Crochet Beachcomber Bag
Crochet this fun bag to collect treasures on a special trip or at your local body of water or another favorite spot. Featuring the coveted sand dollar, and worked mostly in simple stitches with just a few special stitches. The Loops & Threads Créme Cotton yarn is a cotton blend that brings the pretty to this project—as well as the durability for a bag that’s specially designed to be worn across the body. Please enjoy this free pattern.
Inspiration —
If you’re like me you have a stash of seashells in your home that reminds you of a special trip to the ocean. The Beachcomber Bag is inspired by my trips to Troncones in Mexico. The resort where I stayed was about a mile walk along the beach into the village. The walk was as enjoyable as the destination—sometimes more so. These walks in the sand were always leisurely, scouting for shells while taking in the views. On one occasion I found a coveted sand dollar. This was my inspiration for the sand dollar design at the center of the bag. A beautiful bag to collect shells was the inspiration for the project.
Selling points —
With one end of the strap sewn on the front and the other end sewn on the back, it is specially designed to be worn across the body. Use it as your purse for summer or your small tote for a music festival. Tie a knot in the top of the strap to make it kid-size.
Make the wallet pouch to hold small shells or a key and cash stashed inside the bag. Or make two wallet pouches, one for small shells and one for essentials. Warning: you may hear the sound of waves when working on this project, or you may stop crocheting to book your next trip!
Design —
The bag is worked beginning with the sand dollar center which is created with double crochet, and front post double crochets and clusters for the special effects (with a single crochet border). Using a contrasting color, the sand dollar is made into a square for the body of the bag. The strap is made directly onto the bag and the border is added to join front and back and is also worked along the strap, all in single crochet. A magnetic snap closure (optional) is added to keep contents inside.
The wallet pouch is made in all single crochet with a simple buttonhole and button sewn on to finish. I did have a slight curl along the edge of my wallet, so sprayed it with room temperature water, adjusted with my fingers, and let it dry (pseudo-blocking?).
Yarn —
This was my first time using the Loops & Threads Créme Cotton yarn. It’s a chainette construction, so very easy to work with — no splitting. I found it to be very soft and like the small amount of nylon to give it extra durability, making it perfect for this bag that is specially designed to be worn across the body. It’s fun to work with and has a nice sheen when worked. This yarn is available exclusively at Micheal’s and is very affordable for a generous 324-yard skein. I look forward to another project in this yarn.
Or make your bag bigger (there’s more than enough yarn) by simply adding more rows to both the front and back squares. Make the strap longer (or shorter) as desired by adding more rows.
The dusty rose color is more brown/peach than pink. I chose it because it reminds me of sand and the color looks amazing next to the ice blue. This yarn is available in so many lovely colors, I had a hard time choosing just one color combination! Note that this is a hand wash in cold, dry flat yarn — a bit unusual for a cotton blend yarn.
Pointers —
While the bag is easy to make, the few special stitches used in the sand dollar are not for those brand new to crochet. If you’re proficient in single and double crochet and want a new challenge, this would make a good project. Pay close attention to when the pattern says to work in the SAME stitch and when to work in the NEXT stitch.
For the wallet pouch, you may find it helpful to use a stitch counter or tick marks on paper works too, to keep track of rounds.
Be sure you have the correct number of stitches at the end of each round to ensure the bag’s front and back work into a square. The number of stitches in each round is indicated in parentheses () at the end of each round. Take the time to count to prevent frustration.
Pattern
SKILL LEVEL: Easy/Intermediate
SIZE
Approx 10 x 10 inches, strap 44 inches
MATERIALS
Loops & Threads Créme Cotton (87% cotton, 13% nylon, 324 yds, weight: 4/Medium) – 1 skein Dusty Rose (#41) – MC and 1 skein Ice Blue (#BS31) – CC
Size J (6.5 mm) hook or size needed to obtain gauge
Optional to add snap closure:
Magnetic Button Snap (Silver, 18mm)
Sewing needle and small amount thread to match yarn
In addition for wallet pouch:
Stitch marker
5/8 inch button
Sewing needle and small amount thread to match yarn
Stitch counter (optional)
ABBREVIATIONS
beg = begin(ning)(s)
CC = contrasting color
ch = ch
ch-sp(s) = chain space(s) previously made
CL = cluster
cont = continue
dc = double crochet
FP = front post
FPCL = front post cluster
FPdc = front post double crochet
MC = main color
rep = repeat
rnd(s) = round(s)
RS = right side
sc = single crochet
sk = skip
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
tr = treble crochet
WS = wrong side
yo = yarn over
Pattern uses U.S. crochet terms.
