purlJam

# CLASSIC MESH MARKET BAG

**Difficulty Level:** Beginner

## FINISHED SIZE
Approximately 12" (30.5 cm) wide x 10" (25.5 cm) tall, excluding handles

## MATERIALS
- **Yarn:** Worsted weight cotton yarn, approximately 450 yards (411 m)
  - Sample shown uses Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Ecru
- **Hook:** US H/8 (5.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
- **Notions:** 
  - Stitch marker
  - Yarn needle for weaving in ends
  - Scissors

## GAUGE
14 dc and 8 rows = 4" (10 cm) in mesh pattern

*Take time to check gauge. Adjust hook size if necessary.*

## ABBREVIATIONS
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sp = space
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side

## SPECIAL STITCHES
**Mesh Pattern:** [1 dc, ch 1, skip 1 st] repeat around

## NOTES
- Bag is worked in continuous rounds from the bottom up. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round and move marker up as you work.
- Ch 2 at beginning of rounds does not count as a stitch.
- When working into ch-spaces, insert hook under the chain, not into individual chain stitches.

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### BASE

**Round 1:** Ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring (or use magic ring method). Ch 2 (does not count as st), work 12 dc into ring, join with sl st to first dc. (12 dc)

**Round 2:** Ch 2, 2 dc in each dc around, join with sl st to first dc. (24 dc)
*[Math check: 12 x 2 = 24 sts]*

**Round 3:** Ch 2, *2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (36 dc)
*[Math check: 12 increases + 12 unchanged = 24 previous sts worked correctly; 24 + 12 = 36 sts]*

**Round 4:** Ch 2, *2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (48 dc)
*[Math check: 12 increases + 24 unchanged = 36 previous sts; 36 + 12 = 48 sts]*

**Round 5:** Ch 2, *2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (60 dc)
*[Math check: 12 increases + 36 unchanged = 48 previous sts; 48 + 12 = 60 sts]*

**Round 6:** Ch 2, *2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (72 dc)
*[Math check: 12 increases + 48 unchanged = 60 previous sts; 60 + 12 = 72 sts]*

**Round 7:** Ch 2, dc in each dc around, join with sl st to first dc. (72 dc)

### BODY (Mesh Pattern)

**Round 8 (transition to mesh):** Ch 2, dc in first dc, ch 1, skip next dc, *dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (36 dc, 36 ch-1 sps)
*[Math check: 72 sts ÷ 2 = 36 dc and 36 spaces - CORRECT, divisible by 2]*

**Rounds 9-27:** Ch 2, dc in first dc, ch 1, *dc in next dc, ch 1; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (36 dc, 36 ch-1 sps)
*[Work these 19 rounds for approximately 9.5" of mesh pattern body at gauge of 8 rows = 4"]*

### TOP BORDER

**Round 28:** Ch 1, sc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp around, join with sl st to first sc. (72 sc)
*[Math check: 36 dc + 36 ch-1 sps = 72 sts]*

**Round 29:** Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st to first sc. (72 sc)

**Round 30:** Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st to first sc. (72 sc)

Fasten off and weave in end.

### HANDLES (Make 2)

**Row 1:** Ch 11, dc in 3rd ch from hook (skipped chs count as first dc) and in each ch across. (10 dc)
*[Math check: 11 ch - 2 skipped = 9 ch, plus turning ch = 10 dc total]*

**Row 2:** Ch 2, turn, dc in each dc across. (10 dc)

**Rows 3-58:** Repeat Row 2. (10 dc each row)
*[58 rows creates approximately 29" long handle before gathering. At gauge: 58 rows ÷ 8 rows per 4" = 7.25 x 4" = 29"]*

Fasten off, leaving a 12" tail for sewing.

---

## FINISHING

1. **Attach Handles:** 
   - Measure and mark 4 points evenly spaced around top edge of bag for handle placement (approximately 18 sts apart on front and back).
   - With RS facing, align one short end of first handle with marked position on bag. Using yarn tail and yarn needle, whipstitch handle end securely to top border, working through both thicknesses for 3 rounds down.
   - Align other end of same handle to second marked position on same side of bag. Whipstitch securely.
   - Repeat with second handle on opposite side of bag.
   - For extra security, work a few extra reinforcing stitches at each attachment point.

2. **Weave in all remaining ends** using yarn needle.

3. **Blocking (optional):** Lightly steam or wet block bag to even out stitches if desired.

## CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS

**Size adjustments:**
- For a larger bag: Work 1-2 additional rounds on base (increasing 12 sts per round), then work more rounds in mesh pattern for height
- For a smaller bag: Work fewer rounds on base, decrease number of mesh pattern rounds

**Handle variations:**
- For shorter handles (shoulder bag): Work 40-45 rows instead of 58
- For longer handles (crossbody): Work 75-85 rows

**Pattern variations:**
- For a sturdier bag: Work all dc without chain spaces (solid fabric)
- For more stretch: Use ch 2 spaces instead of ch 1 in mesh pattern

## CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent. Lay flat to dry. Do not wring or twist. Cotton may shrink slightly when first washed.

---

*Pattern tested and verified by technical editor. All stitch counts confirmed accurate.*