The Iris Market Bag – Free Beginner Crochet Pattern

The Iris Market Bag is the perfect quick beginner market bag pattern! It uses simple stitches and an easy construction to create this fun and beautiful tote. This free crochet market bag pattern is a great option for a crochet project on the go, and it can be super fast to work up as well!

I love market bags, especially for summer. Since I just completed a tutorial for the crochet iris stitch, I thought I would use it as the inspiration for a new market bag pattern.

The iris stitch is a beginner crochet stitch that works up quickly, is easy to learn, and creates a beautiful texture. That’s what makes it perfect for the basis of the Iris Market Bag!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. If you do make a purchase, thank you! You rock! If you have a question, see my full disclosure here.

The Iris Stitch

The crochet iris stitch is a beginner friendly crochet stitch that is worked up using double crochets and chains. You will be completing 2 double crochets, a chain 1, and 2 more double crochets all in the same space. This will create a pretty, flower-like stitch texture that resembles an iris.

If you want a full tutorial, you can check out my blog post with written and video instructions – Iris Stitch: Crochet Stitch Tutorial!

Yarn

The Iris Market Bag is designed to be make with worsted weight cotton yarn. The yarn I used in the pattern video tutorial and in the examples pictures is I Love This Cotton in Ivory. This yarn is durable, washable, so soft and comes in sooo many amazing color options!

However, I also have used Yarn Bee Fundamental Cotton in Olive and Camel as well, and I found that the texture stood out even more in this yarn. Who doesn’t love that?

Iris Market Bag Supplies:

• ~225 yds. worsted weight cotton yarn (I used Yarn Bee Fundamental Cotton and I Love This Cotton)
• 1-1.5 inch Button
• H/8 5mm hook
• Stitch Markers
• Yarn Needle
• Scissors

Notes:

-BLO – back loop only

-CH – chain

-DC – double crochet

-FDC – foundation double crochet

-SC – single crochet

-SL ST – slip stitch

-ST – stitch

-Written in US terms.

-Chain 2 at the beginning of rounds count as a DC ST.

-Chain 1 in the Iris Stitch does not count as a stitch.

-Repeat the directions in the asterisks (*) across the row.

-Total ST count for each round will be in the parentheses.

-Seam is designed to be on the side of the bag to make it easier to hide.

-Right side is the side facing you when crocheting in the round. Wrong side is the inside or side facing away from you when crocheting in the round.

-We will first crochet the body of the bag in a tube shape. Then we will add the button hole and handle. Next, seam the bottom, and finally add the button. Constructing the bag in this order allows for some adjustment if necessary to make sure that when the handles on are opposite sides that the button is in line with the button loop.

-While this bag was designed originally to be made with cotton yarn, you could use whatever worsted weight yarn that you desired. However, you may want to line the bag to prevent overstretching.

Not ready to make this yet? Don’t forget to save it for later!

If you would like to support my blog and me as a designer, you can always grab the printable PDF pattern from my Etsy shop! It includes some tips on how to customize the size and links to other helpful resources.

Directions:

Iris Market Bag Crochet Pattern Tutorial

Bag Body

• FDC 60 (60). Be sure to join to the first ST of the round on the final ST. SL ST to close. CH 2. (Help for joining in pictures above)
• *DC*, (60). Join with a SL ST. CH 2. 

Repeat Step 2 once more. You should now have 3 DC rows.

• We will now start the iris stitch rows. In the base of the CH 2, DC, *skip 3 STS, DC two times, CH 1, DC two more times in the same ST*. End the round with 2 more DC in the same ST as the CH 2 from the beginning of the round, CH 1, and SL ST into the top of the CH 2. (60)
• CH 2, DC in the CH 1 space that is the base of the CH2. *In the next CH 1 space, complete 2 DC, CH 1, 2 DC.* End the round with 2 DC in the CH 1 space from beginning of the round, CH 1, and SL ST to the CH 2. (60)

Repeat Step 4 once more for a total of 3 iris stitch rows.

• CH 2, *DC*, (60) and be sure to skip the CH 1 spaces! Join with a SL ST and CH 2.

Repeat Steps 3-5 three more times or until your bag is approximately 10 inches tall or has 19 rows.

• *DC* (60). Join with a SL ST.
• CH 1. We will now be crocheting the brim of the bag and placing a button hole and stitch markers where needed. (Note: you can ignore the button hole if you do not what to add a button.) 

• SL ST in the BLO of the first ST, place a stitch marker, and the SL ST in the BLO for 14 STS, CH 5-7 to create button loop, and SL ST in the BLO of the same ST. Be sure to check and make sure your button loop fits your button.
• SL ST in the BLO for 15 STS, and place a stitch marker in the last ST. This will be for the handle placement.
• SL ST in the BLO for 15 STS, and place a stitch marker in the last ST. This will be where to place the button.
• SL ST in the BLO for the final 15 STS (60 STS total). Join with an invisible join or a SL ST. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Handle

To start the handle, attach the yarn in the back bump of the SL ST 3 STS to the right of the first stitch marker you placed. This should be the stitch marker that is in the join or seam line for your bag. (Check pictures for help with placement.)

• CH 2, DC in the back bump of the SL STS for the next 6 STS (7). CH 2, and turn.
• *DC* (7). CH 2, and turn.

Repeat Row 2 for a total of 56 times, or until your handle is about 30 inches long or the desired length. Be sure to end on an even row.

To seam:

Align the handle so that the middle ST of the handle is lined up with the stitch marker on the opposite side of the bag from where you started your handle. This will be the second stitch marker you placed. Be sure the handle is not twisted!

Line up the handle on the outside edge of the bag and turn so that the bag body is toward you and you work into it as the top layer when seaming.

Then, seam the handle to the bag with SL STS in the back bump of the SL STS on the brim of the bag. Be sure to place the seam on the inside of the bag.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Bottom

You will be seaming the bottom of the bag together using a SC ST.

To seam up the bottom, you will first need to turn your bag inside out so that the wrong side is out. Then flip the bag so you can work the bottom.

Next, lay the bag flat so that the handles are on opposite sides and the button loop is directly in line with the last stitch marker.

The bag body will now have a top layer and a bottom layer. You will be crocheting through both layers when seaming. Attach the yarn to one end of the bottom of the bag. Be sure to attach through both layers.

Sc evenly across being sure to insert your hook through both loops on both layers of the bag. (~30 STS)

Fasten off, weave in ends, and turn bag right side out.

Button

Before attaching the button, be sure the stitch marker and the button loop line up directly when the bag is laid out flat. If you need to adjust the button placement, move the stitch marker now.

Attach the button with yarn or a sturdy thread if necessary.

Fasten off, weave in any final ends, and enjoy!

Thank you!

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to let me know in the comments below.

Please remember that this pattern is my own intellectual property and cannot be shared as your own work. Distribution, translation, publication, and resale of these instructions and/or images are prohibited. Please respect my rights as a designer. You may use this pattern to create your own works, which you may use for yourself or sell, as long as you credit me as the original designer.

I would love to see your work! Share your Iris Market Bag with the #irismarketbag or tag me @godsgiftofcreativity!