The Lagoon Teardrop is a hanging mesh produce bag in one bright teal color. It has a soft teardrop shape: a rounded bottom, a full body, a gently narrowed top with a solid rim, and a single hanging loop rising from the back of the rim. Hang it from a wall hook to hold lemons, onions, garlic, or potatoes while air moves freely around them.
The body is an open square-grid mesh of double crochet posts and chain-1 spaces. Each post sits directly over the post below, so the openings line up in straight vertical columns and horizontal rows. The rim and loop are worked in dense single crochet, which gives the bag a firm mouth and a sturdy strap.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. Laid flat, the finished bag measures about 9 in (22.9 cm) wide at its widest point and 12.3 in (31.2 cm) tall from the bottom to the top of the rim. The loop adds about 4 in (10.2 cm) above the rim.
The construction is simple and has no seams. You start at the center of the bottom and increase in mesh rounds to make a cupped base. Then you work even mesh rounds for the body and decrease twice to narrow the top. After that you switch to single crochet for the rim. The strap is worked in rows straight off the rim and folded down into a loop.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size (laid flat): 9 in (22.9 cm) wide x 12.3 in (31.2 cm) tall, plus a 4 in (10.2 cm) loop
- Skill level: Easy / advanced beginner
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton
- Hook: 5 mm (US H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 (worked in one piece, no joining)
- Layout: Single bag, worked in the round from the bottom up
- Base diameter (Round 6, flat): 6 in (15.2 cm)
- Size before rim: 11 in (27.9 cm) tall x 7 in (17.8 cm) wide at the opening
- Rim depth: 1.3 in (3.3 cm), 6 rounds of single crochet
- Strap: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide x about 8.9 in (22.6 cm) long before folding
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton, either mercerized or plain. Cotton keeps its shape under the weight of produce, does not felt, and washes well. Acrylic also works, but it stretches more, so the bag may get longer when it is full.
- Teal (main and only color): 130 g, about 220 m of worsted cotton
Tools:
- 5 mm (US H-8) crochet hook
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Rust-proof pins and a towel for blocking
The quantity includes a margin of about 15 percent to cover your gauge check and small differences in tension.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- dc2tog – double crochet two together
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- beg – beginning
Special stitches
- Mesh unit: (dc, ch 1). One mesh unit equals 2 sts: 1 dc + 1 ch-1 sp. Every mesh count below is given in units and in total sts.
- Unit in next dc: dc in the next dc, ch 1.
- Mesh increase (minc): (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1) in the same dc. This turns 1 unit into 2.
- Mesh decrease (mdec): dc2tog over the next 2 dc, skipping the ch-1 sp between them, then ch 1. This turns 2 units into 1.
- Beg ch-4: counts as the first dc plus its ch-1 sp.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Mesh gauge: 8 mesh units and 8 mesh rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm). One opening plus its post measures 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) tall.
Sc gauge: 16 sc and 18 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm).
Make the base first and use it to test your gauge. It is a better test than a separate swatch because it is part of the bag. Work Rounds 1 to 6 and check:
- After Round 3: diameter 3 in (7.6 cm), lying flat
- After Round 6: diameter 6 in (15.2 cm). The edge may cup very slightly, which is correct
- After Round 20: flat width 9 in (22.9 cm), height 10 in (25.4 cm) from the bottom fold
- After Round 22: flat width at the opening 7 in (17.8 cm), height 11 in (27.9 cm)
- After Round 28: height 12.3 in (31.2 cm)
If your base is wider than 6 in (15.2 cm), change to a 4.5 mm hook. If it is narrower, or it curls up like a bowl early, change to a 5.5 mm hook. Also check that your dc are tall enough to make square openings. If the openings are wide and short, pull your loops up a little taller.
Pattern: Base
Join each round. Do not work in a spiral, and do not turn. The joins line up into a faint seam, and that seam becomes the back of the bag.
