purlJam

# Sunday Market Tote Bag
*A beginner-friendly mesh market tote worked in the round from the bottom up*

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## Skill Level
**Beginner** — uses only chains, double crochet (dc) and slip stitch.

## Finished Measurements
- **Width (flat):** approx. 32 cm (12½ in)
- **Height (body, excluding handles):** approx. 35 cm (13¾ in)
- **Handle drop:** approx. 14 cm (5½ in)

*The mesh body stretches comfortably to hold groceries and produce.*

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## Materials
- **Yarn:** Worsted/aran-weight 100% cotton, approx. 220–250 m (240–275 yds) total. 1–2 balls depending on ball size. A firm cotton holds shape best.
- **Hook:** 5.0 mm (UK 6 / US H-8) crochet hook
- **Notions:** Stitch marker, tapestry/yarn needle, scissors

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## Tension (Gauge)
14 dc x 16 rounds = 10 cm (4 in) square in dc fabric using 5.0 mm hook.
*Tension is not critical for a tote, but a firmer fabric carries weight better. Go down a hook size if your stitches look loose.*

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## Abbreviations (UK terms)
- **ch** — chain
- **dc** — double crochet *(= US single crochet)*
- **ss** — slip stitch
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **sp** — space
- **dc2tog** — double crochet 2 stitches together
- **rep** — repeat
- **RS** — right side

> **Note for US crocheters:** This pattern uses **UK terminology**. UK dc = US sc.

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## Construction Overview
The tote is worked **seamlessly in joined rounds from the bottom up**:
1. A flat solid **circular base** worked in dc.
2. A stretchy **mesh body** of chain arches.
3. A solid **dc border** to stabilise the top.
4. Two **reinforced handles** worked directly into the border.

Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go.

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## PART 1 — The Base (worked flat in the round)

**Round 1:** Make a magic ring. Work 6 dc into the ring. Join with ss to first dc. **(6 dc)**
*Check: 6 sts.*

**Round 2:** Ch 1, 2 dc in each st around. Join with ss. **(12 dc)**
*Check: 6 + 6 = 12.*

**Round 3:** Ch 1, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st; rep from * around. Join. **(18 dc)**
*Check: 12 + 6 = 18.*

**Round 4:** Ch 1, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts; rep from * around. Join. **(24 dc)**
*Check: 18 + 6 = 24.*

**Round 5:** Ch 1, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts; rep from * around. Join. **(30 dc)**
*Check: 24 + 6 = 30.*

**Round 6:** Ch 1, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 4 sts; rep from * around. Join. **(36 dc)**

**Round 7:** Ch 1, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 5 sts; rep from * around. Join. **(42 dc)**

**Round 8:** Ch 1, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 6 sts; rep from * around. Join. **(48 dc)**

**Round 9:** Ch 1, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 7 sts; rep from * around. Join. **(54 dc)**

**Round 10:** Ch 1, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 8 sts; rep from * around. Join. **(60 dc)**

**Round 11:** Ch 1, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 9 sts; rep from * around. Join. **(66 dc)**

**Round 12:** Ch 1, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 10 sts; rep from * around. Join. **(72 dc)**
*Check: each round adds 6 sts → 6,12,18,24,30,36,42,48,54,60,66,72. Base complete. ✓*

The base should lie flat and measure approx. 21 cm (8¼ in) across. If it cups, your tension is tight — go up a hook size; if it ruffles, go down.

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## PART 2 — Establishing the Sides

**Round 13:** Ch 1, working in **back loops only**, 1 dc in each st around. Join. **(72 dc)**
*Working in back loops creates a crisp fold so the base turns up neatly.*

**Round 14:** Ch 1, 1 dc in each st around (both loops). Join. **(72 dc)**

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## PART 3 — The Mesh Body

The mesh is a multiple of 6 stitches. **72 ÷ 6 = 12 arches per round.** ✓

**Round 15 (set-up):** Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc + ch 2), skip 2 sts, *1 dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts; rep from * to end. Join with ss to 3rd ch of beginning ch-5. **(12 dc, 12 ch-2 sps)**
*Check: 12 dc + (12 × 2 skipped sts = 24)… each repeat covers 3 base sts (1 dc + 2 skipped). 12 × 3 = 36? No — recount: each arch spans 3 sts, so 12 arches × 3 = 36 — this would only use half. Correction below.*

> **Editor's correction for accuracy:** With 72 sts and a 3-st repeat, you get **72 ÷ 3 = 24 arches**, not 12. Use the corrected count:

**Round 15 (set-up, corrected):** Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc + ch 2), skip 2 sts, *1 dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts; rep from * around. Join to 3rd ch of beginning ch-5. **(24 dc, 24 ch-2 sps)**
*Check: 24 repeats × 3 sts = 72. ✓*

**Round 16:** Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc + ch 2), *1 dc in next dc, ch 2; rep from * around, placing last dc in the top of the beginning ch-5 of previous round. Join to 3rd ch of beginning ch-5. **(24 dc, 24 ch-2 sps)**

**Rounds 17–34:** Rep Round 16 (work each dc into the dc below, ch 2 over each space). **(24 dc, 24 ch-2 sps each round)**

After Round 34 the mesh body measures approx. 30 cm (11¾ in) tall. Work more or fewer mesh rounds for a taller/shorter bag (each round ≈ 1.5 cm).

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## PART 4 — Top Border

**Round 35:** Ch 1, *2 dc in next ch-2 sp, 1 dc in next dc; rep from * around. Join. **(24 × 3 = 72 dc)**
*Check: 24 spaces × 2 dc = 48, plus 24 dc = 72. ✓*

**Rounds 36–38:** Ch 1, 1 dc in each st around. Join. **(72 dc each round)**

The firm 4-round border keeps the top from stretching out of shape.

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## PART 5 — Handles (reinforced)

Handles are placed so two equal openings sit opposite each other.

**Round 39 (handle round):**
1. Ch 1, 1 dc in each of next 18 sts.
2. **Ch 30** (handle loop), skip next 18 sts.
3. 1 dc in each of next 18 sts.
4. **Ch 30** (second handle loop), skip last 18 sts.
5. Join with ss to first dc.
*Check: 18 + 18 skipped + 18 + 18 skipped = 72. ✓ Two 30-ch handles formed.*

**Round 40 (reinforce):** Ch 1, *1 dc in each of next 18 sts, then work 36 dc evenly along the ch-30 loop (1 dc in each chain plus a few extra to cover the curve)*; rep from * once more. Join. 
*Check: each handle = 36 dc over the 30 chains, giving a firm strap.*

**Round 41 (double reinforce):** Ch 1, 1 dc in each st around (including each handle dc). Join. This second pass thickens the handles so they bear weight without sagging.

Fasten off, leaving a 15 cm tail.

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## Finishing
1. Weave in all ends securely using the tapestry needle, especially at the handle joins where stress is greatest.
2. **Block** the bag: dampen, shape the base flat and the mesh evenly, and leave to dry. Cotton blocks beautifully and the mesh will open up.
3. Optional: thread a length of cotton through the handle stitches once more for extra strength on heavy loads.

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## Beginner Tips
- **Don't pull the mesh ch-2s too tight** — loose chains give the stretch this tote is famous for.
- **Count your arches** after Round 15: you must have **24** all the way up.
- **Test the handles** by gently pulling before your first shopping trip; add an extra reinforcing round if they feel soft.

Enjoy your handmade Sunday Market Tote! 🧺