Moss Stitch Market Bag Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Moss Stitch Market Bag is the perfect first "real" project for a confident beginner who wants something they'll actually use every week. It's worked as one flat rectangle in the easy moss stitch, then folded in half and seamed, so there's no shaping, no working in the round, and no complicated counting. The earthy sage and sand stripes give it a calm, natural look, and the dense moss stitch texture makes it sturdy enough for produce, books, or a beach towel. It feels soft but strong in the hand, and it folds flat when you're not using it.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) cotton, approx. 400 yds total — 200 yds sage (A) and 200 yds sand (B).
• Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, measuring tape.
• Finished size: Approx. 14" wide x 16" tall (excluding straps); straps 20" long.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• sk — skip: leave the next stitch or space unworked.
• sp(s) — space(s): the little gap made by a chain.
• st(s) — stitch(es).
• rep — repeat: work the instructions again.
• tog — together.

Gauge

14 sts and 14 rows = 4 inches in moss stitch. Work a small swatch in pattern, measure the middle, and adjust your hook size if needed so your rectangle comes out close to 14" x 16".

Tips Before You Start

• Moss stitch is simply "sc, ch 1, skip the space" — keep your chain-1s loose and even so the fabric stays soft and stretchy.
• Count your sc stitches at the end of each row (25 sc, 24 ch-1 sps). If the count drifts, the bag will slant.
• Change colors at the end of the last row of a band, finishing the final sc with the new color to keep the stripe edge clean.
• Cotton has little stretch, which is exactly what you want for a market bag — avoid substituting acrylic, which will sag.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bag Body (flat rectangle)

With A, ch 50.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across, turn. (25 sc, 24 ch-1 sps)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next sc; rep from * across, turn. (25 sc, 24 ch-1 sps)

Rows 3-14: Rep Row 2 with A. (25 sc, 24 ch-1 sps)

Change to B.

Rows 15-28: Rep Row 2 with B. (25 sc, 24 ch-1 sps)

Change to A.

Rows 29-42: Rep Row 2 with A. (25 sc, 24 ch-1 sps)

Change to B.

Rows 43-56: Rep Row 2 with B. (25 sc, 24 ch-1 sps)

Fasten off. Rectangle measures approx. 14" wide x 16" tall.

Seaming the Body

Fold the rectangle in half with right sides together, matching the short ends. Seam both side edges using sc or whipstitch, leaving the top open. Turn right side out.

Straps (make 2)

With A, ch 6.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. (5 sc)

Rows 2-80: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (5 sc)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly

Pin one end of each strap to the inside top edge of the bag, positioning straps approx. 3" from the side seams. Sew securely in place. Repeat for the other ends of both straps.

Edging

With A, join yarn at the top edge. Work 1 round of sc evenly around the top opening, working through both layers of the bag and the strap ends to reinforce them. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side, running each tail through a few stitches before trimming. Check that both straps are level and firmly sewn — give them a gentle tug to test. Block the bag lightly by misting with water and shaping it flat to dry, which evens out the moss stitch texture and helps the rectangle hold its shape.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Add a simple lining in a cotton print for a sturdier, more polished tote.
• Swap the stripes for a single color, or use three colors in narrower bands.
• Make the straps longer for a shoulder bag, or add a button-and-loop closure at the top.