Round 1: Make a magic ring. Beg ch-4, (dc, ch 1) 5 times into the ring. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. Pull the ring closed. (6 units / 12 sts)
Round 2: Beg ch-4, (dc, ch 1) in same st as join, minc in each of next 5 dc. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (12 units / 24 sts)
Round 3: Beg ch-4, (dc, ch 1) in same st as join, unit in next dc, [minc in next dc, unit in next dc] 5 times. Join. (18 units / 36 sts)
Round 4: Beg ch-4, (dc, ch 1) in same st as join, unit in next 2 dc, [minc in next dc, unit in next 2 dc] 5 times. Join. (24 units / 48 sts)
Round 5: Beg ch-4, (dc, ch 1) in same st as join, unit in next 3 dc, [minc in next dc, unit in next 3 dc] 5 times. Join. (30 units / 60 sts)
Round 6: Beg ch-4, (dc, ch 1) in same st as join, unit in next 4 dc, [minc in next dc, unit in next 4 dc] 5 times. Join. (36 units / 72 sts)
Each round adds 6 units. That rate keeps the circle flat through Round 5. Round 6 has slightly fewer units than a fully flat circle needs, so the edge starts to lift. This gives the bag a rounded teardrop bottom instead of a flat basket base.
Pattern: Body
Work the body even, with no increases or decreases, so the posts stack into straight columns.
Rounds 7 to 20: Beg ch-4, unit in each dc around (35 units). Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (36 units / 72 sts each round)
That is 14 even rounds. At 0.5 in (1.3 cm) per round, the body adds 7 in (17.8 cm). The bag is now a deep pouch. It measures 36 units x 0.5 in = 18 in (45.7 cm) around, which is 9 in (22.9 cm) wide when laid flat.
Pattern: Top Shaping
These two rounds narrow the top of the bag into the teardrop shape.
Round 21: Beg ch-4, unit in next 6 dc, mdec, [unit in next 7 dc, mdec] 3 times. Join. (32 units / 64 sts)
Check: the first repeat uses 1 + 6 + 2 = 9 dc and makes 8 units. Each of the 3 bracketed repeats also uses 9 dc and makes 8 units. Total: 36 dc used, 32 units made.
Round 22: Beg ch-4, unit in next 5 dc, mdec, [unit in next 6 dc, mdec] 3 times. Join. (28 units / 56 sts)
Check: the first repeat uses 1 + 5 + 2 = 8 dc and makes 7 units. Each bracketed repeat also uses 8 dc and makes 7 units. Total: 32 dc used, 28 units made.
The opening now measures 28 units x 0.5 in = 14 in (35.6 cm) around, or 7 in (17.8 cm) flat. The bag is 11 in (27.9 cm) tall: 3 in (7.6 cm) of base radius, plus 16 mesh rounds (Rounds 7 to 22) at 0.5 in (1.3 cm) each, for 8 in (20.3 cm).
Rim (Border)
The rim is the border of the bag. It is worked in the round, so there are no corners or sides to count. Instead, the rim count has to match the mesh opening exactly.
Rim gauge: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), which is 4 sc per inch. 18 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm), which is 4.5 rounds per inch.
Round 23 (conversion round): Ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc in next ch-1 sp, [sc in next dc, sc in next ch-1 sp] around. Join with sl st to first sc. (28 sc worked into dc + 28 sc worked into ch-1 sps = 56 sc)
Rounds 24 to 28: Ch 1, sc in each sc around. Join with sl st to first sc. (56 sc each round)
Do not fasten off.
Why the math works: 28 mesh units measure 14 in (35.6 cm) around. At 4 sc per inch, 14 in needs exactly 56 sc. That is 1 sc in each existing stitch (every dc and every ch-1 sp). You don’t add or skip any stitches, so the rim neither ruffles nor pulls in. Six rounds at 4.5 rounds per inch make a rim 1.3 in (3.3 cm) deep, for a total height of 12.3 in (31.2 cm).
Checkpoint: the opening should still measure 7 in (17.8 cm) flat. If the rim flares, rework it with a 4.5 mm hook. If it pulls in tightly, use a 5.5 mm hook for the rim only.
