Fresh Mesh One-Piece Cotton Crochet Tote Bag Pattern Free: Market Carryall

A great market or beach tote needs enough openness to shake out sand and stay lightweight, yet enough solid structure so small items never slip through. The Fresh Mesh One-Piece Cotton Crochet Tote Bag solves that balance with a crisp 2-row windowpane block repeat worked in 100% cotton Lily® Sugar’n Cream™ on a tight-gauge Size U.S. F/5 (3.75 mm) hook. Best of all, you work the First Side upward from the Ch 70 foundation chain and then work the Second Side into the opposite loops of that same foundation chain—so the bottom of the bag is already seamlessly joined!

Why Using a 3.75 mm Hook With Worsted Cotton Makes a Better Bag

While #4 worsted cotton dishcloths are usually worked on a 5.0 mm (US H/8) hook, dropping down to a 3.75 mm (US F/5) hook compresses the cotton fibers into a firm, architectural cord. Even with the decorative ch-1 and ch-2 eyelets, the bag holds its crisp rectangular silhouette and slip-stitched straps without stretching down to your knees.

Materials & Custom Mesh Tote Size Chart

• Yarn: 3 standard 2.5 oz balls (or 1 large cone) of Lily® Sugar’n Cream™ in Hot Pink (01740).
• Crochet Hook: Size U.S. F/5 (3.75 mm) crochet hook.
• Notions: Locking stitch markers, blunt yarn needle, and scissors.

Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms)

• Approx = Approximately
• Beg = Beginning
• Ch = Chain(s)
• Dc = Double crochet
• Hdc = Half double crochet
• Pat = Pattern
• Rem = Remaining
• Rep = Repeat
• Rnd(s) = Round(s)
• RS = Right side
• Sc = Single crochet
• Sl st = Slip stitch
• Sp(s) = Space(s)
• St(s) = Stitch(es)
• WS = Wrong side

Step-by-Step Crochet Instructions

Part 1: First Side of Bag Body

1. Foundation Chain: Ch 70.
2. Row 1 (RS – Solid 5-Dc Block Row): Work 1 dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped 3 ch + dc count as first 2 dc). Work 1 dc in each of next 3 ch (first 5-dc block made). *Ch 2. Skip next 2 ch. Work 1 dc in each of next 5 ch. Repeat from * across to the end of the chain. Turn. (68 sts, counting each ch-2 space as 2 sts: ten 5-dc blocks separated by nine ch-2 spaces)
3. Row 2 (WS – Windowpane Mesh Row): Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch-1 throughout). Skip first 2 dc. Work 1 dc in next (center) dc. Ch 1, skip next dc, work 1 dc in next dc. *Ch 2. Skip next ch-2 sp. (Work 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc) twice. Work 1 dc in next dc. Repeat from * across to the end of the row. Turn.
4. Row 3 (RS – Solid 5-Dc Block Row): Ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout). (Work 1 dc in next ch-1 sp, work 1 dc in next dc) twice. *Ch 2. Skip next ch-2 sp. (Work 1 dc in next dc, work 1 dc in next ch-1 sp) twice. Work 1 dc in next dc. Repeat from * across to the end of the row. Turn.
5. Repeat for Height: Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until the First Side measures approximately 12″ [30.5 cm] from the foundation chain, ending on a Row 2 (WS) row.
6. Top Single Crochet Rim Row (RS): Ch 1. Work 1 sc in first dc. *(Work 1 sc in next ch-1 sp, work 1 sc in next dc) twice. Work 1 sc in next ch-2 sp. Work 1 sc in next dc. Repeat from * to the last 4 sts. (Work 1 sc in next ch-1 sp, work 1 sc in next dc) twice. Fasten off.

Part 2: Second Side (Worked Into Opposite Side of Foundation Chain)

1. Row 1 (RS): Rotate your work so you are working into the remaining unworked loops along the bottom of the foundation chain (RS facing). Join yarn with a sl st in the first remaining chain loop. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), work 1 dc in each of next 4 ch. *Ch 2. Skip next 2 ch. Work 1 dc in each of next 5 ch. Repeat from * across to the end of the foundation chain. Turn.
2. Complete Second Side: Work Row 2 through the Top Single Crochet Rim Row identically to the First Side so both sides match in height and pattern. Fasten off.

Part 3: Straps (Make 2) & Side Seams

1. Crochet Straps (Make 2): Ch 93. Round 1: Work 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch to the last ch; work 5 hdc in last ch. Working along the opposite side of the foundation chain, work 1 hdc in each remaining ch to the last ch; work 3 hdc in last ch. Join with a sl st to top of beg ch-2. Round 2: Work 1 sl st in each hdc all the way around the perimeter of the strap for non-stretch reinforcement. Fasten off.
2. Join Side Seams & Attach Straps: Fold the bag along the bottom foundation row, matching Front and Back edges. With RS facing and working through both thicknesses, join yarn with a sl st at the top corner and work 1 row of sc down the side edge to join the seam; repeat on the opposite side. Sew the ends of both straps securely onto the bag approximately 3.5″ [9 cm] inward from the side seams.