Crochet Your Own Trunk Cargo Net: Free Pattern Guide
If you’ve ever opened your car trunk only to watch grocery bags tip over, bottles roll into corners, or sports equipment slide around every time you take a turn, you already understand the frustration that a cargo net solves. The good news is that you don’t need to spend twenty dollars on a flimsy store-bought version that may not even fit your space. With a few hours of crochet work and some basic materials, you can make a custom trunk cargo net that fits your vehicle perfectly, holds up under real use, and costs a fraction of what you’d pay in stores.
This free crochet pattern guide walks you through everything from choosing the right materials to finishing the edges and installing your net. Whether you’re a confident beginner or an experienced crocheter looking for a practical project, this tutorial is designed to be clear, approachable, and adaptable to whatever trunk size you’re working with.
Why Crochet a Cargo Net Instead of Buying One?
Before we get into the pattern, it’s worth understanding what makes a handmade cargo net genuinely better than the alternatives. Most cargo nets sold in auto shops are made from thin elastic cord stretched across a simple rectangular frame. They work adequately for light loads, but they tend to snap or lose tension after a few months of regular use. The elastic degrades, especially in hot cars, and the hooks that attach them to the trunk floor or sides often feel flimsy and unreliable.
A crocheted cargo net made from the right materials is surprisingly durable. Unlike elastic mesh, crochet allows you to choose a cord weight and fiber that suits your climate and usage. You can make the mesh openings smaller for holding smaller items, add a border that reinforces the perimeter, and build in attachment loops wherever they’re most useful for your specific trunk layout.
There’s also something deeply satisfying about solving a practical everyday problem with your own hands. This project sits in that sweet spot between functional craft and useful tool, which makes it a great gift idea too — especially for new drivers, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone who regularly transports gear.
Materials You’ll Need
Getting the materials right is the most important step for a cargo net that actually holds up in a car environment. You want something strong, slightly flexible, weather-resistant, and easy to grip so items don’t slip through.
The best yarn choice for a trunk cargo net is paracord, nylon cord, or a heavy cotton twine in a bulky weight. Avoid standard acrylic yarn — it stretches too much over time and won’t hold heavier items well. Many crocheters also use macramé cord, which comes in a range of thicknesses and holds its shape beautifully. For a standard trunk, a 3mm to 5mm cord in a bulky weight (Category 5 or 6) works best.
Here’s what you’ll need to gather before you start:
Approximately 200 to 300 yards of 4mm nylon paracord or macramé cord in your preferred color. Paracord is ideal because it’s strong, weather-resistant, and available in a wide variety of colors. You can find it at hardware stores, craft stores, or online.
A size K (6.5mm) or L (8mm) crochet hook. Nylon cord is stiffer than yarn, so you’ll want a hook on the larger end to keep the stitches from being too tight. A smooth metal hook works better than a wood or silicone one here since it slides through the loops more easily.
A tape measure, scissors, and a lighter or heat source for sealing the ends of nylon cord (to prevent fraying).
Eight to twelve S-hooks, bungee cord hooks, or small carabiner clips for attaching the finished net to your trunk. You can find these at any hardware store.
Optionally, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, though with cord this thick, tying secure knots often works just as well.
Before You Begin: Measuring Your Trunk
No two trunks are exactly the same, which is why this pattern is written as an adaptable formula rather than a fixed row count. Take a few minutes to measure your trunk before you cast on your foundation chain.
Open your trunk fully and use your tape measure to determine the width and depth of the space you want the net to cover. For most sedan trunks, you’re looking at roughly 36 to 42 inches wide and 20 to 28 inches deep. SUVs and hatchbacks vary quite a bit more. Write down your measurements and keep them nearby.
The net you crochet will have some natural stretch, so you can work it a few inches smaller than your actual trunk dimensions. A net that measures about 34 inches wide and 22 inches deep when laid flat, for example, will stretch comfortably to fit a 38 by 26 inch trunk space.
You’ll also want to spend a moment looking at where your trunk has natural anchor points — hooks, loops, tie-down rings, or slots along the sides and back. These will tell you how many attachment loops to build into your border.
