Lola Market BagMarket Bag

Lola Market Bag by DeniMade

What Is Being Made

The Lola Market Bag is a lightweight, expandable tote bag designed for everyday use. Perfect for carrying farmers' market purchases, yarn shop hauls, or beach essentials, this crocheted bag combines practicality with style. The bag measures 14 inches in length and 13 inches in width at its widest point, with 12-inch drop straps for comfortable carrying. The expandable design allows the bag to accommodate varying amounts of items, making it versatile for different occasions and needs.

Materials and Yarn

This project uses Bernat Maker yarn in a chunky weight (5 weight classification), requiring approximately 375 yards total. The yarn is a durable, soft cotton and nylon blend that offers practical advantages for a market bag. The cotton/nylon composition makes the bag washable—spills can be easily cleaned by washing in cool water and laying flat to air dry. The yarn has significant stretch, which contributes to the bag's expandable nature and comfortable fit when filled with items.

Tools and Equipment

You will need two crochet hooks for this project: a 6.5 mm hook and a 9 mm hook. Additional supplies include a darning or yarn needle for weaving in ends and scissors for cutting yarn.

Crochet Techniques and Stitches

The Lola Market Bag is classified as a beginner-level crochet project, making it accessible for those new to the craft. The pattern incorporates several fundamental and intermediate crochet techniques:

• Chain (CH) – Used to create the foundation and structural elements of the bag
• Magic Circle (MC) – A technique for starting projects in the round
• Single Crochet (SC) – A basic stitch that creates a tight, dense fabric
• Double Crochet (DC) – A taller stitch that adds height and drape to the design
• Back Loop Single Crochet (BLSC) – A variation that works into only the back loop of stitches, creating textural interest
• Crossed Double Crochet (XDC) – A decorative stitch variation that adds visual complexity
• Puff Stitch (PS) – A textured stitch that creates dimension and visual appeal
• Slip Stitch (SL ST) – Used to join rounds and create seamless transitions

The pattern uses standard crochet abbreviations throughout. An important note for working the pattern: chain 1 does not count as a stitch, which affects how you approach stitch counts and pattern repeats. The use of two different hook sizes allows the crocheter to create varied fabric densities and textures within the same project, contributing to the bag's structure and visual interest.

Design and Construction

As a design by DeniMade, the Lola Market Bag reflects thoughtful construction suitable for everyday use. The combination of various crochet stitches—from basic single crochet to decorative puff stitches and crossed double crochets—creates a visually interesting finished piece while remaining manageable for beginner crocheters. The expandable quality of the Bernat Maker yarn, combined with the stitch selection, allows the bag to grow and adapt as it's filled, making it practical for variable contents.

This downloadable PDF pattern provides a complete guide for creating a functional, stylish market bag that combines beginner-friendly techniques with professional results.