Appa Market Tote Bag

Easy Crochet Pattern

Finished Measurements
Width: 27.5" (70 cm) laid flat
Height (excluding handles): 22" (56 cm)
Handles: approx. 18" (46 cm) drop

Yarn
Worsted weight cotton yarn (recommended for strength and stitch definition)

• Main Color (MC): Cream or light gray – 450 yd (410 m)
• Contrast A (CA): White or off-white (Appa body) – 80 yd (75 m)
• Contrast B (CB): Brown/dark gray (Appa markings, arrows, eyes, nose) – 40 yd (35 m)
• Contrast C (CC): Black (eye pupils, outline details) – 20 yd (18 m)

Sample used 100% cotton worsted; exact amounts may vary with tension and chart coverage.

Hook
US I-9 / 5.5 mm crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
US H-8 / 5 mm hook (optional, for tighter handle reinforcement)

Notions
Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors

Gauge
14 sc and 16 rows = 4" (10 cm) in single crochet
12 dc and 7 rows = 4" (10 cm) in mesh pattern
Adjust hook size if necessary to match gauge. Gauge is critical for finished dimensions and chart fit.

Abbreviations (US terms)
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
sp – space
rep – repeat
rnd(s) – round(s)
MC – main color
CA/CB/CC – contrast colors
pm – place marker

Special Stitches
Mesh stitch: dc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st.
Sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease).

Attached Stitch Chart

Use the separate attached chart panel for the Appa face visual grid. The chart appears as the companion stitch-chart asset paired with this pattern (typically shown beside or immediately following the Body instructions in your pattern file/download).

How to read the chart (crochet)

• Each square = 1 single crochet stitch.
• Work the chart in sc only (tapestry or intarsia method).
• Chart is worked flat in rows within the round: read right-side (RS) rows from right to left, wrong-side (WS) rows from left to right. Because the bag is worked in continuous joined rounds, you will complete the front chart panel while continuing the back in MC mesh/sc as directed.
• Color changes: Carry unused yarn loosely on WS (tapestry) or use separate small balls/bobbins (intarsia) for large color blocks. Twist yarns at color changes to prevent holes.
• Start chart at the indicated round and stitch marker position so Appa is centered on the front face of the tote.

Color/yarn management & stitch-count integration

• Chart width is designed for the center 40–48 stitches of the front (exact stitch count shown on the attached chart).
• Total circumference remains 96 stitches at all times once the base is complete.
• Front half = 48 sts (chart centered with equal MC sc border stitches on left and right of chart).
• Back half = 48 sts worked in established mesh or solid sc in MC only.
• When chart height is complete, resume full-round mesh or solid rounds in MC.
• Weave in chart ends securely on WS as you go to keep interior neat.

Pattern Instructions

Base (worked in continuous rounds)
With MC and larger hook, ch 37.

Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across to last ch, 3 sc in last ch; rotate to work along opposite side of foundation ch, sc in each ch across, 2 sc in final st (same as first st). Join with sl st to first sc. (74 sc)
Pm in first st of rnd; move marker up each rnd.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 34 sts, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next 34 sts, 2 sc in each of last 2 sts. Join. (80 sc)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 34 sts, [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times, sc in next 34 sts, [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 2 times. Join. (86 sc)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 34 sts, [sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] 3 times, sc in next 34 sts, [sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] 2 times. Join. (92 sc)

Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in first 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 34 sts, [sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st] 3 times, sc in next 34 sts, [sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st] 2 times. Join. (98 sc)

Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc evenly around and decrease 2 sts evenly spaced (sc2tog twice) so you end with 96 sc. Join. (96 sc)
(6 increase rnds completed → base circumference set for 27.5" width at gauge ✓)

Work 2 more rnds even in sc (96 sc each rnd). Base should measure approx. 27.5" (70 cm) long × 4.5–5" (11–13 cm) wide oval.

Body – Lower Solid Section
Rnds 1–4: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (96 sc)
At end of Rnd 4, pm in st #1 (side), st #25 (front chart start), st #73 (back reference) to help center the Appa motif.

Body – Mesh & Chart Section
Begin mesh while inserting the Appa chart on the front.

Setup note: Front 48 sts = sts 1–48; Back 48 sts = sts 49–96. Chart is centered on front (leave equal plain sc borders on either side of chart as indicated by attached chart width).

Rnd 5 (Mesh setup + chart start): Ch 3 (counts as dc), *ch 1, skip 1 sc, dc in next sc; rep from * across the back 48 sts and the plain side borders. When you reach the chart section, work the first row of the attached Appa chart in sc (changing colors as shown), keeping total front stitches at 48. Continue mesh across any remaining front border sts. Join to top of beg ch-3. (Mesh sections maintain stitch multiple; chart section = exact chart stitch count; total still 96 sts ✓)

Rnds 6–Chart Height: Continue working in established pattern:

• Mesh portions: dc in next dc, ch 1, skip ch-1 sp (or as established).
• Chart portion: Work next row of attached Appa chart in sc, reading rows as directed in the Attached Stitch Chart section and changing colors per chart.
  Always join at end of rnd and turn if needed for chart RS/WS orientation, or work tapestry style without turning while managing floats on WS.

Maintain 96 sts every rnd. When the attached chart is complete, cut contrast colors, secure ends, and resume MC only.

Post-chart rnds: Work even in full mesh pattern around (dc, ch 1, skip 1) for remaining height until piece measures 20" (51 cm) from base edge.
Final 2 rnds before handles: switch to sc around in MC for stability (96 sc).
(Total height reaches 22" / 56 cm ✓)

Handle Openings
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in next 12 sts, ch 24 (handle opening), skip 24 sts, sc in next 24 sts (front center panel), ch 24, skip 24 sts, sc in remaining 12 sts. Join. (48 sc + 2 ch-24 spaces)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each ch around. Join. (96 sc)

Rnds 3–5: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (96 sc)
Fasten off MC.

Handles (make 2 – sturdy reinforced)
With MC and smaller hook (for density), attach yarn at one edge of a handle opening.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each of the 24 sts of the opening. Turn. (24 sc)
Rows 2–6: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
Fold handle lengthwise and work a final row of sc through both thicknesses to create a thick, sturdy strap, or continue working sc rows until strap measures 20–22" (51–56 cm) long, then join to opposite side of the same opening with sc or whipstitch for a continuous handle.

Alternatively (simpler easy method): After Rnd 5 of openings, ch 1 and work sc around entire top edge; when you reach each ch-space, work 24 sc into the space, then continue. For extra strength, crochet a second layer of sc over the handle sections only or slip-stitch reinforce.

Repeat identical construction for second handle.
(Handles symmetric, 24-st base each ✓)

Finishing
Weave in all ends securely on WS, especially chart color changes.
Block gently to measurements: 27.5" (70 cm) wide × 22" (56 cm) high.
Optional: Line with fabric for extra durability if carrying heavy items.
Steam or wet-block mesh to open the pattern evenly.

Your Appa Market Tote is ready! Perfect for farmers’ markets or everyday adventures with a little Avatar spirit.