Yet Another, Beginner Crochet Market Bag
Jun 30th, 2008 by turtlegirl76
Yesterday’s post spurred me to go ahead and finish the prototype version of the bag.
Made in good ‘ole Lily Sugar ‘n Cream. I used a little less than 2 balls of it for this version. What’s different between this and the one in the pattern? Well in this version, I had used a cast on over a chain rather than a loop, so it’s got a hole in the middle. I started with 12 double crochets into that hole.
You can see how the bottom is a bit more “open” using the double crochet. This is why Sandy suggested I switch it up to half-double crochet since it would make the bottom more sturdy and less holey. And also why I changed the cast on, because I don’t dig on the hole in the middle.
I really dig the bottom ridge on this bag. I can’t say enough just how cool a concept it is and how nice and edge it results in. The mesh pattern remained the same but I did 16 repeats of the mesh rather than whatever it was the pattern said to do. I think 18? I can’t even follow my own pattern without changing it. 
On this version, I had enough yarn to do the optional single crochet edging around the strap and the top of the bag. This reinforces the join of the strap to the bag and gives it a more finished look.
The Strap
The top row of the bag
There will definitely be more of these in my future. I can also see how you could put one of these together from leftovers. Just use a russian join to join your yarn and you won’t have to worry about trying to weave in your ends midway through the mesh pattern. You could do the base and the strap in one color and the mesh in a completely different color. That would be neat looking. Hmm….maybe that will have to be my next one.
The beer is Yuengling
Pattern:Beginner Crochet Market Bag Download the PDF
Yarn:Lily Sugar’n Cream Ombres & Prints inn “Playtime” - 4.15 ounces
Hook:6.0mm (J)
Started:Sometime in late May
Finished:June 29th 2008
Mods:The bottom was done with a different cast-on and in double crochet instead of half-double crochet. 16 repeats of the mesh pattern, 20 inch long strap, added single crochet edging around strap and top of bag.
Okay…3 dollars worth of yarn much more in line with my “shopping bag” budget…pp
You may want to make the solid bottom go up the sides even further on the next one. Small things always fall towards the bottom but sometimes don’t make it and can fall out rather easily. The bag I made has only about two inches at the bottom and I find I wish I’d make it about six inches or more.
The trick with the loop cast on? Make the tail end the loop so that you can tighten it later. Less hole.
Looks great, though!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm - beer!!!!
Seriously, I don’t think you have a JOB - you just knit and crochet all day!!!
You are just a yarny wizard. Hey, I had a dream about you…yes, you! You came to visit me, and brought me homemade chocolate chip cookies….felted homemade chocolate chip cookies. I kid you knot — hee hee — see how I threw in some slapstick fiber humor there? I thought they were lovely looking cookies! I dream crazy dreams. If you ever come to visit, remind me to tell you about the dream I had about the Amish man that walked out of a casket with a turkey. Yep, that’s a good one!
Nice one too!! Hmm…good thing I have tons of this yarn!
Sigh, you’re going to get me crocheting yet.
Very cute! Now, I just need to learn to crochet!
[...] suggestion was made by LizzieK8 in the comments for the second market bag. I think it was an excellent modification. At the suggestion of my sister, Candi, I tried 2 handles [...]