Verdant Vine Market Tote Free Pattern – A Knitted Garden Basket

Imagine strolling through your local farmers' market, your arm looped through a lush, textured tote that turns heads. The Verdant Vine Market Tote is more than just a bag—it's a statement piece that blends the organic beauty of trailing ivy with the sturdy practicality of a woven garden basket. The deep forest green and cream colorwork creates a sophisticated, earthy aesthetic that elevates every errand, from grocery runs to beach days. This free knitting pattern is perfect for intermediate knitters looking to expand their skills with colorwork and texture, while still being accessible to confident beginners ready for a rewarding project.

What makes this tote truly special is its thoughtful design: the dense cotton fabric provides structure, the eyelet rows create a functional drawstring closure, and the slip-stitch vertical stripes add a subtle, handcrafted dimension. Whether you're an eco-conscious crafter or simply love unique accessories, this market bag will become your go-to companion. Let's dive into this delightful pattern and create something beautiful with your own hands.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather these essential supplies. Having everything ready ensures a smooth, enjoyable knitting experience.

Yarn

• Main Color (MC) – Deep Forest Green: Worsted weight cotton yarn, approximately 250g / 500m. Cotton is ideal for this project because it's sturdy, washable, and holds its shape beautifully.
• Contrast Color (CC) – Cream: Worsted weight cotton yarn, approximately 100g / 200m. The cream provides a beautiful contrast against the deep green, creating those elegant seed stitch bands.

Needles & Tools

• US 7 (4.5mm) circular knitting needle, 24-inch length: The circular needle allows you to work the bag body in the round, creating a seamless, professional finish.
• Tapestry needle: For weaving in ends and sewing the bottom seam.
• Stitch marker: To mark the beginning of your rounds.
• Scissors: For cutting yarn.

Gauge

20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, after blocking. Always knit a gauge swatch before starting to ensure your finished bag matches the intended dimensions. If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size accordingly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked in the round from the top down. Follow each step carefully, and you'll have a beautiful, functional market tote in no time. The instructions are detailed to ensure clarity, even for those new to colorwork and texture patterns.

Bag Body (Worked in the Round)

Cast On & Foundation:
With MC, cast on 120 stitches. Place a stitch marker and join in the round, being extremely careful not to twist your stitches. This is crucial for a clean, even fabric.

Rounds 1-8: Knit all stitches. This creates a solid stockinette stitch base that will form the top edge of your bag.

Round 9 (Eyelet Row): *Knit 2 together, yarn over*; repeat from * to end of round. This creates a series of eyelet holes that will later accommodate your drawstring. The yarn overs add stitches, while the knit 2 togethers decrease, keeping your stitch count at 120.

Rounds 10-14: Knit all stitches. This solid section separates the first eyelet row from the upcoming texture.

Round 15 (First CC Band): Switch to CC. *Knit 1, purl 1*; repeat from * to end. This creates a seed stitch band, which has a lovely, bumpy texture that contrasts beautifully with the smooth stockinette. The seed stitch also helps the bag maintain its shape.

Rounds 16-20: Switch back to MC. Knit all stitches. This solid green section provides visual breathing room between the cream bands.

Round 21 (Vertical Stripe Texture): *Knit 1, slip 1 with yarn in back*; repeat from * to end. Slipping a stitch with the yarn held in back creates a long, vertical strand of yarn across the front of the work. This produces a subtle, elegant vertical stripe effect that mimics the look of trailing vines.

Rounds 22-26: Knit all stitches. This completes the first textured section.

Round 27 (Second CC Band): With CC, *purl 1, knit 1*; repeat from * to end. Note that this band starts with a purl stitch, which staggers the seed stitch pattern for a more organic, woven look.

Rounds 28-32: With MC, knit all stitches.

Round 33 (Vertical Stripe Texture): *Slip 1 with yarn in back, knit 1*; repeat from * to end. This is the reverse of Round 21, which staggers the vertical stripes for a more dynamic texture.

Rounds 34-38: Knit all stitches.

Round 39 (Third CC Band): With CC, *knit 1, purl 1*; repeat from * to end.

Rounds 40-44: With MC, knit all stitches.

Round 45 (Vertical Stripe Texture): *Knit 1, slip 1 with yarn in back*; repeat from * to end.

Rounds 46-50: Knit all stitches.

Round 51 (Fourth CC Band): With CC, *purl 1, knit 1*; repeat from * to end.

Rounds 52-56: With MC, knit all stitches.

Round 57 (Vertical Stripe Texture): *Slip 1 with yarn in back, knit 1*; repeat from * to end.

Rounds 58-62: Knit all stitches.

Round 63 (Fifth CC Band): With CC, *knit 1, purl 1*; repeat from * to end.

Rounds 64-68: With MC, knit all stitches.

Round 69 (Vertical Stripe Texture): *Knit 1, slip 1 with yarn in back*; repeat from * to end.

Rounds 70-74: Knit all stitches.

Round 75 (Sixth CC Band): With CC, *purl 1, knit 1*; repeat from * to end.

Rounds 76-80: With MC, knit all stitches.

Round 81 (Second Eyelet Row): *Knit 2 together, yarn over*; repeat from * to end. This creates the second set of eyelet holes for your drawstring, positioned near the bottom of the bag for a cinched, gathered look.

Rounds 82-86: Knit all stitches. This completes the bag body.

Bind Off: Bind off loosely with MC. This is important—a tight bind-off will pucker the top edge. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail (at least 12 inches) for sewing the bottom seam.

Drawstring

I-Cord: With MC, cast on 4 stitches. Work an I-cord for 60 inches (or your desired length). To work an I-cord: knit across the 4 stitches, then slide them to the other end of the needle, pull the yarn tightly across the back, and knit across again. Repeat until you reach the desired length. This creates a sturdy, round cord. Bind off and weave in the ends.

Threading: Thread the drawstring through the eyelet holes, starting and ending at the same side. Use a tapestry needle or a safety pin to help guide the cord through the holes. Leave equal lengths of cord on both sides for a balanced draw.

Assembly

Seaming the Bottom: Fold the bag in half so the eyelet rows align. Using the long tail left from binding off, sew the bottom seam closed with a whip stitch. Insert your needle through the edge stitches of both sides, creating a secure, neat seam. Weave in all ends with your tapestry needle.

Blocking: Block the bag to shape. Wet block by soaking the bag in lukewarm water with a mild wool wash, then gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Lay the bag flat on a towel, shaping it into a rectangle. Pull the sides out gently to create a flat, stable bottom. Allow it to dry completely. Blocking helps even out the stitches and gives the bag its final, professional shape.

Final Thoughts

Your Verdant Vine Market Tote is now complete! This beautiful, functional bag is perfect for carrying everything from fresh produce to beach essentials. The combination of deep forest green and cream, along with the textured slip-stitch stripes and seed stitch bands, creates a sophisticated, garden-inspired aesthetic that you'll be proud to carry. The sturdy cotton fabric and flat bottom ensure it stands upright, making it easy to fill and access.

This pattern is a wonderful way to practice colorwork, texture stitches, and working in the round. Plus, you'll have a unique, eco-friendly accessory that reduces plastic bag use and adds a touch of handmade charm to your daily life. We'd love to see your finished tote! Share your photos on social media with the hashtag #VerdantVineTote and inspire other crafters. Happy knitting!