GAUGE
15 sc x 18 rows = 4 inches
NOTES
Bag is worked beg with the sand dollar center in MC, then using CC it is worked into a square. Make 2 for front and back. Strap is made directly onto front and back, then border is added to join front and back and is also worked along the strap.
The wallet pouch is made by creating a sc foundation row, and working around it and cont in the round. Use marker to mark first st of each rnd. Then work the flap in rows, turning work and creating the buttonhole.
SPECIAL STITCHES
FPdc [yo, insert hook through post of st in previous rnd, yo and pull up loop so hook is back on front side of work, yo and pull through 2 loops (2 loops remaining on hook), yo and pull through final 2 loops on hook]
FPCL [*yo, insert hook through post of st in previous rnd, yo and pull up loop so hook is back on front side of work, yo and pull through 2 loops, rep from * 2 more times in same post, yo and pull through all 4 loops on hook]
NOTE: When working FPCL, take care when working the next st as it will feel a bit like you are working behind the FPCL. Count the sts at the end of each round to be sure.
Working the special stitches in the sand dollar center
INSTRUCTIONS
Number of stitches in each round is indicated in parentheses () at the end of each round.
Make sand dollar center of bag:
With MC, ch 4 (counts as first dc).
Rnd 1: 9 dc in 4th ch from hook. sl st into top of ch 4 to join. (10)
Rnd 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc), FPdc in same st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next st, FPdc in same st] rep 3 more times. 2 dc in next st, sl st into top of ch 3 to join. (20)
Rnd 3: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same st. [FPCL in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st] rep 3 more times. FPCL in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, sl st into top of ch 3 to join. (30)
Rnd 4: ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in next st, [FPCL in next st, sk next dc, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st] rep 3 more times. FPCL in next st, sk next dc, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, sl st into top of ch 3 to join. (35)
Rnd 5: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next st, 2 dc in next st. [FPdc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st] rep 3 more times. FPdc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, sl st into top of ch 3 to join. (45)
Rnd 6: ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts. [dc, ch 1, dc in next st, *dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, rep from * 1 more time, dc in next 2 sts] rep 3 more times. [2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, sl st into top of ch 3 to join. (64)
(PATTERN NOTE: sand dollar holes which are made by working [dc, ch 1, dc] in same st – are worked in 4 of the 5 petals which is why the last one has 2 dc with no ch-1 sp; this provides the number of sts needed for 4 even corners.)
Rnd 7: ch 1, sc in same st and in each st and ch around, sl st into first sc to join. (64)
Fasten off.
Make into square:
Join CC with sl st in last st worked on sand dollar center.
Rnd 8: ch 2 (counts as first hdc), dc in next st, 3 tr in next st, dc in next st, hdc in next st – corner worked, sc in next 11 sts. [hdc in next st, dc in next st, 3 tr in next st, dc in next st, hdc in next st – corner worked, sc in next 11 sts] rep 2 more times. sl st into top of ch 2 to join. (72)
Rnd 9: ch 1, sc in same st and in next 2 sts, 3 sc in next st – corner worked. [sc in next 17 sts, 3 sc in next st – corner worked] rep 2 more times. sc in next 14 sts, sl st into first sc to join. (80)
Rnd 10: ch 1, sc in same st and in next 3 sts, 3 sc in next st – corner worked. [sc in next 19 sts, 3 sc in next st] rep 2 more times. sc in next 15 sts, sl st into first sc to join. (88)
Rnd 11: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next 4 sts, 3 dc in next st – corner worked. [dc in next 21 sts, 3 dc in next st – corner worked] rep 2 more times. dc in next 16 sts, sl st into top of ch-3 to join. (96)
Rnd 12: ch 1, sc in same st and in next 5 sts, 3 sc in next st – corner worked. [sc in next 23 sts, 3 sc in next st – corner worked] rep 2 more times. sc in next 17 sts, sl st into first sc to join. (104)
Rnd 13: ch 1, sc in same st and in next 6 sts, 3 sc in next st – corner worked. [sc in next 25 sts, 3 sc in next st – corner worked] rep 2 more times. sc in next 18 sts, sl st into first sc to join. (112)
Rnd 14: ch 1, sc in same st and in next 7 sts, 3 sc in next st – corner worked. [sc in next 27 sts, 3 sc in next st – corner worked] rep 2 more times. sc in next 19 sts, sl st into first sc to join. (120)
Rnd 15: ch 1, sc in same st and in next 8 sts, 3 sc in next st – corner worked. [sc in next 29 sts, 3 sc in next st – corner worked] rep 2 more times. sc in next 20 sts, sl st into first sc to join. (128)
Rnd 16: ch 1, sc in same st and in next 9 sts, 3 sc in next st – corner worked. [sc in next 31 sts, 3 sc in next st – corner worked] rep 2 more times. sc in next 21 sts, sl st into first sc to join. (136)
Fasten off.
