I’ve been super obsessed with making market totes lately. I just love that they are reusable and fashionable at the same time. They are also really easy to make and a real money saver. Plus, you can customize them, which is less than I can say for the store-bought ones. I enjoy taking my totes to the market and making larger ones to take to the beach. My Summer Fun Market Tote is perfect for both! This specific one is a gift for my best friend. I hope she likes it and I hope you like the pattern! Happy Crocheting!
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Summer Fun Market Tote
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Skill Level:
Easy
Materials:
- Size I 5.5mm Crochet Hook*
- 5 skeins of Category 4 Medium Weight Cotton Yarn:
- 3 skeins (297 yds) of cotton yarn in Color A. I used Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton in Tropic Breeze*
- 1 skein (120 yds) of cotton yarn in Color B. I used Lily Sugar n Cream in Hot Green*
- 1 skein (99 yds) of cotton yarn in Color C. I used Lily Sugar n Cream in White*
- Stitch Marker*
- Yarn Needle*
- Scissors*
*affiliate link
Abbreviations:
dc – double crochet
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
sp – space
Finished Size:
Measurements of finished tote – 15″ wide x 16.5″ long (from top to bottom, not including handle). Handle measures 14.5″ long
Special Stitches:
- V-Stitch (v-st): [1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc] into designated st.
Notes:
- The stitches in this pattern are worked through both loops unless otherwise noted.
- After Round 8, you will be working in a continuous round. This is where a stitch marker comes in handy. Move the stitch marker along to keep your place.
- This pattern begins with a magic circle. If you are unfamiliar with this technique, you can chain 5 and sl st into a circle.
Instructions:
With Color A,
Round 1: Magic circle, ch 3 (count as 1 dc here and throughout), 10 dc into the magic circle, join in beginning dc with a sl st. (11)
Round 2: Ch 3, 1 dc in the first st, 2 dc into each remaining st around, join in beginning ch-3. (22)
Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc into next st, *1 dc into next st, 2 dc into next st; Repeat from * around, join in beginning ch-3. (33)
Round 4: Ch 3, 1 dc into the next st, 2 dc into next st, *1 dc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 dc into next st; Repeat from * around, join in beginning ch-3. (44)
Round 5: Ch 3, 1 dc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 dc into the next st, *1 dc into each of the next 3 sts, 2 dc into next st; Repeat from * around, join in beginning ch-3. (55)
Round 6: Ch 3, 1 dc into each of the next 3 sts, 2 dc into the next st, *1 dc into each of the next 4 sts, 2 dc into next st; Repeat from * around; join in beginning ch-3. (66)
Round 7: Ch 3, 1 dc into each of the next 4 sts, 2 dc into the next st, *1 dc into each of the next 5 sts, 2 dc into next st; Repeat from * around, join in beginning ch-3. (77)
Round 8: Ch 3, 1 dc into each st around, join. (77)
Now you’ll be working a continuous round. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.
Round 9: Ch 3 (count as 1 dc), sk the first st, *v-st into the next st, sk next st; Repeat from * around until there is 1 st remaining, 1 v-st into the last st. (38 v-sts, 1 dc)
Round 10: V-st into the space between the ch-3 and the first v-st, *v-st into the space between the next 2 v-sts from previous round; Repeat from * around [see example image.] (38 v-sts)
Round 11-15: Repeat Round 10. Change to Color B.
Round 16-20: Repeat Round 10. Change to Color C.
Round 21-24: Repeat Round 10. Change to Color B.
Round 25-30: Repeat Round 10. Sl st into the beginning dc. Change to Color A.
