Meadow Breeze Market Tote Free Pattern – Crochet a Wildflower Carryall

Meadow Breeze Market Tote Free Pattern – Crochet a Wildflower Carryall

Carry a piece of the countryside with this airy, textured market tote, crocheted in soft botanical hues. Its unique floral mesh and sturdy strap make it perfect for farmers' markets or beach days. This pattern is designed with beginners in mind—if you can chain, double crochet, and work in the round, you can create this beautiful boho accessory. The combination of sage green, dusty rose, and cream creates a natural, wildflower-inspired palette that pairs beautifully with any outfit.

This bag is not only stylish but also highly functional. The openwork mesh keeps it lightweight, while the sturdy cotton yarn ensures it can handle your weekly groceries or a stack of library books. Plus, the round base gives it plenty of room, and the long strap makes it comfortable to carry over your shoulder. Let's get started!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies:

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn in sage green, dusty rose, and cream (approx. 300g total). Cotton is ideal for this project because it's durable, washable, and holds its shape well. You'll need roughly 120g of sage green, 90g of dusty rose, and 90g of cream.
• Hook: 5.0 mm crochet hook (US H-8). This size pairs perfectly with worsted weight yarn to create a firm but flexible fabric.
• Stitch markers: To mark the beginning of each round. This is crucial for keeping your stitch count accurate.
• Yarn needle: For weaving in ends and attaching the strap.
• Scissors: For cutting yarn.
• Optional: Fabric for lining (if you want extra durability and to prevent small items from slipping through the mesh).

Gauge: 14 dc x 8 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) in pattern stitch. Be sure to check your gauge before starting to ensure your bag turns out the correct size. If your gauge is off, adjust your hook size accordingly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This bag is worked in the round from the bottom up. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round. The pattern uses standard US crochet terms.

Base (Worked in Sage Green)

The base is a flat circle that will form the bottom of your bag. We'll increase evenly each round to keep it flat.

Round 1: With sage green, make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as your first dc), then work 11 dc into the ring. Slip stitch to the top of the ch-3 to join. You should have 12 dc total.

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in the same stitch (this creates your increase). Then, work 2 dc in each stitch around. Slip stitch to join. You should now have 24 dc.

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in the same stitch, dc in the next stitch. Then, repeat *2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next stitch* around. Slip stitch to join. You should have 36 dc.

Round 4: Ch 3, dc in the same stitch, dc in the next 2 stitches. Then, repeat *2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 2 stitches* around. Slip stitch to join. You should have 48 dc.

Round 5: Ch 3, dc in the same stitch, dc in the next 3 stitches. Then, repeat *2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 3 stitches* around. Slip stitch to join. You should have 60 dc.

Round 6: Ch 3, dc in the same stitch, dc in the next 4 stitches. Then, repeat *2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 4 stitches* around. Slip stitch to join. You should have 72 dc. Your base is now complete and should measure about 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter.

Body (Worked in Pattern Stitch)

Now we'll create the beautiful mesh pattern that gives this bag its airy feel. The pattern is simple: 3 dc, ch 2, skip 2 stitches, repeat. This creates a lovely openwork design.

Round 7: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in the next 2 stitches, ch 2, skip 2 stitches. Then, repeat *dc in the next 3 stitches, ch 2, skip 2 stitches* around. Slip stitch to join. You'll have 72 stitches and 24 ch-2 spaces.

Round 8: Ch 3, dc in the next 2 stitches, ch 2, skip the ch-2 space from the previous round. Then, repeat *dc in the next 3 stitches, ch 2, skip the ch-2 space* around. Slip stitch to join. Notice how the ch-2 spaces stack on top of each other, creating vertical mesh columns.

Rounds 9-20: Repeat Round 8, but alternate colors to create the beautiful striped effect:

• Rounds 9-11: Continue with sage green.
• Rounds 12-14: Switch to dusty rose. To change colors, complete the slip stitch join at the end of Round 11 with the dusty rose yarn.
• Rounds 15-17: Switch to cream.
• Rounds 18-20: Switch back to sage green.

After Round 20, your bag body should measure about 20 cm (8 inches) tall. Fasten off the sage green and weave in the ends, or leave them to weave in at the end.

Strap (Worked Flat)

The strap is a simple, sturdy chain that you'll crochet flat and then attach to the bag. It's worked in dusty rose to match the middle band.

Step 1: Attach dusty rose yarn to the top edge of the bag at one side. You can do this by making a slip knot and pulling it through a stitch on the top edge, or by simply starting with a slip knot and slip stitching into the edge.

Step 2: Ch 4, then dc in the 4th ch from your hook. This creates a small loop at the base.

Step 3: Ch 3, turn your work. Dc in the same stitch (the one you just made). This creates a new loop that connects to the previous one.

Step 4: Ch 3, turn. Dc in the same stitch again. Continue this pattern: ch 3, turn, dc in the same stitch. Each "dc in the same stitch" refers to the dc you just made, not the chain space. This creates a continuous chain of connected loops.

Step 5: Continue this pattern until the strap measures 60 cm (24 inches) long. This is a comfortable length for a shoulder strap. If you prefer a longer or shorter strap, adjust accordingly.

Step 6: Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Attach the other end of the strap to the opposite side of the bag, ensuring it is not twisted. Use the yarn needle to sew it securely into the top edge of the bag.

Finishing

Now for the final touches:

• Weave in all ends: Use your yarn needle to carefully weave in all loose ends on the inside of the bag. This will keep your bag looking neat and prevent unraveling.
• Optional lining: If you want extra durability and to prevent small items from slipping through the mesh, you can add a fabric lining. Cut a piece of fabric to fit the inside of the bag, sew it into a bag shape, and hand-stitch it to the top edge of the crochet. This is a great way to add a personal touch with a fun fabric pattern.
• Blocking (optional): If your bag looks a bit wavy or uneven, you can block it. Gently wet the bag, shape it, and let it dry flat. This will help the stitches settle and give your bag a more polished look.

And there you have it—your very own Meadow Breeze Market Tote! This bag is perfect for carrying everything from fresh produce to beach essentials. The soft botanical colors and airy mesh make it a stylish and practical accessory for any season. Enjoy your handmade creation, and don't forget to show it off at your next market trip!

Happy crocheting!