A very simple, easy and fast pattern for a market bag is one made using broomstick lace. Broomstick laceis a simple crochet stitch that uses a crochet hook and a special needle called a jiffy pin. The open weave of broomstick lace is simply a single crochet stitch completed with a specific set of guidelines. A size #35 jiffy pin creates an opening in the weave approximately half an inch in diameter. The jiff pin itself is approximately 13-inches long providing ample room for the required stitches.
Things You’ll Need:
#35 Jiffy Lace needle
Size C/2.75 mm crochet hook
4 balls, #8 Crochet Cotton
Scissors
Sewing needle
Cording
Tape measure
Instructions:
Step 1 – Chain 300 stitches. Slide the loop on your crochet hook onto the #35 Jiffy Lace needle.
Step 2 – Insert the crochet hook into the next chain and yarn over. Pull the crochet cotton through the chain and place the loop on the jiffy pin. Repeat the process until 300 loops are on the jiffy pin.
Step 3 – Point the Jiffy Lace needle to the right on a horizontal axis. Place the crochet hook through the first five loops going from the bottom of the stitch to the top. Yarn over the end of the crochet hook. Pull the crochet cotton through the 5 loops. Yarn over and pull the loop through the 2 loops on the shaft of the crochet hook.
Step 4 – Slide the five loops off the jiffy pin. Single crochet 5 times around the top of the loops.
Step 5 – Insert the tip of the crochet hook through the next five loops on the jiffy pin. Yarn over the crochet hook and pull the yarn through the loops. Yarn over and pull the crochet cotton through the two loops on the crochet hook prior to removing the loops from the jiffy pin.
Step 6 – Slide the group of 5 loops from the jiffy pin. Single crochet 4 more stitches in the top of the group. The single crochet stitch made prior to sliding the group of loops from the jiffy pin counts as the first single crochet in the grouping. Repeat this step for the remaining 290 loops on the jiffy pin. At the end of the row, the strip of broomstick lace will be held on the crochet hook with the last loop.
Step 7 – Start the next row. Slide the loop on the crochet hook over the end of the jiffy pin. Insert the tip of the crochet hook in the next single crochet stitch. Yarn over and pull the loop through the stitch. Slide the loop off the crochet hook and onto the Jiffy Lace needle. Repeat the process across the row for a total of 300 loops on the jiffy pin.
Step 8 – Repeat Steps 5 and 7 until the market bag is the desired length. I recommend between 18- to 24-inches. Finish off and weave the end through the last row of stitching.
Assembly:
Step 1 – Place the completed piece of broomstick lace on a flat work surface so the chain stitching is along the bottom edge. Fold the left side and match it with the right. Line up the bottom and top edges.
Step 2 – Sew the bottom and right edge of the market bag together.
Step 3 – Measure and cut two pieces of cording 24-inches long.
Step 4 – Weave one piece of cording through 30 consecutive broomstick weave openings. Place the two ends of the cord on the left and right side of the market bag. Flip the market bag over and repeat the process on the opposite side.
Step 5 – Match the ends of the cording on each side of the bag. Tie a double knot on both sides. Use the cording as a drawstring handle to close the top of the market bag.
Tips: A larger #50 Jiffy Lace needle is available to make a market bag with larger openings. Tray both sizes to see which one you like better.