Mesh Market Bag
A flat sc base, a stretchy chain-loop mesh and built-in handles. Folds into a pocket.
- Yarn
- Worsted (4) cotton.
- Hook
- G-6 (4 mm)
- Sizes
- Base 9 in (23 cm) across; bag about 13 in (33 cm) tall before stretching
- Example gauge
- 16 sts and 18 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in sc
- Yarn needed
- About 300 yd (275 m) cotton.
- Stitch multiple
- 6 (base), 3 (mesh)
US terms. The UK name follows in brackets the first time each stitch appears. Turning chains don’t count as stitches unless a step says so. See US vs UK crochet terms and crochet abbreviations.
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increases per round | 6.28 × (4 ÷ 4.5) | 5.6 → 6 | By hand |
| Base stitches | diameter × 3.14 × sts per in, to a multiple of 6 | 9 × 3.14 × 4 = 113 → 114 (19 rnds) | By hand |
| Mesh loops | base sts ÷ 3 | 38 loops | By hand |
Materials
- Worsted (4) yarn (see yarn needed)
- G-6 (4 mm)
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Sc swatch in cotton.
Instructions
Base
Join every round with a sl st (UK ss) to the first st; the ch at the start of each round does not count as a stitch.
Rnd 1: 6 sc (UK dc) in a magic ring. Rnd n: *Sc in next (n − 2), 2 sc in next; rep from * around (6 times in all). Continue to your base count (example: rnd 19, 114).
Mesh
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 4, sk (UK miss) 2 sts, sc in next st; rep from *, ending ch 4, sk 2, sl st to first sc. (38 loops)
Rnd 2 on: Sl st to the middle of the first loop. *Ch 4, sc in next ch-4 loop; rep from * around (work in a spiral).
Continue to 13 in (33 cm) from the base.
Top and handles
Next rnd: 3 sc in each ch-4 loop (114). Next rnd: Sc around.
Handle rnd: Sc in next 20, ch 45, sk 37, sc in next 20, ch 45, sk 37.
Next 2 rnds: Sc in each sc and each ch. Fasten off.
Finishing
- Weave in ends very securely; cotton ends slip.
- Machine wash; the bag will soften.
Designer’s notes
- Flat-circle rule: increases per round ≈ 6.28 × (sts per in ÷ rows per in). With typical gauges that comes to about 6 for sc, 8 for hdc (UK htr) and 12 for dc (UK tr). If your circle ruffles, increase less often; if it cups, more often.
- Longer handles for shoulder carry: ch 70 instead of 45.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: base rounds. Counter 2: mesh rounds.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Tools for this pattern
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.