Hanging Loop
The loop sits at the back of the bag, centered over the join seam.
Setup: Your working loop is at the join of Round 28. Sl st back over the last 3 sc of Round 28 so the strap will be centered over the seam.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in the same st and in the next 5 sc. These are the last 3 sc and the first 3 sc of the round. Turn. (6 sc)
Rows 2 to 40: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn. (6 sc each row)
The strap is now 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide (6 sc at 4 per inch) and about 8.9 in (22.6 cm) long (40 rows at 4.5 rows per inch). Fasten off and leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Forming the loop: Fold the strap forward and down into the bag so the end of Row 40 lies against the inside of the rim, directly behind Row 1. It should overlap the rim by about 1 in (2.5 cm). Thread the tail onto the tapestry needle and whipstitch the 6 sts of Row 40 to the inside of Round 26. Then stitch both side edges of the overlap to the rim. The finished loop has a teardrop shape and stands about 4 in (10.2 cm) above the rim. Weave in all ends inside the rim, where they won’t show.
Final Blocking
Cotton mesh blocks easily and holds its shape well.
- Weave in all remaining ends, including the magic ring tail.
- Soak the bag in cool water for 10 minutes, then press the water out. Do not wring it.
- Roll the bag in a towel to remove extra moisture.
- Stuff it loosely with a rolled towel or a plastic bag to form the teardrop shape.
- Gently straighten the mesh columns so each opening is square, about 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
- Lay it flat and check that it measures 9 in (22.9 cm) wide and 12.3 in (31.2 cm) tall. Pin the rim and loop flat.
- Let it dry completely, then remove the stuffing.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Round 6 of the base has 36 units (72 sts) and measures 6 in (15.2 cm).
- Body Rounds 7 to 20 each have 36 units, with the posts stacked straight.
- Round 21 has 32 units and Round 22 has 28 units.
- Each rim round has 56 sc and lies smooth.
- The opening measures 7 in (17.8 cm) flat.
- The total height measures 12.3 in (31.2 cm).
- The strap has 40 rows of 6 sc and is centered over the join seam.
- The loop stands about 4 in (10.2 cm) and is stitched firmly on the inside.
- All ends are woven in and secure.
Troubleshooting
The base is wavy. Your mesh is too loose for the number of increases. Go down half a hook size or make your ch-1 sps tighter.
The base cups into a bowl too early. Your dc are too short. Go up half a hook size or pull each loop up a little taller.
The columns slant. You are working into the ch-1 sps instead of the dc. Always put each dc into the top of the dc below it.
Stitch counts drift. The beg ch-4 counts as a unit. Join into its 3rd ch, and don’t work an extra dc into it.
The rim flares. Use a smaller hook for the rim, and check that you worked exactly 56 sc.
The loop stretches when the bag is full. Work a row of sl st along each long edge of the strap, and add a second line of stitching across the overlap.
The bag gets longer when it is full. This is normal for cotton. Use it for lighter produce, or work 2 fewer even body rounds next time.
Care
Hand wash, or machine wash on a gentle cool cycle. Reshape the bag and lay it flat to dry. Shake out onion skins and crumbs regularly.
Final Notes
The measurement chain for the Lagoon Teardrop is short and easy to follow. Round 6 sets the base at 36 units and 6 in (15.2 cm) across. The even body rounds bring the bag to 10 in (25.4 cm) tall by Round 20, with a flat width of 9 in (22.9 cm). Two decrease rounds narrow the opening to 28 units, which is 7 in (17.8 cm) flat, at a height of 11 in (27.9 cm). The rim turns those 28 units into exactly 56 sc and adds 1.3 in (3.3 cm), for a total height of 12.3 in (31.2 cm). Finally, the 6-stitch strap folds into a 4 in (10.2 cm) loop for hanging.
If you check each stage as you go, your bag will hang straight, keep its shape, and keep your produce within easy reach.
Happy crocheting!