Picture this: The sun shining down softly, happy voices chattering, the smell of fresh flowers mixed with ripe strawberries, vibrant colors everywhere you turn. Where are you?
These are the sights, smells and sounds of our local farmers market.There is a relaxing slowness associated with shopping where you can meet the actual people who worked hard to grow and provide beautiful produce and products.
As life has continually been busier, I haven’t made farmers markets a priority. It can be so much faster to run in and out of a regular grocery store (and by that, I mean send the hubs because BUSY), then to take a leisurely stroll around the market.
As spring is coming (it is, right?…..RIGHT?) I’d like to focus more on reclaiming some slowness. Heading to the farmers market is one way our family can choose to slow down this crazy thing we call life! Farmers markets and reusable bags go hand in hand of course.
Now that I have a new crochet grocery bag, I’m ready for you, farmers market!
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Yarn = 4 medium, 3.5 oz/100 g, 186 yd/ 170 m (This is a VERY thin yarn for a size 4 medium yarn)
Large Eye Tapestry Needle
Abbreviations:
ch(s): chain(s) sc(s): single crochet(s) st(s): stitch(es) sp: space yo: yarn over
Finished Size:
when laying flat: 11″ wide by 14″ tall
Gauge:
4” x 4” = 5 clusters by 4.4 rows (sc + cluster row)
Note:
When you join the rounds of clusters it is easier to join around the top of the entire cluster, like you would go around a post stitch, instead of going into the cluster.
Stitch Instructions:
Start of row Modified Cluster: ch 2, yo, insert hook into the next st, draw up loop, yo, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yo, insert hook into the next st, draw up loop, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook), yo pull through 2 loops ( 2 loops on hook), yo pull through last 2 loops. See the photo tutorial: How to crochet the Modified Cluster Stitch
Modified Cluster Stitch: yo, insert hook into the next st, draw up loop, yo, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yo, insert hook into the next st, draw up loop, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook), yo, insert hook into the next st, draw up loop, yo, pull through 2 loops (4 loops on hook), yo, pull through 3 loops (2 loops on hook), yo pull through last 2 loops. See the photo tutorial: How to crochet the Modified Cluster Stitch
Crochet Grocery Bag Pattern Instructions
With Cafe Au Lait Ch 90. Join to form a circle
R1: Ch 1, sc in ea ch (90), join with sl st to first sc.
R2: Start of Row Modified Cluster (see stitch instructions or tutorial on How to crochet the modified cluster stitch.), *ch 2, Modified Cluster Stitch (see stitch instructions or tutorial on How to crochet the modified cluster stitch.), repeat from * around. Join with sl st around (see notes) the top of the first Start of Row Modified Cluster.
R3: Ch 1, 3 sc in each ch-2 sp, join with sl st to first sc.
repeat R2 and R3 for a total of 7 times.
repeat R2.
Change colors to Ecru and repeat R3
repeat R2 and R3 7 times.
Repeat R3. Do not bind off
Handles
Row 1: turn your work, ch 1, sc in the next 3 scs, turn (for the other side of the bag: join yarn ch 1, sc in the next 3 scs, turn)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the 3 scs, turn
Repeat row 2 for 80 rows. Join the handle on the same side of the bag. (Don’t look closely at my handles! I did not join them on them equally.)
Repeat making handle for other side of the bag.
Bottom
Lay the bag flat with the handles evenly lined up. Join Cafe Au Lait to one of the bottom corners. Sc both sides together across the bottom of the bag.
Fasten off and weave in ends. Will you use your crochet grocery bag for the Farmer’s Market or for something else? It would be a great crochet shopping bag to take to the yarn store! Or perhaps to the library to fill with books.
Would you share pics of your Market bag? You can do that several ways:
