The Coastal Weave Market Tote: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Eco-Friendly Everyday Bag

Introducing the Coastal Weave Market Tote

Get ready to create your new favorite accessory! The Coastal Weave Market Tote is a sturdy, stylish, and eco-friendly bag that's perfect for everything from farmers' market hauls to beach day essentials. This free crochet pattern combines a modern, open-weave stitch with a classic, durable shape, resulting in a bag that's as functional as it is beautiful. Made with natural cotton yarn, this project is a quick, satisfying make for crocheters of all skill levels. The airy texture is both strong and flexible, giving you a bag that can carry your groceries or your summer reads with equal ease.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Using the exact materials will ensure your bag matches the gauge and finished size described.

• Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (100% mercerized cotton; 100g/186 yds) - 2 skeins in 'Linen' (Main Color, MC) and 1 skein in 'Ecru' (Contrast Color, CC)
• Hook: Size H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
• Other: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors

Gauge: 14 double crochets (dc) x 8 rows = 4 inches in standard double crochet. Achieving the correct gauge is important for the bag to be the right size and shape.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Notes for Success

The bag is worked in the round from the bottom up. The stitch pattern creates a beautiful, airy texture that is both strong and flexible. Pay close attention to the stitch counts at the end of each round to ensure your work stays on track.

Bottom of Bag (Worked in the Round with MC)

1. Foundation Ring: With MC, chain (ch) 4. Join with a slip stitch (sl st) to the first ch to form a ring.
2. Round 1: Ch 3 (this counts as your first double crochet, dc). Work 11 dc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (12 dc total)
3. Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 1 dc in the same stitch (the base of the ch-3). Work 2 dc in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3. (24 dc total)
4. Round 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 1 dc in the same stitch. Dc in the next stitch. *Work 2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st. (36 dc total)
5. Round 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 1 dc in the same stitch. Dc in the next 2 stitches. *Work 2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st. (48 dc total)
6. Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 1 dc in the same stitch. Dc in the next 3 stitches. *Work 2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 3 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st. (60 dc total)
7. Round 6: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 1 dc in the same stitch. Dc in the next 4 stitches. *Work 2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 4 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st. (72 dc total)

Body of Bag (Worked in the Round with MC)

Now you will create the open-weave pattern. The body is worked by repeating two rounds (Round 8 and Round 9) to build the textured, airy fabric.

7. Round 7 (Setup Round): Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in the next 2 stitches. *Ch 1, skip 1 stitch, dc in the next 3 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. At the end of the round, you will have worked the last set of 3 dc. Then, ch 1, skip the last stitch. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (18 ch-1 spaces)
8. Round 8: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in the next 2 dc. *Dc in the ch-1 space, dc in the next 3 dc.* Repeat from * to * around. At the end, dc in the last ch-1 space. Join with a sl st. (72 dc total)
9. Round 9: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in the next 2 stitches. *Ch 1, skip 1 stitch, dc in the next 3 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. At the end, ch 1, skip the last stitch. Join with a sl st. (18 ch-1 spaces)
10. Rounds 10-25: Repeat Round 8 and Round 9 alternately. This means you will work Round 8, then Round 9, then Round 8, and so on, until you have completed Round 25. At the end of Round 25, fasten off the MC yarn and join the CC (Ecru) yarn with a sl st.

Top Edge & Handles (Worked in the Round with CC)

This section creates a solid, sturdy top edge and the two long handles.

11. Round 26 (CC): Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 single crochet (sc) in each stitch and in each ch-1 space around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (72 sc total)
12. Round 27 (Creating Handle Openings): Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Sc in the first 12 sc. Now, ch 50 (this will be the first handle). Skip the next 12 sc. Sc in the next 24 sc. Ch 50 (this will be the second handle). Skip the next 12 sc. Sc in the last 12 sc. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (24 sc + 2 handle chains)
13. Round 28: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Sc in each sc around. When you reach a handle chain, work 1 sc in each chain stitch of the handle. Continue around, working sc in each sc and each chain stitch of the second handle. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (24 sc + 50 sc per handle = 124 sc total)
14. Round 29: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Sc in each sc around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Weave in all ends securely using a yarn needle.

Your Coastal Weave Market Tote is now complete! The finished bag will be approximately 12 inches wide and 14 inches tall, with handles about 20 inches long. Enjoy your new, eco-friendly accessory for all your daily adventures.