Understanding the Stitch: Chain Space Mesh
The stitch pattern used for cargo nets is one of the simplest in crochet, and it creates that open-grid look that gives a net its functionality. It’s called a chain space mesh, and it alternates between single or double crochet stitches and short chain spaces to create a series of uniform holes across the fabric.
The beauty of this stitch for cargo net purposes is that you can control the size of the openings by adjusting the number of chains in each space. A mesh with two-chain spaces creates smaller holes good for holding bottles and smaller items. A mesh with four-chain spaces creates larger holes that work well for bulky gear like beach bags or sports equipment. This pattern uses three-chain spaces as a general-purpose middle ground, but feel free to adjust it to your needs.
The Free Pattern
Foundation Chain
Begin by making a foundation chain that spans the width of your trunk measurement. Each mesh repeat requires four chains (one stitch plus a three-chain space), so you’ll want your foundation chain to be a multiple of four, plus four extra chains for your turning chain.
For a 34-inch-wide net using 4mm cord and an L hook, a foundation chain of approximately 60 to 68 chains works well. Crochet a short test swatch first: make a chain of about 20 stitches and work two rows of the mesh pattern below, then measure it against your cord and hook to confirm your scale before committing to a full foundation chain.
Row 1 (Setting Up the Mesh)
Chain 7. This counts as your first double crochet plus a three-chain space. Skip the first 4 chains from your hook, then work 1 double crochet into the next chain. Continue across the row as follows: chain 3, skip 3 chains, 1 double crochet into the next chain. Repeat from the asterisk to the end of the row. You should have a series of evenly spaced double crochet posts with three-chain spaces between them.
Turn your work.
Row 2 and All Subsequent Rows
Chain 6. Turn. Work 1 double crochet into the first chain space (the gap between the first two posts of the previous row). Continue: chain 3, 1 double crochet into the next chain space. Repeat across the row, ending with a double crochet into the turning chain space of the previous row.
Turn your work and repeat Row 2 until the net reaches your desired depth measurement. For a 22-inch-deep net, you’ll typically work somewhere between 14 and 20 rows depending on your gauge and cord weight. Measure as you go rather than counting rows blindly.
When the net reaches the right dimensions, fasten off and seal the end of the cord with a lighter if you’re using nylon or paracord.
Adding the Border
The border is what transforms your mesh rectangle into a functional cargo net. It reinforces the edges, keeps the mesh from curling, and provides the structural perimeter to which you’ll attach your hooks and clips.
Join your cord at any corner of the finished mesh with a slip stitch, then chain 1.
Work single crochet stitches evenly around the entire perimeter of the net. Along the sides of the net (the row ends), work 2 single crochets for every row to keep the border from pulling. Along the top and bottom edges, work 1 single crochet into each chain space and 1 into each double crochet post.
At each corner, work 3 single crochets into the same stitch to create a clean, non-puckering corner turn.
When you’ve worked all the way around and reached your starting point, slip stitch to join and do not fasten off yet. You’re going to add one more round that incorporates your attachment loops.
Adding Attachment Loops
This is the step that makes your net actually functional in the trunk. An attachment loop is simply a short chain of stitches that you work at strategic points around the border, then join back to the border to form a small ring. You thread a hook or clip through this ring to anchor the net.
Plan to add loops at all four corners and at regular intervals along the sides. For a standard-sized net, six to eight loops total is usually enough. Mark your desired loop positions with stitch markers or small pieces of scrap yarn before you begin this round.
When you reach a marked loop position in your border round, chain 8 to 10 stitches (the longer the chain, the bigger the loop and the easier it is to clip onto), then slip stitch back into the same border stitch where you began the chain. This creates a small ring. Continue working single crochet stitches along the border until you reach the next loop position, and repeat.
Work all the way around, adding loops at each marked position. When you return to the start, slip stitch to join, fasten off, and seal your end.
Finishing and Strengthening
Weave in any loose ends securely, or tie them off in a double knot and trim them close. If you’re using nylon paracord, use your lighter to carefully melt the cut ends to prevent them from pulling free over time. Hold the flame close but don’t touch the cord directly — the heat is enough to fuse the strands.
