DIY Net Bags: How to Make a Stylish Net Tote Bag
There’s something deeply satisfying about carrying a bag you made yourself. It holds your groceries, your beach towels, or your farmers market finds, and every time someone asks where you got it, you get to say you made it. Net tote bags have been having a serious moment in the world of handmade accessories, and for good reason. They’re lightweight, breathable, stretchy, strong, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or someone who has never picked up a crochet hook or macramé cord in their life, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create a beautiful, functional net tote bag from scratch.
Why Make Your Own Net Tote Bag?
Before we get into the how-to, let’s talk about the why. Store-bought mesh and net bags are everywhere right now, but making your own has advantages that go far beyond the price tag. When you make your own net tote, you choose the material, the size, the color, the handle length, and the density of the mesh. You can make something that fits perfectly in your lifestyle, whether that means a fine mesh bag for delicate produce, a wide-open net for beach balls and towels, or a stylish market tote that doubles as a fashion accessory.
There’s also a sustainability angle worth mentioning. Many commercial net bags are made with synthetic fibers that don’t biodegrade well. When you make your own, you can opt for natural fibers like organic cotton, jute, or hemp, which are far gentler on the planet. A hand-knotted cotton net bag will compost at the end of its long life, something you can’t say about a fast-fashion polyester tote.
Finally, the skill itself is meditative. Knotting or crocheting a net bag is a rhythmic, repetitive process that many crafters describe as genuinely relaxing. Once you learn the basic pattern, your hands take over and your mind gets to rest.
Choosing Your Method: Knotting vs. Crocheting
There are two primary methods for making a net tote bag at home, and each has its own character, tool requirements, and learning curve.
Macramé-style knotting uses a series of square knots to create a diamond net pattern. This method requires no tools beyond your hands, some pins or a board to hold your work, and the cord itself. The result is a structured, geometric look with visible texture. Knotted bags tend to be slightly stiffer and hold their shape well even when empty.
Crocheting uses a hook and a single continuous strand of yarn or twine to create a mesh fabric. It’s faster than knotting once you get the hang of it, and it produces a softer, stretchier bag. Crocheted net totes are especially popular for grocery and produce shopping because they expand to accommodate oddly shaped items.
This guide will cover both methods, starting with a knotted macramé bag since it requires no special equipment, then walking through a crocheted version for those who prefer that approach. Feel free to pick the one that suits you best, or try both and see which style you enjoy more.
Materials You’ll Need
For a knotted macramé net tote, gather the following:
Single-strand cotton macramé cord, 3mm to 5mm thickness, in a natural or colored option of your choice. You’ll need approximately 80 to 100 meters for a standard market-size bag. This might sound like a lot, but macramé uses cord generously because every knot consumes several times the length of the finished piece.
A macramé board or a piece of foam board and some T-pins for holding your work in place while you knot.
A wooden dowel or a sturdy twig about 30 to 40 centimeters wide, which will become the top frame of your bag.
A measuring tape, scissors, and a lighter or clear nail polish to seal the cut ends of synthetic cord if you choose to use it instead of natural cotton.
For a crocheted net tote, you’ll need:
Cotton twine or yarn in a medium weight, sometimes labeled as DK or worsted weight. Around 200 to 250 meters will be enough for a generously sized bag. Natural, unbleached cotton twine gives a rustic look, while mercerized cotton yarn produces something more polished.
A crochet hook in size 5mm to 6mm, which pairs well with medium-weight yarn to create an open mesh.
Stitch markers, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, and scissors.
In both cases, if you want to add sturdy handles, consider purchasing a pair of wooden bag handles, leather purse handles, or simply crafting longer cord straps as part of your bag construction.
How to Make a Knotted Macramé Net Tote Bag
Step One: Prepare Your Cords
Cut 24 pieces of macramé cord, each approximately 3 meters long. This will give you working cords that are long enough to create a bag roughly 35 centimeters tall, which is a comfortable size for a market tote. If you want a larger bag, cut 26 to 28 pieces instead, and add an extra 30 centimeters to the length of each cord.
