Eco-Friendly Crafting: 10 FREE Crochet Market Bag Patterns

If you’re like me, then you’re always on the lookout for practical crochet items. You want to make things that you can use daily. It makes your crochet functional. And often also lends itself to a more eco-friendly life. We all have a responsibility to take care of the earth that we live on. So use these free crochet market bag patterns to end your use of plastic bags for good.

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Why Crochet Market Bags Matter

The average reusable bag has a lifespan equal to that of more than 700 disposable plastic bags. In other words, you stop 700 plastic bags from going to the landfill just by using one reusable market bag instead.

When I heard this fact, I started to wonder what I could do in my small part of the world that could make a difference. The first thing I could do was to round up some terrific free crochet market bag patterns. After all, these patterns are already available; they don’t cost you anything, and you can start making them today.

Work up a bunch for yourself in your favorite colors, and don’t forget to gift them as well. They each would make a great gift sack that could be used over and over by whomever you give it to.

5 Reasons Why to Use Reusable Market Bags:

1. A plastic bag can take from 15 to 1,000 years to break down, depending on the environment. You use it for such a short time then it just sits in a landfill for decades, if not centuries. Using crochet market bags and other reusable totes prevents this problem.
2. Many plastic bags end up in the ocean. Animals confuse floating bags and plastic particles for edible sea life, such as jellyfish and plankton. They eat those bags. Once ingested, the plastic blocks the digestive tract, and the animals starve to death. Save lives simply by using these free crochet market bag patterns to reduce your use of plastic bags.
3. The United States uses about 100 billion plastic bags per year. The average person uses between 350 and 500 plastic bags. You can make a difference in the environment around you starting today.
4. Plastic bags are rarely recycled because of the costs associated with recycling them. It takes around $5,000 to recycle just one ton of these bags, while that amount only sells for around $30. While it’s technically possible to recycle them, it’s just not realistic at this time.
5. The petroleum used to produce 14 plastic bags can drive a car one mile. Instead, use eco-friendly cotton yarn to crochet market bags that are kinder to the earth in every way.

Learn more reasons to use reusable bags here.

Where to Use Your Reusable Crochet Market Bags

The great thing about these crochet market bags is that they are big, roomy, durable totes. You can use them almost any time that you need to carry something. For example, use them at:

1. Farmers market
2. Beach
3. Pool
4. Grocery store
5. Mall
6. Daily shopping
7. Library
8. As a day bag

10 FREE Crochet Market Bag Patterns

There are so many terrific free crochet market bag patterns. Truly, take a look at what’s out there, and you’ll be amazed at the variety. But of those that I know about, here are ten of the best free crochet market bag patterns from designers I trust and appreciate.

1. Farmers Market Hexagon Bag Free Crochet Pattern

Jessie At Home designed this free crochet market bag pattern because she loves to go to the farmer’s markets. With detailed photographs accompanying the instructions, this is an easy bag for all crocheters to try making.

2. Perfect Day Market Tote

Moogly was also inspired to create her design because of her trips to the farmer’s market. This is designed to be an extra-large market bag. However, Moogly shows you how to easily make it smaller, down to any size you want.

3. Easy Split Crochet Tote Free Pattern with Video Tutorial

This free crochet pattern comes from Bendy Carter. However, I filmed a video tutorial to help you work through the pattern.

4. Blooming Crochet Market Bag Free Pattern

BHooked chose a beautiful motif-based design to make the bottom of this market bag nice and sturdy.

5. Crochet in Public Bag Pattern

Whistle & Ivy originally designed this crochet bag in honor of the annual Knit and Crochet in Public Day. But it also makes a great reusable market bag any time of year.

6. Market Tote Bag

This cotton market tote bag by Yarn & Chai works up quickly using large size K and N crochet hooks. It has a beautiful stitch pattern.

7. Fancy Market Bag

Speaking of great stitch patterns, this is one of the most fun, free crochet market bag patterns on the list. Cre8tion Crochet designed it specifically so it wasn’t a boring, bland bag but one that gets compliments everywhere she uses it. And that’s a great way to start conversations about why reusable bags are so important for the planet.

8. Color Pop Tote Free Crochet Pattern

Fiber Flux offers a complete video tutorial to accompany this free crochet market bag pattern. The pops of color and use of color blocking make this a fun design.

9. Crochet Market Bag

A sturdy bottom and wide strap make this a durable, functional crochet market bag. And yet, the body has a great openwork design, which allows you to see what you’re carrying. This is by BHooked Crochet.

10. Triangle Stitch Crochet Market Bag

This uses such a beautiful stitch pattern that creates openwork triangles through smart spacing.

5 Must-Watch Eco-Friendly Craft Podcasts

These five YarnThing episodes all touch on different aspects of eco-friendly knitting and crochet. If you’re interested in learning more about this important topic, start here:

1. Brittany Needles

Learn about how these beautiful knitting needles are made by an environmentally-minded company that tries to minimize their impact at every stage of production. 

2. Buffalo Wool & Stunning String Studio

Buffalo Wool Company worked hard to develop a supply chain incorporating small mills, local designers, and large ranches. They make beautiful bison yarn.

3. Urth Yarn and Giving Back

Knitting and crochet naturally give back to the earth. That’s what these free crochet market bag patterns are all about. Additionally, you can purchase yarn to plant trees. Not sure what trees and yarn have to do with each other? Come learn about Urth yarns and how they are making a difference with each yarn purchase.

4. Green Mountain Spinnery

The Spinnery was founded as an environmentally friendly mill that supports sustainable, regional sheep farming and produces high-quality yarns, all of which they still do today.  

5. Imperial Stock Ranch

Learn the history of this wool and yarn maker, including their sustainability practices.

You Might Also Like:

• Knit and Crochet Market Bags Pattern Roundup
• Vacation Knit Project Bag – Market Bag Pattern
• Video Tutorial with Marly Bird: Reusable Easy Breezy Knit Market Bag

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I make a crochet market bag instead of using plastic ones?

So here’s the thing… plastic bags can take a ridiculously long time to break down, like up to 1,000 years! Plus, they end up hurting animals in the ocean. Making your own crochet market bag is a super practical and eco-friendly way to help out.

Can I really use these bags for more than just the farmers market?

Honestly, yes! These bags are big, roomy, and sturdy, so you can totally use them at the beach, pool, grocery store, or even just as your everyday carry-all. They’re super versatile!

Are these patterns really free?

Yes! All 10 of the market bag patterns listed on the page are completely free. It’s a wonderful way to make something useful and help the environment without spending any money on the pattern itself.

I’m a beginner crocheter, are these patterns too hard?

Most of these patterns are designed to be pretty approachable, with some even having video tutorials to help you along. While some might be labeled “advanced beginner,” there are plenty of options that are great for those just starting out!

Can I make these bags in different sizes?

You bet! For example, the “Perfect Day Market Tote” pattern from Moogly is designed to be extra-large, but the designer shows you exactly how to easily adjust the size to whatever you need. So you can totally customize them!