Crochet Market Bag: A Rope Craft Project

Rope crochet market bags are a fun and eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags. They are durable, stylish, and handmade. With a growing awareness of the environmental impact of single-use plastics, these bags are a great way to carry your groceries, picnic essentials, or beach supplies. You can find a variety of patterns and designs for these bags online, ranging from simple and quick projects to more intricate and colourful creations. Many patterns are suitable for beginners, and you can easily customise your bag by choosing different colours or adding decorations such as tassels or pendants. The bags are usually made with lightweight yarn and feature an open stitch, creating a mesh-like design that is both sturdy and expandable.

Rope crochet market bag patterns

Creating your own rope crochet market bag is a fun and eco-friendly project. Here are some patterns and tips to get you started:

Yarn Choice

When choosing your yarn, consider using a medium to bulky weight yarn for durability and sturdiness. Worsted weight yarn, such as cotton or a cotton-blend, offers a good balance and is a common choice for market bags. Super bulky yarns can also be used for a quicker project and a chunkier look.

Stitch Choice

The "granite stitch" or "moss stitch" is a popular choice for market bags as it creates a dense and sturdy fabric with a subtle texture. This stitch combines single crochet and chain stitches. Other sturdy stitches to consider are single crochet and half-double crochet.

Basic Supplies

In addition to your yarn and crochet hook, you will need some basic supplies such as a tapestry or yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers, and a pair of scissors. Depending on the pattern, you may also need to purchase handles or other additional supplies.

Free Patterns

There are many free crochet market bag patterns available online, including:

• French Market Bag by Two of Wands: This chic and simple bag is inspired by the traditional French net grocery bag and is perfect for groceries or beach essentials.
• String Shopping Bag by Mama in a Stitch: A super simple and practical bag pattern that uses an open stitch and can be adjusted to your desired size.
• Wildrose Market Bag by All About Ami: A beautiful and practical bag for shopping, sightseeing, or beach trips, featuring granny squares and a waistcoat stitch strap.
• Miller Crochet Market Bag by Lakeside Loops: A unique and eye-catching design with a video tutorial to guide you through the written pattern.
• Bellissima Market Bag by Pattern Paradise: A pretty and lacy produce bag that can also be used as a beach bag, featuring durable braided straps.

Etsy Patterns

If you're looking for more variety, Etsy offers a wide range of crochet rope bag patterns for purchase, including patterns for drawstring bags, tote bags, and crossbody bags. You can also find kits that include all the necessary materials to get started.

Rope crochet market bag materials

A rope crochet market bag is a stylish and eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags. You can use different types of yarn to crochet your bag, such as cotton, polyester, or macrame cord. Here is a list of materials you will need to make your own rope crochet market bag:

Yarn

• Cotton yarn: This is a popular choice for market bags as it is durable and has a nice texture. You can find cotton yarn in different weights, such as fingering weight, worsted weight, or medium weight.
• Polyester yarn: Polyester is a strong and durable material that can add a nice touch to your bag.
• Macrame cord: Macrame cord is a type of yarn specifically designed for macrame and other craft projects. It is usually made from polyester or cotton and comes in different thicknesses, such as 2mm, 3mm, or 6mm.

Other Materials

• Crochet hook: The size of the crochet hook will depend on the type of yarn you are using. For example, a 5.0 mm crochet hook is suitable for fingering weight yarn, while a 4mm crochet hook can be used for cotton yarn.
• Stitch markers: These are small markers that you can use to mark the beginning of a round or a specific stitch.
• Tapestry needle: A tapestry needle is used to weave in the ends of the yarn and secure them in place.
• Leather handles: You can add leather handles to your bag for a more sophisticated look.
• Metal rings: Metal rings can be used to attach the straps or handles to the bag.

You can find all these materials online or at your local craft store. It is important to choose high-quality materials to ensure that your bag is durable and long-lasting.