Fold each cord in half and attach it to your wooden dowel using a lark’s head knot, which is the foundational knot of macramé. To do this, fold the cord in half, bring the looped end up and over the dowel, then pull the two loose ends through the loop and tighten. Repeat with all 24 cords until you have 48 working strands hanging from the dowel.
Step Two: Create the First Row of Square Knots
Group your hanging cords into sets of four. Starting from the left, pick up your first group of four cords. Use the two outer cords as your working cords and the two inner cords as your anchor cords. To tie a square knot, take the left working cord over the two anchor cords and under the right working cord. Then bring the right working cord under the anchor cords and up through the loop on the left. Pull both working cords snug. That’s half a square knot. Repeat this in reverse direction to complete the full square knot.
Work across all twelve groups until you have a row of twelve square knots running evenly across the width of your bag. This first row will sit just below the dowel and will form the top of the bag’s body.
Step Three: Add the Diamond Net Pattern
Leave a gap of about 3 to 4 centimeters below your first row of knots. This gap is what creates the open, net-like appearance of the bag. Now, pick up the right two cords from the first group and the left two cords from the second group. Tie a square knot with these four new cords. Repeat across the row, always combining the outer cords of neighboring groups. This is the classic alternating square knot pattern, and it’s what gives macramé nets their iconic diamond mesh.
Continue alternating rows, leaving 3 to 4 centimeters between each, until the body of the bag reaches your desired length. For a standard tote, this is usually 10 to 12 rows, which brings you to roughly 35 to 40 centimeters of knotted body below the dowel.
Step Four: Close the Bottom
To close the bottom of the bag, gather all your cords and tie them together in groups using gathering knots or overhand knots, pulling everything tightly to create a closed, flat base. Some makers prefer to tie one large gathering knot with all the cords at once, while others tie several smaller knots to create a decorative fringe effect at the base. Either approach works well structurally.
Trim the remaining cord to your preferred fringe length or tuck it up inside the bag for a cleaner finish. If you want a very flat, sturdy bottom, you can sew a circular piece of thick felt, leather, or canvas to the interior base of the bag.
Step Five: Create the Handles
For a simple cord handle, cut two pieces of cord, each about 90 centimeters long. Tie each piece to the inside top of the bag, threading through the knot structure near the dowel on both the front and back. Braid, twist, or simply double the cord and secure the ends with tight overhand knots. Adjust the handle drop length to your preference before trimming.
Alternatively, slide wooden ring handles over your dowel before you begin attaching cords, positioning one ring on each end of the dowel. Then attach your cords to the dowel as described, framing each ring on either side. This creates an elegant, finished handle that mimics the look of luxury market bags.
How to Make a Crocheted Net Tote Bag
If crochet is your preferred method, the process is different in execution but similar in spirit. You’re still creating an open, knotted mesh, just with a hook and continuous strand instead of individual cords.
Step One: Start with a Foundation Chain
Make a slip knot and chain 40 stitches with your crochet hook and chosen yarn. This chain will become the top opening of your bag. Join the chain into a ring with a slip stitch, being careful not to twist your chain. This is the starting circle from which you’ll work downward in rounds.
Step Two: Create the Mesh Body
Chain 5. Skip 3 stitches from the base chain and work a single crochet into the fourth stitch. Continue chaining 5 and skipping 3, placing a single crochet in every fourth stitch, all the way around. When you reach the beginning, chain 5 and join to the top of the first single crochet with a slip stitch. This creates your first round of mesh.
For each subsequent round, chain 5 and place a single crochet into the center of each chain-5 space from the previous round. This is a wonderfully rhythmic pattern once you get going. Continue in this manner for 15 to 20 rounds or until the bag body reaches your preferred depth.
Step Three: Finish the Bottom
When your bag body is long enough, it’s time to close the bottom. Stop working in rounds and instead start decreasing. Work two single crochets into each chain space, then work across, gathering those stitches together. Alternatively, draw the yarn through all remaining loops at once to cinch the base closed, then weave in the end securely.
