1. Pick Your Pattern

Find the project you want to start with (and save all the ones you want to try next to your wishlist).

2. Order Your Kit

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3. Get Stitching

Your kit unlocks an exclusive email to access Stitch Club. Where we’ll walk you through every step!

The Stitch Club Meshy Crochet Market Bag uses our favorite cotton yarn, Lily Sugar'n Cream, for the ultimate summertime bag. Pick up a few new skills and techniques as you crochet plus easily customize the shades for your style.

Now get your pattern to have at the ready while we walk you through step-by-step!

Download Pattern

Pattern Tutorials

Follow along to learn how to crochet your own market bag.

What You'll Need

See pattern for more details on sizing

  • 1 ball of Lily Sugar'n Cream Orchid
  • 1 ball of Lily Sugar'n Cream Jute
  • 1 ball of Lily Sugar'n Cream Ecru
  • 1 ball of Lily Sugar'n Cream Navy
  • Size U.S. G/6 (4 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

If you haven't got your materials yet, you can grab them here.

What You'll Learn

0:00 Intro
00:32 How to make a Slip Knot
01:20 How to make a Starting Chain
01:52 How to make a Foundation Row TIP!
02:47 How to make a Base - 1st Round
03:20 How to make a Single Crochet
04:25 Working into the Other Side of the Chain
05:30 How to Join the Round
05:37 How to make a Slip Stitch
05:48 How to make a 2nd Round
06:03 Stitching TIP!
07:18 How to Change Colors
08:22 Mesh Section - 1st Round
10:22 Join the 1st Round
10:47 Mesh Section - 2nd Round
11:40 Stitching TIP!
12:13 How to Join the 2nd Round
14:00 Mesh Section - Next round
15:55 How to Change Colors
16:22 Next Round
16:22 Stitching TIP!
17:56 Strap - Mark Center Stitches
18:25 Strap - Join New Yarn
18:50 Strap - 1st Row!
20:09 Strap - 2nd Row
21:41 Strap - 3rd Row
22:32 Strap - 4th Row
23:43 Strap - Continue other side of strap
25:35 Strap - Join to Bag
27:40 How to make Edging

Tip

You'll have enough yarn to make another bag using different color combinations!

Stitches & Handy Tips

Need a little extra help? The diagrams and videos below help break down each individual technique, so you can master your new-found crochet skills.

Slip Knot Crochet
  • Step 1

    Make a circle with yarn or thread.

    How to Make a Slip Knot for Crochet

    Step 2

    Pull a loop through the circle.

    How to Make a Slip Knot for Crochet

    Step 3

    Insert the hook in the loop.

    How to Make a Slip Knot for Crochet

    Step 4

    Pull gently and evenly to tighten the loop and slide the knot up to the hook. You want the loop to be able to move easily on the hook but be snug around it. Take care that the loop stays on the wider part of the hook and is not on the thumb rest or the narrow part near the head.

    How to Make a Slip Knot for Crochet
Foundation Chain

Almost all crochet begins with a foundation chain, which is a series of chain stitches beginning with a slip knot. You then work the first row of other stitches into the chain to start making crochet fabric. The foundation chain is also called a base chain or starting chain.

How to Hold the Yarn and Crochet Hook

To work a foundation chain, start by making a slip knot.

How to Hold the Yarn and Crochet Hook

Then chain as many stitches as the pattern calls for.

How to Hold the Yarn and Crochet Hook

Next, start working stitches into the chain. You can use single crochets, half double crochets, double crochets, or any combination the pattern tells you to use.

When working into the starting chain, you may work under one or two strands of chain loops as shown in the illustration. Either of these methods forms an even, firm bottom edge.

Some people like to work into the "bump" on the back of the chain. This forms an even, stretchy bottom edge that is ideal for garments. It also produces an edge that looks more similar to the final edge of your project, making it useful for projects where both ends are exposed, such as scarves.

Whichever method of working into the foundation you choose, be consistent. Work all the pieces of a project in the same manner.

Crochet In The Round

Most motifs are not worked in rows but are worked in rounds from the center out. Unless otherwise stated in the pattern instructions, do not turn the work between rounds but continue with the same side facing and treat this as the right side of the fabric.The center ring is usually formed by several chains joined together with a slip stitch to form a ring.

Step 1

Insert the hook into the first chain made.

How to Crochet in the Round

Step 2

Make a slip stitch to join the chains into a ring.

How to Crochet in the Round

Step 3

At the beginning of each round, one or more chain(s) can be worked to match the height of the following stitches—this is equal to a turning chain. When working in double crochet, three starting chains are required.

How to Crochet in the Round

Step 4

The stitches of the first round are worked by inserting the hook into the empty circle space at the center of the ring. Sometimes the first round is worked into the first chain—the pattern will specify how to form the first round.

How to Crochet in the Round

Step 5

When each round is complete, insert the hook into the top of the chain or stitch at the beginning ofthe round and make a slip stitch to close the round.

How to Crochet in the Round

Step 6

When working the second and subsequent rounds, unless otherwise stated, insert the hook under the two top loops of the stitches in the previous round.

