Crochet Raffia-ish Market Bag Pattern

The Raffia-ish Market Bag combines natural texture with incredible everyday durability.

Crafted with machine-washable suede-style yarn, this airy tote features a sturdy single-crochet base, an open-mesh body for a light market aesthetic, and reinforced double-layered handles.

The clever combination of simple stitches creates an elastic yet resilient fabric, making it a perfect weekend accessory or eco-friendly grocery companion.

Worked in three distinct parts—a flat base, continuous spiral body, and tailored handles—this beginner-friendly project offers a satisfying build with minimal finishing required.

Materials & Tools

• Yarn: 2 skeins Bernat Suede-ish (or medium-weight raffia/suede alternative)

• Hook: 6.0 mm (US J-10)

• Notions: Tapestry needle, sewing needle, color-matched sewing thread, scissors, stitch markers

Pattern Specifications

• Dimensions: Body: 15″ H x 16″ W (38 cm x 40.5 cm); Total Height with straps: 24.5″ (62 cm)

• Gauge: 12 single crochets x 12 rows = 4″ x 4″ (10 cm x 10 cm). Check tension carefully to avoid yarn shortages.

• Terminology: US standard crochet terms

US Terminology Breakdown

Section 1: Sturdy Rectangle Base

Worked flat in back-and-forth rows. Turning chains do not count as stitches.

• Foundation: Chain 11.

• Row 1: Insert hook into 2nd chain from hook, single crochet across. Turn. (10 sts)

• Rows 2–40: Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (10 sts)

• Base Border: Do not fasten off. Work counter-clockwise around the perimeter:

  • Place 20 single crochets evenly along the first long side (1 st per row space).

  • Place 10 single crochets across the bottom foundation chain.

  • Place 20 single crochets along the second long side.

  • Place 10 single crochets across the short end. (100 sts total)

Section 2: Continuous Bag Body

• Lower Base Extension (Continuous Spiral): Place a stitch marker in the first stitch. Work 11 rounds of single crochet around all 100 stitches without joining. Move the marker up each round.

• Mesh Pattern (Worked in Joined Rounds):

  • Round 1 (Double Crochet Grid): Chain 3 (counts as 1 dc + ch-1). Skip 1 st, double crochet in next st, chain 1, skip 1 st. Repeat from * around. Slip stitch into 2nd chain of starting sequence to join.

  • Round 2 (Single Crochet Grid): Chain 2 (counts as 1 sc + ch-1). Skip 1 st, single crochet directly into next stitch (not the chain space), chain 1, skip 1 st. Repeat from * around. Slip stitch into 1st chain of starting sequence to join.

  • Rounds 3–21: Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 nine times, then complete one final Round 1 repeat.

• Upper Rim (Continuous Spiral):

  • Round 22: Single crochet into every stitch and chain space around. Place stitch marker. (100 sts)

  • Rounds 23–27: Single crochet in each st around. Join last round with a slip stitch, fasten off, and weave in ends.

Section 3: Custom Straps & Assembly

Make 2 straps flat using back-and-forth rows.

• Foundation: Chain 6.

• Rows 1–6 (Base Sc): Single crochet across from 2nd chain from hook. (5 sts per row)

• Rows 7–16 (Mesh Center): Chain 2 (counts as dc), dc 1, chain 1, skip 1 st, dc 2. Turn. (5 sts)

• Rows 17–40 (Grip Sc): Single crochet across all 5 stitches each row.

• Rows 41–50 (Mesh Center): Chain 2 (counts as dc), dc 1, chain 1, skip 1 st, dc 2. Turn. (5 sts)

• Rows 51–56 (End Sc): Single crochet across. Fasten off.

Finishing:

1. Fold the middle single-crochet section of each handle lengthwise and whip-stitch the edges together to form a comfortable padded grip.

2. Flatten the bag body. Position the handle ends onto the bag rim, leaving a 16-stitch gap between strap ends on each side.

3. Hand-sew the straps firmly to the interior rim using color-matched sewing thread. Add decorative cross-stitching on the exterior for extra reinforcement.