Sure you can buy some trendy brand name shopping bags, but why not make your own bags for cheap (and even free!), they can be as chic and cool as you like (and original too)!

Here’s a bunch of free patterns and tutorials to get you started, I have them sorted in three sections: Sewing, Knit, Crochet. Some patterns are pretty similar but there are subtle differences and features in each.

35 Reusable Grocery Bags - Free Tutorials & Patterns

Sewing Grocery Bags & Totes

1. Fabric Grocery Sacks: Replicas of plastic grocery sacks made from vintage sheets and pillowcases (any fabric will do!). These also make cute lunch bags. Features a tie closure for a neat fit in your purse when not in use.
2. MorsBags.com: Offers a downloadable pattern in pdf or word doc format (also an animated web tutorial). Simple tote style, easy to make.
3. Cheap & Easy Fabric Produce Bags: A great alternative to the clear plastic bags available in the fruits & veggies aisles, these are made from repurposed sheer curtains (watch for them at garage sales), drawstring closure. Wash & reuse, lovely!
4. Cheap & Easy Fabric Grocery Bags: By repurposing some old sheets, you can make a batch of these up for less than $2 each, and look how cute your groceries are in bags that are all the same pattern :). Simple design with sturdy webbing for the handles (or just whip up some fabric straps if you prefer).
5. Pillowcase Tote - Sewing Tutorial: Here’s a simple grocery tote made from an old pillowcase, including the handles.
6. Sew a Durable, Reusable Grocery Bag: This tutorial suggests using canvas or denim but you can use whatever fabric you prefer. Boxed bottom with webbing or fabric strips for straps.
7. Make a Reusable Grocery Bag: Simple reversible tote with boxed bottom, the handles are actually cut out (and reinforced) from the top of the bag.
8. “Green” Re-usable Grocery Bags: Another simple fabric bag, this one has the handles cut out with the pattern rather than sewing on straps separately. Another good one for beginners to make.
9. Make A Bird Seed Bag Grocery Tote: Here’s an original idea, make a grocery tote out of big feed bags. If you have any woven plastic bags on hand that you’re wondering what to do with–here ya go!
10. How To Make A Canvas Bag: Cotton canvas shopping bag tutorial. Very simple design and sturdy!
11. Wallet-Sized Fold-Up Re-Usable Shopping Bag: This bag folds into a wallet size that fits perfectly in your purse so you’ll always have one at your fingertips when needed. The bag is more detailed than most, but how nice it is!
12. Reusable Groceries Bag With Comfy Bag Handles: Here’s a pretty bag with its own bag cozy featuring a strap and metal clip. A bag within a bag–very cute!
13. BurdaStyle Reusable Grocery Bag: This super-simple fabric bag is from BurdaStyle (free membership required to download pattern). No handles or straps to sew on and uses just 3/4 of a yard of fabric. Also features an inside pouch so the bag can tuck into itself
14. Tutorial: Grocery Tote Bags: A simple fabric tote with attached straps, tutorial found on the Craftster forum.
15. SewUseful San Fransisco Shopper: Roomy fabric tote with shoulder straps, folds down nicely to fit into a pocket or purse.
16. TUTORIAL: Singlet Style Shopping Bag (like the plastic shopping bag): A Crafster forum tutorial, this fabric bag uses a regular plastic grocery bag as the template.
17. A TOTE-ally Easy Way To Help The Earth: This fabric tote has straps that run from the bottom of the bag up (to reinforce), fully lined. Very sturdy construction, perfect for hauling canned goods.
18. Make Your Own Shopping Bags: Simple design for a fabric bag, long rectangular shape with reinforced handles attached.

Knit Shopping Bag Patterns

1. Knitty’s Everlasting Bagstopper: Here’s a knit pattern using a mesh stitch but has a solid base for items to sit on). Nice, big & stretchy!
2. Turkish Stitch String Bag: Here’s a knit pattern for the mesh/string style of shopping bags with a shoulder strap. Pattern calls for a circular needle.
3. Eco-Friendly Expandable Shopping Bag: This is a free knit pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. It’s another mesh style, but it’s shallow in depth and has a solid knit top band and shoulder strap. If you get the registration page first (without seeing the pattern), try hitting refresh and scroll down the page to view the pattern.
4. Susitna String Shopping Bag: This is another string shopping bag, knit pattern done on a knitting machine (not many of these patterns available!). Nice original design and pattern is available via a pdf download.
5. Net Shopping Bag Pattern: A knit pattern for a mesh or net shopping bag, starts with double pointed needles then switches to circular. Nice length for the shoulder strap.
6. Handknit Market Bag: Very nice knit bag using a lace pattern, great length for shoulder straps. This pattern is one of my favorites! Available in a pdf download.
7. Knit Shopping Bag Project: Project uses worsted weight yarn and measures approx 24″ wide x 20″ long, excluding handle. Website is no longer available, this is found on the web archive.
8. Knit Shopping Bags in Two Sizes: Sizes: Small Bag: 11 1/2″ x 14″; Large Bag: 13 1/2″ x 14″, pattern uses worsted-weight yarn. Website is no longer available, pattern found on the web archive.
9. FREE PATTERN Fantasy Naturale Market Bag: Knit bag pattern, size: Approx. 16” high X 12” diameter. Base uses straight needles, body of bag uses circular.

Crochet Shopping Bag Patterns

1. Vintage Crochet Shopping Bag Pattern: Here’s a pattern previously published on Tipnut, it’s the old style string bags that last forever and hold more than you can imagine. If you crochet, having one or two of these in your purse comes in super handy. Pattern available in a pdf download.
2. Crochet Grocery Bag Pattern: Here’s another crocheted bag, you don’t have to use plain white crochet thread–see the bright colors used here.
3. Lily’s String Bag: Another crochet pattern for a mesh bag, this one has a bottom and handles that are solid. Free pattern, but for members only (it’s a quick signup).
4. Handicrafter Cotton - Shopping Bag: This crochet pattern is from Bernat (free membership required to download pattern) and it’s different than the crochet string/mesh style patterns listed above, the style is more tote-like. Cute!
5. Reduction Tote Bag: A crochet pattern in a mesh style with a solid bottom and straps. The bag also features a pocket on the front (great for holding keys and a wallet).
6. Market Tote Bag Pattern: Available from the Lion Brand Yarn site, this crocheted bag is a nice long hobo style with wide shoulder straps. Body of bag is mainly made up of the double crochet stitch.
7. Crochet Shopping Bag Pattern (pdf): This pattern is worked in one piece, has two straps and the body is mainly treble (triple) stitch.
8. Hobo Style Bag: This bag is done in a mesh crochet and has long shoulder straps. Instructions are basic, but you should be able to work your way through this if you’re at an intermediate level for crochet.

You can save a bunch of money making your homemade grocery bags by recycling fabric from old sheets, pillowcases, tablecloths and even old pairs of jeans (just sew strips of denim together and away you go).

Furoshiki is another option to replace plastic bags, this is a neat technique from Japan.

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Posted in Crochet, Green Living, Knitting, Popular Tips, Sewing | ( 10 )