Crochet Beach Bag With Giant Shell Stitch

Instructions

Finished dimension:

Base: 15.5" diameter
Body with straps: 25" tall

Crochet Tension (4 inches square)

21 sts x 9.5 rows double crochet stitches after blocked)

Abbreviations:

(in American crochet terms)
ch = chain
ch sp = chain space
dc = double crochet
R= Row
Rnd = Round
RS = Right Side
sc = single crochet
sk = skip
slst = slip stitch
ssc = split single crochet / knit stitch / waistcoat stitch
st = stitch
tr = triple crochet
WS = Wrong Side

CROCHET BEACH TOTE BAG PATTERN

This pattern begins from the base and works upward.

BASE (refer to picture 1 & 2)

Rnd 1: make a magic ring, ch3*, 13 dc into magic ring, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {14}
(* count as 1 dc st, same apply to the following pattern unless otherwise specified)

Rnd 2: (ch3, dc in first st), 2dc in next 13 sts, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {28}

Rnd 3: ch3, 2dc in next st, (dc in next st, 2dc in next st) 13 times, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {42}

Rnd 4: (ch3, dc in first st), dc in next 2 sts, (2dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts) 13 times, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {56}

Rnd 5: ch3, dc in next st, 2dc in next st, (dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next st) 13 times, dc in next st, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {70}

Rnd 6: (ch3, dc in first st), dc in next 4 sts, (2dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts) 13 times, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {84}

Rnd 7: ch3, dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, (dc in next 5 sts, 2dc in next st) 13 times, dc in next 2 sts, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {98}

Rnd 8: (ch3, dc in first st), dc in next 6 sts, (2dc in next st, dc in next 6 sts) 13 times, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {112}

Rnd 9: ch3, dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next st, (dc in next 7 sts, 2dc in next st) 13 times, dc in next 3 sts, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {126}

Rnd 10: (ch3, dc in first st), dc in next 8 sts, (2dc in next st, dc in next 8 sts) 13 times, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {140}

Rnd 11: ch3, dc in next 4 sts, 2dc in next st, (dc in next 9 sts, 2dc in next st) 13 times, dc in next 4 sts, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {154}

Rnd 12: (ch3, dc in first st), dc in next 10 sts, (2dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts) 13 times, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {168}

Rnd 13: ch3, dc in next 5 sts, 2dc in next st, (dc in next 11 sts, 2dc in next st) 13 times, dc in next 5 sts, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {182}

Rnd 14: (ch3, dc in first st), dc in next 12 sts, (2dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts) 13 times, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {196}

Rnd 15: ch3, dc in next 6 sts, 2dc in next st, (dc in next 13 sts, 2dc in next st) 13 times, dc in next 6 sts, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {210}

Rnd 16: (ch3, dc in first st), dc in next 14 sts, (2dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts) 13 times, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {224}

Rnd 17: ch3, dc around, slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd. {224}

Rnd 18: ch, sc around, slst to the ch at the beginning of the rnd. {224}

Block the base by pressing it with a warm iron. Continue to work on the body

BODY (GIANT SHELL STITCH)

Bottom Shell (refer pictures 3 to 9)

Note: First bottom shell will take up 29 sts from the base, 2nd to 7th bottom shell will take up 28 sts each, last bottom shell will take up 27 sts. In other words, each shell will take up 29 sts with 1 sts sharing between shell.

R1: (RS) ch, sk 3 sts, (dc in next st) 2 times, tr in next st, 5tr in next st, tr in next st, (dc in next st) 2 times, ch, sk 3 sts, sc in next st, ch2, sk 1 st, sc in next st, turn. (refer to picture 3)

R2: (WS) ch, sk 1 st, (dc in next st, ch) 11 times, dc in next st. Proceed to work on the base (Round 18) of the tote, sk 1 st, sc in next st, ch2, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, turn. (refer to picture 4)

R3: (RS) On the shell (2dc in next ch sp) 12 times, dc in next st. Proceed to work on the base (Round 18) of the tote, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, ch2, sk 2 sts, dc in next st, turn. (refer to picture 5)

R4: (WS) ch2, sk 2 sts, dc in next st, (ch2, sk 1 st, dc in next st) 11 times, ch2. Proceed to work on the base (Round 18) of the tote, sk 1 st, slst in next 22 sts, turn. (refer to picture 6 & 7)

Repeat R1 to R4 to make 8 bottom shell until you reach the last ch2 of round 4 of bottom shell 8, replace ch2 with a dc stitch. (refer to picture 8 & 9)

Intermediate Shell (refer to picture 10 & 19)

R1: (WS) ch, sc in the first dc st on the edge of the shell next to it, ch2, sc in next dc st, turn. (refer to picture 10)

R2: (RS) 5dc into ch sp of R1, sc in next dc st on the edge of the shell next to it, ch2, sc in next dc st on the edge of the shell, turn. (refer to picture 11)

R3: (WS) (ch, dc in next st) 5 times, sc in next dc st on the edge of the shell next to it, ch2, sc in next dc st on the edge of the shell, turn. (refer to picture 12)

R4: (RS) (2dc into next ch sp) 2 times, 3dc in next ch sp, (2dc into next ch sp) 2 times, dc in next st, sc in next dc st on the edge of the shell next to it, ch2, sc in next dc st on the edge of the shell, turn. (refer to picture 13)

R5: (WS) (ch, dc in next st ) 12 times, sc in next dc st on the edge of the shell next to it, ch2, sc in next dc st on the edge of the shell, turn. (refer to picture 14)

R6: (RS) (2dc into next ch sp) 12 times, dc in next st, sc in next dc st on the edge of the shell next to it, ch2, sc in next dc st on the edge of the shell, turn. (refer to picture 15)

R7: (WS) ch2, sk 2 st, dc in next st, (ch2, sk 1 st, dc in next st) 11 times, sc in next dc st on the edge of the shell next to it, slst in next 18 st. (refer to picture 16)

Repeat R1 to R7 (as a shell) 8 times to make 1 row of a giant shell pattern until you reach the R7, omit the instruction of "slst in next 18 st" because you have completed the whole row. Turn to the rigth side to continue with the top trim pattern.

