Crochet Mesh Tote Bag | Free Pattern & Video Tutorial

There is something deeply satisfying about making a bag you can actually use. Unlike a decorative doily or a wall hanging that lives out its days on a shelf, a tote bag goes everywhere with you. It carries your groceries, your library books, your sunscreen and sandals, your farmer’s market haul. And when it’s handmade in a beautiful open mesh stitch, people stop you on the street to ask where you got it.

This free crochet mesh tote bag pattern is beginner-friendly, works up quickly, and uses just one skein of cotton yarn. Whether you are picking up a crochet hook for the first time or you are a seasoned maker looking for a satisfying weekend project, this pattern is for you. Below you will find everything you need: materials, gauge, step-by-step written instructions, stitch explanations, tips for customizing the size, and answers to the most common questions beginners ask. A video tutorial is also available to walk you through each step visually.

Why Make a Crochet Mesh Tote Bag?

Before we dive into the pattern, let’s talk about why the mesh tote has become one of the most popular crochet projects on the internet — and why it deserves a permanent spot in your project queue.

It’s eco-friendly. A reusable mesh tote made from cotton replaces dozens of single-use plastic bags. Cotton is breathable, washable, and durable. Your handmade bag will last for years.

It’s genuinely quick. Because the mesh stitch creates large open spaces, you are not filling in every square inch of fabric. Even a beginner can finish this bag in a single weekend. Many experienced crocheters finish it in an evening.

It’s versatile. The open mesh design lets air circulate, which makes it perfect for produce, bread, or anything you would normally put in a net bag. It also folds down to nearly nothing, so you can tuck it into a purse or pocket and always have it on hand.

It’s beautiful. There is an elegance to the mesh stitch that more solid patterns can’t quite match. The geometric lacework looks intentional and stylish, and it photographs beautifully for anyone who likes to share their makes on social media.

Materials You Will Need

Gathering your supplies before you start will make the whole experience smoother. Here is exactly what this pattern calls for.

Yarn: Approximately 200 to 250 yards of worsted weight (size 4) cotton yarn. 100% cotton or a cotton blend both work well. Popular choices include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Simply DK Cotton, or any grocery-store cotton yarn you have on hand. Avoid very fuzzy or textured yarns for this pattern — they tend to obscure the mesh stitch and make it harder to see your work.

Hook: 5.0 mm (size H/8) crochet hook. If you tend to crochet tightly, go up half a size to 5.5 mm. If you tend to crochet loosely, stay with 5.0 mm or drop to 4.5 mm.

Notions: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and stitch markers (optional but helpful for beginners marking the start of each round).

Optional: A spray bottle with water for blocking, and a few T-pins or a blocking mat if you want a crisp finished look.

Gauge

Gauge for a tote bag is not critical the way it is for a fitted garment, but it’s good to have a rough sense of your tension before you start.

For this pattern, the approximate gauge is 14 chain stitches and 7 rows = 4 inches in the mesh stitch pattern using a 5.0 mm hook and worsted weight cotton. If your bag comes out a little smaller or larger than the finished measurements listed below, that is perfectly fine. Simply adjust the number of foundation chains up or down to get the width you want.

Finished Measurements

This pattern produces a bag that is approximately 13 inches wide by 14 inches tall (before the handles), with a slight stretch when loaded. The base is approximately 13 inches by 4 inches. These dimensions make it ideal as a standard grocery or market tote.

Abbreviations and Stitch Guide

If you are new to reading crochet patterns, here is a quick reference for every abbreviation used in this pattern.

ch — chain stitch
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
dc — double crochet
ch-sp — chain space (the open space created by a chain stitch sequence)
rep — repeat
sk — skip
st(s) — stitch(es)
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
approx — approximately

The Mesh Stitch: The mesh stitch used in this pattern is a simple alternating pattern of double crochets separated by chain spaces. It creates that beautiful open grid that gives the bag its lightweight, airy look. Each “cell” of the mesh is formed by one double crochet, one chain stitch, skip one stitch, and so on. It repeats easily and you will memorize it within the first few rows.

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

Part 1: The Bag Base

The base of this bag is worked flat, back and forth in rows, to create a rectangular foundation. This gives the bag structure and helps it sit flat on a surface when filled.

Foundation Chain: Chain 46. (This gives you a base approximately 13 inches long.)

Row 1 (RS): Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (45 sc) Turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (45 sc) Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (45 sc) Turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (45 sc) Turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (45 sc) Turn.

Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (45 sc) Turn.

Work a total of 14 rows in single crochet. This creates a base that is approximately 4 inches wide. Do not fasten off.

Tip: You can also work the base as a continuous oval if you prefer a rounded bottom. To do this, chain 46, work sc along one side, then work 3 sc in the last chain (to turn the corner), continue sc along the other side of the foundation chain, and join with a sl st to begin working in the round. This technique is a bit more advanced but gives a very polished finish.

Part 2: The Mesh Body

Now comes the fun part. You will work up the sides of the bag in the round, building the mesh stitch all the way around the base you just created.

Setup Round: With RS facing, ch 1. Work sc evenly around all four sides of the base: approximately 45 sc along each long side and 14 sc along each short side. Place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (Approximately 118 sc total — exact count may vary slightly based on your tension.)

Round 1 (Begin Mesh Pattern): Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1). Sk next st. Dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st. Rep from to around. Join with a sl st to the third ch of the starting ch-4.

Round 2: Sl st into first ch-sp. Ch 4. Dc in next ch-sp, ch 1. Rep from to around, working each dc into the ch-sp (not the dc) of the previous round. Join with sl st to third ch of ch-4.

Rounds 3 through 20: Repeat Round 2.

You will work approximately 20 rounds of mesh, which brings the bag body to about 14 inches tall. Feel free to work more or fewer rounds depending on how deep you want your finished bag. Each round adds roughly 0.7 inches of height.

