Knitting Pattern for Big Netty Tote Bag: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve been searching for a knitting project that’s both functional and beautiful, the Big Netty Tote Bag is exactly what you need. This spacious, open-weave bag is perfect for carrying groceries, heading to the beach, visiting a farmer’s market, or simply serving as a stylish everyday tote. The net-style design gives it an airy, bohemian look while making it incredibly stretchy and accommodating. Best of all, it’s a relatively beginner-friendly pattern once you understand the basic netting technique, and it works up quickly using chunky yarn and large needles.
In this complete knitting pattern guide, you’ll find everything from a full materials list and gauge information to detailed row-by-row instructions, helpful tips, and ideas for customizing the bag to suit your personal style. Whether you’re a seasoned knitter looking for a quick weekend project or someone who has just moved past the basics and wants something impressive to show off, the Big Netty Tote Bag will not disappoint.
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
The Big Netty Tote Bag has everything that makes a knitting project satisfying. It uses a simple repeating stitch pattern that becomes almost meditative once you get into the rhythm. The finished bag is lightweight, folds flat for easy storage, and expands generously to hold a surprising amount of items. Because the netting is open, it’s also incredibly easy to spot what’s inside the bag — no more rummaging around looking for your keys.
The pattern is worked flat and then seamed, which keeps the construction straightforward even for those who are still building confidence with circular needles. The handles are simple to add and can be adjusted for length depending on whether you prefer to carry the bag by hand or over your shoulder. And because this is a tote bag, there’s very little shaping involved — it’s essentially a rectangle that gets transformed through the netting stitch into something that looks far more intricate than it actually is.
Materials You’ll Need
Before casting on, gather everything you need so your project flows without interruption.
Yarn: Approximately 200–250 yards of bulky or super-bulky cotton or cotton-blend yarn (weight category 5 or 6). Cotton is the best choice for a tote bag because it’s sturdy, washable, and doesn’t stretch out of shape over time the way acrylic or wool can. Look for a smooth, tightly twisted yarn that will hold its structure well. Great options include Paintbox Yarns Simply DK (used doubled), Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in a bulky weight, or any natural fiber market bag yarn.
Needles: US size 10.5 (6.5mm) or US size 11 (8mm) straight or circular needles, depending on your gauge swatch. The larger the needle, the more open and drapey the netting will be, so choose based on the look you’re going for.
Notions: A tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, scissors, stitch markers (optional but helpful), and a measuring tape.
Optional: Leather or wooden bag handles if you’d prefer a more polished finish than knitted handles. These can be purchased online or at most craft stores and simply attached with the yarn at the end.
Finished Dimensions
The finished bag measures approximately 14 inches wide by 15 inches tall (before the handles) when made with the recommended yarn and needles. The netting stitch has a lot of natural stretch, so the bag will expand to accommodate a full grocery haul or compress neatly when empty. If you’d like a larger or smaller bag, the pattern is easy to scale — simply cast on more or fewer stitches in multiples of four and adjust your yarn quantity accordingly.
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for this project since it’s a bag rather than a garment, but working a gauge swatch is still a good idea to ensure your finished bag is in the ballpark of the stated dimensions. In the netting stitch pattern used here, you should aim for approximately 10 stitches and 12 rows over 4 inches (10 cm).
If your gauge is tighter than this (more stitches per inch), go up a needle size. If your gauge is looser (fewer stitches per inch), go down a needle size. The goal is an open, airy fabric that still has enough structure to hold its shape when loaded with items.
Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used throughout this pattern:
CO — cast on. BO — bind off. K — knit. P — purl. YO — yarn over. K2tog — knit two stitches together. Rep — repeat. RS — right side. WS — wrong side. St(s) — stitch(es). PM — place marker. SM — slip marker.
The Netting Stitch Explained
The Big Netty Tote Bag gets its name and its signature look from the netting stitch, which creates a series of diagonal holes that give the fabric an open, mesh-like appearance. It’s worked over a multiple of four stitches, plus two edge stitches, and alternates between right-side and wrong-side rows.