Round 31: Ch 1, 1 sc into each dc around (sk the ch-1 sts), join in beginning sc. (76)
Round 32: Ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, join in beginning sc. (76)
Round 33: Ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, join in beginning sc. Do not fasten off. (76)
Handle
Row 1: Ch 1, 1 sc into each of the next 12 sts, turn. (12)
Row 2-5: Ch 1, 1 sc into each st across, turn. (12)
Row 6: Ch 1, sc dec, sc into the next 8 sts, sc dec, turn. (10)
Row 7-12: Ch 1, 1 sc into each st across, turn. (10)
Row 13: Ch 1, sc dec, sc into the next 6 sts, sc dec, turn. (8)
Row 14-54: Ch 1, 1 sc into each st across, turn. (8)
Row 55: Ch 1, 1 sc into each st across. Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. (8)
For the other side of the handle:
Count 26 stitches from the beginning of the first side of your handle. Join yarn, ch 1.
Repeat instructions for first side of the handle.
Connect the two parts of the handle together by using your tapestry needle and the tail end of one of your sides. Sew the two sides together on the underside of the handle so that the join isn’t visible on the top.
Trim:
Join your trim color in any stitch on one side of your tote. Sc in each st around, making sure to continue up the side of your handle and back down. Join into the beginning sc. Fasten off. Repeat for the other side of the tote. Weave all ends.
That’s it! Now you can take your tote to the market, beach, or anywhere else! Enjoy!
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Ashley says
February 19, 2018 at 10:32 PMSo I’ve almost finished the bag and I’m completely in love with it! Such an amazingly easy pattern to follow! and run! Thanks so much!!
Amy Ramnarine says
February 28, 2018 at 1:37 PMHi Ashley! I am so glad you enjoyed the pattern. I hope you will share some finished photos 🙂
Jenny says
February 8, 2018 at 11:39 PMWhat size is the bottom of the bag before you start row 9.
bonnie says
October 26, 2017 at 4:01 PMDo you think this pattern will work using plarn?
Amy Ramnarine says
October 28, 2017 at 11:11 AMHi Bonnie! If the plarn is a category 4 weight then it will work out fine. If it is a different yarn weight, you will need to adjust your gauge so that you get the same size bag.
Taryn says
June 10, 2017 at 10:36 PMI’m working this pattern but I’m a little confused because it’s not looking like a bag, it lays completely flat like a pizza, is that normal? Other bags I’ve worked start to take a bag shape but they’ve always had more of a long oval bottom than a round one.
Amy Ramnarine says
June 12, 2017 at 5:25 PMHi Taryn! Have you been working in a continuous round after Round 8? You have to work the remaining rounds without joining after each round. I hope that helps!
Brooke says
April 29, 2017 at 5:26 PMI am stuck on starting round 10. I’m not sure where I start. Do I start in the space left by the ch4 or start all the way after the first v st of round 9.
Amy Ramnarine says
May 3, 2017 at 11:15 AMHi Brooke! I have actually made some necessary updates to this pattern. You can see the current version on the blog now. You will need to work the v-st right after the ch (between the ch and the first v-st from round 9.
Jennifer says
April 28, 2017 at 4:55 PMHi. How do we connect round 9 to round 10? It doesn’t say to join after around 9 and do we chain 4 again before starting new V stitches? Thanks!
Amy Ramnarine says
May 3, 2017 at 11:16 AMHi Jennifer! You will be working in a continuous round so there is no joining unless otherwise noted. You can use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of a round so you don’t lose your place 🙂
Angela Martin says
April 26, 2017 at 8:37 PMHi, just a couple of questions as I think I am misunderstanding some rows. Row 31 says sc into every dc and ch1 but at the end says (77) stitches but I would have over 100? And row 32 and 33 I thought would be sc all around not into dc and ch1 as all I have are sc stitches?
Amy Ramnarine says
May 3, 2017 at 11:43 AMHi Angela! I actually just made some necessary updates to this pattern. For round 31, you will need to sc into each dc st around (sk the ch-1 sts). For round 32, sc into each sc st around.
Sammy says
April 26, 2017 at 8:14 AMI am just starting off and still learning to crochet, when I come to the end of row 9 do I join with the first one I did on row 9 (the chain 4)? And when I start row 10 do I just go beside the the chain 4 I am really confused
Amy Ramnarine says
May 3, 2017 at 11:46 AMHi Sammy! You will not be joining after Round 8. You will be working in a continuous round, like a spiral. It would be best to use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round so you do not lose your place.