How to Crochet in the Round

After joining the final round with a slip stitch, fasten off by cutting the yarn and drawing the end through. Pull gently to tighten and form a knot.

Single Crochet
  • Single crochet is the most common basic crochet stitch that will result in fabric. It is abbreviated sc.

    Step 1

    Insert the hook into the work (second chain from hook on the foundation chain,*yarn over and draw yarn through the work only.

    How to Single Crochet

    Step 2

    Yarn over again and pull the yarn through both loops on the hook.

    How to Single Crochet

    Step 3

    One single crochet made. Insert hook into next stitch; repeat from * in step 1.

    How to Single Crochet
Double Crochet

Double crochet is a very common crochet stitch. It is taller than Read more. Half Double CrochetRead more.Half-double crochet, and is abbreviated dc.

Step 1

Read more. Yarn over and insert the hook into the work (fourth chain from hook on starting chain).

How to Double Crochet

Step 2

* Yarn over and draw yarn through, pulling up a loop.

How to Double Crochet

Step 3

Yarn over and pull yarn through only the first two loops on the hook.

How to Double Crochet

Step 4

Yarn over and pull yarn through the last two loops on the hook.

How to Double Crochet

Step 5

One double crochet made. Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch; repeat from * in step 2.

How to Double Crochet
Single Crochet Decrease Sc2tog

Single crochet is the most common basic crochet stitch that will result in fabric. It is abbreviated sc.

Step 1

Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and draw a loop through (one sc worked up to the last step): 2 loops on hook.

How to Do A Single Crochet Decrease

Step 2

Insert hook into next stitch.

How to Do A Single Crochet Decrease

Step 3

Yarn over and draw a loop through (another sc worked up to last step): 3 loops on hook.

How to Do A Single Crochet Decrease

Step 4

Yarn over and draw through all three loops on hook.

How to Do A Single Crochet Decrease

1 dec completed.

How to Do A Single Crochet Decrease
Slip Stitch Crochet
  • Slip stitch is the shortest of all crochet stitches. Unlike other stitches, slip stitches are not often used on their own to produce a large piece fabric. The slip stitch is used for joining, shaping and, where necessary, to move the yarn to another part of the fabric for the next stage.

    Step 1

    Insert the hook into the work as directed in the pattern. Yarn over and the pull yarn through the work and the loop on the hook in one movement.

    Learn How to Slip Stitch Crochet

    Step 2

    When working into previous rows, yarn over and pull the yarn through both the work and the loop on the hook in one movement.

    Learn How to Slip Stitch Crochet

    Step 3

    To join a chain ring with a slip stitch, insert the hook into the first chain, yarn over and pull the yarn through the work and the loop on the hook.

    Learn How to Slip Stitch Crochet

    Slip stitches may be used to make stretchy crocheted ribbing.

    To make ribbing, start by chaining for the width of the item, not the length. For example, if you are making a hat brim, you would crochet just a few stitches for the width of the brim, not the number of stitches needed to go all the way around your head.

    Next, slip stitch into the back loop only of each chain across the row.Read more.

    Chain one and turn at the end of therow.

    Again, work into the back loop only of each stitch across the row, then chain one and turn. Repeat this row as many times as you would like to make the fabric the size you want.

How To Change Colors Crochet
Fasten Off
  • To fasten off the yarn permanently, cut the yarn leaving an 8" end (longer if you need to sew pieces together). Pull the end of the yarn through the loop on the hook and pull gently to tighten.

    How to Fasten Off Crochet
Weave Ends Crochet
  • Weave in ends securely before blocking pieces or sewing seams. Securely woven ends will not come loose with wear or washing. It's best to work in ends as invisibly as possible.

    There are multiple options for yarn needles to use to weave in your ends: straight steel, straight plastic, and bent-tip steel. Use whichever one you prefer.

    A good method of weaving in ends is to run the end under several stitches, then reverse the direction and weave it back under several more stitches. Trim the end close to the work. Changing the directions keeps the yarn more secure. Leave at least 4" on the end to weave in securely. If you only weave the end under a couple of stitches it will not be secure. If your yarn is quite thick, you may want to leave extra length.

    Depending on the pattern, you may be able to start the process of weaving in your ends by laying the end along your fabric and working stitches around it as you go. This method is not a substitute for traditional weaving-in ends, as you will still need to reverse the direction, but it may begin the process. This method may not work as well when you are changing colors, as depending on the stitch pattern the tail of the old color may show through the stitches of the new color.

    If you are working with multiple colors, for example in a striped pattern, keep the ends in the same color as you weave them in. Keeping them in their own color makes them more difficult to see.

    If you are not sure if the end will be visible on your fabric when you weave it in, use a yarn needle that is a different color from your fabric. Thread the yarn needle through the stitches, but then check the opposite side before you pull the yarn through. If the yarn needle is extremely exposed, your tail will be as well.

    If your tail is too short to weave in with a regular needle or too thick to fit into the eye, use a Susan Bates Finishing Needle. Finishing Needles have the eye all the way along the length of the needle, so it's easier to weave in short or extra-thick tails.