On the right side, you’ll be working a combination of yarn overs and decreases (k2tog) that create the openwork holes. On the wrong side, you simply purl across to stabilize the fabric. The result is a fabric that grows quickly, has a lovely diagonal flow to the holes, and looks far more complex than it really is.
If you’ve never worked yarn overs before, don’t be intimidated. A yarn over simply means wrapping the yarn around the right-hand needle before working the next stitch, which creates a new stitch and a hole in the fabric. When paired with a decrease like k2tog, the total stitch count stays the same, and the combination creates the characteristic netting effect.
Pattern Instructions
Casting On
Using your preferred cast-on method, CO 36 stitches. The long-tail cast on works beautifully here and creates a tidy, stretchy edge that suits the open nature of the stitch pattern.
If you want a wider bag, cast on 40, 44, or 48 stitches (any multiple of 4 plus the two edge stitches the pattern uses). Just remember that more stitches mean more yarn, so plan accordingly.
Setting Up the Pattern
Row 1 (WS): Purl across all 36 stitches.
Row 2 (RS): K1, YO, K2tog; rep from to last stitch, K1.
Row 3 (WS): Purl across all 36 stitches.
Row 4 (RS): K1, K1, YO, K2tog; rep from to last 2 stitches, K2.
These four rows form the netting stitch pattern. Notice that the YO/K2tog combination shifts by one stitch between Row 2 and Row 4, which is what creates that diagonal alignment in the holes. Continue repeating Rows 1 through 4 until your work measures approximately 30 inches from the cast-on edge, or until you’ve worked the number of rows needed for your desired bag height.
The piece will form the front and back panel of the bag together — when you fold it in half, each half becomes one side of the tote. So for a 15-inch tall bag, you’ll want your knitted panel to be 30 inches long before seaming.
Binding Off
Once your panel reaches the desired length, bind off loosely on a right-side row using a standard bind-off. A loose bind-off is important here because the top edge of the bag needs to have enough stretch to allow items to be placed in and removed easily. If you tend to bind off tightly, try going up one needle size for this row, or use the stretchy bind-off method (knit two stitches, slip them back to the left needle, then knit them together through the back loop, and repeat).
Assembling the Bag
Fold your finished panel in half so that the cast-on edge meets the bind-off edge, with wrong sides facing out. The two short ends (the folded edge and the open ends) will become the bottom and the top of the bag.
The folded edge will serve as the bottom of the bag. Using your tapestry needle and a length of matching yarn, seam the two side edges together using a mattress stitch for a nearly invisible seam, or a simple whip stitch if you prefer a more visible, decorative seam. Work the seam from the bottom fold up to the top opening on both sides.
Turn the bag right-side out and gently tug the corners to square them up. The open netting will give the sides a lovely elastic quality, and the bag will naturally want to assume its final shape.
Making the Handles
You have several options for handles, and your choice will depend on the look you want and how much additional knitting you feel like doing.
Knitted I-cord handles are the most cohesive option and are simpler to make than they look. Using double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a short circular needle, pick up 4 stitches along the top edge of the bag at your desired handle position, leaving approximately 3–4 inches from each side seam. Work a 4-stitch i-cord by knitting across, then sliding the stitches back to the other end of the needle without turning and knitting across again (always pulling the working yarn snugly across the back). Repeat this until your handle measures 20–24 inches (or longer for a shoulder bag). Attach the other end of the i-cord to the bag at the corresponding position on the opposite side of the opening. Repeat for the second handle. Weave in all ends securely.
Braided yarn handles are another quick option. Cut six or more lengths of yarn, each about two and a half times your desired finished handle length. Hold them together, fold in half, and braid or twist them into a sturdy rope. Attach each end securely to the bag at the top edge.
Store-bought handles made from wood, bamboo, or leather give the bag a polished, professional finish. Simply thread the top edge of the bag through the handle and fold it over, then stitch it down neatly with a tapestry needle. This approach takes just a few minutes and can elevate the bag from handmade to boutique-quality.
