Farmhouse Stripe Market Tote: Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
The Farmhouse Stripe Market Tote is a sturdy, no-fuss crochet bag designed for anyone who wants a practical project that still looks beautiful. It's perfect for beginners who have mastered single crochet and are ready to work in the round, and it's just as satisfying for experienced makers who want a relaxing, meditative make. Worked in undyed and oatmeal cotton, it has a clean cottagecore look with two wide oatmeal stripes near the base that add interest without any complicated colorwork. The dense single crochet fabric feels firm and durable in the hand, holds its shape when filled with produce or library books, and softens beautifully with every wash.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn. Color A (undyed cream): 200 yds. Color B (oatmeal): 80 yds.
- Hook: 5 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker, scissors, measuring tape
- Finished size: Approx. 12 inches wide x 13 inches tall (excluding handles); handles 10 inches long
Abbreviations
- ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
- sc — single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- sl st — slip stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- rnd(s) — round(s)
- R — row
Gauge
16 sts and 16 rnds = 4 inches in single crochet. To check, work a small swatch in sc and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if needed to match.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your single crochet tension even and slightly firm — a dense fabric is what gives this tote its structure and stops it from sagging when loaded.
- When working the body, count your stitches at the end of each round; the 120-stitch count should stay constant all the way up.
- Change colors on the last yarn-over of the final stitch of the round so the new shade begins cleanly at the join.
- Cotton has little stretch, so don't pull your base rectangle out of shape while working around it — let it lie flat as you go.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Base (Color A)
R1: Ch 41, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (40 sts).
R2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (40 sts).
Rows 3-20: Repeat R2 (40 sts). Do not fasten off.
Body (Color A, then B, then A)
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around entire base — approx 40 sts on each long side and 20 sts on each short side (approx 120 sts). Join with sl st to first sc.
Rnds 2-6: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (120 sts).
Change to Color B.
Rnds 7-12: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (120 sts).
Change to Color A.
Rnds 13-30: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (120 sts). Fasten off.
Top Edging (Color A)
Rnd 31: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (120 sts). Fasten off.
Handles (make 2, Color A)
R1: Ch 41, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (40 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Assembly and Finishing
Fold each handle in half lengthwise to form a doubled strap. Sew one handle to the front top edge, positioning the ends approx 4 inches apart and 2 inches in from each side edge. Sew the second handle to the back top edge in the same manner, checking that both straps line up with each other. Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side. Block lightly by misting with water and shaping the tote flat to dry, keeping the base rectangular and the sides straight.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Add a third oatmeal stripe higher up the body for a bolder farmhouse look — just swap colors for 6 rounds wherever you like.
- Work the handles in a contrasting shade or add a row of slip stitch along the top edge for a neat, reinforced finish.
- For a sturdier base, crochet a second rectangle in A and slip stitch it to the underside of the bag before assembly.
