Get ready for your next trip to the farmer’s market or grocery store with filet crochet produce bags. 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.

How These Bags Are Made

This drawstring bag is crocheted in the round from the bottom up, working on the right side throughout. After crocheting the mesh base, you will move on to the filet section. Choose from the two designs provided (the Flowers design and a bonus Flower Garden with butterfly design), or create your own design using the blank chart to make a one-of-a-kind bag you’ll want to take everywhere.

Want more design options? Check out the complete Filet Crochet Produce Bag Collection, featuring 10 filet crochet designs from fruits and vegetables to flowers and popular geometric patterns.

Each filet design is presented on its own page, which includes:
• written instructions for the first few filet crochet rounds to get you started
• 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

Once you’ve completed your filet crochet design for the sides of the bag, you’ll add a top edge using simple stitches while creating the holes through which a crochet drawstring can be threaded.

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.

Pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Skill Level: Confident Beginner

Concentration Level
Some concentration required. While the pattern uses straightforward and uncomplicated stitching, you will need to follow a simple filet crochet chart to create the design on your bag, which will require a little more concentration.

Stitches Used
Chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and extended double crochet (optional)

Techniques Used
Working in the round, working into chain spaces, reading a filet crochet chart, and working into the back bar (bump) of a foundation chain

Finished Measurements (approximate size after blocking)
9 inches (23 cm) wide across top edge x 9 inches (23 cm) long, measured flat

Lace (CYC #0) Weight Yarn/Size 10 Crochet Thread
One bag requires approximately
280 - 350 yards (256 - 320 m)

Each of the samples shown here was made with a 4/0/1.75 mm crochet hook and Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet Thread Size 10 lace weight 100% mercerized cotton (350 yds/320 m per ball) in the color Golden Yellow. Each bag requires 1 ball of this yarn.

Suggested Yarn Substitutes
- Red Heart Classic Crochet Thread No. 10
- Hobbii Rainbow Lace Yarn
- Artiste #10 Cotton Crochet Thread
- Scheepjes Maxi or Maxi Sugar Rush

Additional Tools and Materials
Size 4/0/1.75 mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
Tapestry needle
5/8 inch (16 mm) wooden round bead with 3/16 inch (5 mm) hole
Scissors

Gauge
Rnds 1–7 = 5 inches (13 cm) in diameter

Tip: To achieve gauge and ensure that the proportions of your filet crochet image will be balanced, your blocks need to be as close to square as possible. Most people make rather short double crochet stitches, which results in blocks that are more rectangular than square. To correct this, you may want to work extended double crochet (edc) instead of double crochet stitches. (Replace every dc with an edc throughout the pattern.)

PATTERN INCLUDES
• A 7-page premium pattern pdf with professional full-color photographs.
• List of abbreviations used, plus detailed instructions for special stitches.
• Linked Table of Contents.
• 2 filet crochet charts, featuring a flowers design and a flower garden with butterfly design.
• Instructions for crocheting a simple drawstring and adding it to your bag.

This Pattern Comes with Additional Resources to Help You Along
• 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.
• Care tips for your bag.
• Pattern support. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I’m always happy to help!