Repeat 7 times to create 7 rows of "intermediate shell" pattern.

Top Trim (working with RS facing you) (refer to picture 22 & 29)

R1: slst into ch sp, ch, *(2sc in ch sp, sc in next dc st) 11 times, 2sc in ch sp*. Repeat pattern * on the next shell until you complete all 8 shells, slst to the first sc st of the round. {35 sts per shell}

R2: slst in next st, ch, (sc in next 33 sts, sk 2 sts) 8 times, slst to the first sc st of the round. {33 sts per shell}

R3: slst in next st, ch, (sc in next 31 sts, sk 2 sts) 8 times, slst to the first sc st of the round. {31 sts per shell}

R4: slst in next st, ch, (sc in next 29 sts, sk 2 sts) 8 times, slst to the first sc st of the round. {29 sts per shell}

R5: slst in next st, ch, (sc in next 27 sts, sk 2 sts, sc in next 10 sts, sc in next 7 sts with Ring, sc in next 10 sts, sk 2 sts) 4 times, slst to the first sc st of the round. {27 sts per shell}

SHOULDER STRAPS (Make 2)

R1: slip knot, ch 8, sc into 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 6 ch, ch, turn.

R2: ssc in next 7 sts, ch, turn.

Repeat R2 until the strap is 20" long (about 115 rows). Width of the strap is about 1.25".

Leave a long yarn end for sewing.

Block all pieces by pressing them with a warm iron.

Sew shoulder straps to the Rings on the beach tote. (refer to picture 31)

Hide all yarn ends if you haven't done so.

MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO CROCHET GIANT SHELL BEACH TOTE

Crochet Flow of the Giant Shell Stitch

(click for bigger picture)

Layer 1 of the shell is referred to as the “Bottom Shell” in the pattern above.

Layer 2 to Layer 8 are referred to as the “Intermediate Shell” in the pattern above.

1. Base
   The base of the beach tote before blocking.
   
   Block the base flat by pressing with a warm iron.
   
2. Bottom Shell Row
   Bottom shell R1, working with the right side facing you.
   
   Turn the workpiece around, continue to crochet R2 with the wrong side facing you.
   
   Go on with the pattern to work on bottom shell R3.
   
   Last round of the bottom shell 1.
   
   Continue to slst on the edge of the base to complete bottom shell 1, then you are ready for the second bottom shell.
   
   Repeat the pattern from R1 to R4 of the bottom shell to make the second shell.
   
   Repeat the bottom shell pattern to complete 8 of them at the edge of the base. Remember to replace the last ch2 to a dc stitch at shell 8.
   
3. Intermediate Shell Rows
   Begin the first Intermediate shell at layer 2 by making a ch stitch (a). The next sc stitch is performed on the edge of the shell of the bottom layer (b), then makes another 2 ch stitches (c) followed by an sc stitch on the edge of the bottom shell again.
   
   Follow the pattern instruction of R2 to make  5dc sts to the ch. Finish-off the pattern on the edge of the bottom shell.
   
   Repeat as per pattern instructions for the rest of the pattern to make the intermediate shell. This is at R3.
   
   As always, the intermediate shell is clinging between the edges of the shells below it. This is at R4.
   
   At R5.
   
   At R6.
   
   At the last row of the intermediate shell R7, the last sc stitch should be sitting on the center of the shell below it. If the sc is not there, then you might have made a mistake somewhere.
   
   slst in next 18 sts to the dc stitch of the bottom shell and get ready for making the next shell.
   
   Repeat R1 again on the second shell.
   
   Make 8 shells to complete the second layer of the giant shell stitch. Take note that you do not have to make the 18 slst stitches on the last shell of the layer.
   
   Repeat the pattern until you have completed all 8 layers of the giant shell stitch. Opt for different tote length by altering the numbers of shell layers for this pattern.
   
   You may block it before continue to the next pattern, or, you may do it later. However, I find that blocking it before making the top trim will have the advantage of a better stitch tension.
   
4. Top Trim
   Follow the Top Trim pattern until you reach the last round R5. This is the round that you need to add 4 rings to the beach tote.
   
   Hold the yarn behind the ring on the first sc stitch (of a total of 7 stitches on the ring).
   
   Yarn over to wrap the ring.
   
   Yarn over from the back of the ring on the following sc stitch.
   
   Then yarn over from the front to complete the second sc stitch.
   
   Repeat the yarn-over step from back and front of the ring for each sc stitch until you have completed 7 sc stitches on the ring.
   
   Move on with the normal sc stitches outside the ring by not yarn-over the ring.
   
   Follow the pattern to complete the final rounds with 4 rings attached to it.
   
5. Shoulder Straps
   Make a 20″ shoulder straps. The straps are as soft and stable as a canvas strap, it will not scratch your skin if you are using the raffia yarn I am using for this beach tote.
   
   Wrap and sew the end to the rings to attach shoulder straps to the rings.
   
   Completed!!!

Get the free pattern of the matching wide brim beach sun hat as well to crochet a set of them. Spice up your beach vacation with these beautiful outfits that will surely catch all the attention by the passers-by.