For a more structured base, stuff the bag with a piece of cardboard or rigid plastic cut to size before cinching the bottom closed. You can also crochet a simple circle separately and sew it to the base, which provides a flatter, more stable bottom.
Step Four: Add the Handles
The most common approach for a crocheted bag is to chain a long handle directly from the body. Find the side of your bag opening and join new yarn. Chain approximately 60 to 70 stitches, skip to the opposite side of the bag opening, and join with a slip stitch. Work a row of single crochets back along the chain for stability, then finish off and weave in your end. Repeat on the other side for a two-handle bag.
For a longer shoulder bag, increase the foundation chain to 90 or 100 stitches. For a crossbody, go even longer.
Customizing Your Net Tote Bag
One of the best parts of making your own net tote is the room for personalization. Here are some ideas worth trying.
Color is the most obvious place to start. Natural cotton cord and twine come in dozens of colors, and you can also hand-dye white cord with fabric dye or natural plant dyes for something truly unique. Ombre effects, striped patterns, and color-blocked handles are all possible with a little planning.
Mixed materials add texture and visual interest. Try threading leather strips, strips of fabric, or ribbon through the holes in a finished knotted bag to add color blocks or structural support.
Size variations open up a world of uses. A smaller version of this bag with finer cord makes a beautiful wine bottle carrier, a produce bag, or even a hanging organizer for your bathroom. A much larger version with thicker rope becomes a laundry bag or beach bag.
Adding a lining turns a decorative net bag into something more functional for everyday carry. Cut a simple rectangular fabric tube slightly smaller than your bag’s interior, fold the top edge down, and hand stitch or machine sew it to the inside of your bag’s top opening. This prevents small items from falling through the mesh and also protects your belongings from snagging on the knots.
Tips for Getting a Professional-Looking Result
Even as a beginner, there are a few habits that will elevate your finished bag from “handmade” to “hand-crafted.”
Tension is everything, whether you’re knotting or crocheting. Try to keep your knots or stitches consistently snug throughout the whole project. Bags that have loose knots in some sections and tight ones in others will look uneven and distort when weighted with items.
Measure your gaps as you go. In a knotted bag, keeping the spaces between knot rows consistent is what creates that beautiful, even diamond pattern. Use a ruler or a piece of cardboard cut to your desired gap size as a spacer while you work.
Use a cord winder or wind your working cords into small butterflies to keep them from tangling. Long knotting cords can become a frustrating mess very quickly if left loose, and stopping to untangle them interrupts your rhythm.
Block your finished crocheted bag by wetting it thoroughly, gently pressing it into shape, and allowing it to dry flat. This evening-out process makes a significant difference in the finished look, softening stiff yarn and settling the mesh into an even grid.
Caring for Your Handmade Net Bag
A well-made net tote should last for years with basic care. Cotton macramé bags can be machine washed on a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag, then hung to dry. Avoid the dryer, which can cause cotton cord to shrink unevenly. Jute and hemp bags should be spot cleaned only, as these natural fibers can break down with repeated soaking.
Crocheted cotton bags are generally the most durable and wash-friendly of all the options. After washing, reshape the bag by hand while it’s still damp and let it air dry completely before storing.
Store your bags folded loosely or hung from a hook. Cramming them tightly into a drawer can distort the mesh pattern over time.
Starting Your Next Project
Once you’ve made your first net tote bag, it’s hard to stop. The skills you build here translate directly into other macramé and crochet projects, from wall hangings and plant hangers to market baskets and hammock chairs. Many crafters find that making a net bag becomes the gateway project that turns a casual interest in fiber arts into a full creative practice.
There’s also a beautiful gifting dimension to handmade bags. A net tote made with someone’s favorite color or their go-to farmers market size is a genuinely personal, practical gift that carries a story with it. People use these bags every week, which means they think of you every week.
Whether you make yours from undyed natural cotton for a minimalist, earthy aesthetic, or dye your cord bright terracotta and turquoise for something bold and modern, the finished object will be entirely your own. That’s worth more than any bag you could buy.
Now gather your cord, clear some space on your table, and start knotting.