Tip for Cleaner Mesh: Always insert your hook into the chain space of the previous round, not into the top of the double crochet. This keeps the mesh evenly spaced and gives you that clean, geometric look.

Part 3: The Top Border

After your final mesh round, work a simple single crochet border to finish the top edge cleanly and prepare it for the handles.

Border Round 1: Sl st into first ch-sp. Ch 1. Sc in ch-sp, sc in dc. Rep from to around. Join with sl st to first sc.

Border Round 2: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Border Round 3: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join with sl st. Fasten off and weave in end.

Part 4: The Handles

The handles are worked separately and then sewn onto the bag. This method gives you strong, durable handles that won’t stretch or sag with use.

Make 2 handles:

Foundation Chain: Chain 80 (or longer for longer handles — chain 90 for shoulder-length handles).

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.

Rows 2 through 5: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.

After 5 rows, fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. You will have a strip approximately 1 inch wide and 22 inches long.

Attaching the Handles: Fold the ends of each handle under by about 1 inch and pin them to the inside top edge of the bag, centering them approximately 3 to 4 inches in from each side. Using your yarn needle and the long tail, sew each end securely using a whip stitch or a box stitch for extra strength. Weave in all ends.

Customization Ideas

One of the best things about this pattern is how easily it adapts to different sizes, yarns, and styles. Here are a few ideas to make it your own.

Make it smaller: For a produce bag or a mini tote, start with a foundation chain of 30 and work only 12 rounds of mesh. This gives you a bag about 8 inches wide and 9 inches tall — perfect for apples or lemons.

Use a different weight yarn: This pattern works beautifully in DK weight (size 3) yarn with a 4.0 mm hook for a finer, more delicate mesh. For a chunkier, sturdier bag, try bulky (size 5) yarn with a 6.0 mm hook and fewer foundation chains.

Add a lining: If you want to use your bag for smaller items that might fall through the mesh, sew a simple cotton fabric lining using the bag as a template. This takes the bag from a produce tote to a stylish everyday purse.

Add a drawstring: Instead of open handles, work a simple drawstring channel at the top of the bag by working a row of ch-2 spaces and threading a length of cord or rope through them.

Try different colors: A striped version made by switching yarn colors every 4 rounds is stunning. Because cotton yarn ends can be a little bulky, try to change colors at the beginning of a round to keep the transitions clean.

Tips for Beginners

If this is one of your first crochet projects, here are a few things that will make your experience much more enjoyable.

Tension is everything. If your chains feel too tight, your mesh will pucker. If they’re too loose, the mesh will look sloppy. Practice a few rows on a swatch before starting the bag and adjust your hook size until things feel comfortable.

Count your stitches at the end of each round. The mesh stitch can be easy to miscalculate, especially at the join. If you find yourself gaining or losing stitches, check whether you are working into every chain space.

Don’t skip blocking. Once you finish your bag, lightly wet it, smooth it into shape, and let it dry flat. This one step makes an enormous difference in how polished and professional your finished bag looks.

Use stitch markers liberally. Marking the beginning of each round helps you keep track of where you are and prevents the classic mistake of accidentally working an extra round without realizing it.

Video Tutorial

Watching someone else work through a pattern in real time can make everything click in a way that written instructions sometimes can’t. A full video tutorial is available to accompany this pattern and walks you through each section step by step — the base, the mesh rounds, the border, and the handles.

In the video you will be able to see exactly how to form the mesh stitch, how to join rounds neatly, and how to attach the handles so they lie flat and secure. If you are a visual learner or if any step in the written pattern feels unclear, the video is the best place to start.

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Washing and Care Instructions

Because this bag is made from cotton, it is machine washable, which is one of cotton’s greatest advantages as a fiber for practical items. Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle. Reshape while damp and lay flat to dry. Avoid putting it in the dryer on high heat, as cotton can shrink slightly with repeated heat exposure.

If you used a cotton blend that includes acrylic, check the yarn label for specific care instructions. Most cotton-acrylic blends are machine washable on a gentle cycle and can tolerate low dryer heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much yarn do I need for this pattern?
Plan for approximately 200 to 250 yards of worsted weight cotton. If you are using DK weight, budget about 300 yards to account for the finer stitch. It’s always worth having an extra skein on hand, especially if you plan to make a larger bag or longer handles.

Can I make this pattern with a different stitch?
Absolutely. The mesh stitch is what gives this bag its signature look, but the base and handle construction work with any stitch. Try a simple half double crochet for a solid, denser bag, or swap the mesh for a shell stitch for something more decorative.

What if my bag is coming out too narrow or too wide?
Adjust the number of foundation chains. Each chain adds roughly 0.3 inches of width, so adding or subtracting 6 chains will change your width by about 2 inches. Keep the chain count even so the mesh pattern distributes symmetrically.

Can I make the handles longer?
Yes! For shoulder bag length, chain 90 to 100 instead of 80. For a crossbody strap, you would need a much longer chain — around 200 to 250 — and would likely want to work more rows to make it wider and more comfortable.

Is this pattern suitable for complete beginners?
This pattern is a great second or third project. If you have never crocheted before, spend a few hours learning the chain stitch, single crochet, and double crochet first. Once those feel comfortable, this bag pattern should be very manageable.

Share Your Make

There is nothing better than seeing the community’s finished projects. If you make this bag, share a photo in the comments below or tag your post on social media so others can admire your work and get inspired to make their own. Every colorway and customization someone brings to this pattern makes it richer.

Handmade things carry a kind of meaning that store-bought items simply can’t. Every time you use this bag — at the market, on the beach, running errands — you will know that you made it yourself, stitch by stitch. That’s worth something. Happy crocheting.