Mesh Knit Market Bag

Reusable grocery bags are all the rage these days, so why not make your own? The Mesh Knit Market Bag is a great accessory for shopping in style. The lacy mesh sides make this bag a great choice for carrying produce. This knit bag pattern is an easy project, perfect for someone venturing into larger projects for the first time. You'll find plenty of ways to use this handy bag. Plus, the free knitting pattern only requires one ball of yarn which makes this bag both an affordable and quick project. Whether you head to the grocery store or your local farmer's market, be prepared for compliments once you step out with this chic knitted bag slung over your shoulder.
Knitting Needle Size5 or 3.75 mm, 8 or 5 mm
Yarn Weight(2) Fine (23-26 stitches to 4 inches)
Gauge5 pattern repeats = 4” (10cm); 20 rows = 2 1/2” (6cm). CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.
Finished SizeBag measures 16” (41cm) wide x 14” (36cm) long, excluding handle.
Materials List
- RED HEART® Luster Sheen®: 1 ball 620 Lime
- Susan Bates® Circular Knitting Needle: 5mm [US 8] 29” (74cm)
- Yarn needle
Looking for more free knitting patterns from Red Heart? Check out these 8 Red Heart Knitted Dishcloth Patterns
Instructions
Bag
Straps (make 2)
Cast on 60 sts. Knit 4 rows. Bind off.
Top Band
Round 1: Pick up and knit 6 sts along narrow side edge of one strap, cast on 24 sts, pick up and knit 6 sts along opposite narrow side edge of strap, cast on 24 sts, pick up and knit 6 sts along narrow side edge of 2nd strap, cast on 24 sts, pick up and knit 6 sts along opposite narrow side edge of same strap, cast on 24 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist the sts—120 sts.
Round 2: Purl.
Round 3: Knit.
Rounds 4 - 7: Repeat Rounds 2 - 3 two more times.
Body Round 1: *K3, yo, sl2-k1-psso, yo; repeat from * around.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: *Yo, sl2-k1-psso, yo, k3; repeat from * around.
Round 4: Knit.
Rounds 5-76: Repeat Rounds 1-4 eighteen more times.
Round 77: *Sl2-k1-psso, yo, sl2-k1-psso, yo; repeat from * around—80 sts.
Round 78: Knit.
Round 79: *Yo, sl2-k1-psso, yo, k1; repeat from * around.
Round 80: Knit.
Round 81: *Yo, k1, yo, sl2-k1-psso; repeat from * around.
Rounds 82 - 97: Repeat Rounds 78 - 81 four more times.
Round 98: K2tog around—40 sts.
Rounds 99-102: Knit.
Round 100: K2tog around—20 sts.
Round 101: Knit.
Round 102: K2tog around—10 sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Weave through remaining sts, pull tight and secure. Weave in ends.
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bassagain 8558874
Feb 15, 2021
I have two questions The pattern indicates size US5 AND size US8. Which one do I use? Second When I knit the straps, I will have two straps, 60 stitches long and 4 stitches wide. The pattern reads "pick up and knit 6 stitches along narrow side edge of one strap". What is the narrow side edge of the strap I made, the long side or the end of the strap. The word "narrow" is the confusing part.

Martha
May 05, 2018
I have issues with the pattern. First, the first pattern repeat after the band says to repeat the pattern 3 times and your numbering leaves out the 3rd repetition. The next I found was starting at row 77. It says to repeat the pattern 4 times but round 77 is left out of the pattern. Is that correct? Please reply. I assume I know how the pattern really works but I want to make sure. Thank you

Kristina K
May 07, 2018
Hi Martha, the pattern reads after the band on rounds 4-7 "Repeat Rounds 2 - 3 two more times." Rounds 4 and 5 constitute the first repeat of rounds 2 and 3, and rounds 6 and 7 constitute the second repeat. That leaves you with a total of three repetitions of rounds 2 and 3: 2 and 3, 4 and 5, and 6 and 7. If this doesn't help, we recommend contacting Kristin Omdahl, the designer, or Red Heart, the company for whom she designed. We hope this helps! -Editors of AllFreeKnitting

mulberrygalprinces s
Apr 13, 2018
I don't know what it is,but I just can't seem to get this. I have tried three times and it's just way too big. I could bring home a vow in the size it was turning into. Maybe different needles or yarn. My gauge is right on the mark so it isn't me.
Lynn K
Jan 27, 2017
What a gorgeous market tote! Although I have crocheted many many bags I am about to embark on my very first knitted bag project and this market bag will definitely be the very next project after that. The pattern is so pretty and I love that it is a BIG tote. I will also let everyone know whether the error in the pattern has been corrected so watch this space.

litlyawn 8657099
Feb 14, 2017
I am going to buy the yarn and start this. If the error still there or is it fixed? Also is it hard to start the shoulder straps first and cast on for the bag or should I do the bag and the straps after that? let me know at litlyawn@gmail.com Thanks.