Delores Armieri says
April 24, 2017 at 10:26 AMHi I am having a problem when I get to round 31-31 it says 1 sc in each dc & ch 1 st around, join in beginning sc. In brackets it say you (77) does that mean I should be left with 77 sc stitches. How is that possible if we have been working with 77 v-stitches. We would have more like 231 sc???
Help please
Amy Ramnarine says
May 4, 2017 at 11:40 AMHi Delores, I have made some updates to this pattern and I have updated the stitch counts. Please see the updates to this post.
Shaz says
October 11, 2016 at 8:52 PMHi, I loved this pattern so easy and quick. Thankyou so much for sharing 😊
Amy Ramnarine says
October 14, 2016 at 11:24 AMThank you so much Shaz!
Lyne says
June 11, 2016 at 11:47 AMHi
Mine turned out very differently. My v-stitches don’t stagger but are directly above one another. I made the next row of v’s in the chain one space of the v-stitches. Is that what you mean in the instructions? I got to row 30 and realized it’s all wrong. Help? Where did I go wrong?
Thank you so much for the beautiful pattern.
Amy Ramnarine says
June 11, 2016 at 8:40 PMHi Lyne! I’m SO sorry about that. I had someone helping me with editing and updating my patterns but I think this one was wrongly updated. You should be working the v-stitches in between the other v-stitches from the previous round, not in the ch-sp. I hope that helps!
Alice says
June 11, 2016 at 8:19 AMI belong to a fibre arts group and for our challenge this year we had to pick two crayons out of a bag and make something with those two colours. I picked out a lime green and a hot pink. When I saw your cute market bag I thought it was the perfect choice. I am covering many areas here as I am doing the challenge, picking up crocheting again which I haven’t done in many years and I am making something useful and attractive. I am almost finished. Thanks for the pattern. I have already bought a whole lot more cotton on sale to make more.
Summer says
June 4, 2016 at 3:14 AMI’m sorry. I’m not understanding rows 9 and 10. It says to dc, ch1, dc in next stitch and then skip a stitch. How does that make a ‘v’. I can see that row 10 makes a ‘v’, dc, ch1, dc in same stitch. It’s row 9 that’s throwing me off. Please help.
Amy Ramnarine says
June 4, 2016 at 10:05 AMHi Summer, you are going to [dc, ch 1, dc] in the next st, then sk a st and then repeat that around. The [dc, ch 1, dc] is the V stitch.
kayla says
May 22, 2016 at 9:32 PMhaving trouble with the V stitch 🙁
Amy Ramnarine says
May 24, 2016 at 8:45 AMHi Kayla, what portion are you having trouble with?
Alicia says
April 23, 2016 at 1:38 PMI need help. I’m on the second round of “v” stitches and it’s still flat. What have I done wrong? Will it take the shape of a bag later? Thanks
Amy Ramnarine says
May 4, 2016 at 2:23 PMHi Alicia, I am sorry for the late reply. It usually starts picking up after a few rounds. The stitches are loose so they tend to fall flat until there are quite a few rounds to make it more stable. I hope this helps!
Gloria murphy says
April 9, 2016 at 2:40 AMDoes this cotton bag need any special care? I made some washcloths out of the lily sugar and cream once. After the first wash and drying, the colors had faded and dulled. I love this bag and any experience you can share on the cotton yarn would be appreciated!
Amy Ramnarine says
May 12, 2016 at 8:45 AMHi Gloria! For all of my handmade items, I handwash them in cold water with a little white vinegar and a mild soap. I squeeze out the excess water and lay flat on a towel, shape it, and air dry. I find that with machine washing and drying, it wears the fabric out more.
Gloria murphy says
May 12, 2016 at 10:39 AMThat’s easy enough —- I look forward to making this. Thank you for your help!
