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How to crochet a market bag – free pattern

A new way to look at crochet produce bags. A crochet market bag with a vintage stitch and modern aesthetic!

I have always struggled with summer items and cotton yarn and this crochet produce bag was no different. And I have made quite a few things in the past with cotton, especially when I was selling on markets.

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Free crochet market bag pattern. Uses an intricate vintage crochet stitch that is so easy to make, even if it looks complicated. Photo and video tutorial included in the pattern. #crochetmarketbag #crochetproducebag #freecrochetpattern #freecrochetmarketbagpattern

How to get this crochet pattern:

  1. If you are looking for the free version, scroll down below.
  2. You can purchase the ad-free pdf for easy printing in any of my shops, below.

You can get the pdf pattern for easy printing on Etsy, Ravelry, and Lovecrafts. Thank you so much for your support! Or…

3. You can sign up for my exclusive Members Area where you can get the entire Malloo pattern library for one small yearly fee. Enjoy crocheting from the comfort of your couch and never have to worry about paying full price for every premium pdf pattern. Click the image below to be pleasantly surprised.

I even made some jewelry! They were very pretty in my opinion and the colors were fantastic, but summers in Greece and anything that is knitted (or crochet) don’t go well together. People felt that they were getting hotter. Which is not true, but…

Back to my summer tote bag. I have had this yarn since last summer and I knew I wanted to make a crochet bag. But every design I could think off just wasn’t clicking or it was made too many times in too many variations.

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Crochet market bag free pattern

I wanted something different. And finally, a couple of months ago it hit me! I have seen in the past a vintage crochet stitch that isn’t used much these days and have wanted to try it since.

Long story short, I finally found a perfect match for both of them. The stitch I used is called the x stitch because of its shape. I have seen a couple of variations for the placement of the stitch in the second row and I will show you which one I chose in a photo below.

You can easily learn how to make the x stitch by following the video or the photo tutorial below. It looks complicated and I wouldn’t recommend it to someone that is just starting out with crochet, but it’s really not that difficult. Once you got the hang of it you are getting into a nice repetitive rhythm and you just don’t want to put this project down.

If you would like a smaller bag that can double down as a handbag and a project bag for small items, be sure to check out my Japanese knot bag.

Free crochet market bag pattern

The yarn I used is a called Buddy Hemp by Wool and the Gang, and it’s a mix of 45% organic cotton and 55% hemp. It’s all natural and it holds up really well. Hemp is known for making really durable fabrics that don’t stretch. You can also use your favorite cotton yarn if you like. I believe Lionbrand’s 24/7 cotton would be a perfect fit for this market bag.

How to crochet the vintage X stitch

X stitch photo tutorial

  1. Yarn over twice, insert hook into the indicated stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop.

2. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on your hook.

Crochet beach bag/market bag

3. Yarn over, skip one stitch, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop.

4. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on your hook.

5. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on your hook.

6. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on your hook.

Crochet market bag

7. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on your hook.

8. Chain 1.

9. Yarn over and insert the hook in the middle of the stitches as shown below.

10. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on your hook.

11. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on your hook and chain 1. X stitch made!

Let’s get into making this pattern. You are going to need:

Yarn: Buddy Hemp by Wool and the Gang or any DK yarn
Use this link to receive 15% off, if you are trying Wool and the Gang yarns for the first time.
Hook: US G/4.0 mm
Yardage: approximately 348 m (380 yds)

Gauge swatch:

The swatch below must measure 4” (10 cm) in diameter in order to achieve gauge.

R1: MR, 12 dc in ring (12)
R2: 2 dc in each st around (24)
R3: *dc, 2 dc * repeat from * to * around (36)
R4: * dc 2, 2 dc * repeat from * to * around (48)

If your gauge is correct, just rip out the last 2 rounds and continue with the pattern.

Abbreviations

R: round
MR: magic ring
dc: double crochet
st(s): stitch(es)
sc: single crochet
sc2tog: single crochet two stitches together (decrease)
sk: skip
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
bpsc: back post single crochet

Feel free to look up any of the terms above that are unfamiliar to you and learn a new stitch. I try to provide tutorials for the stitches I believe are the most uncommon, or difficult, or new to my patterns.

