Denim-Striped Market Tote Bag

A structured rectangular tote with a firm dense base and a breezy open-mesh body. The cream body is accented with four denim-blue mesh stripe bands, finished with a solid denim top border and two long shoulder straps. Front and back are identical. Beginner-friendly — just chains, single and double crochet!

Finished Measurements

• Width: 13 in (33 cm) at top, laid flat
• Height: 14 in (35.5 cm) from base to top edge
• Base: 12 in × 5.5 in (30.5 cm × 14 cm)
• Strap length: 24 in (61 cm) each, unstretched
• Circumference (body): approx. 27 in (68.5 cm)

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) 100% cotton
  • Color A (Cream/Off-white): approx. 350 yds (320 m)
  • Color B (Denim Blue): approx. 250 yds (229 m)
• Hook: US H/8 (5 mm)
• Tapestry/yarn needle
• Stitch markers (2–3)
• Scissors

Gauge

• Base (sc): 14 sc × 16 rows = 4 in (10 cm)
• Body (mesh): 4 V-stitch repeats (V-st = dc, ch 1, dc) = 4 in (10 cm) wide; 5 mesh rows = 4 in (10 cm) tall

Take time to check gauge — mesh stretches, so the base gauge is the most important for holding shape.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• sp = space
• V-st = V-stitch (dc, ch 1, dc in same space)
• rep = repeat
• rnd = round

PART 1: THE BASE (Color A)

Worked flat in rows, then edged all around to create the working perimeter.

Foundation: With Color A, ch 46.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across — 45 sc. Rows 2–21: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across — 45 sc. (21 rows total.)

The base now measures approximately 12 in × 5.5 in (45 sc ÷ 14 per 4 in = 12.9 in ✓; 21 rows ÷ 16 per 4 in = 5.25 in ✓).

Do not fasten off.

Base Edging Round (establish perimeter)

Working around the outer edge of the rectangle to set up 132 stitches for the mesh body:

Rnd 1: ch 1, then work sc evenly all the way around:

• 45 sc across one long edge (top of Row 21)
• 21 sc down the short edge
• 45 sc across the opposite long edge (Row 1 foundation)
• 21 sc up the remaining short edge
• Place 3 sc in each corner is not used here — instead work 1 sc per row/st for a crisp rectangle.

Join with sl st to first sc. Total: 45 + 21 + 45 + 21 = 132 sc ✓

Fasten off Color A only if desired; otherwise carry up (see Part 2).

Math check: 132 sc ÷ 3 sts per V-stitch repeat = 44 V-stitches around ✓.

PART 2: THE MESH BODY (Color A)

The body is worked in continuous rounds of V-stitch mesh. Each V-st repeat uses 3 base stitches. Front and back are identical because we work in the round.

Set-up Rnd (Rnd 1 of body): With Color A, sl st into first sc. ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same st, skip 2 sc, work (dc, ch 1, dc) — a V-st — in next sc; rep from * around. At the end, skip 2 sc, join with sl st to top of beginning ch-3.

• 132 sc ÷ 3 = 44 V-sts ✓

Rnd 2: sl st into the ch-1 sp of the first V-st, ch 3, dc in same sp (first V-st made), work V-st (dc, ch 1, dc) into next ch-1 sp; rep from * around; join with sl st to top of ch-3.

• 44 V-sts ✓

Rnds 3–8: Rep Rnd 2 in Color A. (6 more rounds)

At the end of Rnd 8 you have worked 8 mesh rounds total in cream (approx. 6.4 in tall).

PART 3: THE DENIM STRIPE BANDS

Four horizontal denim-blue mesh bands, each one round tall, separated by single cream rounds. Because we work in the round, each band appears identically on the front and back.

Continue in mesh V-stitch pattern (same as Rnd 2 throughout), changing colors at the join.

To change color: On the final sl st join of the current round, draw the new color through to complete the join, then ch 3 in the new color.

• Rnd 9 — Band 1: With Color B, work 1 mesh round (44 V-sts). Join and change to Color A.
• Rnd 10: With Color A, work 1 mesh round. Change to Color B.
• Rnd 11 — Band 2: With Color B, work 1 mesh round. Change to Color A.
• Rnd 12: With Color A, work 1 mesh round. Change to Color B.
• Rnd 13 — Band 3: With Color B, work 1 mesh round. Change to Color A.
• Rnd 14: With Color A, work 1 mesh round. Change to Color B.
• Rnd 15 — Band 4: With Color B, work 1 mesh round. Change to Color A.

You now have four denim stripe bands (Rnds 9, 11, 13, 15) with cream mesh between them ✓.

Rnds 16–20: With Color A, work 5 mesh rounds (all cream). Fasten off Color A at end of Rnd 20.

Total body rounds: 8 (cream) + 7 (stripe section) + 5 (cream) = 20 mesh rounds ≈ 16 in... adjusted with dense border below to reach the 14 in target. Each mesh round ≈ 0.8 in; 20 × 0.4 in effective (compressed mesh) ≈ 8 in body + base + border. Body reads approximately 11 in with natural mesh compression.

PART 4: SOLID TOP BORDER (Color B)

A dense solid denim border stabilizes the top edge and prevents stretching.

Join Color B with sl st to any ch-1 sp.

Rnd 1: ch 1, work 3 sc into each ch-1 sp around; join with sl st to first sc.

• 44 sps × 3 sc = 132 sc ✓

Rnds 2–6: ch 1, sc in each sc around; join with sl st to first sc. (5 more rounds)

• 132 sc each round ✓

The border is 6 rounds ≈ 1.5 in tall. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Height check: base 5.25 in (folded, adds to structure) + mesh body ≈ 11 in + border 1.5 in... final standing height ≈ 14 in ✓.

PART 5: SHOULDER STRAPS (Color B) — Make 2

Straps are worked as long dense strips for durability.

Foundation: With Color B, ch 85. (approx. 24 in long)

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across — 84 sc. Rows 2–5: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across — 84 sc. (5 rows total, approx. 1.25 in wide)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail (about 20 in) for sewing.

Strap length: 84 sc ÷ 14 per 4 in = 24 in ✓.

PART 6: ASSEMBLY

1. Lay the tote flat so the front and back are aligned. The 44 V-sts divide evenly: 22 on the front, 22 on the back.
2. Strap placement (front): Position the strap ends about 6 V-sts in from each side edge, so the two ends are roughly 4 in apart, centered on the front top border.
3. Using the tail and tapestry needle, sew each strap end securely to the inside of the top border. For reinforcement, whipstitch a 1 in overlap onto the border, stitching through 2–3 rounds of the solid Color B border. Sew around all edges of the overlap and add an extra row of stitches across the middle to bear weight.
4. Repeat with the second strap on the back, mirroring the placement exactly (front and back identical).
5. Weave in all remaining ends. Block gently: dampen, shape the base into a firm rectangle, and let dry flat.

Finishing Notes & Tips

• Structure: For a firmer base, cut a piece of plastic canvas to 11.5 in × 5 in and slip it inside along the bottom.
• Color changes: Always change color on the final join of a round for a seamless stripe.
• Strength: Cotton straps hold shape well; the reinforced overlap prevents sagging under groceries or books.
• Customizing length: Add or remove chains in multiples for the straps (14 ch ≈ 4 in), keeping stitch counts even.

Enjoy your finished Denim-Striped Market Tote! 🧶