Thank you for loving the yellow wide brim beach hat that I have shared recently, now, here is the beautiful yellow oversized Beach Tote crochet pattern I promised to share. With the gorgeous giant shell stitch design and the scallop edge, makes the beach tote so unique and cast on a character. Get some raffia yarns today and start to crochet both to make them a set for your next sun sunny trip or your beach vacation. Spice up your vacation with these stunning beach essential duo that will surely catch all the attention by the passers-by!
This oversized crochet beach tote has a round base of about 15.5″ diameter and the body (including the shoulder straps) is about 25″ tall. It is big enough for your beach trip essential items. Read further to get the list of items to bring along.
Giant Shell Stitch Beach Tote – Free Crochet Pattern
scroll ⬇️ to get the pattern & tutorial
We have all the important details covered in the pattern page. Written crochet pattern with photos to show the details that you will need to refer to.
Got sand in your beach tote? Just shake it off!
List of essential items to bring on your short beach trip:
- Sunscreen lotion, otherwise you will get “sun-SCREAM”
- Swimsuits & Cover-ups
- Sunglasses
- Wide Brim Beach Hat or Sun Hat (free crochet pattern)
- Beach Bag, make sure it is big enough to put all items in it
- Beach towel
- Drinking water
- Change of Clothes – just in case
- First Aid Kit with aloe
- Frisbee or balls or fun floats to play with kids
- Books or Electronic Reader like Kindle (buy it at Amazon)
- GoPro for underwater video (buy it at Amazon)
- Fins, water shoes, and snorkel gear if you plan to have sea adventure
Big wide opening to access your items easily!
Besides using it as a beach tote, it is also a good size when you need a big tote to carry around all your necessities.
Happy Crochet!
Click here for more free pattern and tutorial on summer-themed crafts.
Crochet Giant Shell Stitch Beach Tote
This is a free pattern to crochet the beautiful straw beach tote with an array of the giant shell stitch pattern.
Tools
- Crochet hook 2.5mm
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
- Warm iron
Instructions
- Crochet the oversized tote according to the pattern below.
- Hide all yarn ends.
- Block the tote by pressing them with a warm iron.
- Sew shoulder straps to the Rings on the beach tote.
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:
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 PATTERN
in American crochet terms
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 to picture 3 & 9)
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) (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 1 st, 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 21 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 1 st, dc in next st) 12 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.
Notes
Depending on the speed and hours you are spending on the project, the total time needed is only an approximation.
Recommended Products
Purchase the exact same material used in this pattern from Craft Passion Shop.
Crochet Flow of the Giant Shell Stitch
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.
More Details on how to crochet the Giant Shell Stitch Beach Tote
BASE
The base of the beach tote before blocking.
Block the base flat by pressing with a warm iron.
Bottom Shell Row
Bottom shell R1, working with the right side facing you.
Turn the workpiece around, continue to crochet R2 with 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.
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 make 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 R3.
As always, the intermediate shell is clinging between the edges of the shells below it. This is R4.
R5.
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.
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.
Make a 20″ should 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.
I counted stitches at every stage but somehow ended up with 9 complete shells around the base instead of 8! I have no idea how it has happened – it perfectly fits 9 so it’s not like just a few extra stitches. I’m baffled!
I’ve just continued the pattern with 9 shells instead of 8… I’ll just have a huge bag I guess!
I love this bag and am looking forward to trying it while in quarantine. Before I start when it comes to the hook does it need to be a C and what texture yarn do you recommend for this bag?
You can use other hook size and its corresponding yarn weight, however, the overall dimension of the completed tote will not be the same as shown in the pattern. Bigger hook size and heavier weight will give a bigger size, smaller hook and lighter yarn will produce a smaller tote.
For your particular pattern did you use a certain type of yarn. Acrylic, wool I can’t tell what kind in the pictures and it doesn’t say at the beginning. I saw the hook size but yarn type was not mentioned.
I did state that it is crochet from Raffia Yarn at the material list 😉 Please let us know if you have further question on this pattern.
Loving the bag and I am trying the shells, but like many others I end up with too many shells ie extra stitches. Thank you for the thorough instructions ans picture guide, but it isn’t always clear to me such as; “(dc in next st, ch) 11 times, etc…” is that 11 in total or in addition to the first one in the parenthesis? Lastly, I looked on youtube to find instructions but only found them in Turkish and Thai; is there a video in English or even German? Thank you in advance!!!
I love this pattern and am excited to try this bag while in quarantine. Before I start when it comes to the hook and yarn does it have to be a C or 2.5 hook and what type texture yarn do you recommend?
Hi, thank you for the pattern! It is lovely! I am struggling with the first shell. I can’t seem to get it to line up correctly. Do you have a charted pattern for the shells? It might make it easier to figure out where the stiches line up. Thank s again!
such a great way to learn about crafting. i love this way of pattern. i will try it soon. thanks for sharing your pattern.
Thanks for sharing your lovely pattern.
From Nigeria.
Gorgeous bag! Thank you for sharing the pattern 🙂 The yarns arrived a couple of days ago. Can’t wait to make this!
Oh great, happy crochet. Show us your bag on social media. Can’t wait to see it.
How Cute!
Love your patterns!p
Hi! Beautiful pattern! I found that stitches were not aligning well, so, at the end of R4 of bottom shell I did sl st 22 (instead of 21), and problem solved!
