Crochet Ocean’s Breath Market Bag Pattern

The Ocean’s Breath Market Bag is a stylish, functional tote featuring a beautiful mix of intricate lace, rich stitch textures, and sturdy construction.

Crafted using worsted weight cotton yarn, this project pairs airy lace motifs with structured star stitches and an applied i-cord edging that doubles as durable shoulder handles.

Whether you are heading to the local farmers market or packing for a sunny day at the beach, this versatile bag offers the perfect balance of elegance, elasticity, and everyday durability for intermediate crocheters.

Pattern Specifications

• Skill Level: Intermediate

• Finished Dimensions: 15 inches wide by 14 inches high

• Gauge: 16 half double crochets $\times$ 13 rows = 4 inch square

• Yarn: 450 yards (approx. 3 skeins) of worsted weight (Category 4) 100% cotton yarn

• Hook: Size I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook

• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, cable or knitting needle (for i-cord), 4 stitch markers

Stitch Glossary

• Ch / Sl St: Chain / Slip Stitch

• Sc / Hdc: Single Crochet / Half Double Crochet

• Sc Inc: Single Crochet Increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)

• Sc Dec: Single Crochet Decrease (single crochet 2 stitches together)

• BLO: Back Loop Only

• PM: Place Stitch Marker

• Star Stitch: Chain 3. Pick up loops in the 2nd and 3rd chains from the hook, and across the next 3 stitches (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through all 6 loops, chain 1 to create the “eye.” For subsequent stars, pick up loops through the eye, between the last two spikes, the base of the last spike, and the next 2 main stitches (6 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all loops, and chain 1.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Section 1: Oval Base

• Round 1: Chain 39. Work 2 half double crochets in 2nd chain from hook. Half double crochet in next chain (PM). Half double crochet in next 35 chains (PM in 35th stitch). Work 4 half double crochets in last chain. Rotate base to work down opposite side of foundation chain: Half double crochet in next stitch (PM), half double crochet in next 35 chains (PM), 2 half double crochets in starting chain space. Join with a slip stitch to first stitch. (80 stitches)

• Round 2: Chain 1. Work 2 half double crochets in each of next 2 stitches. Half double crochet 36. Work 2 half double crochets in each of next 4 stitches. Half double crochet 36. Work 2 half double crochets in last 2 stitches. Join. (88 stitches)

• Round 3: Chain 1. [Half double crochet 1, 2 half double crochets] 2 times. Half double crochet 36. [Half double crochet 1, 2 half double crochets] 4 times. Half double crochet 36. [Half double crochet 1, 2 half double crochets] 2 times. Join. (96 stitches)

• Round 4: Chain 1. [Half double crochet 2, 2 half double crochets] 2 times. Half double crochet 36. [Half double crochet 2, 2 half double crochets] 4 times. Half double crochet 36. [Half double crochet 2, 2 half double crochets] 2 times. Join. (104 stitches)

• Round 5: Chain 1. [Half double crochet 3, 2 half double crochets] 2 times. Half double crochet 36. [Half double crochet 3, 2 half double crochets] 4 times. Half double crochet 36. [Half double crochet 3, 2 half double crochets] 2 times. Join. (112 stitches)

• Round 6: Chain 1. [Half double crochet 4, 2 half double crochets] 2 times. Half double crochet 36. [Half double crochet 4, 2 half double crochets] 4 times. Half double crochet 36. [Half double crochet 4, 2 half double crochets] 2 times. Join. (120 stitches)

• Round 7: Chain 1. [Half double crochet 5, 2 half double crochets] 2 times. Half double crochet 36. [Half double crochet 5, 2 half double crochets] 4 times. Half double crochet 36. [Half double crochet 5, 2 half double crochets] 2 times. Join. (128 stitches)

Section 2: Lower Decorative Trim

• Round 8: Chain 1. Work 2 single crochets in back loops only of first stitch, then single crochet in back loops only across all remaining stitches. Join. (129 stitches)

• Round 9: Work star stitches sequentially around the bag body. Join with slip stitch to top of first star. (64 stars)

• Round 10: Chain 1. Place 2 half double crochets inside each star eye space around; end with 1 half double crochet in last stitch. Join. (129 stitches)

• Round 11: Chain 1. Work a single crochet decrease over first two stitches, then single crochet across remaining stitches. Join. (128 stitches)

Section 3: Openwork Lace Pattern

• Round 12: Chain 1. Single crochet 3. Chain 5, skip 3 stitches, single crochet 5. Repeat from * until 5 single crochets remain. Chain 5, skip 3 stitches, single crochet 2. Join to first single crochet.

