Another Crochet Market Bag

I just couldn't help myself.  I loved the first market bag I crocheted so much that I had to make some more!

There are many other free crochet market bag patterns out there, but I decided to stick with the Crochet Grocery Bag pattern I used last time.  (You will have to check out to download the pattern, but no payment is due since the cost is $0.00)  This time I also used a single skein of  Patons Kroy Socks FX in the colorway Cascade Colors (49 g, 163 yards) and size E (3.5 mm) crochet hook for the project.  This yarn has been in my stash so long it is almost the foundation of my stash!  I cannot wait to put this pretty yarn to good use.

There aren't that many non-toy/non-baby patterns that will use under 166 yards of sock yarn.  There are some cute fingerless mitts patterns, but nothing I was enamored with.  I am so happy to have found this market bag pattern.  I was nervous that it was a little small for usefulness, but I polled my favorite crafting Facebook forum and everyone thought they would be perfect.  Wahoo!

This time, I started with more yarn.  The ball of yarn weighed 54 g.  I love it when the yardage is underestimated on the label.  A 10% difference is okay by industry standards, although I tend to be upset if a ball of yarn is short by 5 g.  This yardage difference plus the mid-project weights I took last time mean that I can make this crochet market bag a little larger.

When it was time to start the decreases (9 complete rounds from previous instructions), I had 24 g of yarn left.  I decided I would knit at least 3 more rounds before starting the decreases.  After 12 rounds, 19 g remain. Again I will knit some more.  After 15 rounds total in this last step I'm ready to start the decreases.

Before Decreases

After Decreases

On feedback from my fellow Wellesley Crafters, I considered trying to make hte handles much longer, but ultimately this isn't meant to be an over the shoulder bag.  It is supposed to be a reusable evaivalent of what you could carry in a single plastic shopping bag.  And you can't go wrong with a bag you can use to carry a gallon of milk!  (It starts to pull on the hands a bit, but at least the bag isn't going to rip.)

Adding the handles

5 g remain again!  I think I crocheted a little tighter for this bag but it still fits a gallon of milk with ease.  I also didn't finish this one in a single day but it was a nice mindless project to have that helped me unwind during a stressful week.  I cannot wait to make more of these bags!

Who doesn't need a bag that is strong enough to carry a gallon of milk around?