String Market Bag Knitting Pattern: A Complete Guide to Making Your Own Reusable Tote
There’s something deeply satisfying about carrying your groceries home in a bag you made yourself. A string market bag is one of those projects that sits at the perfect intersection of practical and beautiful — it stretches to hold a surprising amount of weight, folds down to practically nothing when empty, and gets better-looking the more you use it. Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first functional project or an experienced knitter wanting something quick to finish, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Why Knit a String Market Bag?
Before diving into the pattern itself, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate why this particular project has endured for generations. String market bags, sometimes called mesh bags, net bags, or French market bags, have been part of everyday life in Europe and beyond for centuries. Long before single-use plastic became the default, people carried their bread, vegetables, and bottles home in open-weave bags made from cotton, hemp, or linen twine.
The modern revival of the knitted market bag is driven by something more than nostalgia, though. These bags are genuinely excellent. A well-knitted cotton string bag can hold twenty pounds of groceries without breaking a sweat. The open mesh structure lets air circulate around your produce, which means your apples and onions stay fresher longer than they would packed into a solid cotton tote. And when you’re not using it, the whole thing compresses into a ball the size of your fist and tucks into your jacket pocket.
From a knitting perspective, the project teaches skills that transfer to almost every other pattern you’ll ever encounter: working in the round, creating yarn-over eyelets for lace-like openings, managing tension across a mesh structure, and finishing a bag with a simple drawstring or handle. Most versions can be completed in a weekend, making them ideal gifts or charity sale items as well.
Materials You’ll Need
Getting the materials right makes a significant difference in how your finished bag looks and performs. Here is what to gather before you cast on.
Yarn: Cotton is the classic choice, and for good reason. It has almost no stretch compared to wool, which means your bag holds its shape under weight rather than sagging into an elongated tube. Look for a kitchen cotton or a twine-weight yarn in the 2 (fine) or 3 (light) weight range. Some excellent options include Paintbox Simply DK Cotton, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, and Drops Paris. Avoid acrylic for this project — it will stretch too much under load and won’t have the satisfying, sturdy feel of a proper market bag. You’ll need approximately 200 to 300 yards depending on how large you want the finished bag to be.
Needles: US size 5 (3.75 mm) or US size 6 (4.0 mm) double-pointed needles or a circular needle, depending on your preferred method. The slightly larger needle size relative to the yarn weight is intentional — you want a somewhat loose gauge to create the open mesh structure. If you’re using the magic loop method with a long circular cable, a 32-inch or 40-inch cable works beautifully.
Notions: A tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, a stitch marker (or a loop of scrap yarn), and a measuring tape. If you plan to add a drawstring closure, you’ll also need a length of cord or I-cord in the same or a contrasting color.
Understanding the Basic Mesh Stitch
The magic of a string market bag comes from one simple stitch repeat: the yarn-over paired with a decrease. This combination creates an eyelet, and when you line up eyelets in every row, you get an open mesh that stretches in all directions while still holding its shape.
The basic lace mesh used in most market bag patterns looks like this over a multiple of 2 stitches:
Round 1: Yarn over, knit 2 together; repeat from to end of round.
Round 2: Knit all stitches.
Some patterns skip Round 2 entirely and work the yarn-over, knit-2-together repeat on every round. This creates a more open, diagonal mesh that looks almost like twisted netting. Both approaches are correct — it’s a matter of preference. The version with the plain knit round in between creates a slightly denser fabric that holds small items more securely, while the every-round version produces the most airy, stretchy result.
A few things to keep in mind as you practice this stitch: the yarn-over adds a stitch, and the knit-2-together removes a stitch, so your total stitch count stays constant throughout. If you find your count changing, check that you’re completing both halves of the pair every time. Also, when you work the knit round after a yarn-over round, the yarn-over loop will look loose and floppy — this is normal. Trust the structure, keep your tension even, and everything will line up beautifully once you’ve completed a few inches.
The Pattern: Classic Bottom-Up String Market Bag
This pattern is worked from the bottom up, starting with a flat circular base and then joining to work the body in the round. It produces a bag approximately 12 inches tall and 14 inches in circumference when relaxed, expanding considerably when loaded.
Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette on US 6 needles. Note that gauge is less critical in a mesh bag than in a fitted garment — small variations will just give you a slightly smaller or larger bag.
Finished dimensions: Approximately 12 inches tall, 14 inches around when empty.
The Base
Cast on 8 stitches and distribute them across your double-pointed needles (or use the magic loop method). Place a stitch marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
Round 1: Knit into the front and back of every stitch — 16 stitches.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: Knit 1, knit into the front and back of next stitch; repeat from to end — 24 stitches.
Round 4: Knit.
Round 5: Knit 2, knit into the front and back of next stitch; repeat from to end — 32 stitches.
Round 6: Knit.
Round 7: Knit 3, knit into the front and back of next stitch; repeat from to end — 40 stitches.
Round 8: Knit.
Round 9: Knit 4, knit into the front and back of next stitch; repeat from to end — 48 stitches.
Round 10: Knit.
Round 11: Knit 5, knit into the front and back of next stitch; repeat from to end — 56 stitches.
Round 12: Knit.
You should now have a small flat disc with 56 stitches. This is the base of your bag. The increases create a circular shape that will lie flat against a table without puckering or cupping. If yours is cupping slightly, your gauge is too tight — try going up half a needle size. If it’s ruffling, go down half a size.
The Body
Now you’ll transition from the solid stockinette base into the open mesh that gives the bag its character.
Rounds 13 onward: Begin the mesh pattern. Yarn over, knit 2 together; repeat from to end of round. Repeat this round continuously until the body of your bag measures approximately 10 to 11 inches from the top of the base.
At this point you can try your bag over a large grapefruit or melon to check the size. If you want a taller bag with more capacity, simply keep going. If you want a shallower produce bag or a smaller gift bag, stop a few inches earlier. The pattern is completely flexible.
The Drawstring Channel
Once the body reaches your desired height, you’ll work a simple eyeleted drawstring channel.
Round 1: Knit all stitches.
Round 2: Yarn over, knit 2 together; repeat from to end.
Round 3: Knit all stitches.
Round 4: Yarn over, knit 2 together; repeat from to end.
Round 5: Knit all stitches.
Round 6: Yarn over, knit 2 together; repeat from to end.
Round 7: Knit all stitches.
Round 8: Bind off loosely in knit.
The eyelets created in these rounds will serve as the channels through which you thread your drawstring or handles. A loose bind-off is essential here — a tight one will pull the top of the bag in and make it hard to load and unload.
The Handles
You have two options for handles: a simple two-strap version or a drawstring closure.
For a drawstring: cut a length of cord, ribbon, or I-cord approximately 50 to 60 inches long. Thread it through the eyelets at the top of the bag, weaving in and out all the way around, and tie the ends together in a knot or bow. Pull the drawstring to cinch the bag closed, and loop it over your wrist or shoulder to carry.
For two-strap handles: using the same yarn, pick up and knit 5 stitches from the top edge of one side of the bag. Work in I-cord (slide the stitches to the other end of the needle without turning, pull yarn across the back, knit 5) for approximately 18 to 22 inches, then bind off and sew the end down to the opposite side of the bag. Repeat for a second handle on the other side. These handles are sturdy enough to carry a full load of groceries over your shoulder.
Tips for Success
Even simple patterns have their tricky moments. Here are the most common issues people run into with this project and how to solve them.
The base curls at the edges. This usually means your tension was slightly tighter in the base than in the mesh body, which is natural since the stitches are different. Block your finished bag by soaking it in lukewarm water, squeezing out the excess, and letting it dry stretched flat over a bowl or bottle. The cotton will relax and the base will lie flat.
The mesh looks uneven. Mesh and lace stitches always look a little wild on the needles. Resist the urge to pull at individual stitches or re-tension as you go. Work consistently and block at the end — the hot water and gentle stretching will even everything out dramatically.
The bag stretches too much. If you’re using a fiber with high elasticity, like a cotton-acrylic blend, the bag may sag under weight. Pure cotton, hemp, or linen will hold its shape best. If you’ve already finished the bag and it sags, you can thread a length of sturdy cord just below the drawstring channel to add structure.
