Free Produce Bag Crochet Pattern

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Making our own reusable produce bags is one big step towards reducing our plastic waste. So i’ve designed this free crochet pattern to help us all get started on making a difference.

Did you know that the average American will use around 365 plastic bags per year, 1 per day!! Whereas the average person in Denmark will use just 4 per year! We really need to follow in Denmarks footsteps.

As well as that, “The United States recycles just 9 percent of its plastic trash.” This fact right here is the biggest reason to start making our own reusable bags.

Get started on this pattern right now or read up on which yarn to use and other helpful pattern info first.

You can check out more of my useful crochet projects over on the blog or in my shop.

A birds eye view of three different sized crocheted produce bags. They have been made in a beige coloured yarn and the design is a net with V shapes. They have a drawstring top with a wooden button to close. The background is off white.

The medium sized bag pattern is completely free on this page. However, if you would like all three sizes and extra photos to help or you would simply like to support my work you can buy the AD FREE, downloadable PDF in my shop.

You can also buy this pattern on

Which Yarn to Use

The sample shown above uses roughly 140 yards / 25 grams / 125 meters of lace weight yarn. I used hemp yarn. You can use something similar like organic cotton or linen (see below for other yarn suggestions).

Other Yarn Suggestions

Here are some other options that I think would work really well.

Lion Brand Linen Cone (100% Linen)

Darn Good Yarn 2-ply Linen (100% Linen)

Pattern Details

The PDF pattern includes 3 different sizes so that whatever kind of fruit and veg you are buying there is a bag ready for it. A small one for things like garlic and ginger, a medium one for mushrooms or carrots and a larger one for veg like broccoli, cauliflower or potatoes.

We will be concentrating just on the medium size for this blog post. To get all three sizes head to the shop.

The bag has a distinctive V shape in the netting which stands for Veggies :). The base of the bag has a closed stitch to keep your veg safe and a drawstring closure to stop them from falling out.

Crochet Terms

This pattern is written in US crochet terms. Please see the abbreviations section below for conversions to UK terms.

Skill Level: Easy

This pattern is easy to follow and uses basic crochet stitches. You will have your produce bag made up in no time. Once you get the hang of the V stitch it’s a really easy, meditative pattern that you can do whilst watching your favourite series or listening to a podcast.

Approximate Measurements

The medium sized bag measures approximately 20cm x 22cm (8” x 8.5”)

You Will Also Need

Optional DK Yarn: For the drawstring, roughly 30 inches / 76 centimetres. Or you can crochet your own drawstring (instructions are included at the end).
Hook:
2.6mm - Metric | 12 - UK & Canada | B-1 - US | 4/0 - Japan
Small Darning Needle: Small enough to fit through the holes of the button you will be using and for weaving in the ends.
Scissors
Button or toggle with 2 holes
Stitch Markers

Gauge

Base: 27 sts and 13 rounds = 10cm (4”)
V Stitch: 6 Vst and 9 rounds = 10cm (4”) 

Abbreviations

ch(s) = chain(s)
st(s) = stitch(es)
prev. = previous
sl st = Slip Stitch (recap how to slip stitch)
dc = Double (U.K. Treble Crochet - recap how to double crochet)
tr = Treble (U.K. Double Treble Crochet)
Vst = Tr, ch 3, tr into the same st.

Notes

<10> = Numbers in between greater than and less than symbols at the end of each round shows how many stitches you should have at that point.
** = Repeat instructions between the asterisks as many times as it states after the x or until the end of the round. 

A birds eye view of the medium sized bag sat on an off white background. The drawstring is open and the top of the bag has been folded outwards to show the inside of the bag. It has 3 mandorins inside. This image is for saving to pinterest.

The Produce Bag Crochet Pattern

Ch 50.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as st). Dc into 3rd ch from hook. Dc into each ch until last, 5 dc into last ch. Rotate to work into other side of ch. Dc into next 49 chs. 3 dc into last ch. Sl st into top of ch-2. <108 dc>

Round 2: Ch 2. Dc into same st as ch 2. 2 dc into next st. Dc into next 48 sts. 2 dc into next 6 sts. Dc into next 48 sts. 2 dc into next 4 sts. Sl st into top of ch-2. <120 dc>

Round 3: Ch 2. Dc into first st. Dc into each st around. Sl st into top of ch-2. <120 dc>

Round 4: Repeat round 3. <120 dc>

Round 5: Ch 4 (counts as 1st tr of round). Skip first 4 sts. *Vst into next st. Skip next 4 sts* repeat until end. Make final tr in last st of prev. round. Ch 3. Sl st into top of ch-4. <24 Vst>

Round 6: Sl st into space before 1st Vst of prev. round. Ch 7 (counts as 1st tr and ch-3). Tr into same space as sl st. *Vst into space before next Vst of prev. round*Repeat until end. Sl st into 4th ch of ch-7. <24 Vst>

Round 7: Ch 4 (counts as 1st tr of round). Vst into space after 1st Vst of prev. round. *Vst into next space* repeat until end. Make final tr into space before ch 4. Ch 3. Sl st into top of ch-4. <24 Vst>

Rounds 8 - 22: Repeat round 7.

Fasten off and weave in your end. Your produce bag is almost done!

Making the Drawstring

Here you can either use a thicker piece of yarn, a DK weight yarn would be ideal, to use as a drawstring or crochet your own to about 30” / 76cm.

To Crochet Your Own

Ch 200. Mark every 20th st to make counting up easier.
Sl st into 2nd ch from hook. Sl st into each ch until end. 

Fasten off and weave in the end.

Attaching the Drawstring

Choose which will be the front of your bag, then, leaving a Vst gap in the centre, begin weaving your drawstring in and out of the second row of Vsts all the way around.

Attaching the Button

Thread both ends of the drawstring through the button holes and tie a simple knot to secure it.

That’s it! Your V for Veggies bag is complete! 

Sources

[1] - National Geographic

 

More Free Crochet Patterns

Tina Rinaudo

Tina is a passionate zero waster and crocheter who aims to live and crochet as sustainably as possible. She has been crocheting since 2016 and specialises in using sustainable yarns to design zero waste crochet patterns to make easy swaps for yourselves and your homes. She has been featured in Happily Hooked Magazine, PatternCenter.com and many other websites for her eco friendly crochet patterns.

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