Spencer Crochet Market Bag – FREE Pattern – Lakeside Loop

There is something deeply satisfying about carrying your groceries, farmers market finds, or beach day essentials in a bag you made with your own hands. The Spencer Crochet Market Bag is exactly that kind of project — practical, beautiful, and just challenging enough to feel rewarding without making you want to pull your hair out. Whether you are a seasoned crocheter or someone who has finished a few dishcloths and is ready to level up, this pattern is designed to walk you through every step with clarity and confidence.

This is a completely free pattern, brought to you by Lakeside Loop, because we believe that beautiful handmade things should be accessible to everyone. So grab your hook, pull out some sturdy cotton yarn, and let’s make something wonderful together.

Why You’ll Love the Spencer Market Bag

The Spencer bag was designed with real-life use in mind. It has a wide, open mesh body that stretches to accommodate everything from a bundle of kale to a bottle of wine (or both, honestly — no judgment here). The handles are long enough to drape comfortably over your shoulder, and the base is worked in solid rounds so it holds its shape even when loaded down with heavy produce.

What makes this pattern special is the combination of textures. The base uses a tight, solid stitch to give the bag structure, while the body transitions into an airy mesh that shows off the yarn’s color and lets the bag breathe. It is one of those projects that photographs beautifully and looks far more complicated than it actually is.

The name Spencer came from a little lakeside town that inspired so much of the design work here at Lakeside Loop — a place where the farmers market runs every Saturday morning and canvas bags are practically a dress code. We wanted to create something that felt right at home slung over someone’s arm at a flower stand or tucked under a picnic table with fresh bread and tomatoes peeking out the top.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you dive in, let’s talk supplies. Getting the right materials makes a noticeable difference in how your finished bag looks and performs.

Yarn: You will need approximately 350 to 400 yards of worsted weight (size 4) cotton yarn. Cotton is the go-to choice for market bags because it is sturdy, washable, and has enough structure to keep the bag from becoming a floppy mess. It also gets softer with every wash. Some lovely options include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Simply DK (worked doubled), or Paintbox Simply Worsted. Any solid or semi-solid colorway will show off the stitch pattern beautifully, though a variegated yarn can also produce a fun, beachy look.

Hook: A US size J (6.0 mm) crochet hook works beautifully for this pattern. If you tend to crochet tightly, consider going up to a K (6.5 mm). The mesh section needs some open airiness to it, so you don’t want to grip too tightly.

Notions: You’ll need a yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and stitch markers (at least two, though a few extras never hurt). A small measuring tape is helpful for checking your gauge.

Optional: A small bag of plastic pellets or a piece of fabric can be placed in the base lining if you plan to carry items like loose herbs or small produce that might poke through the mesh. For most uses, the bag works perfectly without any lining.

Gauge

Gauge for this pattern is approximately 14 stitches and 16 rows equal 4 inches in single crochet using a size J hook and worsted weight cotton yarn.

For the mesh section, gauge is a bit more relaxed and forgiving. As long as your base measures roughly 6 inches in diameter after completing the base rounds, you are in good shape. Market bags are wonderfully flexible projects, and a slightly larger or smaller bag is still a perfectly functional and beautiful finished object.

Abbreviations and Stitches Used

Here is a quick reference for every stitch and abbreviation you will encounter in this pattern. If you are comfortable with single crochet, double crochet, and chain spaces, you have everything you need to complete this bag.

ch — chain

sl st — slip stitch

sc — single crochet

dc — double crochet

sk — skip

st(s) — stitch(es)

sp(s) — space(s)

MR — magic ring (also called a magic circle)

rnd(s) — round(s)

rep — repeat

blo — back loop only

The mesh section uses a simple chain-two, skip-two, double crochet pattern that creates a beautiful open net. It is worked in the round, which means no seams and no turning — just continuous rounds of satisfying progress.

Pattern Notes

This bag is worked in rounds from the bottom up. The base is worked in the round using single crochet, then the sides transition into a mesh pattern using double crochet and chain spaces. The handles are worked separately and joined to the top of the bag.

The bag does not require a foundation chain. Instead, the base begins with a magic ring, which creates a tidy, closed center with no hole.

When working the mesh rounds, do not join at the end of each round unless specified. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round and move it up as you go.

Read through the entire pattern before beginning so you have a sense of how the construction flows.

The Spencer Crochet Market Bag – Free Pattern

BASE

Round 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch here or throughout base). Work 8 sc into the ring. Pull tail to close. Do not join. Place a stitch marker in the last stitch to mark the round. (8 sc)

Round 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch around. (16 sc)

Round 3: 2 sc in next st, sc in next st repeat around. (24 sc)

Round 4: 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts repeat around. (32 sc)

Round 5: 2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts repeat around. (40 sc)

Round 6: 2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts repeat around. (48 sc)

Round 7: 2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts repeat around. (56 sc)

Round 8: 2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts repeat around. (64 sc)

At this point, your base should measure approximately 6 inches across. If it is a little smaller, work one more increase round. If it is a little larger, you can begin the sides.

Round 9: Working through the back loop only (blo), sc in each stitch around. (64 sc)

This back-loop-only round creates a subtle ridge that defines the transition from the base to the sides and gives the bag a neater, more structured look.