Lisa
Apr 12, 2018
The pattern only works if you do it exactly as written, making the straps later is not an option. This is a fine acrylic yarn, making the straps after means you would have to sew them to the top which will cause the loss of the stability of the bag. Casting on after picking up stitches is actually relatively easy and I'm sure you'll be pleased with it after it is done.

Lisa
Feb 14, 2018
The error has been corrected, making it wasn't necessary, just reading the pattern indicates that the error has been corrected.

rsdb
Mar 31, 2016
What a great bag this is! I would love to try this out but see from the comments that the pattern has an error. It also seems as the pattern has been updated - it would be so helpful if someone can tell me if they have tried the updated pattern. Thanks!
Gay
Sep 28, 2016
I also heard that the yarn has been discontinued. What do I use now.

3cats2love
Jan 13, 2017
You are right, Red Heart Luster Sheen is no longer produced. That said, you can often find skeins of discontinued yarn for sale online, at rummage sales, or at thrift shops. Luster Sheen is a fine yarn (weight 2) so you could substitute any other brand of fine cotton-blend yarn for it.

brownjanina3 91774 75
Feb 21, 2016
This is NOT an Easy level bag. I'm getting ready to start it for the 5th time. The first time, it was unclear whether to psso over both slipped stitches, or one slipped stitch. Passing over one slipped stitch makes the bag VERY large. Keeping the bag untwisted is a challenge. I'm wondering if incorporating the straps at the beginning is a good idea.
devondogs
Jul 02, 2019
My question as well. Do you pass over both slipped stitches, or just one of them?

sooziebrendler 200 3784
May 02, 2015
your pattern has an error... Round 99 Knit. Round 100 K2tog around20 sts. Round 101 Knit. Round 102 K2tog around10 sts. should read... Rounds 99-102 Knit. Round 100 K2tog around20 sts. Round 101 Knit. Round 102 K2tog around10 sts. etc... This is an easy pattern. But, you need more clairification if a beginner is to use. They wont know many of your abbreviations - sl 2 psso or what a cable cast on is.

Gravesfamilyjunk 9 343847
Apr 26, 2015
I used the 29" circular neddle to start, and it was waaaaay too large. I switched the stitches to a 16" needle and it is perfect. I am hopeful the bag will come out the correct size, my stitch gauge is just right. PS - i see the note from raustin that says I will need 2 skeins?? I only purchased one. Is that correct?

BarbaraLowell 5856 328
Apr 17, 2015
Confused. Luster S. is 2, not 4. You say worsted or aran medium weight but do you mean to use a double strand of Luster S. Does anyone monitor these questions to get help from the originator?

Kristina K
Apr 17, 2015
Hey there Barbara! The yarn weight was simply entered incorrectly and has since been corrected. Do not use two strands of yarn together for this project. I hope that helps! Happy knitting!
raustin14 0615342
Feb 04, 2015
I have made this pattern. it comes out the right size. I knit right to gauge but there is a mistake with the pattern. It takes 2 balls of luster sheen not one.

Jen1980
Jan 07, 2015
Can someone please assist me with a dummy version of this pattern...I don't quite understand how to add stitches to the straps on either side when you have not yet cast on...So essentially I am lost at Round 1 (

Lisa
Apr 16, 2015
Cable cast on, after you pick up the 6 stitches from the handle use the last stitch as your working stitch and knit like normal without dropping it off the needle, just add the loop just created to the picked up stitches, just keep doing this until you have the correct amount of stitches. Hope this helps, happy knitting.

mdbroeker 2085806
Jul 27, 2013
Please explain the rounds 98-102 and then 100 thru 102 again.

Lisa
Apr 30, 2014
row 98-knit2tog around-40 stitches. Rows 99-knit. row 100-k2tog around-20 stitches, row 101-knit, row 102 k2tog around-10 stitches. There appears to be a typo in the pattern where it says to 99-102 knit-they can't be knit because there has to be decrease rows in there. The way I've written it here should work, it worked for me.

GrandMAW11
Jul 16, 2013
See round one Kim. The straps are knit in with the top band. Happy knitting!

kim 2379350
Jul 16, 2013
I would like to try this but how do I attach the straps?

Lisa
Apr 30, 2014
The straps are already attached, you pick up stitches on the first row that included the straps and continued knitting from there.

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