Cindy says
March 9, 2016 at 7:29 AMI tried making this bag , but the sides are not curling up like it should …what am I doing wrong ?
Amy Ramnarine says
March 20, 2016 at 4:05 PMHi Cindy! What round are you currently on and are you working in a continuous round? After round 8, you should not be joining anywhere but working in a spiral instead.
Patty S says
August 10, 2015 at 9:34 PMI love this bag….the colours are magnificient!
Amy Ramnarine says
August 13, 2015 at 11:15 AMThank you so much Patty!
Kathy says
August 4, 2015 at 3:02 PMWhy do I make two sides of the handle instead of making it the length I want and attaching it to the other side. What am I missing.
Thanks,
Kathy
Amy Ramnarine says
August 4, 2015 at 7:28 PMYou can make the handle however it is comfortable for you. This is just the way that I like to do it to make sure it’s even and that it’s attached in the right place.
Kathy says
August 4, 2015 at 7:34 PMThanks. Just wanted to make sure I was getting it right.
Amy Ramnarine says
August 4, 2015 at 7:39 PMNo problem! If it’s easier for you to make the whole handle and attach it at the other end, go for it! 🙂
Alicia says
August 3, 2015 at 11:22 PMThanks for the fun pattern! I made one of these for my mom. She loves it!
Amy Ramnarine says
September 8, 2015 at 11:38 AMI’m so glad she loved the market tote! 🙂
Anita Roberts says
July 18, 2015 at 3:14 PMGot all the way to row nine and am lost…..You say no chains or joins but you say dc ch1 etc…..cannot figure out this V stitch! I am determined to make this….Can you explain? Sincerely, Anita
Amy Ramnarine says
July 18, 2015 at 10:25 PMHi Anita! At the start of row 9, you are no longer joining and chaining up to start the next round. You will be working in a continuous round so you will most likely need a stitch marker to keep your place so you know where the beginning of the round is. The V stitch in this pattern is dc, ch1, dc all in the same space. Then, you will skip the next stitch and do the same thing again, (dc, ch 1, dc) in the next st. When you get to the end, do not join to the beginning. You will keep going around in a continuous circle from now on. I hope that helps!
Heather says
June 25, 2015 at 2:06 AMOk I’m trying to make this bag, but it doesn’t seem to be moving upwards..it looks like a big doily. I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. Please any advice?
Amy Ramnarine says
July 6, 2015 at 7:16 PMHi Heather! Are you making sure to work in the round (not joining)? What round are you up to? After round 8, it will start curving and start forming the bag.
Mazsianyu says
June 16, 2015 at 4:20 AMThanks for the pattern!
Alexis MH says
June 15, 2015 at 2:42 PMHello –
Thank you very much for the pattern! What is the best way to enlarge the bag to make it more beach tote-like?
Thanks!
Amy Ramnarine says
June 15, 2015 at 6:22 PMHi Alexis, I would keep increasing after round 7 until you get the desired size. If you want to add maybe 2 more rounds of increases, it would go like this: Round 8: *1 dc into each of the next 6 sts, 2 dc into next st.* Repeat * around. Join. Ch 2 (88)
*1 dc into each of the next 7 sts, 2 dc into next st.* Repeat * around. Join. Ch 2 (99)
Then you would continue on with the original Round 8 now Round 10 and so on.
Melissa says
June 3, 2015 at 10:43 PMOn round 9, it says “repeat between * and **- but should I be skipping a stitch after each “dc ch1 dc”? Or literally only skipping one stitch at the beginning? Thanks!
Amy Ramnarine says
June 4, 2015 at 9:49 PMHi Melissa! It should actually be *dc, ch 1, dc in next st, sk next st** so you should be skipping a stitch after each dc, ch1, dc. I hope that helps!
Joyce says
May 28, 2015 at 10:43 PMHi, at the end of round 9, where should I put my next stitch? I crochet w/o joining but it gives an ugly out of shape hole. Can advise me?mthanks.
