Zero Waste Reusable Produce Bag - Free Pattern

As July is Plastic – Free Month I put together this reusable produce bag to help me cut down on the amount of single use plastics I use.

As you know many supermarkets pre-pack fruit and veg in plastic bags and containers. Even if you select the loose produce, the only options available to us are to use a plastic bag or have your fruit and veg floating around in your shopping bag (which, of course, is perfectly fine but you’d be surprised how many people seem to gasp in horror at the idea of loose produce).

However, since my usual supermarket has those zappit doodahs (technical term) where you scan your shopping as you go then pay at the end; I’ve had a couple of conversations with staff when I’ve been chosen for a spot check. They’re not quite sure whether I’m trying to pull a fast one by only having one potato with a price sticker and the rest without.

Having my own non – plastic bag to put my fruit and veg in seemed the way to go plus any excuse to get the crochet hooks out!

Reuseable Produce Bag

The reusable produce bag keeps all my loose veg together and there is even a handy tag for the printed price labels (if your supermarket offers them). I was able to fit two medium baking potatoes; one bell pepper and four oranges in one bag. By using cotton the bag is stretchy enough to hold your produce but not so stretchy that they will fall out of the holes (see images below). If you would like a larger bag simply increase your hook size.

The final bag weighs approx 40g (it may weigh more if you use a larger hook as you will use more yarn) so I would suggest that you weigh your fruit and veg BEFORE putting them in the bag.

The pattern is designed for beginners and is a great stash buster as you will see from the photo above. When coming to the end of one colour simply tie in the new colour leaving long ends so that you can weave them in.

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Materials

Aran Cotton Yarn approx 70m* (I actually used Drops Paris for the blue bag and scraps of a DK mercerised cotton* for the multi-coloured bag)
Crochet hook 4mm* (by the way, this* is the hook set* that I have and I love love LOVE it!! It includes a super cute set of fold up scissors which is amazing for working on the go)
Tapestry needle* (to weave in ends)

Reusable Produce Bag Pattern – UK Terms

Abbreviations

SLST = Slip Stitch;
CH = chain;
DC = Double Crochet;
HTC = Half Treble Crochet;
TC = Treble Crochet;

Pattern – UK terms

R1. Create a magic circle, CH2 (does not count as a stitch), 12TC into magic circle, SLST to join.

R2. CH4 (counts as TC and CH1), (TC, CH1) in top of next stitch and each stitch around, SLST to the 3rd chain from the 4-chain at the beginning of the round.

R3. CH4 (counts as TC and CH1), *(TC, CH1) in chain-space, (TC, CH1) in top of next stitch,* Repeat from * to * 10 times, (TC, CH1) in chain-space, SLST to 3rd chain to join.

R4. CH4 (counts as TC and CH1), *(TC, CH1) in top of next stitch, (TC, CH1) in chain-space, (TC, CH1) in top of next stitch,* Repeat from * to * 11 times, (TC, CH1) in top of next stitch, (TC, CH1) in chain-space, SLST to 3rd chain to join.

R5. *CH5, skip 3 stitches, DC ,* Repeat from * to * 16 times. **CH5, DC into chain-space**. Repeat from ** to ** until bag reaches desired height. I continued until the bag measured 24cm/9.5in from the centre of the magic ring to the top of the bag.

Bag Top

Now we’re going to give the top of the bag some structure so that we can add a draw-string and a label for the printed price stickers used in many supermarkets.

R6. CH5, 2DC in next chain-space, *SC , 4DC in next chain-space*. Repeat from * to * 16 times, SLST to join. Do Not Turn.

R7. CH1 (does not count as a stitch), DC in same stitch, DC in each stitch around, SLST to join. Do Not Turn.

R8. CH4 (counts as TC and CH1), HTC, CH1, *skip 1 stitch, HTC, CH1.* Repeat from * to * 32 times. Skip 1 stitch, HTC, CH1, SLST to 3rd chain to join.

R9. CH1 (does not count as a stitch), DC in same stitch, *DC in chain-space, DC*. Repeat from * to * to end, SLST to join.

Now we’re going to make the label panel, this is optional so if you’d rather not have the label simply finish now and weave in the ends.

R10. CH1 (does not count as a stitch), DC in same stitch, DC in each of the next 9 stitches, CH1, turn.

R11. DC in same stitch, DC across the 9 stitches, CH1, turn.

R12 to R16. Repeat R11.

R17. DC in same stitch, DC across, finish off and weave in ends.

Draw-string

This reusable produce bag uses a draw-string to close. I wanted a thicker ‘rope’ as I felt it would stand up better to regular use but you could use a ribbon, some garden twine or simply cut a length of your yarn instead.

CH101, DC in 2nd chain from the hook, DC to end, finish and weave in ends.

Take your finished draw-string and thread it through the holes created by the HTC round.