I’m doing my best to reduce our consumption of single use plastic in our home. It’s an ongoing challenge but I feel that when it comes to our fruit and veg shopping, I’m making some progress.
We always take along our own reusable carry bags to the market and supermarket, but until now, our fruit always just rolled around loose at the bottom of our trolley.
There is no problem a little bit of crochet can’t solve, so I got my hook out and started crocheting.
This simple crochet pattern for reusable net produce bags is easy to whip up and so versatile. The bags are super stretchy and hold a large amount of whatever you want to bag up.
The handy drawstring keeps the bag closed and all its contents corralled.
Not just for fruit, these little crochet drawstring bags are great for holding all sorts of things.
Great for keeping balls of yarn tidy, storing toys like wooden blocks, keeping socks and underwear together when travelling, or packing up sports equipment.
When they get dirty, just throw them in the washing machine and they’ll come out as good as new.
Other Zero-Waste Reusable Products you can make yourself:
- DIY Beeswax Reusable Food Wraps
- Reusable mesh fabric Produce bags
- Market Bag Crochet Pattern
- Crochet Dish Scrubbie
This mesh bag crochet pattern is super easy to make, even for beginners. Most of the crocheting is just chain stitches, so you can’t really go wrong. I’ve added lots of step-by-step pictures to explain any tricky bits.
Of course, smaller items will slip right through the gaps in the mesh, but I’ve already thought about that and I will be sewing up some net fabric drawstring bags when I find some suitable fabric scraps. Stay tuned.
How to sew Reusable Mesh Produce Bags – Get Instructions Here
What yarn did I use?
When I mentioned to American Yarns that I was looking for a suitable thin cotton yarn for this crochet bag produce pattern project, they thought Cotton Fair by Premier Yarns would fit the bill.
Cotton Fair is a lightweight 4-5ply yarn that is a blend of 52% cotton and 48% acrylic. It’s super soft and squishy, comes in a really lovely range of colours, and with nearly 300m per ball, is very economical.
I really like this yarn. Its light weight makes it perfect for summer garments and blankets, and it has a beautiful subtle sheen which makes it feel like a very high-end yarn. If you are into amigurumi crochet, Premier Cotton Fair is perfect for making toys.
My verdict: Premier Cotton Fair is an excellent quality yarn and is great value at over 300 yards per ball. I can’t wait to make more projects with this yarn and am planning to knit Emma a t-shirt with it this Spring.
I’m so excited that American Yarns is now permanently stocking this yarn in 13 colours.
How to crochet a Reusable Produce Bag
Finished size (unblocked): length 32cm (12.5″), width 24cm (9.5″) – very stretchy
Gauge: not critical for this project
You will need:
- approx 1/3 ball Premier ‘Cotton Fair’ yarn
- 4 mm crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Stitches used US terminology:
- Chain Stitch (ch)
- Single Crochet (sc) US = double crochet (dc) UK
- Double Crochet (dc) US = Treble stitch (tr) UK
- Slip Stitch (sl)
Net Produce Bag Crochet Pattern instructions:
Note: This pattern is worked in a spiral
Make a ring – 6 ch, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring
R1 – Make 8 sc into the ring.
R2 – Make 2 sc into each stitch of the round. (16 stitches)
R3 – *Ch 2, 1 sc into next stitch, repeat from * to end of round. (16 chain loops)
R4 – *Ch 4, 1 sc into 2 chain loop space, repeat from * to end of round.
R5 – *Ch 6, 1 sc into 4 chain loop space, repeat from * to end of round.
R6 – *Ch 8, 1 sc into 6 chain loop space, repeat from * to end of round.
R7 – *Ch 8, 1 sc into 8 chain loop space, repeat from * to end of round.
R8+ – Continue as per R7 for another 16 rounds or until total length when bag laid flat is around 30cm (12″)
It starts off looking like a flat doily, but as you continue the sides will eventually build up and the bag will lengthen.
Final row – ch 3, 2 dc into same 8 chain loop space as last sc from previous row *6 dc into each consecutive 8 chain loop space, repeat from * to end of round. Sl st in 3rd ch of previous row to close round. Break off yarn. Weave in ends.
Make Drawstring:
– Make chain stitch cord about 65 cm (25″) length.
– Weave cord in and out through the gaps between each 6dc cluster in last row of bag (ignore the first ch3 2dc cluster).
– Tie ends of cord together to secure.
All done! Not so hard to make and extremely practical.
I hope you enjoy this free produce bag crochet pattern – Tag me on Instagram @mypoppetmakes if you make your own, I’d love to see them.
Feel free to leave any questions or queries in the comment section below and I’ll answer as soon as practicable.
All yarns featured are available from www.americanyarns.com.au
LOVE IT? PIN IT!
