You will crochet a sturdy rectangular tote with a flat base, ribbed sides and two long shoulder handles. It uses only single crochet, slip stitch and chain, so a confident beginner can finish it in about four hours.
Ribbed Market Tote Bag
Free crochet pattern · US terms
- Yarn
- 4 – Medium (worsted) — suggested
- Hook
- 5.0 mm (H-8) — verify with a swatch
- Gauge
- 14 sts x 16 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in back-loop single crochet, unblocked (calculated, not measured)
- Size
- approx. about 14 in (36 cm) wide, 12 in (30 cm) tall, 4 in (10 cm) deep, plus handles
- Level
- Confident beginner
- Time
- about 4 h (estimate)
Written and count-checked on paper, not yet physically tested. Make the gauge swatch and the checkpoint below before you commit all your yarn.
The bag is worked from the base upward: a flat oval base in continuous rounds, then straight sides in back-loop single crochet that give a stretchy ribbed texture, then a simple top edge and two worked-in handles.
It suits anyone who can chain and single crochet and wants a first bag project. The dense fabric holds groceries, books or beach items without sagging much.
Before You Start
Materials
Suggested materials. Any yarn of the same weight works if you match the gauge.
2 skeins worsted weight cotton yarn, about 175 yd (160 m) each
Cotton holds its shape and does not stretch as much as acrylic, which matters for a load-bearing bag. A cotton-acrylic blend works as a substitute and is softer on the hands.
5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
Matches worsted weight for a dense bag fabric. Go down to 4.5 mm if your gauge is loose, up to 5.5 mm if it is tight.
Stitch marker
Marks the first stitch of each continuous round so you do not lose your place. A scrap of contrasting yarn works too.
Tapestry needle
Weaves in the yarn tails at the base and handles. A blunt tip passes between stitches without splitting them.
Tape measure
Checks the base size and the 4 in (10 cm) gauge square. Any ruler works.
Yarn needed (estimate): about 350 yd (320 m) / 2 skeins of 100 g
Gauge and Size
Gauge: 14 sts x 16 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in back-loop single crochet, unblocked. This gauge is calculated from the yarn and hook above, not measured on a finished sample. Make a 4 in (10 cm) swatch first; change the hook size, not your tension, until it matches.
Finished size (approximate): about 14 in (36 cm) wide, 12 in (30 cm) tall, 4 in (10 cm) deep, plus handles. Your size depends on your gauge.
Abbreviations (US terms)
| Abbr. | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| blo | back loop only |
| inc | increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch |
| st/sts | stitch / stitches |
| rep | repeat |
| FO | fasten off |
Special Stitches
Back-loop single crochet (blo sc)
Insert the hook under the back loop only of the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops. Working only the back loop leaves the front loop free and creates a ridge that reads as a rib.
Single crochet increase (inc)
Work 2 sc into the same stitch. This adds one stitch and is used only on the base.
How This Pattern Is Written
- All instructions use US crochet terms.
- The base is worked in continuous rounds: do not join and do not turn. Move the stitch marker up each round to mark the first stitch.
- The sides are worked in continuous rounds of blo sc without joining or turning, so the right side of the fabric stays outward.
- The turning chain is not used here because the bag is worked in the round. Where a chain is made at the top edge, the chain counts as a stitch only when stated.
- The base is a flat oval. Stitch counts in the base rounds follow the increase pattern exactly; the side rounds stay constant.
- Gauge and yardage are calculated from the stated assumptions, not measured on a finished sample. Check your own gauge before starting.
The Pattern
Base
Sides
Top Edge and Handles
Finishing and Assembly
Sizes and Variations
Smaller bag
chain 9 for the base instead of 13 and work 20 side rounds. The base ends with 30 sts and the bag is about 11 in (28 cm) wide.
Longer handles
chain 55 instead of 40 for each handle and skip 11 sts between them. Check the finished drop against your shoulder before fastening off.
Two-color bag
change color after Round 5 and again after Round 20. Carry the unused color up the inside of the bag and work over it.
Troubleshooting
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The base cups upward or ripples. | Too few or too many increases in the corner stitches of Rounds 2 and 3. | Undo to Round 2 and check that each end of the base has 3 increases in Round 2 and 6 in Round 3. Lay the base flat after each round before continuing. |
| The side fabric leans or spirals. | The stitch marker was not moved each round, so the round start drifted. | Mark the first stitch of every round as you make it. The slight diagonal line where rounds meet is normal in continuous rounds. |
| The bag stretches too much when loaded. | Gauge is looser than 14 sts per 4 in (10 cm), or the yarn is mostly acrylic. | Swatch again with a 4.5 mm hook and use cotton or a cotton blend for the body. |
| Handles feel thin or cut into the shoulder. | A single row of sc is not wide enough for the weight of the bag. | Work a second row of sc along each handle on the inside edge, or make the handle with 2 strands of yarn held together. |
| The top edge flares outward. | The sl st round was worked too loosely. | Work Round 36 with a smaller hook or pull each sl st snug against the previous stitch. |
Care
Hand wash in cool water with a mild soap and squeeze gently; do not wring. Lay flat to dry and reshape the base and handles while damp. Cotton can be steam blocked lightly, but keep the iron off the fabric and do not stretch the ribbing.
Questions Makers Ask
How much yarn does a crochet market bag need?
This bag uses an estimated 350 yd (320 m), about two 100 g skeins of worsted weight cotton. Buy a third skein if you plan longer handles or a larger size, since running short mid-handle is common.
Can I make this bag with acrylic yarn?
Yes, but acrylic stretches more under weight, so the bag may sag when loaded. Cotton or a cotton blend holds the shape better for a market tote.
Do I need to line the bag?
No lining is needed because the single crochet fabric is dense. Add a fabric lining only if you want to carry small items that could slip through the stitch gaps.
Why does my bag have a diagonal line on the side?
That is the round join in continuous rounds, where each new round starts one stitch over from the last. It is normal and is usually hidden at the side of the bag.
Next: Try a crochet basket with a stiff handle next, which uses the same back-loop single crochet fabric in a smaller, rounder shape.