Notes:

  1. The crochet market bag pattern uses standard US terms.
  2. The second round of x stitches is not placed directly above the x stitch of the previous round, as in some variations, but in between. You can see what I mean in the closeup photo below, and it is explained in R13 of the pattern.
  3. Also in R13, and in every other round, you will be asked to make half an x stitch. You will do this by following steps 1-2 of the photo tutorial. In step 3, instead of skipping a stitch and inserting your hook in the next stitch, you will complete step 3 around the initial chain, follow steps 4-7, and sl st in the initial chain.
Free crochet market bag pattern
Placement of the x stitches in rounds
Half x stitch
Half x stitch

Crochet market bag pattern

R1: MR, 12 dc in ring, sl st (12)
R2: ch 2, 2 dc in each st around, sl st (24)
R3: ch 2, 2 dc in each st around, sl st (48)
R4: ch 2, 2 dc in each st around, sl st (96)
R5: ch 2, * dc 7, 2 dc * repeat from * to * around, sl st (108)
R6-11: ch 2, dc in each st around, sl st (108)
R12: ch 4, x stitch around (36 x sts)
R13: ch 6, sk first dc and ch 1 of the previous round, and make x stitch in next dc, make 34 more x sts, make half an x st in last dc (35 ½ x sts)
R14-24: repeat rounds 12 and 13
R25: ch 1, sc 108 sts evenly around (3 sc’s for each x stitch), sl st (108)
R26: ch 1, * sc 7, sc2tog * repeat from * to * around, sl st (96)
R27: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st (96)
R28: ch 1, sc 14, ch 70, sk 20, sc 28, ch 70, sk 20, sc 14, sl st to join (196)
R29-32: ch 1, sc 14, bpsc 70, sc 28, bpsc 70, sc 14, sl st to join (196)

That’s it! Weave in your ends and you are done!

What are you going to use your new bag for? Tell me in the comments below.

Crochet tote bag free pattern

Do you want more patterns with cotton yarn?

Check out my crochet bunny teether, Celia baby blanket, and Last days of summer top (from left to right).

Pin me for later…;-)

This easy crochet produce bag is one of the projects you are going to want to make time and time again. Spend a couple of hours to make this market bag and a lifetime of carrying it around. The free crochet pattern includes a photo and video tutorial on how to make this beautiful vintage stitch that is so rarely used. #crochetmarketbag #crochetproducebag #freecrochetpattern #phototutorial #videotutorial #beachbag

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Sarah

Wednesday 30th of March 2022

Sorry I need more help in round 12 do I start my x stitch in the same stitch as the chain 4 or the second stitch . The 108th stitch is where my chain 4 comes from . Thanks

Sarah

Wednesday 6th of April 2022

@malloo, thanks for your reply

malloo

Monday 4th of April 2022

Yes, you start your x stitch in the same stitch as the chain 4. In the photo just above the pattern, the one that says "Half x stitch", you can see that the first part of the x stitch is in the same place as the initial ch 4. I hope this helps. ;-)

Sarah

Sunday 20th of March 2022

Hi I’m up to round 6 and my circle isn’t flat should it be ? I’ve followed the instructions and have the correct amount of stitches . Many thanks

Sarah

Monday 21st of March 2022

@malloo, thanks for your reply oh great to know !! I will keep going

malloo

Sunday 20th of March 2022

No, it shouldn't be! You are on the right track. It should be ruffled to create a better bottom for the market bag.

Cristina

Thursday 6th of January 2022

Is there a video tutorial for this bag? I want to make it so bad but need the extra help!

malloo

Monday 10th of January 2022

No, I am sorry, I don't have a video tutorial. Isn't the photo tutorial working for you?

Britt

Sunday 21st of November 2021

I am really struggling with connecting rounds once the x stitch is started. It isn't making sense to me to chain 6, skip a double crochet and then chain 1. Am I inserting my hook somewhere or just chaining 7? I don't want to rip this out because it is already so cute!

malloo

Sunday 21st of November 2021

You are supposed to skip the double and the chain 1 from the previous round, not make a chain 1. Is that clearer, now?

Britt

Sunday 21st of November 2021

Working on this right now. Excited to learn the x stitch!!!

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