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Mercer Market Bag (Free Crochet Pattern)


Hello fellow crocheters!

I'm thrilled to share with you my newest design, the Mercer Market Bag!


The Mercer Market Bag is an eco-friendly, environmental, and reusable slouchy mesh tote that is perfect to go grocery shopping with.  Its large, stretchy inside affords a generous amount of space for holding lots of produce and items.  You'll no longer need to use plastic bags again!

 
It can sure hold a lot!

The minimalist design is elegant but can be spiced up with the addition of an easy-to-make, bohemian (boho) style beaded tassel, which is included in this tutorial.


This pattern also features the easy V-stitch and is very quick to work up.  In addition, it’s worked in joined rounds, crocheted from bottom up, and a no-sew project done in one piece! Nice and easy!!

 

This product sells well at craft fairs and make excellent gifts, or as a treat for yourself! It’s a must-have accessory to bring to your local Farmer’s Market during the beautiful Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons because it's not only trendy and fashionable, but functional too!


Now that it's getting to be summer here in the Pacific Northwest, the weather is perfection!  It's a great time to bust out this tote, which I think looks especially lovely with summer dresses!


I used Lion Brand's 24/7 Cotton Yarn in the color "Ecru".  
This yarn is so easy to work with and perfect for a market bag because it's not splitty at all!  It doesn't fray, is super durable, and I see it lasting a good, long time!


What's also awesome is that I only needed to use two skeins to complete this project.  Here's how much I had left over after finishing the bag and its handles:



It was more than enough to make the tassel as well!  After finishing my jumbo-sized tassel, I even had a bit more scraps left over, so two skeins is plenty safe to complete this project!


Look at the size of that tassel! It's a chunky one!

Oh, and if you're wondering about the name of this bag, I got my inspiration from the term "Mercer", which refers to a merchant or a trader.  In the past, the word was more commonly used to refer to dealers in textile fabrics, fine cloth, and related goods.  While this market bag won't be used to trade or sell cloths, I thought it'd be a cute name to use as it will help hold my merchandise!  

So....shall we get started on this?  Scroll down for the free, written crochet pattern with visual references! 


https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mercer-market-tote-bag

If you'd like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references (see preview below), you can get it from my shop or RavelryThis pattern file includes directions for crocheting the Mercer Market Bag in full, as well as an easy tutorial for making a tassel accessory.  Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs!






MERCER MARKET BAG

Copyright Notice -- © 2019 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com) or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SweetSofties). No wholesale. You may not copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.


Introduction:
The Mercer Market Bag is an eco-friendly, environmental, and reusable slouchy mesh tote that is perfect to go grocery shopping with! Its large, stretchy inside affords a generous amount of space for holding lots of produce and items. The minimalist design is elegant but can be spiced up with the addition of an easy-to-make, bohemian (boho) style beaded tassel, which is included in this tutorial. This pattern also features the easy V-stitch and is very quick to work up, using only two skeins of 24/7 Cotton Yarn by Lion Brand Yarn. In addition, it’s worked in joined rounds, crocheted from bottom up, and a no-sew project done in one piece!

This product sells well at craft fairs and make excellent gifts, or as a treat for yourself! It’s a must-have accessory to bring to your local Farmer’s Market during the beautiful Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons.

Finished Measurement: 
  • Body of the bag is 16” wide, 15” tall. 
  • Handles are 20” long.
  • Note: Instructions to modify length of bag and handles are included in this pattern

Level: 
  • Familiar beginner. Requires familiarity with stitches used (below).

Stitches/Terms Used (US Terminology):
  • MR: magic ring 
  • Ch: chain
  • Sl st: slip stitch
  • Sc: single crochet
  • Dc: double crochet
  • Dec: decrease 
  • Sp: space 

    Materials:





    ~ CROCHET INSTRUCTIONS ~

    Notes (Read Before Beginning):

    • V-stitch: (dc, ch, dc) all in the intended stitch.
    • This bag is worked in one piece from bottom to top, with joined rounds. Do not fasten off until instructed to do so at the very end of the pattern.

    LET'S BEGIN!

