About This Mash Bag Crochet Pattern
This delightful mesh bag pattern combines texture and practicality in one gorgeous accessory. Using soutache cord and a simple loop stitch technique, you'll create an airy, open-weave design that's perfect for carrying your essentials while adding a handmade touch to your outfit. The circular handles give it an elegant finish that elevates this from basic bag to statement piece.
With detailed photo instructions and a helpful video tutorial, even newcomers to crochet will find this pattern easy to follow. The finished bag measures approximately nine and a half inches long and eleven inches tall, making it the perfect size for everyday use.
Why You'll Love This Mash Bag Crochet Pattern
I absolutely love how this pattern teaches you the loop stitch technique in such a practical way. There's something deeply satisfying about watching those loops transform into a beautiful textured fabric that's both sturdy and flexible. The soutache cord gives the bag incredible structure without making it heavy, and I find the rhythmic nature of creating those loop stitches almost meditative. Plus, you can customize it with different colors or add a tassel for extra personality. It's one of those projects that looks impressively complex but is actually quite straightforward once you get into the groove.
Switch Things Up
I absolutely love experimenting with color when it comes to this mesh bag pattern. While the original uses a beautiful dusty rose shade, imagine how stunning this would look in a vibrant turquoise for summer beach trips, or a sophisticated charcoal gray for everyday urban style. You could even work with two colors, alternating them in the loop stitch rows to create a striped effect that really makes the texture pop.
Another fun variation I enjoy is changing up the handle style. Instead of the circular handles shown in the pattern, you could attach leather straps for a more bohemian vibe, or even crochet your own handles using the same cord for a completely handmade look. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding a fabric lining to the inside of the bag to make it more versatile for carrying smaller items that might slip through the mesh.
The decorative possibilities are endless with this pattern. I've added tassels in contrasting colors, woven ribbon through the mesh sections, or even attached small pom-poms to the handles for a playful touch. You could also experiment with the loop stitch length by using a wider guide instead of the plastic card, creating a shaggier, more dramatic texture. For a more refined look, work the entire bag in single crochet without the loop stitches, which gives you a solid, structured tote that's perfect for professional settings.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
✗ Not maintaining consistent tension on the loop stitches, which can result in uneven texture and an irregular mesh pattern throughout the bag
✗ Forgetting to place stitch markers at the corners of the bottom, making it difficult to track where increases should be placed during construction
✗ Skipping the steaming steps with an iron through damp cloth, which are essential for shaping and setting the structure of the bag properly
✗ Pulling the loop stitches too tight when working with the plastic card guide, creating loops that are too small and defeating the airy mesh effect
