Get ready for your next trip to the farmer’s market or grocery store with this reusable cotton produce bag. Reusable produce bags are great for cutting back on our plastic use. Best of all, these bags are washable, sturdy, and will expand to hold more produce than you might expect.

Quick and fun to stitch, this bag is worked in one piece from the bottom up, then folded lengthwise and seamed on the bottom and side. Customize the front and back of your bag with filet crochet. Choose from the six designs provided or use the blank chart to create your own.

Each filet design is presented on its own page, which includes:
• photo of the finished crochet design
• full crochet filet chart for the design
• stitch key
• quick reference guide for how to work open and closed blocks

Simple eyelets along the top edge allow for the addition of a drawstring to ensure that your loose fruits and veggies stay put. Choose between two cord styles: instructions are given for crocheting your own quickly and easily, or if you prefer a readymade cord, instructions are included for installing a paracord drawstring with push-button cord lock.

This pattern is suitable for confident beginner crocheters.

New to filet crochet? Here are the basics: Filet crochet combines double crochet stitches with chain spaces to create open and closed blocks across the fabric. Filet crochet charts, included with the pattern, show you which blocks to fill in and which blocks to leave open. The placement of the solid, closed blocks creates the visual image.

Whether you’re an expert with filet crochet or you’re trying it for the first time, you will love using this traditional technique to make unique bags you can use every day.

Skill Level
Confident Beginner

Finished Measurements
8.5 x 11.5 inches (21.5 cm x 29 cm)

Materials for One Bag
• KnitPicks Curio No. 3 lace weight 100% mercerized cotton (295 yds/270 m; 3.5 oz/100 g per ball): 1 ball of #27999 Bare
One bag requires approx. 148–177 yds (50–60 g)
• Size C/2/2.75mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry needle
• 5/8 inch (16 mm) wooden barrel bead with 5/16 inch (7.5–8 mm) hole (pictured) (optional for crochet drawstring)
• No. 425/3 mm-diameter paracord: 28 inches (0.71 m) (optional for readymade drawstring)
• 2-hole cord lock with 3 mm or larger holes (optional for readymade drawstring)
• Lighter or super glue (optional for readymade drawstring)

Suggested Yarn Substitutes
Aunt Lydia’s Fashion Crochet Thread Size 3, Red Heart Fashion Crochet Thread Size 3, Scheepjes Catona, DMC Petra Crochet Cotton Thread Size 3

Gauge
8 blocks and 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)

PATTERN INCLUDES
• Premium pattern pdf with professional full-color photographs
• List of abbreviations used, plus detailed instructions for special stitches and techniques
• 6 filet crochet charts
• 1 bonus blank chart to help you draw your own design
• Tips to help you crochet filet designs that are balanced and look great
• How to read the crochet filet charts in this pattern
• Instructions for crocheting a simple drawstring and adding it to your bag
• Instructions for prepping and installing a readymade paracord and cord lock.

This pattern listing includes 2 downloadable files:
(1) Main Pattern PDF presents the pattern in a 3-column layout with color photos and a full filet crochet chart for each design, plus a blank chart you can use to create your own design. Images include alt text. PDF has been tagged for accessibility and tested on a screen reader.
(2) Print- and Screen-Friendly PDF: An additional text-only pdf presents the pattern in a simplified 1-column layout. All text is in black. PDF has been tagged for accessibility and tested on a screen reader.

Stitches Used
Chain, single crochet, double crochet, and extended double crochet (optional).

Techniques Used
Working in rows, working into chain spaces, and reading a filet crochet chart.

Pattern written in US crochet terms.

Technical editing by Randy Cavaliere