Crochet Mesh Market Bag

Instructions

Tap a section when you finish it.

1. 1BaseJoin each round with sl st to the first stitch; ch 3 counts as the first dc. Round 1: ch 3, 11 dc in MR (12). Round 2: ch 3, 1 dc in same st, inc in each remaining st (24). Round 3: *dc 1, inc* x12 (36). Round 4: *dc 2, inc* x12 (48). Round 5: *dc 3, inc* x12 (60). Round 6: *dc 4, inc* x12 (72). Round 7: *dc 5, inc* x12 (84). Round 8: *dc 6, inc* x12 (96). The base should lie flat; if it ruffles, use a smaller hook, and if it cups, a larger one.
2. 2First mesh roundCh 1, sc in the first st, *ch 5, skip 3 sts, sc in the next st* 23 times, then ch 5, skip 3 sts and sl st to the first sc. This makes 24 mesh loops (1 + 23 x 4 + 3 = 96 stitches used).
3. 3Mesh bodyAt the start of each round, work 3 sl st to move to the middle of the first loop. Then *ch 5, sc into the next loop* all the way around; join the last ch-5 to the first sc of the round with sl st (24 loops). Work this round 18 times in total; the body measures about 36 cm when empty.
4. 4Top bandSl st to the middle of the loop. Ch 1, work 3 sc into each loop and join with sl st to the first sc (72 sc). Then work 3 more rounds with 1 sc in each stitch (72).
5. 5HandlesHandle round: sc 9, ch 40, skip 18 sts, sc 18, ch 40, skip 18 sts, sc 9, sl st to first sc (9 + 18 + 18 + 18 + 18 + 9 = 72 sts). Next round: 1 sc in each sc, and 40 sc in each chain, one in each chain stitch (36 + 80 = 116 sc). Work 2 more rounds with 1 sc in each stitch (116).
6. 6FinishingCut the yarn, pull it through the last loop and weave the ends into the single crochet. Wet the cotton bag in lukewarm water, lay the base flat and hang the body to dry so the mesh loops even out. If the handles stretch too much, tighten them with a round of sl st.