You may have noticed that my designs have taken on a more natural, muted vibe lately (something I’m totally embracing) but don’t worry – I’m still a huge fan of colour! Mainly this is because I just can’t get enough of making small pouches and bags that match my very neutral and muted home. The colour and maximalism is strictly for my craft room only, sadly!
A few weeks ago, I made the Sage Soap Saver – and thank you so much for all your lovely messages about that project! Now, I thought it was time to continue the neutral, earthy vibe and introduce some beautiful storage pouches and produce bags in three different sizes, which I’ve called Malla.
This set of three drawstring bags are perfect for taking with you to the supermarket, the local market, or even just for using at home to store fruits and veggies separately from other types of food. These pouches are perfect for encouraging a more eco-friendly, waste-free lifestyle and minimise the use of single-use plastics – something we can all agree is super important to do!
Table of Contents
| At A Glance: Malla Produce Bags Easy / Advanced Beginner | |
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| Materials & Tools |
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| Terminology | US Terms |
| Design Style | Seamless, worked in the round from the bottom up |
| Time to Make | ~2 Hours |
| Key Stitches | Chain loops, mesh clusters, double crochet handles |
| Market Day Tip Reusable produce bags are designed to expand massively when filled. To prevent your bags from dragging on the floor when holding heavy items, choose a low-stretch fiber like linen or unmercerized cotton, and work your stitches with a slightly firmer tension than usual. | |
What I really love about these is the yarn. They’re made from 50% cotton, 35% viscose, and 15% linen, which gives them a soft yet sturdy feel which is also light and breathable, but also surprisingly strong. You’re going to love making loads of these, especially if you’ve got some scrap cotton lying around! I recommend using plant-based yarn instead of animal fibres or acrylics as you want your bags to be easily washable and breathable.
You can also play with colour to suit your style – match them to your home, or keep them neutral like I did. I especially love the contrast between the wooden beads and the matte texture of the crochet because it gives them such an elegant, sophisticated look.
| At A Glance: Cotton Linen Mesh Bag | |
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| Materials & Tools |
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| Sizes | S: 24 chains, 7 rows | M: 44 chains, 12 rows | L: 64 chains, 13 rows |
| Key Stitches | Small Mesh Stitch (US terms: ch, dc, sk, rep) |
| Gauge | Not crucial; ensure stitches are even and fabric is sturdy yet flexible. |
Malla Produce Bags · Crochet Pattern
Sizing S (M, L)
Ch 24 (44, 64) sts.
Row 1: 1 dc in 6th ch from hook, ch 1, sk next ch, 1 dc in next ch; repeat to end, turn.
Row 2: ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch 1), 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc; repeat to last dc, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of turning chain, turn.
Repeat Row 2 for 7 (12, 13) rows. Break yarn and pull through final stitch.
Assembly
Fold the finished rectangle sideways so the foundation chain forms the bottom edge.
With right sides facing together (inside out), seam the bottom and one side of the bag using slip stitch.
Fasten off and weave in all ends neatly.
Turn the bag right side out.
Drawstring Cord
Using the same yarn held double and the 3.5 mm hook, chain approximately 60–80 cm depending on bag size.
For reference:
Small bag: chain 45
Medium bag: chain 60
Large bag: chain 110
Weave the cord through the top row of mesh openings.
Add wooden beads to the ends if desired and knot securely.
Notes
You can adjust the width or height of the bag by changing the starting chain or number of mesh rows.
Experiment with colour combinations or keep it neutral for a clean, natural look.
These bags are great for produce, travel toiletries, baby items, or eco-friendly gift packaging.
If you loved this pattern and want to help me carry on offering you even more fantastic free projects, it’s be lovely if you could donate to me on Ko-fi! Thank you so much and happy crocheting…
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