SIDES – SOLID SECTION

Rounds 10–13: Sc in each stitch around. (64 sc each round)

Work four rounds of single crochet without any increases. This creates the solid lower side wall of the bag, giving it extra structure where items rest against the bottom.

SIDES – MESH SECTION

Now comes the part that makes this bag really sing. The mesh section is worked in double crochet with chain-two spaces, creating that beautiful open net pattern.

Round 14 (Transition Round): Sl st in next st. Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1). Sk next st, dc in next st, ch 2, sk next st, dc in next st, ch 1 repeat around to last 2 sts. Sk next st, dc in beginning sl st position. Ch 2. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4. (This sets up the mesh framework.)

Round 15: Sl st into first ch-2 space. Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in same sp. Ch 2. 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2 repeat around. Join with sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (32 ch-2 spaces)

Rounds 16–28: Sl st into first ch-2 space. Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in same sp. Ch 2. 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2 repeat around. Join with sl st to top of beginning ch-3.

Continue repeating Round 16 until you have completed Round 28, or until the bag measures approximately 11 inches from base to top edge, whichever comes first. The mesh section gives you a little flexibility here — work more or fewer rounds depending on how deep you want your bag.

TOP EDGE

The top edge adds a clean, polished finish to the bag and creates a stable surface for attaching the handles.

Round 29: Ch 1. Sc evenly around the top of the bag, working approximately 1 sc into each dc and 1 sc into each ch-2 space. You are aiming for a stitch count that is divisible by 4 and roughly matches the original 64 stitches. Adjust by increasing or skipping stitches as needed to maintain an even appearance. Join with sl st to first sc.

Round 30: Ch 1. Sc in each stitch around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off and weave in ends.

HANDLES (Make 2)

The handles are worked as flat strips and then sewn onto the bag. This method gives you full control over handle length and placement and results in very sturdy, comfortable straps.

Foundation Chain: Ch 7.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (6 sc) Ch 1, turn.

Rows 2–60: Sc in each sc across. (6 sc) Ch 1, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until your handle measures approximately 22 inches, or your desired length. For a shorter tote-style handle, stop at around 15 inches. For a crossbody-length handle, continue to 28 or 30 inches.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

ASSEMBLING THE HANDLES

Fold the top edge of the bag in half to find the center front and center back. Place a stitch marker at each center point. Measure approximately 2.5 inches to the left and right of each center marker — these four points are where your handles will attach.

Pin one handle end at each pair of attachment points, centering the width of the strap over the top edge. The handle should form a smooth loop without twisting.

Using your yarn needle and the long tail, sew each handle end to the top edge using a whipstitch or mattress stitch, working around all four sides of the strap end for maximum durability. Reinforce by sewing back through several times. Weave in all ends securely.

Finishing Touches

Give your bag a good wet blocking to even out the stitches and open up the mesh. Simply soak the bag in cool water for about fifteen minutes, squeeze out the excess (do not wring), and lay it flat or drape it over a large bowl to dry into shape. Cotton responds beautifully to blocking and the difference is noticeable.

If you would like a bit more structure in the base, cut a circle of heavy cardboard or plastic canvas to fit the bottom interior and drop it in. This keeps the bag upright and prevents it from collapsing when set down.

Tips for Success

Cotton yarn can feel stiff at first and may cause hand fatigue if you are used to working with softer fibers. Take breaks as needed and loosen your tension if your hands feel tired.

If you are new to working in rounds, the stitch marker is your best friend. Move it up at the end of every round without fail, or you will very quickly lose track of where you are in the mesh section.

The magic ring can feel fiddly the first few times. If you prefer, you can substitute a chain-two and work your first round into the second chain from the hook, though the magic ring does give a neater finish.

For a pop of color or personality, try working the base and handles in a contrasting color to the main body. A navy base with a natural cream body, or a terracotta base with a soft sage body, looks absolutely gorgeous and adds a designer feel to the finished bag.

Pattern Variations

One of the best things about a simple market bag pattern is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ideas to make your Spencer bag uniquely yours.

Striped mesh: Carry two colors of yarn and alternate every two rounds in the mesh section for a playful striped effect. The color changes at the join point are very easy to manage.

Longer bag: Work additional rounds in the mesh section to create a taller bag, perfect for carrying baguettes or rolled beach towels.

Shorter bag: Stop the mesh section earlier for a compact bag that works well as a small produce tote or a bag to hold your yarn stash.

Textured base: Swap the single crochet base for a moss stitch or linen stitch base for a denser, more textured look at the bottom of the bag.

Sharing Your Make

We absolutely love seeing the Spencer bag come to life in different yarns and colorways. When you finish yours, please share it on Instagram or Ravelry and tag Lakeside Loop so we can admire your work. There is nothing quite like seeing a pattern you designed being carried through a farmers market or tucked under someone’s arm at the beach — it makes every hour spent writing, testing, and refining a pattern completely worthwhile.

If you found this pattern helpful, sharing it with a friend or saving it to your Pinterest boards is a wonderful way to support free patterns here at Lakeside Loop and help other crafters find it too.

Happy hooking, and enjoy every stitch of your Spencer Market Bag.

This pattern is free for personal use and for small-batch handmade sales with credit to Lakeside Loop. Please do not redistribute the written pattern as your own or sell the digital file. Thank you for supporting independent designers.