• Round 13: Chain 1. Single crochet 2. Chain 3, skip 1 stitch, single crochet 1 inside chain-5 space, chain 3, skip 1 stitch, single crochet 3. Repeat from * until 2 single crochets remain. Skip 1 stitch, single crochet 1 in last stitch. Join.

• Round 14: Chain 1. Single crochet 1, chain 3, skip 1 stitch, single crochet 1 inside chain-3 space, single crochet 1 in center stitch, single crochet 1 inside next chain-3 space, chain 3, skip 1 stitch. Repeat from * around. Join.

• Round 15: Chain 5. Single crochet 1 inside chain-3 space, single crochet 3, single crochet 1 inside chain-3 space, chain 5, skip 1 stitch. Repeat from * until 3 single crochets remain. Chain 5, single crochet 1 inside chain-3 space, single crochet 3, single crochet 1 inside chain-3 space, chain 2. Join with slip stitch into 3rd chain of starting chain-5.

• Round 16: Chain 1, single crochet in same space. Chain 3, skip 1 stitch, single crochet 3, skip 1 stitch, chain 3, single crochet 1 inside chain-5 space. Repeat from * until 5 single crochets remain. Chain 3, skip 1 stitch, single crochet 3, chain 3, skip 1 stitch. Join.

• Round 17: Chain 1. Single crochet 1, single crochet 1 inside chain-3 space. Chain 3, skip 1 stitch, single crochet 1, chain 3, skip 1 stitch, single crochet 1 inside chain-3 space, single crochet 1, single crochet 1 inside chain-3 space. Repeat from * until 3 single crochets remain. Chain 3, skip 1 stitch, single crochet 1, chain 3, skip 1 stitch, single crochet 1 inside chain-3 space. Join.

• Round 18: Chain 1. Single crochet 2, single crochet 1 inside chain-3 space. Chain 5, skip 1 stitch, single crochet 1 inside chain-3 space, single crochet 3, single crochet 1 inside chain-3 space. Repeat from * until 2 single crochets remain. Chain 5, skip 1 stitch, single crochet 1 inside chain-3 space, single crochet 1. Join.

• Rounds 19–48: Repeat Rounds 13 through 18 five additional times (or until body measures 1.5 inches short of desired height).

Section 4: Upper Decorative Trim

• Round 49: Chain 1. Single crochet 3, work 3 single crochets inside chain-5 space, single crochet 5. Repeat from * until 1 stitch remains; work 2 single crochets in final stitch. Join. (129 stitches)

• Round 50: Work a round of star stitches. Join. (64 stars)

• Round 51: Chain 1. Place 2 half double crochets inside each star eye; end with 1 half double crochet in last stitch. Join. (129 stitches)

• Round 52: Chain 1. Single crochet decrease over first 2 stitches, then single crochet across remaining stitches. Join. Do not fasten off. (128 stitches)

Section 5: Applied I-Cord Rim and Handles

• Preparation: Flatten the tote flat. Count 15 stitches inward from both left and right folded edges on each side and mark these 4 points with stitch markers to delineate the handle boundaries.

• Starting I-Cord: Chain 3. Pull up a loop in the 2nd and 3rd chains from hook (3 loops on hook).

• Applied Edge Routine: Pick up a loop in next main edge stitch (4 loops on hook). Transfer 3 loops onto a spare knitting needle. Slip stitch through remaining loop on crochet hook. Pass 1 loop back to hook and slip stitch through it. Pass final 2 loops back to hook and slip stitch through both. Repeat this sequence around the top rim until reaching a handle marker.

• Handle Creation: With 3 loops on hook, suspend attaching to the main body. Hold 2 loops on a knitting needle, slip stitch the remaining loop on the hook, pass back 1 loop, slip stitch it, pass back the last loop, and slip stitch it. Continue this freestanding i-cord process for approximately 60 rows (or 18 inches).

• Attachment & Completion: Skip 34 body stitches across the handle opening. Resume the applied edge routine starting at the next marked stitch. Repeat the freestanding handle process for the second side, complete the remaining edge stitches, slip stitch the end to the initial i-cord start, fasten off, and weave in all loose ends securely.