I love the idea of knit market bags and string bags (and crocheted bags, for that matter) but I’m not sure I had ever really knit one before. I have knit tote bags and purses, but never a lacy bag to hold my produce.
That ends now with the introduction of my East Ave. Market Bag knitting pattern.
It’s named for one of the streets that borders the square where the farmer’s market takes place in my town (I also used to work on that street, but at the newspaper, not the farmers market).
This easy to knit bag is worked from the bottom up, using cotton yarn, starting at the center of the base. You start with double pointed needles and increase regularly until you move to a circular needle.
Once the base is worked you change to a larger circular needle (which is good for the lace knitting as it tends to open up the eyelets a bit more) and work a simple four round repeat to your desired length for your bag.
Mine is 8 inches/20cm tall, and the base is about the same width across.
When I say this lace is easy, I mean it: two rows are just knit and the other rows alternate yarn overs and decreases (either knit 2 together or slip slip knit). This could easily be a first lace project if you’re wanting to learn the basics.
The strap is I-cord, and it’s woven into the top round of eyelets to make a drawstring. You can make your cord as long as you want depending if you want to hold the bag in your hand or sling it over your shoulder.
This bag and strap will stretch quite a bit when you put stuff in your bag, so it holds more than it might look like. I’m excited to try it out at the farmers market soon!
You can find this free pattern over at Our Daily Craft.
Free Knitting Patterns for String Bags
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This Easy Peasey Beginner Bag is exactly the sort of knitting project you want when you need something simple, useful, and not too precious. It’s worked in garter stitch with chunky texture from feather yarn and 8-ply wool, then finished with bag handles — or oversized bangles if you’re raiding the bargain bin like a true crafter. A great beginner-friendly knitted bag pattern for using up novelty yarns.
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Felted Tote Bag – Free Knitting Pattern
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Cleo Evening Purse – Free Knitting Pattern
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Cleo Evening Purse
