DIY Mesh Tote Net Bag: Your Complete Guide to Making a Summer Knit Bag from Scratch

There is something quietly satisfying about walking onto a beach or through a farmers market carrying a bag you made with your own hands. A mesh tote net bag has a way of looking effortlessly stylish while also being one of the most practical accessories you can own during summer. It holds everything — sunscreen, a paperback, fruit from the market stall, a wet swimsuit — and because of its open weave, nothing gets lost in the shadows of a dark lining. Everything breathes, everything drains, and the whole thing folds up to nearly nothing when it is empty.

The good news is that making one yourself is far more achievable than it might look. Whether you are a complete beginner picking up needles or a crochet hook for the first time, or someone with a few projects already behind you, a knitted or crocheted mesh tote is one of the most forgiving and rewarding summer projects you can take on. This guide walks you through everything: the materials you will need, the techniques involved, step-by-step instructions, tips for customizing your bag, and ideas for how to style and use it once it is finished.

Why Make a Mesh Tote Bag Instead of Buying One?

Before diving into the how-to, it is worth pausing on the why. Handmade bags have had a significant resurgence in recent years, and for good reason. When you make your own mesh tote, you control every aspect of it — the color, the size, the weight of the yarn, and how long the handles are. You are not stuck with whatever the fast fashion world has decided is trendy this season.

There is also the environmental angle. Many commercially produced bags are made from synthetic materials that do not biodegrade and are manufactured under conditions that are difficult to verify. When you make your own from natural cotton or linen yarn, you know exactly what went into it. Cotton mesh totes are washable, durable, and over time they actually get softer and more beautiful with use.

And then there is the cost. A handmade mesh bag might require an afternoon of your time and a ball or two of yarn, which together might cost you between five and fifteen dollars. A comparable bag from a boutique could easily run fifty dollars or more. The math is hard to argue with.

Finally, there is the simple pleasure of making something. Knitting and crocheting are meditative crafts. The repetition of the stitch, the rhythm of your hands, the gradual appearance of something tangible from what was just string — these things are genuinely good for the mind. A summer knit bag gives you an excuse to sit outside, feel the warmth, and make something lovely.

What You Will Need

Gathering your materials before you begin will make the whole process feel more organized and enjoyable. Here is what to have on hand.

Yarn: For a mesh tote net bag, you want a yarn that is strong, holds its shape, and is comfortable to work with. Cotton yarn is the classic choice. It is sturdy, washable, and comes in every color imaginable. A weight of medium or worsted works well for beginners because it is easy to see the stitches. If you want a finer, more delicate look, DK or sport weight cotton or a cotton-linen blend will give you an airier fabric. Avoid anything too stretchy, like most wool blends, because a bag that stretches too much loses its shape under weight.

You will need roughly 200 to 350 yards of yarn depending on the size of your bag. One 100-gram ball of medium weight cotton is usually enough for a small market tote.

Hook or Needles: If you are crocheting, a 5mm or 5.5mm crochet hook pairs well with worsted weight cotton. If you are knitting, size US 7 or US 8 needles work well. The mesh effect in crochet comes most naturally from working with chain spaces and open stitch patterns, while in knitting it typically comes from yarn-over increases paired with decreases, creating an eyelet fabric.

Scissors and a Tapestry Needle: You will need scissors to cut your yarn and a tapestry needle with a large eye for weaving in ends and finishing the seams if your pattern calls for them.

Stitch Markers: These are optional but genuinely helpful, especially if you are new to working in the round. They mark the beginning of your rounds so you never lose your place.

A Bag Handle Insert (Optional): If you want handles that are extra sturdy and hold their shape, you can buy bamboo or wooden bag handles from craft stores and simply attach your knitted or crocheted fabric to them. They give the bag a polished, professional look.

Understanding the Basic Mesh Stitch

The magic of a mesh tote net bag comes from the open, lacy stitch pattern that creates all those little holes. In crochet, the most common way to achieve this is through a simple chain-space mesh. In knitting, it comes from an eyelet or lace pattern. Let’s cover both briefly so you can choose your method.

Crochet Mesh: The basic crochet mesh is created by alternating single or double crochet stitches with chain spaces. A simple version looks like this: chain a multiple of two or three stitches, then work across the row by making one double crochet, chaining one stitch, skipping one stitch on the base chain, and repeating to the end. On the next row, you work into the chain spaces rather than the stitches themselves, which is what creates the open grid pattern. The result is a fabric full of small, regular holes — classic mesh.

Knit Mesh: In knitting, the mesh effect comes from yarn-overs paired with knit-two-together decreases, which cancel each other out so your stitch count stays the same. A simple eyelet row might read: knit one, yarn over, knit two together, and repeat across. Every yarn-over creates a hole, and the knit-two-together keeps the row the same width. By alternating plain rows with eyelet rows, you build up a fabric that has a delicate grid of holes running through it. For a denser mesh, you work the eyelets on every row or on consecutive rows.

Both methods produce a beautiful result. Crochet tends to go a little faster and is very intuitive once you understand working into chain spaces. Knitting creates a more uniform, textile-like fabric and is ideal if you are already comfortable with yarn-overs.

Step-by-Step Crochet Mesh Tote Instructions

The following pattern creates a simple, medium-sized market tote that measures roughly 13 inches wide and 14 inches tall when finished, with handles of approximately 10 inches. It is worked in a rectangular flat panel for the body, which is then folded and seamed, with handles added at the top. This approach is beginner-friendly because it avoids working in the round.

What You Need for This Pattern

One 200-yard skein of worsted weight cotton yarn in the color of your choice, a 5mm crochet hook, scissors, and a tapestry needle.

Foundation Chain

Chain 60 stitches. This gives you a foundation row of about 13 inches in worsted weight cotton. If you want a wider bag, add stitches in multiples of two.

