The “Nice Bag” is a delightful take on the ubiquitous plastic bag. Borrowing the plastic bag’s shape and construction but replacing the material with an ecofriendly cotton mesh, this tote provides a reusable alternative that’s fresh and fun.

How This Bag Is Made

The bag is worked in one piece from side to side. Assembly is based on the construction used to make the plastic shopping bags we see in stores. After the bag body is seamed lengthwise, the mesh fabric on each side is folded inward to create a gusset. The bottom edge is single-crochet seamed, keeping the gusset folded in place. Finally, the handles are folded in line with the sides and seamed at the top. Locking stitch markers are used to help point out the location of gusset folds.

Customize the front and back of your bag with filet crochet. Choose from the six designs provided or create your own design to make a unique bag you’ll want to take everywhere.

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 a unique bag 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 the front and back of your bag, which will require a little more concentration.

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

Techniques Used
Working in rows, working into chain spaces, reading a filet crochet chart, joining with slip stitches, joining with single crochet

Finished Measurements (approximate size after blocking)
12.5 inches (32 cm) wide x 13 inches (33 cm) long x 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) deep, excluding handles

Super Fine (CYC #1) Weight Yarn/Size 3 Crochet Thread
325 - 450 yards (297 - 411 m)

The sample shown here was made with a C/2/2.75mm crochet hook and We Crochet Curio No. 3 lace weight 100% mercerized cotton (295 yds/270 m; 3.5 oz/100 g per ball) in the color#27999 Natural. The project required 2 balls of this thread.

Suggested Yarn Substitutes
- Scheepjes Catona
- Aunt Lydia's Fashion Crochet (Size 3)
- DMC Petra Crochet Cotton Thread Size 3

Additional Tools and Materials
Size C/2/2.75mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
6 rustproof locking stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Gauge
8 blocks and 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
Tip: To achieve gauge, your blocks will need to be square. 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 use 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 and techniques.
• Detailed schematic.
• Photo tutorial with written instructions for bag assembly.
• In addition to the Cherries design, pattern includes filet charts for 5 more designs: Classic Rose, Southwest, Waveform, Square Wave, and Modern.

This Pattern Comes with Additional Resources to Help You Along
• How to read the crochet filet charts in this pattern.
• Blank filet chart for you to create your own design.
• Row Tracker Diagram and Checklist to help you keep track as you go!
• Pattern support. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I’m always happy to help!