Market Bag Tutorial!

One of the reasons I wanted to have a blog was to share how I make some of my simpler designs. This way people who knit, who like what they see, can make one of their own. I like to work with designs that can look great in many color combinations and can be altered slightly to make a huge difference. You can take something simple and turn it into something complex with a few easy changes.

This tutorial will feature a pattern for the market bags that I sell on my Etsy. It's super simple and a great way to boost your lace skill. If you've never worked with a lace stitch before, this is a great introduction to get you started. This bag is also really fun to play around with and get your hands dirty with some designing of your own. There's no right or wrong way to make these bags.

Difficulty: Beginner

Gauge: 6 sts = 2ins X 10 rows = 2 ins

What you will need:
1. Size 10 1/2 Circular Needles (cns)
2. Primary Color Yarn
3. Secondary Color Yarn (Optional)
4. Size 2 Double Pointed Needles (dpns) or i-cord maker

Notes:
This bag is worked in the round after picking up stitches from a base that is worked flat. Once you complete the base and work a few inches, you can store your yarn in the bag as you work on it. This makes it easier for you to work on the go!

Things to know:
K - Knit, P - Purl, CO - Cast on, BO - Bind off, sts - stitches, meas - measures, ins - inches, pm - place marker, rnd -round, St st - Stockinette stitch, YO - Yarn over, k2tog - Knit 2 together

Base:
CO 21 sts with primary color, do not join sts
K1, P1on right and wrong sides (seed moss st)
Work even until the base is about ten ins long.
BO, do not tie off
Begin to pick up sts along the edges of the base joining sts, pm (Make sure that the sts are a multiple of 6.)
Work even in Stockinette Stitch for 2 inches

Bag:
Switch to secondary color, if desired
YO, k2tog all across
K
Rep these two rows until bag meas 10 ins from bottom.

Top:
Switch back to primary color
Work K1, P1 rib st for two rows.
[K1, P1]2x, YO, P2tog all across
Work K1, P1 rib st for two rows
BO

Drawstring:
With dpns, CO 4 sts
K in rnd until cord is long enough to weave in and out of holes at the top of the bag with four ins extra on both ends.
BO, tie the ends in a knot
Weave in all loose ends

Your bag should look something like this:

You can easily change how the bag looks by adding a cable panel.

You can also try using different colors. You can add a little variety by inverting the colors. 

It's also fun to dress these bags up with appliques or removable brooches. 

These bags are quick, easy to make and fun to play around with. I use these bags for grocery shopping all the time. The base is strong and can hold ice cream or cans. It's excellent drape allows for unusual shapes to fit more than a regular grocery bag. You can also use these bags for other projects or taking things to the beach. 

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!