Thanks for sharing the pattern!
Great, sometimes a little tweak does the magic.
Beautiful patterns! I LOVE that you not only write out your patterns so thoroughly but also so many highly detailed pictures! Thank you so very much for ALL that you do! I can’t wait to finish my second set of Beach hat and matching Beach Tote! I have so MANY wanting them! My mother, my daughters-in-laws ( I have 4!) and my granddaughters! I shall be busy busy busy! lol Thank you!! Oh and ~ Your patterns are the very FIRST that I have ever found that did NOT call for wire in the brim of the hats! Bless you!!!!
Oh wow, you are going to be busy with this pattern for a while, happy crochet!
Hi first of all thank you for this absolutely beautiful pattern. My question is can this be made with cotton instead of rafgia.
Hi Lis, you can substitute it with cotton 🙂
I absolutely love this bag! The directions were a little confusing at first but after a few attempts I figured it out. I had left over stitches on the first round of shells but I found out that if I skipped 4 stitches in R1 instead of 3 I ended each where I needed to. Although I used a 5.25mm hook and regular size 4 yarn (I wanted a really big beach tote since i have 3 kids). I also made one with half the amount of the big tote. My smaller one I just did half the stitches for the round bottom and 4 shells total around instead of 8. (Still skipped 4 instead of 3 in R1) Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Thank you so much! I’ve tried the shells 3 times and still get left over stitches! I’ll try one more time with your instructions. I really wanted to make this for my daughter! It’s a beautiful pattern!
Oh, this must be frustrating to you. Please take a close-up photo of your shell to show me (via email [email protected]) or to compare with the step photos, there must be an error in stitch counting. I hope you are able to get through it.
I got through it 🙂 I used Lindsay’s guide and skipped 4 instead of 3 in R1.
I think I determined the issue is in R1 of the Bottom shell , there is a stitch that disappears in between where you TR 5 then TR in next st…
“R1: (RS) ch, sk 3 sts, (dc in next st) 2 times, tr in next st, 5tr in next st, tr in next st”
Thank you again for such a beautiful pattern!
Glad that you have gotten it through. Happy crochet!
If you calm down, you will find everything in right places. The pattern is not for beginners. Please, respect the owner of the pattern – it takes a lot of time and effort to share for FREE such pattern.
Just be grateful, not everything in this world is free.
Happy Crocheting!
Hey, I love this pattern and i have attempted the first bottom shell several times. I am having trouble lining the rows up properly and it always seems lopsided. Can you post to us some close up photos of the rows and where they connect to each other or a chart? i found the ones you posted with the pattern but i am still off somewhere. Thank you again for this beautiful pattern.
I am waiting for the Daffodil color of Raffia yarn to arrive and will make a video on that. The close-up photos of the stitch are already in the tutorial part.
I need help as well! I’m very confused, I have made first seashell row two times and can’t make it right
Please refer to the step photos given and compare the stitches with yours, see if you can see any clue where have you done incorrectly.
I LOVE this pattern and was going to try it but after reading comments I don’t think so.
I too am waiting on a video tutorial on this. The pictures do not make it clear where the stitches are supposed to go and the written directions are very confusing. I’m wondering if ANYONE has actually been successful in finishing this tote because I can’t find any. Please help.
I am interested in the blue crochet tote, but can’t seem to find the pattern. Is it available?
Yes, I am writing it now, please check again next week.
I’m beginning to think this is some kind of scam. I have downloaded the first PDF like it asked me to, would NOT take me to the pattern, then I came back to the site, & tried again & it’s sending me to again another download I’ve NEVER HEARD OF! What the heck is going on with your site where I can’t get this pattern? I’m NOT going to download a bunch of CRAP on my computer that could cause me to get either or both a virus or trojon. You really need to make your downloaded patterns more simplier.
Please look for the correct download link, it could be the “ads” that mislead you, the site is protected from viruses, so it is clean from viruses. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
If you calm down, you will find everything in right places. The pattern is not for beginners. Please, respect the owner of the pattern – it takes a lot of time and effort to share for FREE such pattern.
Just be grateful, not everything in this world is free.
Happy Crocheting!
Trying to follow the tutorial photos and they are covered by ads.
Can you please help? I just finished the first row of giant shells and I ended up with seven extra stitches. I’m not sure where I messed up, but I’m thinking maybe it is where each of the shells meet with the previous shell. Is the dc at the end of R3 supposed to be in the same stitch as the end of the previous shell? Mine ended up that way, and that’s the only thing I could think of that may be wrong.
Yes, you are right, the last dc of R3 is in the same stitch as the last dc of R4 of the shell next to it. Please count if you have 1 (sharing with next shell) + 27 + 1 (sharing with next shell) of the last row of the base within a shell, I assume that you have 224 sts at the last round of base.
Hi, I’m attempting the shell bag pattern. I had 224 stitches at R18 and I have crocheted giant shell stitch but. Have 9 shells.
I can’t see where I’m going wrong if I had 224 stitches as stated.
Any advise ?
Hi Iris, first of all, please check if each of your shell was made from 28 sts from the base round R18. Perhaps you have missed some instruction in the first row of shell.
Is there a video for the Bottom Shell and Intermediate Shell? I am a bit confused.
Glad that you have found it 🙂
Very clear instructions. I love it. Hope there will have a video for the patterns. Thank you.