Pink Lemonade Market Bag Free Crochet Pattern
Pink Lemonade Market Bag Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
The Pink Lemonade Market Bag is a bright, breezy shoulder bag that's perfect for farmers' markets, beach days, and everyday errands. It's made from a simple flat rectangle that gets folded and seamed into a roomy tube, so even if you've never made a bag before, you can absolutely make this one. The cotton candy pink recycled cotton blend is soft but sturdy, and the baby blue stripes at the top and bottom give it a sweet, summery look. The open mesh body stretches to hold plenty of produce while still looking light and airy on your shoulder.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) recycled cotton blend, approximately 250 yards total:
- Color A (cotton candy pink): 200 yards
- Color B (baby blue): 50 yards
- Hook: 6.5 mm (K/10.5) crochet hook
- Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape
- Finished size: Width 14 inches (35.5 cm), height 16 inches (40.5 cm), strap length 40 inches (101.5 cm)
Abbreviations
- ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
- sc – single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
- sl st – slip stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- sp – space: the gap created by a chain (for example, a ch-3 sp).
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
- rnd – round
Gauge
12 stitches and 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in the mesh pattern (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 space). Work a small swatch and measure it before starting; if your mesh is looser or tighter than this, adjust your hook size so your finished bag matches the listed size.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your chain-3 spaces consistent in size — even, relaxed chains make an even mesh that holds its shape.
- Count your 14 chain-3 spaces at the end of every mesh row; this is the easiest way to catch a mistake early.
- When changing colors, change on the last yarn-over of the final stitch of the row so the new color starts cleanly.
- Don't skip the turning chain — the ch 3 at the start of each dc row counts as your first double crochet.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Rectangle (Color A)
Set-up: With A, ch 43.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (42 sc).
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn, dc in each st across (42 dc).
Rows 3-4: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across (42 dc).
Change to B.
Rows 5-6: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across (42 dc).
Change to A.
Row 7: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across (42 dc).
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, *ch 3, skip 2 sts, sc in next st; rep from * across, ending with sc in last st (14 ch-3 sps).
Rows 9-30: Ch 3, turn, sc in first ch-3 sp, *ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * across, ending with ch 3, sc in last st (14 ch-3 sps).
Change to B.
Rows 31-32: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across (42 dc).
Change to A.
Rows 33-34: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across (42 dc).
Fasten off.
Strap (Color A)
Set-up: With A, ch 5.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (4 sc).
Rows 2-160: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (4 sc).
Fasten off.
Assembly
Fold the rectangle in half with right sides together, matching the short ends. Seam both side edges using sc or whipstitch, leaving the top 2 inches open for turning. Turn right side out.
Edging (Color B)
Join B at the top edge.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the top opening (approx 42 sc). Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Attaching the Strap
Sew one end of the strap to the inside of the bag at one side of the top opening, and the other end to the opposite side. Reinforce with extra stitches so the strap holds securely.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all yarn ends on the wrong side of the bag, using the tapestry needle to work them through several stitches so they stay put. Block the bag lightly by misting it with water and shaping it flat to the finished measurements (14 inches wide by 16 inches tall); let it dry completely. Check the strap attachments once more and add a few extra reinforcing stitches if needed before you load up your bag.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Make the strap longer or shorter by adding or removing rows — each row adds about 1/4 inch to the strap length.
- Swap the baby blue stripes for any contrast color to match your wardrobe, or work the whole bag in one color for a minimalist look.
- Add a fabric lining to the inside of the bag for extra structure and to keep small items from slipping through the mesh.