Our church sponsors a “Mission Mall ” each fall to connect various groups who raise funds for mission outreach projects. This includes groups like 10,000 villages, Three free Africa, and several local groups. I would like to make these for our booth, with your permission and credit to you for the pattern. May I?
That sound like a great idea. Happy for you to sell the finished items.
I was gifted some fine (baby weight?) yarn. I’m sure it’s acrylic yarn, but what I have on hand. Think it would work for making these bags? Thanks, I’m excited to try making some reusable produce bags 😁
Hi Sara, any yarn will work for making this pattern. The yarn you mentioned will be fine and very durable.
Oh thank you for giving this pattern. Just what I’m looking for. I am going to use zz twist yarn for mine. I’m pinning this and I’ll post my photo “I tried this pattern when I’m done. Zz twist has a lot of give (stretch) to it, yet holds its shape beautifully.
How much do your finished produce bag weigh? The current ‘barrier bags’ used in supermarkets weigh approximately 3 grams and crocheted bags weigh approximately 10 times that (one third of a 100g skein). Depending on the price per kilo of the contents, wouldn’t one need to be mindful of taking everything out of the bag at the checkout for weighing? Perhaps the mesh-sewn bags will be lighter?
There is a movement in my city for eco-conscious people to purchase pre-made reusable mesh drawstring bags and gift them to others in the supermarkets and random, asking the recipients to ‘pay it forward’ by also buying reusable bags to gift to others.
Yes they weigh about 30g each so for expensive items maybe weighing without the bag would be a good idea. I’ll be making some mesh sewn bags soon, will weigh them when finished to get an idea of the difference.
Many markets will “tare” your reusable containers — weigh them and tag them with their weight so the checker can deduct the weight of the container when calculating the price. This is especially common for glass jars. You might see if your markets will tare your mesh bags.
Regarding small items slipping through the mesh, I’m simply making Bags with smaller mesh! 8-).
I’ve made one! Love crochet and it helps keep my hands busy. I’ll gift my first one to my brother, who owns The Maker’s Shed in Glen Innes.
So glad that i have found a contact and blog that lives in Melbourne.
Most of the blogs i follow are from overseas. Yeh!
Do you know any other blogs to follow that are from Australia?
There are many Australian bloggers, was it just craft blogs you were looking to follow. The best place to find them is on instagram or try googling Australian bloggger.
Shelly is an Aussie crochet blogger https://spincushions.com/blog/
also there is a list here https://blog.feedspot.com/australian_diy_blogs/
Another question, Cintia: I like the suggestion of using this yarn for amigurumi projects. Can you tell me whether it has an S or Z twist, how many plies, and how tightly it is spun?
BTW, in answer to the reader question above, I am also an Australian crochet blogger based in South Australia: https://lupeyloops.blogspot.com/
Hi Jodie, this yarn has an S twist. with 5 plies (each of those plies is made of 2 smaller plies). I would say it’s a fairly loose twist.
I make bags that are similar to this one except I do 2sc into each loop in the mesh part.
A brilliant pattern!
Clear and concise with great photos!
l have a huge stash of Northcote cotton (long story) that can be finally put to use!!
Hi,
I love the produce bag and am looking for patterns for market or tote bags using the same cotton[Cotton Fair lightweight 4-5ply yarn].Also a crochet hook holder in same ply.
Thank you,
Glenda
Thanks. You may find one on Ravelry, you can limit the search to yarn weight.
Thank you.I’ll look there.
I tried making this but it’s not turning out at all like the photos.
I got the exact brand of yarn but I’m not noticing that it says 2 ply but you stated it was 4 ply. When I tried finding it as a 4 ply i couldn’t find anything.
Is it 2 ply or 4 and any idea why mine is not turning out the same?
You can make this pattern with any type of yarn. What part isn’t turning out like the photos? Where are you at in the pattern?
Thank you so much for this! I already made two out of cotton yarn yesterday. The pattern is very easy to follow, you can adjust the size of the bag by making the center ring larger and adding more stitches per round, or by making the holes larger if you want to. I made mine in two colors each, they turned out great and are very lightweight! Greetings from Germany 🙂
Isn‘t it a bit contradictory to use a yarn that includes a plastic fibre?
I‘m sure there are plenty suitable 100% cotton / linen / hemp yarns out there ….
Yes you are correct Leo. This yarn does contain a synthetic fibre, but it’s what I had on hand. You are free to use any yarn you choose. Ideally I’d love people to make this pattern from thrifted, frogged, or yarn they have in their stash already, no matter what the fibre makeup.
I made the pattern with plarn! It’s not quite as pretty as yours but I love to give plastic bags new life. Thanks for the pattern! The pictures were super helpful!
