VIDEO: How to Finger Crochet – Free Market Tote Bag Pattern

This free market tote bag pattern and video tutorial is the perfect introduction on how to finger crochet! A speedy, satisfying project for adults and older kids alike (even if you’ve never crocheted before!) 

To me, crochet is one big experiment. I’ve tried crocheting on flip flops, crocheting with twine from the dollar store, crocheting pictures I’ve drawn and crocheting with clothesline.

Until recently though, I had never tried finger crocheting. (Well, unless you count making chains with my long hair as a bored elementary schooler.) 

When I got my hands on Lion Brand’s new Fast-Track yarn, I knew that it was meant for something special and unique. Fast-Track is a little similar to t-shirt yarn in that it’s bulky, but it also compresses pretty flat. It’s actually hollow in the inside, like a tube, and has a bit of stretch while still maintaining a lot of sturdy durability. In all my crochet experiments, I’ve never used anything like it!

I started playing with a strand of Fast-Track with my hands and the idea for finger crocheting a market tote bag was born.

While finger crocheting is perhaps a little more work for your actual hands, I find it to be extremely satisfying and soothing. I think there’s something about how hands-on and tactile it is that gives a fidgety, sometimes anxious, gal like me something to “do” with all my extra energy. Even though I’ve done my fair share of crocheting in my life, I find it easier to work without looking while I’m finger crocheting. (Cue that subtitled Netflix documentary you’ve been putting off!)

If you have kids around, this free market tote pattern would be a perfect intro finger crochet project for them too! You can reduce the number of stitches you chain at the beginning as well as the number of rows you crochet to make the right size tote bag for any age finger crocheter. Wondering how you and your kids will survive spring break? Grab a couple skeins of Fast-Track and set them loose with the video tutorial below.

This finger crochet video tutorial is meant for absolute beginners, so even if you’ve never crocheted before, you can make this free market tote bag pattern!

And if you’re not into finger crochet, you still follow the pattern and achieve a similar gauge with a 25 mm hook.

Thanks to Lion Brand Yarn for sponsoring this post and enabling more free patterns on Make and Do Crew!

UPDATE: Lion Brand has created a kit that includes all the yarn you need to make this market tote bag as well as a copy of the printable pattern. You can score the kit for 20% off through March 30, 2017! Check out the Finger Crochet Market Tote kit here.

Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell with this pattern. In exchange, please link back to this post. Do NOT use my photos as your own sales photos. ­­You can read my policies here. Now let’s make something awesome!

Finger Crochet Free Market Tote Bag Pattern

Add this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.

Measurements:
Bag laying flat (without handle): 13.5” x 15”
Handle height: approx. 7.5”

Supplies:
• (1) Lion Brand Fast-Track in “Chopper Grey” – 149 yards/227 g
• (1) Lion Brand Fast-Track in “Go Kart Green” – 149 yards/227 g
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers or safety pins
• To make with a hook instead of your fingers, a 25 mm hook will achieve a similar gauge

Gauge:
7sc = 4”
7 rows = 4”

Abbreviations (US Terms):
sc – single crochet
st – stitch
ch – chain
RS – right side

Notes:

• This tote bag is intended to be finger crocheted without a hook. If you desire to work with a hook, you can use a 25 mm hook to achieve a similar result.
• The size of your hands and tension of your finger crochet will impact the gauge and relative structure of the bag. Aim to make your stitches fairly tight while still allowing enough room in each loop for your fingers to work comfortably.
• View the video tutorial above for a thorough demonstration of finger crochet.
  
• 2 identical panels are worked for the front and back of the bag and then seamed together.

Bag Panel

(Make 2.)

Using Chopper Grey:

Ch 12.

Row 1: Sk first ch, sc in next 11 ch; turn. (11 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in last sc; turn. (13)

Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 11 sc, 2 sc in last sc; turn. (15)

Row 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 13 sc, 2 sc in last sc; turn. (17)

Row 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 15 sc, 2 sc in last sc; turn. (19)

Row 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 17 sc, 2 sc in last sc; turn. (21)

Row 7: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 19 sc, 2 sc in last sc; turn. (23)

Rows 8-16: Ch 1, sc in each sc across; turn. (23)

Row 17: Ch 1, sc in each sc until 1 sc remains; insert hook in last sc, yo using grey and pull through st, yo using Go Kart Green to complete sc. (See photo below.)

Using Go Kart Green:

Rows 18-25: Ch 1, sc in each sc across; turn. (23)

Fasten off, leaving a 15” tail. Do not weave in. Repeat for second bag panel, taking care to keep finger tension similar.

Adding Handles

Cut six 50” strands of Go Kart Green. At top of one of the bag panels, thread one strand through the third stitch from the left side. Thread the same strand through the third stitch from the right side. Securely knot strand at top of handle once desired length is achieved. (Keep in mind, bag will stretch out a bit once filled with belongings. Handle pictured is approx. 7.5” high when unstretched.) Repeat this process with the other two strands in the fourth and fifth stitches from each edge. (See photo below.)

Trim handle strands, leaving 2” tails. Using main ball of Go Kart Green yarn, securely attach yarn on right side of handle (left side for left-handed crocheters) as pictured below.

Ch 1, sc fairly tightly along handle working around all three strands of handle yarn and any tails as you go. Scrunch sc stitches together periodically until you like the density of how they look. Fasten off and weave in last tail under handle sc stitches.

Repeat for second handle.

Seaming Panels

Set panels on top of each other with the sides you want to show facing each other. (Panels should be identical, but if you prefer one side of a panel, face it inward.) Pin panels together with stitch markers.

Thread Go Kart Green tail from panel onto tapestry needle. Using mattress stitch, sew along green section of panels. Fasten off green yarn. Switch to grey yarn to seam grey section, taking care to work into the first row of sc (not the ch stitches) along the bottom of bag. Fasten off grey yarn. Complete final green section using tail from panel. Fasten off and turn bag right side out.

Hit the farmer’s market, the grocery store or the beach with your new HAND-made bag! 

I love to see your finished projects! Use #MakeAndDoCrew and tag me Instagram (@MakeAndDoCrew) to show off your stitches and have a chance to be featured.­

Now that your fingers are warmed up, here are more free patterns you might enjoy!

Cocoon Cardigan – great pattern + video tutorial for a confident beginner

Faux Cabled Bun Beanie – free pattern and video tutorial!