Crochet a Market Tote in an Afternoon

Cotton yarn holds its shape better than acrylic once the bag is loaded, so it is worth the small extra cost here.

Start with a magic ring and work six double crochet into it. Increase evenly each round until the base measures about 22 cm across — that is roughly nine rounds for most worsted-weight cotton.

Once the base is the size you want, stop increasing and simply work one double crochet into each stitch. The sides will begin to rise on their own. Keep going until the body measures 30 cm from the base.

For the handles, mark two spans of twelve stitches on opposite sides, chain thirty across each gap, then work a final round of single crochet all the way around to firm up the edge.