Do I have permission to sell the finished product (like on Etsy)? I’d of course give credit to you for the pattern. If not, I totally get it 🙂
Hi, yes I’m happy for you to sell handmade bags from this pattern. A link back to the post would be much appreciated.
Hi! I’m hoping to use this pattern to teach a beginner’s crochet class next month at a local art studio. It seems like a perfect beginner project since it’s mostly chains, and there’s a lot of interest in eco-friendly workshops right now. 🙂 Is it ok if I print off copies of this pattern for the class? With credit to you, of course!
Sure, go ahead. Thanks for asking 🙂
What kind of math is needed to make smaller gaps? Would love to use this for a morel mushroom hunting bag!
I’d say you need to make shorter chains and sc more regularly. Let me experiment and I’ll get back to you.
I am a complete beginner to crochet and don’t know what to do when I got to the end of a round.
Once you get to the end of the round, just jump up to the space in the next round below. This pattern is worked in a spiral. If you look closely at the pictures and trace the pattern with your finger, you can see where the rounds jump up to the next.
This looks great. I’ve just started trying to reduce my one use plastics and reusable produce bags are a huge step in the right direction. I would like to use a 100% cotton yarn. What ply would I need?
I’m also keen to see your net bags when they are done.
Thanks again.
Any yarn thickness works well, but I prefer 4ply or thinner. The thinner the yarn, the lighter the bag.
Will this pattern work using cotton yarn?
Yes, it will work with any yarn.
Your pattern is lovely and the instructions were very easy to follow for a beginner.
I started making the bag this evening and I was so excited with the results that I only have the drawstring left to do tomorrow! I’ve never been able to follow crochet patterns, but you made it so easy and enjoyable.
Thank you so much for your kindness in sharing your craft.
Thanks Jane, glad you enjoyed making it.
Hi Cintia! I finished my reusable bag and I love it, but I have a question… Should we block it? Thank you.
No need to block, you can use it straight away.
Hi Cintia! I am new to crocheting and I just finished my first produce bag – I love it so much! Thanks for sharing this pattern with the world. I used a rainbow colored yarn so it came out very cool – perfect for the farmers market!
A rainbow coloured bag sounds so fun!
Hello, I’m new to crochet and just made your bag! I feel so proud! Thank you for sharing an easy to follow pattern and your photos really helped when I felt confused. I love my new bag and can’t wait to show it off at the farmer’s market. I even added a little tassel where the drawstring tied together. So cute!
The BEST crochet market bag pattern out there! Thank you for the free pattern!
This is an incredibly useful and easy pattern, thank you. I did not like the unfinished strands at the end of the drawstrings so I went out to a craft recycling center and found some cheap charms for the ends. The metal pieces are larger than the holes holding the drawstring and prevents it from coming out if the bag is stretched too much.
I love this! Made one for myself overnight and already went shopping with it! – mine weighed about 32 grams but especially buying things that are heavy in nature (oranges each weight around 250gr anyway) I see no difference in my bill tbh 😛 I love how much it fits in the bag, none of the reusable bags I’ve used before fits this much stuff in so it’s amazing.
I’ll make some for friends and family and give it out as a gift! Thank you for this beautiful and quick pattern!
I’m sure your friends will love them.
I had an idea and Googled produce bag. It brought me to this. First bag in progress. But in exploring your website, I Love SO many of the yarn creations you have made and posted! Lots more making in my future.
I get my yarn primarily at thrift stores, so many of your projects work well when looking for an idea to fit the yarn, not the other way around.
Hi! I’m so glad I found you again! I made a string bag following your pattern a few years ago. I’d printed the pattern and stuck it in my crochet folder. I have since made another. That one is now at the end of its lifetime so I wanted to make a new one. But I couldn’t remember if it was written in US or U.K. and I hadn’t written it on.
I think I Googled ‘crochet simple string bag’ and then scrolled through the images until I saw yours. Thank god you went for this really visible and distinct orange background! I will jot down your website on my print out now.
Just wanted to say a huge thank you for posting this. My children use them as their fruit bag for school and it works a treat.
Thank you from London U.K.
I’ve made you pattern and it’s great/easy! Id like to make the bottom/bag just a bit wider. Any suggestions?
To make the bottom wider you can’t increase the chain count as the holes will be too large. Maybe at around R7 you can try this *Ch 8, 1 sc twice into 8 chain loop space, repeat from * to end of round.
The continue as normal. I haven’t tested it but it should make the base larger.
hi! im halfway through the pattern and i love the way its looking, my only question is how exactly do you turn the rows? i’ve been slipping the final chains into the start of each row then turning the piece , but its starting to look tight on the seam… help?
Hi Soph, you don’t turn the rows. You work in a spiral always in the same direction going around and round.