Amy Ramnarine says
May 30, 2015 at 1:14 PMHi Joyce, for round 10, you will be placing your next v stitch in between the v stitches from round 9. Please see the image that is shown for round 10.
Kerri says
May 28, 2015 at 2:12 AMHello,
I am new at reading and understanding patterns.
I am so confused with going from round 8 to round 9. After I finish round 8 and ch 2 where do I start the V stitch? And where does round 9 end and 10 begin?
Thanks.
Amy Ramnarine says
May 28, 2015 at 6:27 PMHi Keri, after you complete round 8, you will work round 9 into the stitches from round 8. After round 8, the pattern is worked in a continuous round instead of joining and chaining. You will need a stitch marker to keep your place so that you will know where the rounds end.
Kerri says
May 28, 2015 at 7:36 PMDoes the first v stitch start in the same stitch where I chained 2 to end round 8? Or do I do the first v stitch in the next stitch after the chain 2?
Thanks
Kerri
Amy Ramnarine says
May 30, 2015 at 1:15 PMHi Kerri, you will start the v stitch in the next stitch after the chain 2
Stacey says
May 11, 2015 at 12:42 AMLove this bag! So easy to make and so much fun to use!
Amy Ramnarine says
May 13, 2015 at 9:39 AMThank you Stacey! 🙂
Lisa Shirk says
April 16, 2015 at 12:46 PMHi Amy,
I started making this bag and I’m a relatively new crocheter. I had a question about when you start Round 9. When you complete that round and go to Round 10, do you chain 2 and than start round 10 or are you making a continuous round. I hope that made sense. I just confused about transitioning to each round. Thank you
Amy Ramnarine says
April 16, 2015 at 9:49 PMHi Lisa! When you start round 9, you will be working in a continuous round like a spiral. There are no joins or chains. I hope that makes sense!
Lisa says
April 17, 2015 at 7:30 PMThanks and makes sense!
p.s. I love this bag
Amy Ramnarine says
April 19, 2015 at 10:05 PMGlad it makes sense. Thank you! 🙂
Marcia Da Silva says
April 7, 2015 at 11:52 PMHi Amy
It’s a beautiful Market Bag. Does the Ch 2 at the round 1 count as a double crochet? I am a beginner. Thanks!
Marcia
Amy Ramnarine says
April 8, 2015 at 10:32 PMThank you Marcia! I actually do not count the ch 2 as a double crochet.
Wendy says
April 7, 2015 at 1:40 PMHi Amy, I’ve been reading about how awful the cotton yarns look after washing (for example, dishcloths). One person suggested rinsing in a vinegar and water mixture prior to washing. You said you have a lot of cotton yarn. Do you have colors running as a problem? thanks.
Amy Ramnarine says
April 14, 2015 at 3:51 PMHi Wendy! Sorry for the late reply. I don’t have too many issues with my colors running because I treat my projects in a vinegar bath. I soak them in a vinegar bath of about 1 cup of vinegar with about a gallon of water for 30 minutes and then rinse it with clean water until the vinegar smell is gone. Once it dries, the color should no longer run.
Colette says
March 26, 2015 at 8:07 PMHow many stitches did you use in the magic circle?
Amy Ramnarine says
March 27, 2015 at 8:53 PMHi Colette, as per the pattern instructions, there are 11 dc in the magic circle. If you need a tutorial for the magic circle, you can find a great one here
Patricia B says
February 28, 2015 at 9:21 PMI love this beach tote!! Thanks for sharing.
Amy Ramnarine says
March 2, 2015 at 6:13 PMThank you Patricia!
Kristina says
February 23, 2015 at 6:50 PMI love this bag! And it gets me thinking about spring/summer in the middle of a cold snap!
Laura Myers says
February 23, 2015 at 12:16 AMLovely pattern, I especially appreciate the width on the handle. I’m always on the lookout for my next market bag.
