Farmer's Market Bag (another Pinterest project)

Years ago I had a string bag which I used until it wore out. I think it was macrame. I was very happy to find these directions on Pinterest. The directions say to use acrylic or cotton yarn, worsted weight. The bottom of the bag is a flat circle.

Ch 4. In 4th ch from hook, work 11 dc.

Working in rounds (no joining or turning), work 2 dc in each st around.

Work 1 dc in next st, work 2 dc in next st. Repeat around.

Work 1 dc in next 2 stitches, work 2 dc in next st. Repeat around.

Repeat last round until the base is big enough for you. I worked 5 and a half rounds. Hdc in next st. Sc in next st. *Ch 5. Sk next 2 st, sc in next st. Repeat from * around.

I left a slightly longer than usual tail on the beginning chain to be able to pull it through the first stitch to mark the beginning of the round.

I can leave it like that because it doesn't show on the outside.

 Since my last sc of the first round is in the hdc of the previous round, I can continue to work in rounds of ch 5, sc in ch 5 loop of previous round. I'll continue until it's deep enough for me.

Deep enough is a personal decision. This bag will stretch.

 For the top band, work 2 hdc in the ch 5 loop, 1 hdc in sc around.

I made another bag with 4 hdc in each ch 5 loop, just because I wanted a large opening.

It does flare out at the top, which is why I'm trying for a different effect with the blue bag. Again, the size of the top opening can be easily changed to suit your personal taste. (Patterns are suggestions.)

I worked 2 rounds of hdc, then 1 round of sc. The pattern called for handles of 2 sc rows. I think that would be fine for drawstrings, but I like wider handles, if I'm going to be holding the bag by the handles. So, 5 sc, ch 1, turn. Repeat until the handle is desired length. For me, that's 14 inches.
Then I counted how many unused stitches were in the top round. 64 This number would be bigger if I had made the bottom bigger or if I had put more hdc stitches in each ch 5 loop. I'll need 15 stitches for the ends of the handles. That leaves 49 stitches. Divide by 4. 12 (13 in one place) so the handle ends will be evenly spaced.
Imagine that! Those hated word problems from math class really do come in handy!

Be careful to not twist the handle. Skip next 12 stitches. sl st handle to bag. Fasten off and work in ends.
Sk next 12 stitches. Fasten yarn in next stitch with s sc. Sc in next 4 stitches. Work 5 sc rows until handle is same length as other handle. (57 rows this time). Sk next 12 stitches. Fasten handle same as first handle.

Yay! One less w i p. One more finished project!