Atlantis Market Bag, a free crochet tote bag pattern
Originally published June 16, 2018
Can I be real with you for a minute? I don’t like market bags…please don’t hate me. Eco-friendly market bags are REALLY popular in the crochet community. I like the idea of them. They’re fairly quick and easy gifts to make that are super useful, it’s a great way to justify buying all the pretty colors of cotton yarn, and they’re, well, eco-friendly. I haven’t been able to find a pattern that I like the look of AND enjoy making, especially making it more than once. If I have that struggle, there must be other people out there struggling, too, right?
Recommended Yarn
Lily Sugar & Cream, or other worsted weight 100% cotton yarn
400 yards / 8 oz / 226g
Hook Size
US I / 5.5 mm
Finished Size
18 inches tall (46 cm), not including handles. Handles measure 14.5 inches (37 cm). Circumference of bag 35 inches (89 cm)
Gauge
14 clusters, 6 rows = 4 inches
(10 cm) – worked in pattern
Stitches Used
ch(s) – chain(s)
ch sp(s) – chain space(s)
dc – double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
hdc2tog – half double crochet 2 together
rsc – reverse single crochet
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
sp(s) – space(s)
st(s) – stitch(es)
Pattern
NOTES
For a taller bag, add more repeats of rounds 9 & 10 after round 20.
To change the handle length, adjust the number of chains and HDC on the handle to the length you want.
Chain 2 at the beginning of alternate rounds does count as a stitch. The chain 1 at the beginning of rounds counts as a chain space in the main body of the bag.
The stitch count at the end of each round is the number of chain spaces in that round, since that is where we are working for most of the pattern.
- Round 1 – Ch 3 (counts as first dc). 2 dc in 3rd ch from your hook. Ch 1. *(3 dc, ch 1) in same st.* Repeat 2 more times. Sl st to top of your starting chain to join. (4 ch sp)
- Round 2 – Ch 2. (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in each ch sp around. Sl st to starting chain space to join. (8)
- Round 3 – Ch 2. (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in same sp as starting chain. (3 dc, ch1) in next ch sp. *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch sp. (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch sp. * Repeat 2 more times. Sl st to top of starting chain 2 to join. (12)
- Round 4 – Ch 2. (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch sp. (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in each of the next 2 ch sps. (3 dc, ch 1) in next 4 ch sps. (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in each of the next 2 ch sps. (3 dc, ch 1) in next 3 ch sps. Sl st to starting chain space to join. (16)
- Round 5 – Ch 2. (2 dc, ch 1) in same sp. (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch sp. (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch sp. *(3 dc, ch 1) in next 3 ch sps. (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch sp. * Repeat 2 more times. (3 dc, ch 1) in last ch sp. Sl st to top of starting chain 2 to join. (20)
- Round 6 – Ch 2. *(3 dc, ch 1) in next 4 ch sps. (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch sp. * Repeat 3 more times. Sl st to starting chain 1 space to join. (24)
- Round 7 – Ch 2. (2 dc, ch 1) in same sp. (3 dc, ch 1) in next sp. (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch sp. *(3 dc, ch 1) in next 5 ch sps. (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch sp. * Repeat 2 more times. (3 dc, ch 1) in next 3 chsps. Sl st to top of starting chain 2. (28)
- Round 8 – Ch 2. (3 dc, ch 1) in next 5 ch sps. *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch sp. (3 dc, ch 1) in next 6 chsps. * Repeat 2 more times. (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch sp. (3 dc, ch 1) in last ch sp. Sl st to starting chain 1 space to join. (32)
- Round 9 – Ch 2. (2 dc, ch 1) in same sp. (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch and all ch sps around. Sl st to top of starting chain 2 to join.
- Round 10 – Ch 1. (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch sp and all ch sps around. Sl st to starting chain 1 space to join.
- Rounds 11-20 – Repeat rounds 9 & 10.
Rounds 21 & 22 are decrease rounds, so be sure to read closely!
