
The Bright Days Market Bag is the perfect summer grab-and-go tote for trips to the beach, park, or farmers market. Toss in a couple of snacks, a good book, maybe your latest crochet project, and hit the road.
I know you’ll get lots of use out of this practical bag!
This is the first bag pattern I’ve ever released! Not the first market bag that I’ve made, but it’s the first one that has made the cut. I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I have. It’s one you could make over and over again.
The Bright Days Tote is worked in the round from the bottom up. It measures 14 inches from top to bottom. The strap is 22 inches, long which makes it easy to toss over your shoulder. See the pattern notes for tips on changing the size of your bag or straps.
For the yellow, aqua, and purple portions of the bag I used the unmodified version of my Modified Silt Stitch. Instead of crocheting in the back loop only for the rows with the single crochet/double crochet groups I crocheted through both loops. You can see this stitch here.

The Best Yarn for Crochet Bags
This bag uses Lilly Sugar and Cream 100% cotton worsted weight yarn.
I love cotton for making crochet bags. It is sturdy and holds its shape really well. There will be some stretching but not as much as there would be with acrylic yarn. It also shows off your stitches really well and won’t get fuzzy or pill up.
If you don’t have any Lilly Sugar and Cream you could substitute with these yarns to get similar results:
Materials and Pattern Information
- 352 Yds Lily Sugar and Cream 100% cotton, worsted (4) weight yarn (120yds/2.5oz) or similar
- Color A (pink): 92 yds
- Color B (yellow): 29 yds
- Color C (aqua): 29 yds
- Color D (lt. purple): 29 yds
- Color E (ecru): 173 yds
- 6mm crochet hook
- 5mm crochet hook
Gauge and Sizing
- Gauge: 13 dc x 7 rows = 4 in
- Finished Bag Measured laying flat: 14 in x 14 in
- Bag Handles: 22 in
Abbreviations
- US Terminology
- Ch(s): chain(s)
- Dc: double crochet
- Sl st: slip stitch
- Sc: single crochet
- St(s): stitch(es)
Notes
Ch 2 does not count as a stitch
Pattern is worked in joined rounds
Each round is joined to the top of the 1st stitch using a slip stitch
If you would like shorter or longer straps, decrease or increase the chain stitches in round 30.
6mm hook is used for the body, 5mm hook is used along top edge and for straps.
Rnd 1: Using Color A and 6mm hook. Ch 4 and join to form ring (alternatively a magic circle may be used). Ch 2, 10 dc in ring. Join. (10 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as ch 2 and each st around. Join. (20 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next. * 2 dc in next, dc in next, repeat from * around. Join. (30 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next 2 sts. * 2 dc in next, dc in next 2 sts, repeat from * around. Join. (40 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next 3 sts. * 2 dc in next, dc in next 3 sts, repeat from * around. Join. (50 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next 4 sts. * 2 dc in next, dc in next 4 sts, repeat from * around. Join. (60 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next 5 sts. * 2 dc in next, dc in next 5 sts, repeat from * around. Join. (70 sts)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next 6 sts. * 2 dc in next, dc in next 6 sts, repeat from * around. Join. (80 sts)
Rnd 9: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next 7 sts. * 2 dc in next, dc in next 7 sts, repeat from * around. Join. (90 sts)
Rnd 10-12: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2 and in each st around. Join. (90 sts)
Change to Color B
Rnd 13: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2 and in each st around. Join. (90 sts)
Rnd 14: Ch 1, (sc, 2 dc) in same st as ch 1, skip 2 sts. *(sc, 2 dc) in next, skip 2 sts, repeat from * around. Join. (90 sts)
Rnd 15: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2 and in each st around. Join. (90 sts)
Change to Color C
Rnd 16: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2 and in each st around. Join. (90 sts)
Rnd 17: Ch 1, (sc, 2 dc) in same st as ch 1, skip 2 sts. *(sc, 2 dc) in next, skip 2 sts, repeat from * around. Join. (90 sts)
Rnd 18: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2 and in each st around. Join. (90 sts)
Change to Color D
Rnd 19: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2 and in each st around. Join. (90 sts)
Rnd 20: Ch 1, (sc, 2 dc) in same st as ch 1, skip 2 sts. *(sc, 2 dc) in next, skip 2 sts, repeat from * around. Join. (90 sts)
Rnd 21: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2 and in each st around. Join. (90 sts)
How to Crochet this Easy Market Bag!
Change to Color E
Rnd 22-25: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2 and in each st around. Join.
Rnd 26: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2, ch 1, skip 1 st.* Dc in next, ch 1, skip 1 st, repeat from * around. Join. (45 dc, 45 ch-1 spaces)
Rnd 27: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2 and in each st and ch-1 space around. Join. (90 sts)
Save this on Pinterest!!

Switch to 5mm hook
Rnd 28-29: Ch 1, sc in same st as ch 1 and in each st around. Join (90 sts)
Rnd 30: Ch 1, sc in same st as ch 1 and in next 9 sts, Ch 75, skip 25, sc in next 20, Ch 75, skip 25, sc in last 10 sts. Join
Rnd 31: Ch 1, sc in same st as ch 1, sc in each st and ch around. Join (190 sts) Crochet through each chain stitch, not in the chain space
Rnd 32-35: Ch 1, sc in same st as ch 1 and in each st around. Join. After last round, finish off and weave in ends. (190 sts)
Can’t wait to make. Love the colors you used
Thanks for the pattern! Once finished, I’ll post to Ravelry and Pinterest.
Is there a way to reinforcd the corners where the straps lift off the bag’s edge? I worry about the one stitch on that corner being put under so much pressure.
I love this bag and started making it, Where’s the handle instructions on making the handle?
It’s on row 30
I made this bag and it turned out great. All my daughter’s college friends want one now in their school colors. Great for gifts.🙂
I can’t wait to make it. Thanks 🙂
Confusing where it says hat. Should say bag.
Could you please put a chart? Thanks in advance!
Very nice think I’ll be making a few as gifts. Ty