Give your net a light stretch in all directions to even out the mesh openings. This also helps you spot any rows that might be pulled too tight. If you notice any spots that look unusually tight or uneven, you can gently tug the mesh to redistribute the tension.
At this point, your net is technically finished and ready to use. But if you want extra durability — especially if you plan to haul heavier loads regularly — consider adding a second layer of border stitches or reinforcing the corners with a few extra wraps of cord tied in tight knots.
Installing the Net in Your Trunk
Installing the net is the most satisfying step because it’s where you finally see the whole project come together. Lay the net flat in your trunk to confirm the fit before attaching anything permanently.
Connect an S-hook or carabiner clip to each of your attachment loops. Then hook each clip onto the nearest anchor point in your trunk — tie-down rings, luggage hooks, the metal loops built into the floor or sidewalls, or even the hinge hardware along the back edge of the trunk opening.
If your trunk doesn’t have obvious attachment points, you can use adhesive-backed D-ring mounts (available at hardware stores and marine supply shops) attached to the carpet lining. These grip the carpet well and are strong enough for a cargo net carrying typical grocery or gear loads.
Once all your clips are attached, test the net by pressing down firmly in the center and tugging it from different angles. A well-made crocheted cargo net should feel taut and spring back when you release it. If it sags significantly in the middle, try repositioning the side clips to increase overall tension.
Customizing Your Pattern
One of the great things about this pattern is how easy it is to customize. If you drive a lot in summer heat, nylon paracord is your best choice since it won’t soften or degrade the way some synthetic yarns do in high temperatures. For a car that sits outdoors in wet climates, opt for polypropylene rope or another waterproof synthetic cord.
You can also make the mesh openings smaller by using two-chain spaces instead of three, which creates a denser net better suited for holding bottles, cans, or smaller loose items. Conversely, a four-chain space mesh with fewer rows makes a large, lightweight net perfect for camping gear, sleeping bags, or folded towels.
For a more polished look, choose a cord color that matches or complements your trunk’s interior lining. Black and dark gray are popular choices because they hide dirt and blend into most standard trunk interiors. A pop of color — a bright red or orange — makes the net more visible and adds a fun, custom look.
You can also make a matching set — a large net for the main trunk floor and a smaller one to line the sides or hang from the back of the rear seats, creating a modular organization system throughout the cargo area.
Pattern Notes and Tips for Success
Work at a relaxed tension throughout the project. Because cord is stiffer than yarn, it’s easy to crochet too tightly without realizing it, which makes the mesh less stretchy and harder to use. If your hook keeps getting stuck, try going up one hook size.
Measure the net against your trunk dimensions every four to five rows rather than waiting until the end. It’s much easier to add a few rows than to frog (unravel) a net made of stiff cord.
When working with nylon cord, your hands may get slightly fatigued faster than with soft yarn. Take short breaks as needed, and consider wearing thin crocheting gloves if the cord feels rough against your fingers over time.
If you’re gifting this net to someone who drives a different vehicle, simply ask them to measure their trunk ahead of time and adjust your starting chain accordingly. The pattern scales up and down easily as long as you maintain a multiple-of-four chain count.
A Practical Project Worth Making
A crocheted trunk cargo net sits in a category of handmade objects that are both beautiful in their simplicity and immediately useful in everyday life. There’s no complicated stitch work to master, no complex shaping, and no technical finishing techniques — just a clean, open mesh worked at a steady pace that produces something genuinely functional by the time you’re done.
The total project time for most crafters working at a comfortable pace runs between three and six hours. The materials cost is typically under fifteen dollars if you purchase cord specifically for this project, and often less if you have macramé cord or paracord already on hand.
Whether you make it for yourself, gift it to someone who lives out of their car, or create a few extras to sell at a craft fair, this project is one that earns its place on the list of crochet patterns actually worth returning to. Once you’ve made one and experienced how much calmer a well-organized trunk feels, you may find yourself making a second for a different vehicle before long.
Happy crocheting, and may your groceries always arrive upright.