Rope crochet market bag care

Washing

The best way to wash your rope crochet market bag is by handwashing. This is the safest method to ensure that your bag does not get damaged, shrink, or lose its colour.

Use a mild laundry detergent formulated for delicate or baby clothes to avoid any chemical reactions. Fill a bowl with cool to lukewarm water—avoid using hot water as this can damage wool yarn and cause other types of yarn to bleed colour. Gently swish your bag around in the water, being careful not to cause too much agitation as this can cause the stitches and thread fibres to break down. Rinse your bag under cool running water until the water runs clear, then gently squeeze or press the water out.

Drying

Never twist, bend, or wring out your crochet bag to remove water, as this can strain the stitches and cause the bag to lose its shape. Instead, wrap your bag in a towel to absorb excess water, then lay it down to air dry. Avoid hanging your bag on a line or exposing it to direct sunlight, as this can also cause it to lose its shape or fade.

Spot Cleaning

If you are spot cleaning, you may not need to empty your bag. Add a small amount of mild detergent to a bowl of cold water, then dip a soft, clean cloth or sponge into the water. Wring out the excess water and gently rub the surface of your bag. Rinse the cloth or sponge and wipe your bag again to remove any soap residue, then use the cloth or sponge—dampened with clear water—to remove any remaining detergent from your bag.

Machine Washing and Drying

Although handwashing is the safest method, it is possible to wash and dry your crochet bag in a washing machine if it is made from synthetic yarn. Use a delicate cycle and place your bag inside a mesh laundry bag if possible. Check the yarn label for the correct water temperature, or use a cool water setting if you no longer have the label. Wash your bag separately from other clothes to avoid colours bleeding into one another.

Synthetic yarn can be dried in the dryer on a low heat setting, but do not do this if your yarn has attached sequins or metal objects. Check the yarn label before drying your bag in the machine.

Rope crochet market bag styles

There are many different styles of rope crochet market bags to choose from, and they can be customised with tassels, pendants, and other decorations. The bags can be crocheted densely or laced with an open stitch to allow for optimum expansion.

Some popular styles include:

• Granny square shopping bag: This bag is made by putting together large granny squares to form a big yarn box. It is super colourful and graceful and will not take long to make.
• Eco-string bag: This lightweight bag is made with fingering weight yarn and can be scrunched up like a plastic bag, making it perfect for storing.
• Chevron crochet summer bag: This bag features a lacey design and boho style. It is worked in puff stitches and is suitable for experienced shoppers.
• French market bag: This bag is inspired by the traditional French net grocery bag and is worked in a large square that is then gathered on two sides to form a sack shape.
• Blooming grocery bag: This bag features a big crochet diamond start motif base that brings a unique touch to this square mesh bag.
• Mandala market bag: This bag has a colourful and solid mandala base, a lacey bag body, and durable straps.

Rope crochet market bag sizes

A rope crochet market bag can be made in any size, but the pattern will be easiest to follow if the bag width is a multiple of three. The bag's size can be adjusted by crocheting a wider base and continuing to add 12 stitches to each round, following the pattern. The bag length can be adjusted by crocheting for more rounds.

The size of the bag is also dependent on the type of yarn and hook used. For example, a bag made with fingering weight yarn and a 5.0 mm crochet hook will be smaller than a bag made with worsted weight yarn and a larger hook. The pattern can be made with any lightweight yarn, and the hook size should be chosen to match the yarn.

The bag pattern includes instructions for crocheting a flat, circular base with double crochet stitches, working in the round to create the mesh sides, and crocheting the handle at the end. The base is created by crocheting a ring of 12 double crochet stitches, then increasing the number of stitches in each round to create a flat circle. The sides are created by working sets of four chain stitches around, and the handle is crocheted at the end.

The final size of the bag is approximate and may vary depending on the tension of the crochet and the type of yarn and hook used. The pattern is forgiving, and the bag can be made wider or longer by adjusting the number of stitches and rounds.

Frequently asked questions