Row 1: In the fourth chain from the hook, work one double crochet. Chain one, skip the next chain, and work one double crochet in the following chain. Repeat this pattern — double crochet, chain one, skip one — across the entire foundation chain. At the end of the row, turn your work.

Row 2 and Onward: Chain three to count as your first double crochet. Work one double crochet into the first chain-one space from the row below. Then chain one, and work one double crochet into the next chain-one space. Continue in this manner — one double crochet in each chain space, chaining one between each double crochet — across the row. Turn at the end.

Repeat Row 2 until your piece measures approximately 28 inches from the beginning. This long panel will be folded in half to form the body of the bag.

Assembling the Bag

Fold the panel in half so that the two short ends meet. Using your tapestry needle and a length of yarn, whip stitch or slip stitch the two side edges together. You now have a bag shape that is open at the top. Weave in any loose ends from the seaming.

Making the Handles

To make each handle, attach your yarn at the top edge of the bag, approximately two inches in from one side seam. Chain 50 stitches (for a handle of about 10 inches; adjust as desired). Skip across the top of the bag and attach the chain to the top edge approximately two inches in from the other side seam, securing it with a slip stitch. Work back along the chain with single crochets to reinforce the handle. Make a second handle on the other side of the bag in the same way. Weave in all ends.

Your bag is complete. You can use it as is or add a simple lining, a button closure at the top, or any embellishments you like.

Step-by-Step Knit Mesh Tote Instructions

For knitters, here is a simple version worked flat in two pieces that are seamed together.

What You Need for This Pattern

Approximately 250 yards of DK weight cotton, size US 6 needles, stitch markers, scissors, and a tapestry needle.

Cast On

Cast on 54 stitches using a long-tail cast on or your preferred method. This gives you a panel of about 11 to 12 inches in DK weight.

Row 1 (Right Side — Eyelet Row): Knit two. Then work the pattern repeat as follows: yarn over, knit two together. Repeat to the last two stitches. Knit two.

Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl across all stitches.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the piece measures approximately 28 inches from the cast-on edge. Cast off loosely.

Fold the piece in half and seam the sides using mattress stitch. Pick up stitches along the top edge and work a few rows of garter stitch (knit every row) for a tidy edge. For handles, either pick up and knit an I-cord handle (look up the I-cord technique if it is new to you — it creates a smooth, rope-like tube) or sew on purchased bag handles.

Tips for Customizing Your Summer Mesh Bag

One of the best things about making your own bag is that the basic pattern is just a starting point. There are so many ways to make your mesh tote truly your own.

Color and Yarn Choice: Natural cotton in undyed or lightly dyed tones has a clean, artisanal look. Bright tropical colors feel festive and beachy. A neutral like off-white or sand is endlessly versatile. Some knitters and crocheters use two strands of different colors held together for a marled effect that is subtle and beautiful.

Size Adjustments: Adding stitches to the foundation chain or cast-on makes the bag wider. Working more rows before you fold makes it taller. A deep, wide bag is great for beach trips. A smaller, tighter version makes a charming produce bag or a bag for carrying a single book.

Stitch Variations: Once you are comfortable with the basic mesh, try varying the size of the holes. Larger chain spaces or wider yarn-overs create a more dramatic, open net look. Smaller spaces create a denser fabric that holds smaller items without them slipping through.

Adding a Lining: A fabric lining sewn inside the mesh bag transforms it from a purely aesthetic piece into a practical everyday carry. Choose a lightweight cotton fabric in a complementary color or print. Cut it to size, fold the edges under, and hand stitch it to the inside of the bag just below the top edge. A lining also prevents smaller items like keys or your phone from slipping through the mesh.

Decorative Touches: Fringe along the bottom edge, a tassel on the handles, a row of surface crochet in a contrasting color — all of these add personality without requiring advanced skills.

Caring for Your Handmade Mesh Tote

Because most mesh tote bags are made from cotton, care is relatively simple. Most cotton yarns are machine washable on a gentle cycle in cold water. Lay the bag flat to dry rather than hanging it, which can cause it to stretch. Avoid putting it in a dryer on high heat, as this can cause cotton to shrink or distort the stitches.

If your bag has picked up a particular smell from the beach or a farmers market, a soak in cold water with a small amount of gentle dish soap followed by a thorough rinse works beautifully. Cotton is very forgiving and tends to come out of the wash looking as good as new, often even better as it softens with repeated washing.

How to Style Your Summer Knit Bag

A mesh tote is one of those rare accessories that genuinely works across a huge range of contexts. At the beach, fill it with a towel, sunscreen, a book, and a water bottle — the open weave lets sand shake right out. At the farmers market, it stretches to accommodate a surprising amount of produce while looking far more considered than a plain grocery bag. It pairs naturally with a linen dress, a simple sundress and sandals, or even a casual jeans-and-tee outfit when you want a little texture and handmade charm.

Because the bag itself has so much visual interest thanks to the mesh pattern, it tends to work best with relatively simple outfits rather than competing with a lot of bold patterns. That said, a bright-colored bag can be exactly the pop of color a neutral outfit needs.

Final Thoughts

Making a DIY mesh tote net bag is one of those projects that manages to be relaxing while you are doing it and genuinely useful once it is done. The learning curve is gentle, the materials are affordable, and the result is something you will actually reach for every single day of summer. There is also something meaningful about creating an object that lasts — a well-made cotton mesh bag, cared for properly, will hold up for years and only get more beautiful as time passes.

Whether you go the crochet route or pick up a pair of knitting needles, the process is the same: a little patience, a little rhythm, and a good afternoon. Start simple, let yourself enjoy the making, and do not worry too much about perfection. The small irregularities that come from handmaking something are not flaws — they are exactly what makes it yours.