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CrochetDK Cotton
Terminology
Crochet Mesh Market Bag
A stretchy, reusable mesh bag that holds a surprising amount of shopping. Worked in sturdy cotton for strength.
Yarn needed
3 x 50g balls
~150g · ~330 metres
Time
A few evenings
EasyFinished size
Approx. 30cm wide, stretches to hold plenty
What you'll need
- Approx. 150g of DK cotton yarn
- A 4mm (UK 8 / US G-6) crochet hook
- A wool/darning needle
Tension: Not critical — cotton stretches in use. Keep an even tension for a neat mesh.
Abbreviations
chchain
dcdouble crochet (UK)
spspace
sl stslip stitch
Step-by-step instructions
1. Make the base
- 1Chain 4 and join into a ring with a sl st.
- 2Work rounds of dc, increasing evenly (roughly 6-8 increases per round) until you have a flat circle about 20cm across. This is the bottom of the bag.
2. Work the mesh body
- 1Round 1 of mesh: *ch3, skip 2 stitches, 1dc into next stitch* around.
- 2Continue each round working 1dc into each ch3 space of the round below, with ch3 between. The mesh will form automatically.
- 3Repeat until the bag measures about 30cm tall from the base.
3. Handles and finish
- 1Work a round of dc around the top to firm up the edge.
- 2To make each handle: at two opposite points, chain 40, skip a section of the top edge, and join with a sl st to form a loop. Work a round of dc over each chain handle for strength.
- 3Weave in all ends. Give the finished bag a gentle stretch to open up the mesh.
Top tip: Cotton is stronger than wool for bags — it will not sag under the weight of the weekly shop.