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.

How This Bag Is Made

• Bag is worked flat in one piece from the bottom up and joined on the side and bottom.
• The star lattice stitch pattern creates a unique and eye-catching mesh. Crocheted with a 2-row pattern repeat using the larger H hook, this stitch is easy to memorize and quick to execute.
• Top edge instructions include skipping stitches to create the holes through which the drawstring will pass and working a row of back post double crochet for embellishment.
• Add a drawstring to ensure that your loose fruits and veggies stay put. Customize your bag by choosing between two styles of drawstring. For those who would like to make their own cord, instructions are given for crocheting one quickly and easily. For those who prefer a readymade cord, instructions are included for installing a paracord drawstring with push-button cord lock.

Pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Skill Level: Confident Beginner

Concentration Level
Little concentration required. Straightforward and uncomplicated stitching.

Stitches Used
Foundation single crochet, chain(s), single crochet, double crochet, back-post double crochet.

Techniques Used
Working in rows, joining with single crochet, crocheting a drawstring. 

Finished Measurements (approximate size after blocking)
8 inches (20 cm) wide x 10 inches (25 cm) long

Light (CYC #3) Weight Yarn
126 - 136 yards (115 - 124 m)

The sample shown here was made with F/5/3.75mm and H/8/5.0mm crochet hooks and Patons Grace light (DK) weight mercerized cotton yarn (1¾ oz/136 yds/50g per ball) in the color #262205 Aquifer. The project requires 1 ball of this yarn.

Suggested Yarn Substitutes
Feel free to substitute a different yarn weight, but results may vary. Crocheting a gauge swatch with your alternative yarn is recommended. When selecting hooks keep in mind the hook for the mesh should be 2 sizes larger than the hook used for the border edges.

Additional Tools and Materials
Size H/8/5.00 mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
Tapestry needle
Bead with ⅜ inch (1 cm) hole (optional for crochet drawstring)
#425/3mm-diameter paracord: 34 inches (0.86 m), available from Paracord Planet, https://www.paracordplanet.com/paracord/425-paracord/ (optional for readymade drawstring)
2-hole cord lock with 3mm or larger holes, available from Paracord Planet, https://www.paracordplanet.com/two-hole-cord-locks-multiple-colors/ (optional for readymade drawstring)
Lighter or Super Glue (optional for readymade drawstring)
Scissors

Gauge
With size F hook, make a gauge swatch:
Chain 23.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (22 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc and in each sc across, turn.
Rep Row 2 until swatch measures 4 inches square.

Block swatch to 4 inches square.
11 sc = 2 inches; 11 rows = 2 inches

With size H hook:
4 pattern reps in Row 5, blocked = 7 inches; 10 rows = 4 inches

PATTERN INCLUDES
• A 9-page premium pattern pdf with professional full-color photographs.
• List of abbreviations used, plus detailed instructions for special stitches and techniques.
• Reduced stitch diagram for lattice mesh pattern.
• Instructions for prepping and installing a readymade paracord and cord lock.
• Detailed instructions and photo tutorial for crocheting a simple and attractive cord.

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