Boho Shell Stitch Beach Bag

By: Laura Piantanida for AllFreeCrochet.com

By: Laura Piantanida for AllFreeCrochet.com

There always seem to be a lot of extras to carry around during the summer months, and the roomy Boho Shell Stitch Beach Bag is a stylish way to tote around everything you need. This stylish summer bag was inspired by a raffia tote spotted at a Free People boutique, but was recreated at a fraction of the original price.

Since this easy crossbody bag uses cotton yarn, it is durable enough to hold up to all of your adventures. Plus, if it gets sandy at the beach, it can be tossed into the washing machine. Fill this bohemian bag with sunscreen and a water bottle for days outdoors, or bring it along to the library to tote home all of your literary finds.

Easy

Crochet HookH/8 or 5 mm hook, K/10.5 or 6.5 mm hook

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Crochet Gauge2" x 2" = 7 stitches and 8 rows in half double crochet; gauge is not essential for this pattern.

Finished SizeBag = 12 inches wide x 14 inches long, strap = 42 inches long, 2 ¼ inches wide

Materials List

3 balls Lily Sugar'n Cream Denim Yarn (2.5 oz/70.9 g; 120 yds/109 m) in Indigo - Color A. Or any worsted weight cotton yarn of your choice.
2 balls Lily Sugar'n Cream Yarn (2.5 oz/70.9 g; 120 yds/109 m) in Ecru - Color B. Or any worsted weight cotton yarn of your choice.
US H/8 or 5 mm hook
US K/10.5 or 6.5 mm hook
Stitch marker(s)
Yarn needle
Scissors

Instructions

Abbreviations
Ch - Chain
Dc - Double crochet
Hdc - Half double crochet
Rnd - Round
Sc - Single crochet
Sk - Skip
Sl st - Slip stitch
St(s) - Stitch(es)
* * - Repeat instructions between asterisks as indicated
( ) - Stitch count at end of row

Rounds 1 to 12 are crocheted in a spiral. Do not join unless specified.

Bag Body

Begin with US H/8 or 5 mm hook and Color A yarn.

Magic circle, or ch 3 and sl st to join.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 8 hdc (8)

Place stitch marker in last stitch. Move stitch marker to last stitch of each row
Rnd 2: 2 hdc in each st (16)
Rnd 3: *2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next st* repeat from * to * (24)
Rnd 4: *2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 2 sts* repeat from * to * (32)
Rnd 5: *2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 3 sts* repeat from * to * (40)
Rnd 6: *2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 4 sts* repeat from * to * (48)
Rnd 7: *2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 5 sts* repeat from * to * (56)
Rnd 8: *2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 6 sts* repeat from * to * (64)
Rnd 9: *2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 7 sts* repeat from * to * (72)
Rnd 10: *2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 8 sts* repeat from * to * (80)
Rnd 11: *2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 9 sts* repeat from * to * (88)
Rnd 12: *2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 10 sts* repeat from * to * (96)

Sl st to first hdc of round, ch 1.
Switch to US K/10.5 or 6.5 mm hook.

Rnd 13: 1 sc in same st as ch 1. *sk 2 sts, shell (5dc in same st), sk 2 sts, 1 sc in next st* repeat from * to * until end of round. Sl st to first sc of round. (16 shells)
Join Color B.

Rnd 14: Ch 3 and 2 dc in same stitch. *sk 2 sts, 1 sc in next st, sk 2 sts, shell in next stitch* repeat from * to * until you reach the end of the row. 2 dc in same st as ch 3 and 2 dc at the beginning of the row. Sl st to the third chain to join.
Repeat round 13 to 14 eleven times. (24 rows of shells)

End Color B, ch 1 with Color A.

Switch to US H/8 or 5 mm hook.
Rnd 36: 1 hdc in each stitch (96 hdc)

Sl st to the first hdc.
Rnd 37-40: Ch 1, hdc in each st, sl st in first st of round.

Do not end yarn.

Straps

Strap length can be easily adjusted by adding or subtracting rows.

Row 1: Ch 1, hdc in same st as ch and next 7 sts. Turn.
Repeat until strap reaches desired length. The exact measurement and number of rows will vary depending on your gauge.

For a 40 inch long crossbody strap, crochet 116 rows.

For a 20 inch long shoulder strap, crochet 58 rows.
Sl st or whip stitch to other side of bag.
Do not end yarn if adding optional edging.

If not adding optional edging, fasten off and weave in ends.