Crochet Mesh Tote Bag Free Pattern: 7 Easy Steps

This crochet mesh tote bag free pattern is the perfect summer project for crocheters who want a stylish, functional, and breezy bag for beach trips, farmers market runs, and everyday errands. The entire bag is worked in one continuous piece, starting with a solid oval base that provides structure, building up a breathable mesh body, and finishing with two sturdy straps that are stitched together for extra durability. Unlike many mesh tote patterns that leave wide gaping holes, this design uses a tighter mesh that balances airflow with privacy, keeping your belongings secure while still allowing damp items like swimsuits and towels to dry quickly.

Written by an experienced crocheter — Every pattern and technique shared on KnotToYarn has been tested and verified. We focus on clear, actionable instructions so you can finish each project with confidence, whether it is your first day or your hundredth.

The crochet mesh tote has become one of the most popular bag styles in the crochet community, and for good reason. These bags are lightweight, packable, and endlessly customizable. Whether you are heading to the beach, a picnic in the park, or just running errands around town, a handmade mesh tote adds a touch of artisanal charm to any outfit. The pattern uses mercerized cotton yarn for durability and a beautiful sheen, but you can substitute any medium weight yarn you have in your stash.

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Why You Will Love This Crochet Mesh Tote Bag Free Pattern

One of the biggest advantages of a crochet mesh tote is its incredible versatility. The mesh construction allows for excellent airflow, so damp items like swimsuits, beach towels, or sweaty gym clothes can breathe and dry while inside the bag. You can also quickly spot your belongings through the semi-open mesh, eliminating the frustrating experience of rummaging blindly through a dark tote. At the same time, the mesh holes are small enough to keep small items like keys, phones, and wallets from falling through.

This pattern is rated for advanced beginners, meaning it is an ideal third or fourth crochet project for someone who has already mastered the basic stitches and is ready to learn new techniques like working in rounds, increasing, and decreasing. The step-by-step instructions below guide you through every stage of the bag, from the foundation chain to the final stitch of the border. If you run into any trouble, the original designer also provides a helpful video tutorial on their YouTube channel that demonstrates each technique visually.

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crochet mesh tote bag oval base construction

Choosing Yarn and Hook Size for Your Crochet Mesh Tote

For this crochet mesh tote bag free pattern, 100% mercerized cotton yarn is the top recommendation because it is exceptionally durable, resists stretching over time, and has a smooth, slightly shiny finish that gives your finished tote a polished professional look. Mercerized cotton also holds up well to regular use and washing, which is important for a bag that will see a lot of action during summer outings. If you do not mind some stretch or plan to add a fabric lining to the interior, you can experiment with other medium weight fibers including acrylic blends, cotton blends, or even bamboo yarn for a softer drape.

Hook size is flexible for this pattern. The designer used a 4mm hook with medium weight cotton, which creates a firm yet flexible fabric. If you want a stronger bag with tighter stitches and smaller mesh holes, go down a hook size or two. For a softer, more drapey bag with larger mesh openings, size up your hook. The pattern itself is forgiving and adaptable, so feel free to experiment until you find the exact fabric density that works for your intended use. The Craft Yarn Council provides helpful standards for yarn weights and recommended hook sizes if you want to substitute materials.

Materials for Crochet Mesh Tote Bag Free Pattern

140 grams of medium weight yarn (4 weight mercerized cotton recommended)
4mm crochet hook (adjust up or down for desired tension)
Scissors for cutting yarn
Yarn needle for weaving in loose ends
Stitch markers (bobby pins or safety pins work great too)

Finished Dimensions

The finished crochet mesh tote bag from this free pattern measures approximately 27.5cm wide by 8.5cm deep by 46cm tall (10.8 x 3.3 x 18.1 inches), including the straps. The oval base is 29.5cm long by 8.5cm deep, and the mesh body stands 20cm tall before the straps begin. These dimensions create a medium-sized tote that is large enough for a beach towel, sunscreen, a book, and a water bottle, yet compact enough to sling over your shoulder comfortably for long walks. You can adjust the size by changing the number of foundation chains and the number of rounds worked for the base and body sections.

crochet mesh tote bag body mesh stitches

How to Adjust the Size of Your Crochet Mesh Tote

One of the best features of this mesh tote design is its built-in adjustability. You can customize every dimension of the bag to suit your needs. Increasing or decreasing the number of foundation chains changes the width of the bag without affecting the depth. Adding or removing rounds on the oval base increases or decreases both the length and depth equally. Working more or fewer rows for the body section changes the height of the bag. And adjusting the number of decrease and even rows for the straps changes the strap width and length. If you want a specific bag size, you can calculate the exact number of chains and rounds needed using a simple gauge swatch and a bit of math.

Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms)

ch = chain
ch1-sp = chain-1-space
dc = double crochet
dec = decrease
inc = increase
rep = repeat
sc = single crochet
sk = skip
sl st = slip stitch
sp = space
st = stitch

Important Pattern Notes

This crochet mesh tote bag free pattern is written using US crochet terms throughout
The bag is crocheted in joined rounds with a slip stitch at the end of each round
Chain 2 at the beginning of base rounds does NOT count as a double crochet
Chain 4 at the beginning of body rounds DOES count as a dc and ch1; slip stitch goes into the 3rd chain up
Chain 1 when outlining straps does NOT count as a single crochet
Stitch markers, bobby pins, or safety pins can be used to mark your rounds

crochet mesh tote bag base rounds diagram

Crochet Mesh Tote Bag Pattern Instructions

Oval Base

Foundation: Make a slipknot, ch40+2 turning chain. Tighten your first and 40th chains to minimize holes at the ends of the base.

Round 1: dc6 in 3rd ch from hook, dc in next 38 ch, dc6 in last ch, rotate your foundation chain to work along the underside, dc in next 38 ch, sl st to first dc (88 stitches total). Place a stitch marker in the first dc worked into the last chain and move it up every round.

Round 2: ch2, rep[inc in next 6 st, dc in next 38 st] 2 times, sl st (100 stitches).

Round 3: ch2, *rep[dc, inc] 6 times, dc in next 38 st,* rep between **, sl st (112 stitches).

Round 4: ch2, *rep[dc in next 2 st, inc] 6 times, dc in next 38 st,* rep between **, sl st (124 stitches). For a larger base, continue adding rounds with 6 increases on each side.

Mesh Body

Round 1: ch4, sk2, rep[dc, ch1, sk1] around, sl st to the 3rd ch up on the ch4 (62 dc, 62 ch1-sp). The ch4 counts as a dc and ch1. Work dc stitches on top of the dc stitches from the previous round.

Rounds 2 through 20: ch4, rep[dc in next st, ch1] around, sl st. For a shorter bag do fewer rounds, for a taller bag work more rounds to your desired height.

Straps

Fold the bag in half along the foundation chain. Trace the stitch on the left edge of the base up to the last round and mark it. Mark the 31st stitch to the right of that stitch marker. These two stitches should be at the left and right edges when the bag is folded. Now mark the 11th stitch to the right and left of each edge marker. These four points mark where the straps start and end. The straps are worked one at a time in rows.

Row 1: Attach yarn to the left stitch marker, ch2, rep[dc in next st, ch1] until 2 st left, dec (21).

Rows 2 through 9: ch2, turn, rep[dc in next st, ch1] until 2 st left, dec (19, 17, 15, 13, 11, 9, 7, 5).

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