The Whispering Willow Market Bag: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Boho-Chic Tote

The Whispering Willow Market Bag: A Boho-Chic Crochet Tote You'll Love to Make

Carry your treasures in style with the Whispering Willow Market Bag! This beautifully textured, boho-chic tote is the perfect accessory for farmers' markets, beach days, or everyday errands. Featuring a unique combination of linked double crochet and delicate shell stitches, this pattern creates a dense, sturdy fabric with a lacy, openwork overlay. The soft, earthy tones of linen, sage, and terracotta give it a rustic, handmade feel that's both eco-friendly and fashionable. Whether you're a seasoned crocheter or a confident beginner, this free pattern will guide you through creating a spacious, durable bag you'll be proud to carry.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth and enjoyable crochet experience.

• Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (100% mercerized cotton, 100g/186 yds) in the following colors:
  • Color A - 'Linen' (2 skeins)
  • Color B - 'Sage' (1 skein)
  • Color C - 'Terracotta' (1 skein)
• Hook: Size H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
• Other: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers (optional)

Gauge: 14 linked double crochet stitches x 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in pattern. Achieving the correct gauge is important for the bag to turn out the right size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked in the round from the bottom up. The linked double crochet (ldc) stitch creates a dense, sturdy fabric. To make an ldc: insert hook into the horizontal bar of the previous stitch (the 'link'), yarn over, pull through (2 loops on hook), then insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull through (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.

Bottom (worked in continuous rounds)

Note: Do not join at the end of each round; use a stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch.

1. With Color A, make a magic ring.
2. Round 1: Ch 2 (does not count as stitch), work 8 dc into ring. Pull tight. (8 sts)
3. Round 2: Work 2 ldc in each st around. (16 sts)
4. Round 3: *Ldc in next st, 2 ldc in next st; repeat from * around. (24 sts)
5. Round 4: *Ldc in next 2 sts, 2 ldc in next st; repeat from * around. (32 sts)
6. Round 5: *Ldc in next 3 sts, 2 ldc in next st; repeat from * around. (40 sts)
7. Round 6: *Ldc in next 4 sts, 2 ldc in next st; repeat from * around. (48 sts)
8. Round 7: *Ldc in next 5 sts, 2 ldc in next st; repeat from * around. (56 sts)
9. Round 8: *Ldc in next 6 sts, 2 ldc in next st; repeat from * around. (64 sts)
10. Round 9: *Ldc in next 7 sts, 2 ldc in next st; repeat from * around. (72 sts)
11. Round 10: *Ldc in next 8 sts, 2 ldc in next st; repeat from * around. (80 sts)
12. Fasten off Color A.

Body (worked in joined rounds)

Note: From this point forward, join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch of the round.

11. Round 11: Join Color B with a sl st in any st. Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st around. Join with sl st to first sc. (80 sc)
12. Round 12: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 3 sts, *ch 1, skip 1 st, dc in next 4 sts; repeat from * around, ending with ch 1, skip 1 st. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (16 groups of 4 dc, 16 ch-1 spaces)
13. Round 13: Sl st into next 3 dc and into ch-1 space. Ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in same ch-1 space (shell made), *sc in next ch-1 space, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next ch-1 space; repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first sc. (16 shells, 16 single sc)
14. Round 14: Sl st into ch-3 space of first shell. Ch 3 (counts as dc), (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same space, *sc in next single sc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-3 space; repeat from * around, ending with sc in last single sc. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (16 shell clusters)
15. Round 15: Sl st into next dc and into ch-2 space. Ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in same space, *sc in next sc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next ch-2 space; repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first sc. (16 shells)
16. Rounds 16-17: Repeat Rounds 14-15.
17. Round 18: Repeat Round 14.
18. Fasten off Color B.
19. Round 19: Join Color C with a sl st in any ch-2 space. Ch 1, sc in same space and in each st and ch-2 space around. Join with sl st to first sc. (80 sc)
20. Round 20: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st to first sc. (80 sc)
21. Fasten off Color C.
22. Rounds 21-30: Repeat Rounds 11-20, using Color A for the ldc rounds and Color B for the shell rounds. (You will have 2 more shell pattern repeats)

Top Edge and Handles

31. Round 31: With Color A, join with sl st in any st. Ch 1, sc in same st and in next 19 sts (20 sc for first handle base), ch 40 (for handle), skip 20 sts, sc in next 20 sts (second handle base), ch 40, skip 20 sts. Join with sl st to first sc. (40 sc, 80 ch)
32. Round 32: Ch 1, sc in each sc and in each ch around. Join with sl st to first sc. (120 sc)
33. Round 33: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

Your Whispering Willow Market Bag is now complete! Enjoy your beautiful, handmade tote that's perfect for carrying everything from fresh produce to beach essentials. Happy crocheting!