I designed this bag to have a bit of versatility. It can be made into either a market bag or a purse, leaving room for your own unique style and preference. Because it has a tremendous amount of stretch, it makes the perfect market bag while giving a visually appealing stitch pattern. Who says you can’t turn heads while you grocery shop?

The purse version is given stability and shape by inserting a plain canvas bag inside, while allowing the stitch pattern to really shine.

Supplies Needed:
-200-250 yards size 3 DK weight yarn PER bag (I’m using Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend in the colors Chai Latte and Whipped Cream) NOTE: I would not use a thicker yarn than a DK weight due to the nature of the stitch pattern. It does not look good with thicker yarns.
-H 5.0 mm hook, or your size of your preference
-plain canvas zippered pouch (Optional. For purse version)
-clear nylon thread and sewing needle (For purse version)
-scissors, yarn needle, tape measure, stitch marker
-embellishments of your choice (For my purse version, I used a 1.5” (40 mm) wooden ring and 2 20 mm wooden beads. For my market bag version, I used a small piece of scrap leather and several wooden beads with large center holes that can fit over the leather. Get creative!)

Gauge:
Not necessary due to the simple use of st multiples.

Finished Measurements:
The finished measurements will ultimately be your decision, but I will give you the finished measurements of my two bags. For the purse version, my bag measured 11” x 9.5” (28 x 24 cm). For the market bag version, my bag measured 14” x 15” (35.5 x 38 cm).

Terminology and Abbreviations Used:
The pattern is written in US terminology.

Back Loop Only- BLO
Chain- ch
Extended Single Crochet- Esc
Fasten Off- FO
Half Double Crochet- hdc
Single Crochet- sc
Skip- sk
Slip Stitch- sl st
Space(s)- sp(s)
Stitch(es)- st(s)
Treble Crochet- Tr
V-Stitch- Vst
Yarn Over- YO