The Upcycled Market Bag Tutorial

I recently knit an upcycled market bag and today I have the full tutorial to share with you. I love the way it turned out and if you can knit, you can quickly and easily make your own! They’re perfect for loading up with fresh produce or using for a quick trip to the beach.

Find used t-shirts at the thrift store {about five large ones} in a similar shade. I was fortunate to find a pile of old Scout troop shirts that were all the same color {and cheap!} but a little bit of discrepancy in color shade won’t make any difference in this project.

To make the yarn, cut the shirt into strips. Rather than re-create the wheel, I’ll point you to a great tutorial found here.

If you don’t want to bother making your own t-shirt yarn, you can buy cotton t-shirt yarn online {affiliate}.

Once the t-shirt is cut into strips, give the strips a tug and they’ll scrunch right up into a really neat yarn. Wind that yarn into a ball to make the knitting a bit easier and tangle-free.

Once you have the t-shirt yarn made, you’re ready to start knitting!

To finish the bag, follow this knitting pattern.

Using circular needles in a larger size {I used US 13}, cast on 70 stitches. Place marker and join in the round, being careful not to twist the round.

Knit 2 rows.

Knit in twisted drop stitch {Insert right needle into stitch as though to knit. Wrap yarn around both needles, then around the right needle. Pull through the stitch as if finishing a regular knit stitch} for 10 inches.

K5, K2tog across the row.

K 1 row.

K4, K2tog across the row.

K 1 row.

K3, K2tog across the row.

K 1 row.

K2, K2tog across the row.

K 1 row.

K1, K2tog across the row.

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail and, using a tapestry needle, weave yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight. Weave in all yarn ends.

For the handle, cast on 7 stitches. Knit in garter stitch until handle reaches a desired length. Cast off and stitch handle onto bag using yarn ends.

This bag is simple enough for a beginner knitter and would make a great gift as well.

Take your market bag to the store and enjoy … you’ll be the envy of everyone in the produce department!

Comments

Ashley says
July 27, 2011 at 11:32 pm
I love this, Randi. I remember seeing that same link on T-shirt thread from LBB’s site. I haven’t ever tried it. Mine was the vase and somehow I made it by 1 vote…crazy! Great job.
barb says
July 28, 2011 at 5:49 am
You are amazing!
Baye says
February 11, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Oh,no! I’ve held off of taking up knitting again, but this is pushing me over the edge. I’d love to make some of these. One thing we have in abundance is old t’s! Thanks for sharing with everyone.
chiwei says
February 11, 2012 at 3:58 pm
This is so cool, I love all the stuff you can do with t-shirt yarn. I can’t knit (trying to learn), but I can crochet, so maybe I’ll adapt this to a crochet pattern. Thanks for the inspiration!
Cheryl says
February 10, 2017 at 12:24 pm
I love it, I’m not a knitter but I crochet and this is a great idea!