    Base of Bag

    R1: In a MR: ch 4 (this serves as the first dc + ch). (Dc, ch) x 5. *Join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of the beginning chain. (6 dc, 6 ch)

    R2: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp. Ch. (V-stitch in next ch-1 sp, ch) x 5. *Join. (12 dc, 12 ch)

    R3: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp. Ch. Dc in next ch-1 sp, ch. (V-stitch in v-stitch from previous row, ch, dc in next ch-1 sp, ch) x 5. *Join. (18 dc, 18 ch)

    R4: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp. Ch. (Dc in next ch-1 sp, ch) x 2. (V-stitch in v-stitch from previous row, ch, [dc in next ch-1 sp, ch] x 2) x 5. *Join. (24 dc, 24 ch)

    R5: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp. Ch. (Dc in next ch-1 sp, ch) x 3. (V-stitch in v-stitch from previous row, ch, [dc in next ch-1 sp, ch] x 3) x 5. *Join. (30 dc, 30 ch)

    R6: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp. Ch. (Dc in next ch-1 sp, ch) x 4. (V-stitch in v-stitch from previous row, ch, [dc in next ch-1 sp, ch] x 4) x 5. *Join. (36 dc, 36 ch)

    R7: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp. Ch. (Dc in next ch-1 sp, ch) x 5. (V-stitch in v-stitch from previous row, ch, [dc in next ch-1 sp, ch] x 5) x 5. *Join. (42 dc, 42 ch)

    R8: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp. Ch. (Dc in next ch-1 sp, ch) x 6. (V-stitch in v-stitch from previous row, ch, [dc in next ch-1 sp, ch] x 6) x 5. *Join. (48 dc, 48 ch)

    R9: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp. Ch. (Dc in next ch-1 sp, ch) x 7. (V-stitch in v-stitch from previous row, ch, [dc in next ch-1 sp, ch] x 7) x 5. *Join. (54 dc, 54 ch)

    R10: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp. Ch. (Dc in next ch-1 sp, ch) x 8. (V-stitch in v-stitch from previous row, ch, [dc in next ch-1 sp, ch] x 8) x 5. *Join. (60 dc, 60 ch)

    R11: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp. Ch. (Dc in next ch-1 sp, ch) x 9. (V-stitch in v-stitch from previous row, ch, [dc in next ch-1 sp, ch] x 9) x 5. *Join. (66 dc, 66 ch)


    R12: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp. Ch. (Dc in next ch-1 sp, ch) x 10. (V-stitch in v-stitch from previous row, ch, [dc in next ch-1 sp, ch] x 10) x 5. *Join. (72 dc, 72 ch)


    Continue with Body of Bag

    R13: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp. Ch. Skip the next ch-1 sp. (V-stitch in next ch-1 sp, ch, skip next ch-1 sp) around. *Join.  (36 V-stitches)


    R14: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp. Ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp. Ch. (V-stitch on top of next v-stitch from previous row, ch) around. *Join. (36 V-stitches)

    R15-R27: Repeat R14. (36 V-stitches)
    Note: For a longer bag, add more repetitions of R14. For a shorter bag, crochet fewer rows. 


    R28: Ch 3, dc in same ch-1 sp. (Dc 2 in next V-stitch) around. *Join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of the beginning ch. (72 dc)


    R29: Ch 1, (dec, sc 4) x 12. *Join. (60 sc)


    Continue Making the Handles

    R30: Ch 1, (sc 10, ch 64, sk 20 sts) x 2. *Join. (20 sc, 128 ch)
    Note: Avoid twisting the chain. The Ch 64 makes the handles approximately 20" long. You can make it as long or short as you'd like, as long as both handles match in length. To make the handles longer, add more chains. To make the handles shorter, use fewer chains. 

    One handle made

    R30 complete

    R31: Ch 1, ([sc 3, dec] x 2. Sc in each st of the ch-64 handle) x 2. *Join. (144 sc)


    R32: Ch 1, ([sc 2, dec] x 2. Sc in each st of the handle) x 2. *Join. (140 sc)


    R33: Ch 1, ([sc, dec] x 2. Sc in each st of the handle) x 2. *Join. (136 sc)


    Finally, fasten off and weave in the ends.  
    Congratulations on finishing! 




    ~ TASSEL ~

    Want to make a cute tassel to spice up your bag?  Check out my Easy Tassel Tutorial here!  There are lots of photo references, and it can be made in a matter of minutes!




    Don't forget... if you'd like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references (see preview below)you can get it from my shop or RavelryThis pattern file includes directions for crocheting the Mercer Market Bag in full, as well as an easy tutorial for making a tassel accessory.  Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs!



    If you enjoyed this free project and would like to make a donation to support my work, please click here!  Any amount is greatly appreciated and will go directly towards the yarn and supplies I use to keep creating new designs!


    Love the Mercer Market Bag

    You might enjoy these other crochet patterns too!  Simply click on the image below to navigate to the free pattern, or check out all my free patterns here.

       


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    As always, you are more than welcome to SHARE this post with any fellow crocheters who'd like to try this pattern!  Thank you for reading, and I wish you all a wonderful day! 


    Best wishes,