This easy and free crochet pattern uses simple color work to create a modern crochet gingham market bag with bright or neutral colors. This project is an easy stash buster pattern and uses less than one skein of each color. Attach a farmhouse-inspired rope handle or crochet your own for a finishing touch!
Free Crochet Gingham Market Bag Pattern
This bright, gingham print market tote is a versatile size and can be used as a grocery bag, library bag or even as a summer purse! The gingham print is a great stash buster using less than one skein of each color. If you prefer classic buffalo plaid to gingham - just switch up the colors 😉
It may sound strange, but one of my favorite things about crocheting is that I can make things that are “eco-friendly”. I have a background in Ecology, and I have had a strong love of reusable shopping bags ever since I studied abroad in Australia in 2005 where they were already routinely used.
A Crochet Market Bag with a Purse Strap
I decided to use a purse strap on this bag for several reasons. First, I love the rope look, especially when it’s paired with the gingham print. Second, it was a lot faster to attach a pre-made strap than it was to crochet one. Third, it won’t stretch! That all being said, I do love crocheted straps as well and think this bag would look lovely with one if you want to go that route 🙂
To Weave in Ends or Not To Weave in Ends?
Since I knew I was making this bag for myself, I decided to carry my yarn throughout the project. With the MANY color changes in gingham print, it just works better that way. I also decided to carry the yarn behind the stitches instead of worked within. This was a personal preference. I would rather have the yarn visible on the inside of the bag than have the colors peeking through if I carried it within the stitches.
If you are planning on gifting or selling this bag, you may want to do it differently that I did (pictured below). You could also consider lining the finished bag with fabric if you are friendly with sewing machines!
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Gingham Print Market Bag - Free Crochet Pattern
Supplies:
- Worsted weight yarn in 3 colors. Less than 170 yards of each color are needed. I used a combination of Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice and Loops and Threads Impeccable
- H/5.0 mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Purse strap (I found mine at Joann, but Amazon has similar here)
- 1 1/2” Button (optional)
Abbreviations (written in U.S. terms):
- YO: yarn over
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- SC: single crochet
- HDC: half double crochet
Video Tutorials To Help You Get Started:
How to Crochet Gingham Print (please note: the stitches used in this video tutorial are different, but the technique for carrying the yarn throughout your work is the same! - Click here to see the left handed version
Gauge
9 sts x 6 rows = 2” square in HDC
Finished Size:
- Width = 10.5"
- Length (without strap) = 12"
Pattern Notes
- Chain stitches at the beginning of rounds do not count as a stitch
- The end of each round is joined to the first stitch of the round with a sl st.
- Color A = white; Color B = lt. green; Color C = dk. green
- For color changes I recommend that you carry the yarn to minimize ends to weave in at the end.
Matching Patterns
Instructions
Starting with Color A
ch 44
Round 1: (Front side of ch) SC in second ch from the hook, SC in 41, 2 SC in last ch. (Back side of ch) SC in 42, 2 SC in the last st of the back (this will be the first st you worked into on the front). Join to first SC of the round with a sl st (88)
Round 2: ch 1, *SC in 43, 2 SC in next st. Repeat from *, join to first SC of the round with a sl st. (90)
Round 3-10: ch 1, SC around, join to first SC with a sl st. (90)
Round 11-12 (Starting with Color B): ch 1, *HDC in 3 sts using Color B, HDC in next 3 sts using Color C, repeat from * 14 more times. Join to the first HDC of the round with a sl st. (90).
Round 13-14: ch 1, *HDC in 3 sts using Color A, HDC in next 3 sts using Color B, repeat from * 14 more times. Join to the first HDC of the round with a sl st. (90).
Round 15-16: Repeat Rounds 11-12
Round 17-18: Repeat Rounds 13-14
Round 19-20: Repeat Rounds 11-12
Round 21-22: Repeat Rounds 13-14
Round 23-24: Repeat Rounds 11-12
Round 25-26: Repeat Rounds 13-14
Round 27-28: Repeat Rounds 11-12
Round 29-30: Repeat Rounds 13-14
Round 31-32: Repeat Rounds 11-12
Round 33-34: Repeat Rounds 13-14
Round 35-36: Repeat Rounds 11-12
Round 37-39 (Color A): ch 1, SC around, join to first SC with a sl st. (90)
Round 40: ch 1, SC in 20, SC over handle loop for next 8 sts (Figure 1), SC in 37, SC over handle loop for the 8 sts, SC in 17, join to the first SC of the round with a sl st. Tight ch 10, skip 2 sts and attach with a sl st to create a button loop.
*Note: button loop is optional. If you don’t want a button closure, just finish the round of SC as usual. Tie off yarn, weave in all ends, attach button if desired.
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Now the legal stuff...You may sell items made from this pattern, but please credit me as the original designer. Also, please do not share the written pattern in print or electronically. The photos on this webpage belong to Megan Meyer of Left in Knots and may not be used for product sales/product listings. You may share a link back to my blog if you would like someone else to see or work with this pattern. Thank you for your cooperation and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me!
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