Running out of yarn. If you realize you’re going to run short before finishing the body, you have options. You can end the body a little earlier and go straight into the drawstring channel. Alternatively, this is a great opportunity to add a stripe: join a second color, knit a few rounds, then switch back. Stripes are completely structurally sound in this pattern and add a lovely visual element.
Variations and Modifications
One of the joys of this pattern is how naturally it lends itself to personalization.
Size variations: To make a smaller produce bag or a gift bag for a bottle of wine, start with 6 cast-on stitches and work fewer increase rounds, ending your base at 32 or 40 stitches. Work 6 to 8 inches of mesh body and add a simple drawstring. For a large beach bag or market bag with real capacity, start with 10 cast-on stitches and increase to 80 or more before beginning the body.
Color play: This pattern works beautifully in self-striping yarn, which creates organic horizontal stripes without any effort on your part. It also looks stunning in two-color work where you carry both yarns and alternate every few rounds. Even a simple solid color in a rich, natural cotton has tremendous visual appeal.
Fiber exploration: While cotton is the classic choice, hemp twine creates a wonderfully rustic, sturdy bag that softens with use. Linen yarn produces a more refined result with a slight sheen. A cotton-linen blend is a happy compromise that has the structure of linen with the softness of cotton. Jute twine is very inexpensive but can be scratchy against skin, so it’s better for produce than for carrying personal items.
Mesh variations: Instead of the simple yarn-over, knit-2-together repeat, you can try a feather-and-fan stitch repeat for a more ornate mesh, or a simple drop stitch pattern (knit all stitches, wrapping the yarn twice around the needle; on the next round, drop the extra wraps as you knit, creating elongated stitches) for a more dramatic open weave.
Caring for Your Knitted Market Bag
Cotton knits are wonderfully easy to care for. Machine wash your market bag on a gentle or delicate cycle in cold water, or hand wash in a basin of lukewarm water with a small amount of gentle detergent. Avoid hot water and high-heat drying, which can cause cotton to shrink and lose its shape. Lay flat or hang to dry — the weight of wet cotton can distort the shape if you machine dry it on high. With proper care, a well-knitted cotton market bag will last for years and actually become more beautiful as it softens with washing.
Gifting and Selling Your Bags
String market bags make genuinely excellent gifts. They’re gender-neutral, useful for almost everyone, easy to personalize with color choices, and have a crafted quality that feels considered and generous. A small produce bag fits nicely inside a larger market bag as a set — an appealing package for a housewarming, bridal shower, or teacher appreciation gift.
If you’re interested in selling your work, these bags move well at craft fairs and farmers markets, where their sustainable credentials resonate with shoppers who are already invested in the idea of reducing waste. Pricing should account for your materials and time honestly; a well-made cotton market bag represents real skill and real hours, and there are buyers who understand and value that.
A Note on Sustainability
There’s an argument to be made that the most sustainable bag is the one you already own, regardless of what it’s made of. But beyond that, a hand-knitted cotton market bag scores very well on the metrics that matter. A single bag can replace thousands of single-use plastic bags over its lifetime. Cotton, especially organic cotton, is biodegradable. And the act of making something by hand creates a relationship with an object that makes you far less likely to throw it away.
Choosing cotton from reputable suppliers who prioritize fair labor practices and sustainable farming adds another layer of intentionality to an already meaningful project. Several yarn companies now certify their cotton as organic or Fair Trade, and the price premium is generally modest.
Getting Started Today
The only thing left to do is cast on. Gather your cotton yarn, find a needle that feels comfortable in your hands, and make a slip knot. The pattern is more forgiving than it looks on the page, and within a few rounds you’ll find a rhythm that lets you knit almost without looking. By the end of your first evening, you’ll have a base. By the end of the week, or the weekend if you knit quickly, you’ll have a bag you can actually use.
Take it to the farmers market. Fill it with tomatoes and a baguette. Let it stretch and settle into the shape of whatever you’re carrying. There is a particular kind of satisfaction in using a thing you made yourself, and a string market bag delivers that satisfaction every single time you pick it up.