- Round 21 – Ch 2. (2 dc, ch 1) in same ch sp. (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch sp. 3 dc in next 2 ch sps. (DO NOT ch 1 between these two 3 dc clusters. Place a stitch marker between these and each decrease to mark the decreases) Ch 1. *(3 dc, ch 1) in next 6 ch sps. 3 dc in next 2 ch sps. Ch 1. * Repeat 2 more times. (3 dc, ch1) in last 4 ch sps. Sl st to top of starting chain 2 to join. (28)
- Round 22 – (DO NOT work in between the previous round decreases, where you placed the markers) Ch 1. (3 dc, ch 1) in next 5 ch sps. 3 dc in next 2 ch sps. Ch 1. *(3 dc, ch 1) in next 5 ch sps. 3 dc in next 2 ch sps. Ch 1. * Repeat 2 more times. Sl st to starting chain 1 space to join. (24)
Round 23 will be worked in both the DC and ch sp from previous round.
- Round 23 – Ch 1, hdc in next 3 sts, hdc2tog over ch sp & next st; (hdc in next 2 sts, hdc2tog over ch sp & next st) 4 times. *hdc in next 5 sts, hdc2tog over ch sp & next st; (hdc in next 2 sts, hdc2tog over ch sp & next st) 5 times.* Repeat 2 more times. Hdc in next 4 sts, hdc2tog in last st and last ch sp. Sl st to starting chain 1 to join. (84 sts)
- Round 24 – Ch 1, *hdc in next 2 sts, hdc2tog. * Repeat around. Sl st to starting chain 1 to join. (63 sts)
- Round 25 – Ch 1, hdc2tog in first 2 sts, hdc in next 14 sts, hdc2tog in next 2 sts, hdc in next 13 sts, hdc2tog in next 2 sts, hdc in next 12 sts, hdc2tog in next 2 sts, hdc in next 14 sts, hdc2tog in last 2 sts. Sl st to starting chain 1 to join. (58 sts)
- Round 26 – Ch 1, hdc in next 27 sts, hdc2tog, hdc in next 27 sts, hdc2tog. Sl st to starting chain 1 to join. (56 sts)
- Round 27 – Ch 1, hdc around. Sl st to starting chain 1 to join. (56 sts)
Now starting handles & the border edge of the bag.
- Round 28 – Ch 1, hdc in first 7 sts. Ch 70, skip 14 sts, sl st to next st, hdc in same st and next 13 sts. Ch 70, skip 14 sts, sl st to next st, hdc in same st and next 6 sts. Sl st to starting chain 1 to join.
Round 29 – Ch 1, rsc around the bag, working only into the hdc and leaving the chains/handles unworked. When you get to the handles, push them toward the inside of the bag & work in front of them. Sl st to starting chain 1 to join. Fasten off.
Handles
Handle #1
Join yarn to the first chain of one of the handles. Ch 1, hdc 150 times over the chain (don’t work INTO the chains, crochet OVER them). Sl st to the other end of the chain. Fasten off yarn.
Handle #2
Join yarn to the first chain of the other handle. Ch 1, hdc 150 times over the chain (don’t work INTO the chains, crochet OVER them). Sl st to the other end of the chain. Fasten off yarn.
You’ll want to shift the hdcs around evenly on the handles so they cover the chain. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
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In 2018, I pulled out a pattern I had written in 2017 but hadn’t gotten around to publishing. I had a baby in 2017 so I was a little busy. The stitches are beginner friendly. There’s some minor shaping to the bag that’s not scary at all. The top of the bag switches to half double crochet to bring in the top as well as give it some structure. The reverse single crochet, or crab stitch, border is the perfect finishing touch to the bag. And the handles…the handles are my favorite.
I wanted to name it the Mermaid Market Bag, but that name was already being used by someone else. It reminded me so much of something Ariel from The Little Mermaid would use and The Little Mermaid was my favorite Disney movie as a kid, so I needed a nautical name. Atlantis, like the lost city of Atlantis…and we were off and running.
I hope you’ve enjoyed making your Atlantis Market Bag! Please share photos on Instagram, tag me, and let me know what you’re carrying in your bag.
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