Christy says
February 22, 2015 at 4:35 PMBeautiful!!
Patty S says
February 22, 2015 at 11:28 AMLoving the colours on this bag….beautiful!
Heather says
February 8, 2015 at 6:04 PMWhat is the best way to change colors? Never changed colors working in continuous rounds before.
Amy Ramnarine says
February 15, 2015 at 8:08 PMHi Heather! There are so many different methods for changing colors. I personally like to change colors by pulling the new color through the last loop on the hook when it’s time for a color change and then fastening off the other color. You can also join the new color by fastening off the current color in the last stitch and joining the new color with a slip stitch.
Heather says
February 5, 2015 at 10:33 AMThanks for explaining that the pattern is in continuous rounds. Luckily I don’t have to frog too much of the mesh part. It just wasn’t looking right. Looking forward to customizing them for gifts. Have you ever made this pattern with acrylic yarn?
Amy Ramnarine says
February 5, 2015 at 10:10 PMNo problem Heather! I have never made it with anything but cotton yarn because I usually have a ton of it around. If you make it with acrylic, I would love to see how it turns out!
evelyn lanouette says
January 21, 2015 at 5:10 PMwhat is a magic circle ? looks like a wonderful tote bag cant wait to get started. thank you
Amy Ramnarine says
January 22, 2015 at 9:14 AMHi Evelyn, a magic circle is an alternate to chaining and forming a circle or ring. It’s a great technique that leaves a smaller “hole” in the middle of your work. You can find many great videos demonstrating the technique on Youtube.
christine says
September 18, 2014 at 4:15 AMBeautiful bag, i’m just about done but think I did something wrong. Can you please tell me how many stiches there shoul be after completing row 33
Amy Ramnarine says
September 29, 2014 at 8:48 PMHi Christine! I looked at my sample and I have a total of 105 stitches.
Sally says
August 25, 2014 at 6:37 AMI love this pattern. I am making one as a gift for my cousin and one for myself! I do have a question, once you start the mesh section, do you join each round and chain 2 or work in continuous rounds?
Amy Ramnarine says
August 25, 2014 at 9:03 AMHi Sally! I’m glad you like the pattern! You will be working in a continuous round. 🙂
Stacy says
July 23, 2014 at 11:17 AMI have a ton of Lily Sugar & Cream I bought on sale that I’ve been looking for a use for. This looks great!
Amy Ramnarine says
July 23, 2014 at 3:47 PMThat’s my cotton yarn of choice 😉 Hope it turns out great!
Anne Burley says
July 18, 2014 at 9:50 AMI just finished this pattern. I loved making it! It turned out beautiful too. Will be making more of these!! Thank you so much for the awesome pattern!!
Amy Ramnarine says
July 18, 2014 at 1:53 PMThank you Anne! Glad you liked it 🙂
Valerie says
July 11, 2014 at 1:51 PMThank you for sharing! It’s the perfect size and like you said, totally customizable! I’ve been knitting more than crocheting lately so this should be fun. And hopefully quick-because, here in WA state (in a few counties) those ugly, never dying plastic bags have been outlawed and I’d like to make a few market totes for those who haven’t already changed & still been using those yucky plastics!
thanks again 😀
Amy Ramnarine says
July 12, 2014 at 12:02 PMThey are charging for the plastic bags in some places in NY too. I like using the cloth bags better. It makes me feel like I’m saving the environment 🙂
Jodee Weiland says
July 10, 2014 at 2:22 PMIt’s been a while since I did any crocheting, but this looks like a great place to get back in to it! Thanks for sharing…I love this!
Amy Ramnarine says
July 10, 2014 at 10:25 PMThanks Jodee! I hope you pick up your hooks soon 🙂
Amanda France says
July 10, 2014 at 10:15 AMThis is beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing the pattern. It’s officially the next item on my to-WIP list! 🙂
Amy Ramnarine says
July 10, 2014 at 10:29 PMThank you Amanda! I hope I get to see how it turns out! 🙂