Seaside Beach Bag

Earlier in June I made for my granddaughter’s teacher a striped beach tote gift card holder which I found on Little Monkey’s blog. You can find this free pattern at http://littlemonkeyscrochet.com/mini-beach-bag-gift-card-h…/.  I loved the bag and colors so much it was inspiring me to design an adult size bag.  A couple of nights later I woke from a deep sleep with the pattern formulating in my mind.  I had to get up, rummage the yarn stash, grab my crochet hook and begin putting together what I was envisioning.  Here is the end result.

As promised on NBR’s Facebook page, I have included the free pattern in this blog post.  Now I have to admit I don’t write patterns.  I chicken scratch in code what I am creating on a piece of paper.  My daughter and granddaughter’s when they find these patterns in a spiral notebook are going to have a hard time breaking code in the future.  Something that will need to be rectified on my part.  So here goes… Forgive me for any errors and please feel free to contact me for any clarification you may need.

Materials:
– I Love This Yarn in turquoise, greymist, and white.  I suggest getting two skeins of each so you can easily pull from the center and while crocheting with two strands at once. You can purchase this yarn at Hobby Lobby.

– 2 yards of cotton braided cord, (I purchased at JoAnn’s). 
– Size I (5.5mm) Crochet Hook
– Large Tapestry Needle     – Optional:  Grey twine, charm (purchased at JoAnn’s)

Tote Bag Pattern:
Starting with two strands of Turquoise yarn…
Chain 41, SC in second chain from hook and rest of the way down chain making 5 SC in last chain.
Now working on the other side of chain, SC in each chain making 5 SC in last chain, join to first SC, chain 1 (ch 1 does not count as a stitch).
Round 2: SC in same stitch as ch 1.  SC first 38, 2 SC in next 5 stitches, SC in next 38, 2 SC in next 5 stitches, join, chain 1 (99 SC).
Round 3: SC in first 44, 2 SC in next 5, SC in next 43, 2 SC in next 5, SC in last 2, join, chain 1 (109 SC)
Round 4: SC in first 46, 2 SC in next 10, SC in next 45, 2 SC in next 10, SC in last 2, join, chain 1 (133)
Round 5: In back loops only, SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)
Round 6-13: Now working in both loops for the rest of the project, SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 14-16: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)
Switch to two strands of Greymist yarn…
Round 17-19: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 20-22: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)
Switch to two strands of Greymist yarn…
Round 23-25: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 26-28: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of Greymist yarn…
Round 29-31: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 32-34: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of Greymist yarn…
Round 35-37: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 38-40: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of Turquoise yarn…
Round 41-46: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Round 47: SC in first 20, chain 2, skip 2, SC in next 25, chain 2, skip 2, SC in 41, chain 2, skip 2, SC in next 25, chain 2, skip 2, SC in last 22 stitches, join, chain 1 (125 SC, 8 chain st)
Round 48: SC in first 20, 2 SC in ch 2 space, SC in next 25, 2 SC in chain 2 space, SC in next 41, 2 SC in chain 2 space, SC in 25, 2 SC in chain 2 space, SC in last 22, join, chain (133 SC)
Round 49-51: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Handles: 2-1 yard of 3/4″ cotton braid cord.  Front side of tote, place one end through 2 chain space and knot, repeat in second chain 2 space.  Back side repeat instructions on wrong side.  Use picture as a guide.   When working with the cord, be sure to secure ends with scotch tape.  This keeps it from unraveling and easier to thread through the chain 2 spaces.

Embellishment:  Cut 3- 12″ strips of grey twine, braid, attach charm, attach to handle.

Hoping this is clear as “mud!”

This bag is for sale or you can place an order.  Find details in Nesting for Spring Shop.

*** You may make and sell products from my patterns but if you do, I ask that you link back to my post. Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish photos as your own.***

Enjoy! ~ Robin