Reusable Mesh Produce Bag: A Beginner Crochet Pattern

Anybody else get tired of those filmy, plastic produce bags that you get at the store? Personally, they drive me nuts, and because they are so thin, it’s difficult to find ways to reuse them. Instead, I wanted a reusable bag that could be used to grab my fruits and veggies and that I could wash and keep using for a long time without it over-stretching or losing its integrity. Thus, the idea for the Reusable Mesh Produce Bag was born!

This pattern was the first one that I wrote down and created for my Etsy shop, and it is one of those projects that is still near and dear to my heart because it is cute and practical! I have a simple goal as a designer. Figure out how to make what you need both beautiful and useful. When a design hits these two marks, especially in a simple way, it becomes a winner for me.

With the Reusable Mesh Produce Bag, I really love the look of this mesh. I think it brings the simple, handmade look to life in a way that is classic but with a slightly rustic appeal. When I decorate my kitchen, I often love the farmhouse styles, and I love how this mesh fits naturally in with that style in my home.

Pin this pattern for later!

How to Use the Mesh Produce Bag:

When it comes to purely practical points though, I love how the produce bag works! Because it has the mesh sides, it can stretch to fit your apples, oranges, peppers, or whatever you need. The solid bottom design though gives it some stability and will give the bag strength when you really want to fill it up! Plus, the drawstring on the top will keep your fruit, veggies, or whatever from falling out and rolling all over your backseat. Using cotton yarn will also make your Reusable Mesh Produce Bag easily washable and durable, so you don’t have to worry about getting it sticky, stained, or anything because you can just throw it in the washer when that happens!

One of the best parts about this pattern though is that you could realistically use this produce bag at any time that you might need a drawstring bag. Need a bag for beach toys? Check! Need to throw your lunch in a bag? Perfect! Want something to put your stuff in at the park? You got it! This bag could easily be used all by itself or placed into a stroller or backpack easily. It’s the perfect bag you never knew you needed!

You’ll love this drawstring bag!

Summer is also a perfect time to whip up several of these drawstring bags and use them at your local Farmer’s Market, around town, or where ever you need them. You could even make them to sell at markets! I love how quickly these work up, and you really just need to use basic, beginner level crochet stitches. You could even throw your supplies into a travel bag and take it with you on your summer trips. It’s a great travel-friendly pattern to have with you where ever you go, and then you can use it while you’re there!

Crochet Reusable Mesh Produce Bag Pattern

Level: Beginner

Supplies

• 2.5 oz. of worsted weight, cotton yarn (I used Lily Sugar’n Cream in Overcast and Teal in my pictures)
• H/8-5.00mm crochet hook
• (optional) 2 wood beads, for the ends of the drawstring

Notes

ch: chain

st: stitch

sc: single crochet

dc: double crochet

sk: skip

sl st: slip stitch

All stitches in US terms.

Total stitch count in parentheses at the end of each step.

Ch 1 at the beginning of the rounds does not count as a st. Ch 2 counts as the first dc in the dc rounds.

Gauge

Gauge is not necessary for this project.

Directions:

1. Create a magic ring; sc 6 st into ring. .Join to first st using sl st. (total of 6 st not including sl st)
2. Ch 1. Sc 2 st in same st as the ch 1. Continue by sc 2 st in each st around the circle. Join to first st using sl st. (total 12, not including sl st)
3. Ch 1. In the same st, *sc. In the next st, sc 2 in same st.* Continue from * to * around the circle. Join with sl st. (total 18)
4. Ch 1. In same st,* sc; next st, sc; next st, sc 2 in same st.* Continue from * to * around the circle. Join with sl st. (total 24)
5. (Will now continue rounds with dc) Ch 2. (This counts as the first dc in the first set for this and the following rounds.) *dc once into the next 3 st, and then dc twice into the 4th st.* Continue from * to * around the circle. Join with a sl st in the top of the ch 2 from the beginning. (total 30 st) (Pictures showing transition to dc, and how the first completed round should look)

6. Ch 2. *dc once into the next 4 st, and then dc twice in the 5th st* Continue from * to * around the circle. Join with a sl st in the top of the ch 2 from the beginning. (total 36 st)
7. Ch 2. *dc once into the next 5 st, and then dc twice in the 6th st* Continue from * to * around the circle. Join with a sl st in the top of the ch 2 from the beginning. (total 42 st)
8. Ch 2. *dc once into the next 6 st, and then dc twice in the 7th st* Continue from * to * around the circle. Join with a sl st in the top of the ch 2 from the beginning. (total 48 st)

Mesh:

9. (Will now start to create the mesh) *ch 4, sk a st, sc into the next st.* Continue from * to * around the circle. The last sc will be in the first ch 4 space. (First picture shows the first set of this step.) (24 sc, 96 ch)

10. – 27. (Continue with mesh) *ch 4, sc into ch 4 space from row below* Continue from * to * for row 10 to 27. Finish row 27 with a sc in the chain space. (24 sc, 96 ch)

28. *ch 2, sc in next chain space* Continue around and sl st in the first sc to finish the row. (24 sc, 48 ch)

29. Ch 2. This will count as the first dc here and in the next row. *2 dc in each chain space, and one dc in each sc* Continue around and join with a sl st in the top of the ch 2 at the beginning of the row. (72 dc)

30. Ch 2. Dc in each st around and join with a sl st. (72 dc) Finish off and weave in the ends.

Drawstring Directions:

To create the drawstring, you will need to chain one long chain. The length of the drawstring is up to your preference for how long you want for extra to tie the bag closed. I made mine with one long chain that was an inch or two longer than the circumference of the top of my bag, but you could always make your drawstring longer. When you have your drawstring, weave the string in and out every 3 dc sts in row 29. Lastly, place the wood beads on the ends of the drawstring (if using) and knot to keep the drawstring from falling out.

That’s it! I hope you enjoy this pattern! If so, please tag me @godsgiftofcreativity so I can see your lovely Reusable Mesh Produce Bag!