-This post may contain affiliate links, products used in this project provided by Missouri Star Quilt Company-
As we start getting closer to summer I always find myself gravitating towards crochet projects made with cotton yarn. There is just something about working with cotton yarn that feels summery to me. I think part of it is the fact that it isn't really a yarn you use for warmth so it isn't used as much for cold weather accessories and winter projects.
A lot of the projects I like to make with cotton yarn are also great items to make and use in the summer, things like washcloths/dishcloths, coasters, water bottle holders, and of course market bags.
Last month when I saw that Missouri Star Quilt Company was now going to be selling yarn I was really excited and I knew when I put my order in for this month I was going to want to get some yarn. They had lots of beautiful yarns to choose from, but with the weather warming up I really didn't want to get yarn to make a hat, or a scarf, or a blanket, or anything like that. I decided to get a few skeins of Cascade Nifty Cotton and Nifty Cotton Splash because I knew it would be perfect for some summer projects.
For the first project I decided to make a market bag. I have several market bag patterns and I have a basic pattern that I like to use as a starting point for my bags, a double crochet base, then the body of the bag in whatever stitch pattern I am using for that bag, followed by a single crochet top section and handles. I like to use kind of an open stitch for the patterned section.
For this bag I chose a mesh type stitch, I honestly don't know what it is called or if it has a name, but rather than the regular mesh stitch (that I used for this market bag) this one has two bars on all sides of each square. There are 2 double crochet stitches on each side of the opening, and 2 chained sections above and below. This creates very defined square openings in the pattern. It is kind of a window pane effect, like I said I don't really know what to call it, but it works well for a market bag.
Another thing that I think is fun to do with market bags, and that I did on one of the last ones that I made is to pick 2 colors of yarn, one variegated, and one coordinating solid, to make the bag. I like to use a solid color for the top and bottom sections and the variegated in the middle. I think variegated yarns can sometimes look really pretty in the store and then when you actually try to make something with them they can be really hard to work with, so it is fun to find ways to use them that really work and let the colorful yarns stand out without taking away from the work. I think the openness of the stitch patterns help keep the variegated sections from being too crazy and it is just a fun way to add some more color to your work. That being said I have made several bags in one solid color and that looks really nice too, so either way is a great option.
How to Crochet a Double Grid Market Bag
Finished Size- about 10" across when laid flat and about 12" tall not including handles
You will need:
- 1 skein Cascade Nifty Cotton (sample made with Turquoise)
- 1 skein Cascade Nifty Cotton Splash (sample made with Blue N Green)
- I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
- scissors
- yarn needle
Instructions:
Notes:
*Beginning ch does not count as a stitch unless otherwise specified (in the dc mesh rounds the beginning ch 5 counts as the first dc and ch 2, it is specified at that point in the pattern)
*In the mesh rounds the single and double crochet stitches are worked in the top of the stitches in the previous round, the chain stitches are skipped
Begin with a magic ring and solid color yarn
Round 1: in mr, ch 2, 12 dc, sl st to first dc to join (12 dc)
Round 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each stitch, sl st to first dc to join (24 dc)
Round 3: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next stitch] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (36 dc)
Round 4: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 2 stitches] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (48 dc)
Round 5: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 3 stitches] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (60 dc)
Round 6: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 4 stitches] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (72 dc)
Round 7: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 5 stitches] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (84 dc)
Round 8: ch 2, dc in each stitch, sl st to first dc to join (84 dc)
Round 9: ch 2, dc in each stitch, sl st to first dc to join (84 dc)
Round 10: ch 2, dc in each stitch, sl st to first dc to join (84 dc)
Switch to variegated yarn
Round 11: ch 1, sc in first st, ch 2, sk 2, [1 sc in each of the next 2 sts, ch 2, sk 2] repeat around, sc in last st, sl st to first sc to join (42 sc, 21 ch sp)
Round 12: ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), sk 2, [1 dc in each of the next 2 sts, ch 2, sk 2] repeat around, dc in last st, sl st to first dc to join (42 dc, 21 ch sp)
Rounds 13-25: repeat rounds 11 and 12, ending with a sc round
Switch to solid yarn
Round 26: ch 1, sc in each stitch, sl st to first sc to join (84 sc)
Round 27: ch 1, sc in each stitch, sl st to first sc to join (84 sc)
Round 28: ch 1, sc in each stitch, sl st to first sc to join (84 sc)
In the next round you will make the handle by skipping some stitches around the top of the bag and adding chains to make the handle. You will then work single crochet stitches in those chains in the next round to make the straps. I made the straps 50 chains long, to make a longer strap add more chains, for a shorter handle work fewer chains, just make sure you work the same number of chains on both sides.
Round 29: ch 1, 9 sc, ch 50, sk 24 stitches, 18 sc, ch 50, sk 24 stitches, 9 sc, sl st to first sc to join (36 sc, 100 ch)
Round 30: ch 1, sc in each stitch, sl st to first sc to join (136 sc)
Round 28: ch 1, sc in each stitch, sl st to first sc to join (136 sc)
Finish off and weave in ends
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