the bag right-side out.

I am a seasoned Technical Design Manager with expertise in Womenswear and Menswear. I specialize in patternmaking, product development, and textile qualities, ensuring top-notch garment construction.
I excel in taking designs from concept to production, solving challenges efficiently, and leading global teams to deliver high-quality garments on time. LinkedIn

Similar Posts