The Terra Cotta Tote: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Modern Market Bag

Carry Your Farmers' Market Finds in Style with the Terra Cotta Tote

Elevate your everyday errands with the Terra Cotta Tote, a modern, textured crochet bag that combines stunning geometric stitchwork with a rich, earthy color palette. This free pattern is designed for confident beginners and intermediate crocheters alike, offering a satisfying project that results in a roomy, durable market bag perfect for fresh produce, books, or beach essentials. The unique crossed double crochet pattern creates an airy, openwork texture that is both beautiful and functional, while the sturdy cotton yarn ensures your tote holds up to heavy use.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies:

• Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (100% mercerized cotton; 100g/186 yds) in 3 colors:
  • Color A (Terra Cotta) – 2 skeins
  • Color B (Linen) – 1 skein
  • Color C (Olive) – 1 skein
• Hook: Size H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
• Other: Yarn needle for weaving ends and sewing handles, scissors, stitch markers (optional)

Gauge: 14 dc x 8 rows = 4 inches in pattern stitch. Always check your gauge to ensure the correct size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Notes for Success

• The bag is worked in the round from the bottom up.
• The pattern stitch is a 2-row repeat of crossed double crochets and single crochets.
• Ch 2 at the beginning of rounds counts as a dc.
• All rounds are joined with a slip stitch unless otherwise noted.

Bottom (Worked in Continuous Rounds)

With Color A, make a magic ring.

• Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as dc), 11 dc into ring. Join with sl st to top of ch-2. (12 dc)
• Round 2: Ch 2, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around. Join. (24 dc)
• Round 3: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; rep from * around. Join. (36 dc)
• Round 4: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; rep from * around. Join. (48 dc)
• Round 5: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. Join. (60 dc)
• Round 6: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next 4 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts; rep from * around. Join. (72 dc)
• Round 7: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next 5 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts; rep from * around. Join. (84 dc)

Fasten off Color A.

Body (Worked in Joined Rounds)

Color B Section (Rounds 8-13):

• Round 8: With Color B, join with sl st in any dc. Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 sts, *ch 3, skip 3 sts, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. Join with sl st to first sc. (14 ch-3 spaces)
• Round 9: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 sts, *3 dc in next ch-3 space, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. Join. (14 groups of 3 dc)
• Round 10: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, *ch 3, skip 3 dc, dc in next 3 sc; rep from * around. Join. (14 ch-3 spaces)
• Round 11: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, *3 dc in next ch-3 space, dc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. Join. (14 groups of 3 dc)
• Rounds 12-13: Repeat Rounds 10-11.

Fasten off Color B.

Color C Section (Rounds 14-19):

• Round 14: With Color C, join with sl st in any dc. Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 sts, *ch 3, skip 3 sts, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. Join.
• Round 15: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 sts, *3 dc in next ch-3 space, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. Join.
• Round 16: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, *ch 3, skip 3 dc, dc in next 3 sc; rep from * around. Join.
• Round 17: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, *3 dc in next ch-3 space, dc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. Join.
• Rounds 18-19: Repeat Rounds 16-17.

Fasten off Color C.

Color A Section (Rounds 20-25):

• Round 20: With Color A, join with sl st in any dc. Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 sts, *ch 3, skip 3 sts, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. Join.
• Round 21: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 sts, *3 dc in next ch-3 space, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. Join.
• Round 22: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, *ch 3, skip 3 dc, dc in next 3 sc; rep from * around. Join.
• Round 23: Ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, *3 dc in next ch-3 space, dc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. Join.
• Rounds 24-25: Repeat Rounds 22-23.

Fasten off Color A.

Top Border

• Round 26: With Color B, join with sl st in any dc. Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each st and in each ch-3 space around. Join. (84 sc)
• Round 27: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each st around. Join. Fasten off.

Handles (Make 2)

With Color A, ch 80.

• Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (79 sc)
• Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly

Fold the top edge of the bag down about 1 inch to create a casing. Sew the handles to the inside of the bag, placing them opposite each other. Weave in all ends securely.

Your Terra Cotta Tote is now ready to carry your treasures in style! Enjoy the compliments and the satisfaction of a handmade, modern accessory.