Peach Market Tote with Picot Trim: Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This Peach Market Tote is a soft, elegant errand bag inspired by Parisian market mornings. It is written for crocheters who are comfortable with single crochet and simple seaming, and it makes a wonderful first "real" bag project. The body is worked as two flat peach panels joined to a base strip, so the boxy shape builds up easily and stays neat. A delicate picot trim along the top and two short apricot handles give it a chic, finished look that feels light in the hand and roomy on the shoulder.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn — 400 yds peach (Color A), 100 yds apricot (Color B)
- Hooks: 5.5 mm (I/9) and 4.5 mm (7)
- Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, tape measure
- Finished size: Width 16 inches, Height 14 inches, Depth 4 inches, Handle drop 6 inches
Abbreviations
- ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
- sc — single crochet: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- sl st — slip stitch: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- rnd — round: a row worked in a continuous circle or joined circle.
- picot — ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, forming a small bump.
Gauge
14 sts x 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet with the 5.5 mm hook. Work a small swatch and measure a 4-inch section in the middle to check your gauge before starting.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your single crochet tension even and relaxed; tight stitches make the bag stiff and hard to seam.
- Count your stitches at the end of every few rows — each panel must stay at 56 sts for the bag to square up.
- Use stitch markers at the corners of the base to help align the panels evenly during assembly.
- Cotton yarn has little stretch, so do not pull the joining single crochet too tightly or the seams will pucker.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Panel (make 2, Color A, 5.5 mm hook)
Row 1: Ch 57, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (56 sts).
Rows 2–56: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (56 sts).
Fasten off.
Base (Color A, 5.5 mm hook)
Row 1: Ch 15, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (14 sts).
Rows 2–56: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (14 sts).
Fasten off.
Handles (make 2, Color B, 4.5 mm hook)
Row 1: Ch 61, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (60 sts).
Rows 2–3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (60 sts).
Fasten off.
Assembly Joins (Color A, 5.5 mm hook)
Join 1: Place the base flat. Align one panel along one long edge of the base and sc evenly across to join (56 sts).
Join 2: Repeat Join 1 with the second panel on the opposite long edge of the base (56 sts).
Join 3: Join the side edges of the panels to the short edges of the base with sc (14 sts each side).
Join 4: Join the panels together at the sides with sc from base to top (56 sts each side).
Edging (Color A, 4.5 mm hook)
Rnd 1: Join yarn at top right corner, sc evenly around the top opening (approx 112 sts). Join with sl st.
Rnd 2: [Sc in next 3 sts, picot (ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook)] repeat around. Join with sl st. Fasten off.
Handle Attachment (Color B)
Position handles 4 inches from the side edges on each panel, with the handle ends 4 inches apart. Sew securely with Color B and the tapestry needle.
Assembly and Finishing
Turn the bag right side out and check that all joins lie flat. Weave in all ends neatly on the wrong side, threading each end through several stitches before trimming. Block lightly by misting the bag with water and shaping it to the finished measurements (16 inches wide, 14 inches tall, 4 inches deep); let it dry flat, away from direct heat.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Work the panels in half double crochet for a faster, slightly denser bag — adjust your starting chain to keep the 16-inch width.
- Add a fabric lining for extra structure and to keep small items from slipping through the single crochet fabric.
- Swap the apricot handles for a contrasting mustard or sage to change the look while keeping the peach body.