Finishing Touches
Weave in all remaining ends using your tapestry needle, being careful to tuck them into the fabric in a way that won’t unravel given the open nature of the stitch. Because the netting creates large holes, it’s especially important to weave ends through several stitches in different directions for security.
Wet-block the finished bag for the best results. Fill a basin with cool water, submerge the bag, and gently press out the excess water with a towel without wringing. Lay the bag flat on a clean dry towel or blocking mat, smooth it into shape, and allow it to dry completely. Blocking opens up the netting beautifully, evens out any uneven tension, and gives the finished bag that crisp, professional look.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about this pattern is how easily it adapts to different aesthetics and needs.
Color: This pattern looks stunning in solid colors that let the texture of the netting shine, but it’s equally beautiful in variegated or self-striping yarn that adds visual interest to the open weave. Earthy neutrals like cream, tan, and sage make for an elegant market bag, while bold colors like coral, cobalt, or mustard make a playful summer tote.
Size: As mentioned earlier, the stitch repeat is a simple multiple of four, so scaling up or down is easy. A smaller version with 24 stitches and a 20-inch panel makes a sweet produce bag or gift bag. A larger version with 48 or more stitches and a 40-inch panel becomes a beach bag spacious enough for towels and sunscreen.
Lining: If you want to use the bag for smaller items that might fall through the netting holes (farmers market herbs, loose produce, stationery), consider sewing a simple cotton lining. Cut two rectangles of fabric slightly smaller than the bag panels, sew them together along three sides, and slip the lining inside the finished bag. Fold the top edge of the lining down and hand-stitch it to the inside of the bag just below the opening. This adds structure as well as practicality.
Yarn texture: Try using a jute or raffia yarn for a more rustic, structured bag with a natural look. Ribbon yarn creates a glossy, fashion-forward version of the same pattern. Experiment with what you have — the netting stitch is forgiving and looks great in a wide variety of yarn types.
Tips for Success
A few practical notes to keep your project running smoothly from start to finish.
Always count your stitches at the end of every right-side row, especially when you’re first learning the netting pattern. It’s easy to accidentally add or drop stitches around the yarn overs, and catching a mistake early is much easier than unknitting several rows.
Keep your yarn overs loose and consistent. If your yarn overs are too tight, the holes will be small and the fabric will lose its characteristic openwork quality. If they’re uneven, the netting pattern will look irregular. Take your time on the first few rows until you find a comfortable, consistent tension.
If you’re working with cotton yarn, be aware that cotton has very little memory compared to wool. This means mistakes don’t “spring back” easily and your tension needs to be a bit more intentional. Take breaks if your hands start to fatigue, as cotton can also be harder on the hands during extended knitting sessions.
Use a row counter or simply keep a tally on paper to track where you are in the four-row repeat. The pattern is simple enough that you’ll eventually be able to read your work and tell at a glance where you are, but tracking your rows is helpful in the early stages.
Care Instructions
Because most versions of this bag will be made in cotton, care is straightforward. Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cool water and lay flat to dry. Avoid using a dryer, as heat can cause the bag to shrink or distort. If your bag stretches out of shape after washing, simply wet-block it back into shape as described earlier.
If you used jute or raffia yarn, hand wash only and allow to dry naturally away from direct sunlight, which can cause natural fibers to become brittle over time.
A Pattern Worth Making Again and Again
The Big Netty Tote Bag is the kind of pattern you’ll return to repeatedly. Once you’ve made the first one and gifted it or kept it for yourself, you’ll find yourself casting on another in a different color, a different size, with different handles. It’s the sort of project that makes a wonderful handmade gift for friends and family, a satisfying quick project between larger, more complex knits, and a genuinely useful object that earns its place in everyday life.
The netting stitch, once mastered, opens the door to a whole family of related patterns — dishcloths, produce bags, beach cover-ups, and even lightweight shawls all use variations of the same fundamental technique. Think of the Big Netty Tote Bag as your introduction to a whole new area of texture knitting that is as addictive as it is beautiful.
Cast on, settle in, and enjoy every stitch. Your perfect handmade tote bag is just a few hours of knitting away.
