Life's a beach bag

I created this bright and fun beach bag for a crochet workshop. You can make this as colourful as you like, or keep it plain and simple. I look forward to seeing your completed makes. Please tag your pictures on Instagram with #lifesabeachbag and/or @little_crochet_makes

Tension isn’t that important but for a guide, my finished bag measured roughly 57cm width and 33cm length. 

This pattern is written in UK terms.   

What you will need:

·       5mm Crochet Hook

·       DK Yarn 200g (Cotton/Cotton mix would hold the shape of the bag better but mine was made with acrylic and I used for the weekend and it was ok )

·       Yarn needle

·       Scissors

Optional (for decoration)

·       Pom Pom maker

·       Contrasting DK Yarn for the pom poms

Stitches used:

Ch – Chain

Tr – Treble Crochet

Dc – Double Crochet

Htr – Half Treble Crochet

Ss – Slip Stitch

St/Sts – Stitch/Stitches

Flo – Front Loop Only
Tr2tog - Treble 2 together (decrease)

Htr2tog – Half Treble 2 together (decrease)

2Htr in next st – 2 Htr in the same stitch (increase)

WS – Wrong side

 Base of the bag

1)      Ch 50, Tr in the fourth st from hook (first 2 Tr made), Tr in each st to the end (49)

2)      Ch 3 (counts as first Tr), turn, Tr in each st to the end (49)

3 - 7)   Repeat row 2

Sides

You will now be working all the way round the rectangular base

8)   Ch 1, turn, working in flo Htr in next 48 sts along the long edge, evenly space 18 Htr along the short edge, working in flo Htr in the next 48 sts along the long edge, evenly space 18 Htr along the last short edge, Ss in the beginning Ch 1 to join (132)

9) Ch 3 (counts as first Tr), Tr in the next 48 sts, Tr2tog, Tr in the next 13 sts, Tr2tog, Tr in the next 45 sts, Tr2tog, Tr in the next 15 sts, Tr2tog in the last two sts, ss to join (126)

10) Ch 3 (counts as first Tr), 2 Tr in the same space, skip 3 sts, then work 3 Tr (I call this a Tr cluster) into next st, *skip 3 sts, 3 Tr cluster into next st, repeat from *39 times, Ss into the top of the Ch 3 to join (42 Tr clusters)

You will now be working in the spaces of Tr clusters from the previous row

11) Ch 3, turn, 2 Tr in the same st space, * 3 Tr clusters in the next cluster space, repeat from * 40 times, Ss into the top of the Ch 3 to join (42 Tr clusters)

12 - 29) Repeat row 11 (or until it your bag measures 23cm from the start of the Tr clusters row 9)

I changed colour on row 24, you can change colour earlier or make your bag in one colour

30) Ch 1, turn, Htr into each st, Ss to join (126)

31) Ch 1, turn, Htr into each st, Ss to join (126)

32) Ch 1, turn, Dc into each st, Ss to join (126)

Tie off and weave in ends

Handles (make 2)

33) Ch 10, Htr in the second Ch from the hook (first 1 Htr made), 8 Htr to the end (9 Htr)

34) Ch 1, turn, 9 Htr to the end (9 Htr)

35-43) Repeat row 34

44) Ch 1, turn, 1Htr2tog, 7 Htr to the end (8 Htr)

45) Ch 1, turn, 1Htr2tog, 6 Htr to the end (7 Htr)

46) Ch 1, turn, 1Htr2tog, 5 Htr to the end (6 Htr)

47) Ch 1, turn, 1Htr2tog, 4 Htr to the end (5 Htr)

48) Ch 1, turn, 5 Htr to the end (5 Htr)

49-73) Repeat row 48

74) Ch 1, turn, 2Htr in next st, 4 Htr to the end (6 Htr)

75) Ch 1, turn, 2Htr in next st, 5 Htr to the end (7 Htr)

76) Ch 1, turn, 2Htr in next st, 6 Htr to the end (8 Htr)

78) Ch 1, turn, 2Htr in next st, 7 Htr to the end (9 Htr)

79 - 88) Repeat row 78 

Tie off and weave in ends – Make one more

To make up

Position your handles 25cm apart, roughly 8cm in from the sides. Place the handles about 2.5cm inside the (WS) of the bag and do a running stich with a yarn needle and the same colour yarn as the bag. Make sure the handles are attached securely, then tie off and weave in ends.

Decoration (optional)

I attached 3 pom poms in a contrasting yarn to decorate, but you can make tassels, crochet flowers or leave the bag plain. The choice is yours

The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Little Crochet Makes. This pattern and design are subject to copyright and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not distribute or sell this pattern or any items created using the instructions in this pattern without consent.