Market Tote in Caron Simply Soft, Simply Soft Brites and One Pound - Downloadable PDF

Market Tote in Caron Simply Soft, Simply Soft Brites and One Pound – Crochet Pattern by Noreen Crone-Findlay

This free downloadable PDF crochet pattern by designer Noreen Crone-Findlay guides crafters through creating a charming and functional market tote bag adorned with flowers and decorative beading. Rated as an intermediate crochet project, it is a wonderful choice for crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to explore shaping, multi-yarn construction, and embellishment techniques. The finished bag measures 11 inches (28 cm) wide at the base, 3½ inches (9 cm) deep at the base, and 10½ inches (26.5 cm) high, making it a practical everyday accessory for shopping, errands, or the farmers' market.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a structured crocheted market tote bag with a flat rectangular base, two matching side panels, and decorative floral and beaded embellishments. The bag features pale blue plastic purse handles and wooden beads as finishing details, giving it a polished, boutique-style appearance. The combination of earthy and jewel-toned yarn colors alongside bronze rocaille beads creates a visually striking accessory that is as stylish as it is useful.

Yarns and Materials Used

The pattern calls for three specific Caron yarn colorways across two yarn lines:

• Caron One Pound (454 g / 16 oz; 742 m / 812 yds) in Espresso (0581) – used as Contrast A for the base and sides of the bag
• Caron Simply Soft (170 g / 6 oz; 288 m / 315 yds) in Bone (9703) – used as Contrast B
• Caron Simply Soft (170 g / 6 oz; 288 m / 315 yds) in Berry Blue (9609) – used as Contrast C, held double for certain sections

Both Caron One Pound and Caron Simply Soft are worsted to aran weight yarns, known for their soft drape and durability, making them well-suited to a bag that needs to hold its shape under everyday use.

Hook and Notions

• US I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge
• 30 g bronze rocaille 'e' beads for decorative embellishment
• 2 wooden beads, approximately ½ inch (1 cm) in diameter
• Pair of pale blue plastic purse handles
• Beading needle (slender enough to pass through the 'e' beads)
• Yarn needle (sized to pass through the wooden beads)

Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is important for this project to ensure the finished tote reaches its intended dimensions. Two gauge specifications are given:

• In single crochet, holding 2 strands of Contrast C (Berry Blue) together with a US I-9 hook: 13 stitches and 14 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
• In single crochet, holding 1 strand of Contrast A (Espresso) with a US I-9 hook: 13 stitches and 14 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)

Techniques and Construction

The tote is constructed in separate pieces — a base and two side panels — which are then assembled. This modular approach is common in structured bag construction and allows each section to be worked flat before joining. A key technique throughout both the base and sides is working stitches in the back loops only, which creates a subtle ridged texture and adds structural definition to the fabric.

The base is shaped by increasing