Repeat above sequence to make 2, so you have front and back squares.
Make strap:
With front square and RS facing you, position the petal of the sand dollar without the hole, at the bottom of the square. Find the 3sc in the top-left corner of the bag, and locate the middle sc making the corner st. Count 3 sts to the right and join CC with sl st.
Rnd 1: ch 1, sc in same st and in next 3 sts. turn. (4)
Rnds 2-167: rep rnd 1. (Do not fasten off.) Strap should measure approx 44 inches.
(PATTERN NOTE: If working longer or shorter strap, end with uneven-numbered row, working yarn is to the left.)
Attach strap to back square:
Line up squares with WS together, also position the back square with the petal of the sand dollar without the hole, at the bottom of the square. On the back square (WS is facing you) find the 3sc in the top-right corner of the bag, and locate the middle sc making the corner st. Being careful not to twist strap, join strap with sl st to the corner st and work next 3 sts with sl st to join strap to bag. Work 1 more sl st in next st.
Fasten off.
Join squares together:
(This also creates a border along the strap.) With squares still aligned with WS together, find the 3sc in the lower-left corner of the bag, and locate the middle sc making the corner st. Working through both front and back sides (insert hook through all 4 loops – 2 on front, 2 on back), join MC with sl st.
Rnd 1: working sts through both front and back sides to join, ch 1, 3 sc in same st – corner made. sc in next 33 sts. 3 sc in next st – corner made. sc in next 34 sts. cont along strap, evenly work 1 sc in each sc row edge around and back to body of bag. at body of bag in middle of top-left corner, cont working sts through both front and back sides to join. sc in next 34 sts, sl st into first sc to join.
Fasten off.
Work border around top of bag and other side of strap:
Join MC with sl st to middle of corner st at top-right on body of bag.
Rnd 1: ch 1, sc in same st and in next 30 sts. cont up along strap, evenly work 1 sc in each sc row edge around and back to body of bag. sc in next 30 sts along back top of bag. sl st in next st.
Fasten off.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.
Add snap closure:
Locate middle st 2 rows down from top on both front and back squares of bag. Line up top of snap to this st. Sew one of each side of snap to front and back, working on WS and keeping thread and knots on WS.
Make wallet pouch:
With MC, ch 16
Rnd 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 14 ch. do not turn. (15)
Rnd 2: ch 1, sc in side of sc row and in next 15 remaining loops from beg ch in rnd 1. do not turn, do not join. (32)
Rnd 3: sc in next st (which is first sc from rnd 1), pm in st just worked to mark beg of rnd, sc in each st around. (32)
Rnd 4: sc in next st, pm in st just worked to mark beg of rnd, sc in each st around. (32)
Rnds 5-12: rep rnd 4.
Rnd 13: sc in next st, pm in st just worked to mark beg of rnd, sc in each st around. turn. (32)
Begin working in rows to create flap.
Rnd 14: ch 1, sc in same st and in next 14 sts. turn. (15)
Rnds 15-17: rep rnd 14.
Rnd 18: ch 1, sc in same st and in next 6 sts. ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st and in next 6 sts. (15)
Rnd 19: ch 1, sc in same st and in next 14 sc and ch-1 sp. turn.
Rnd 20: ch 1, sc in same st and in next 14 sts.
Fasten off.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.
Attach button:
With flap up, locate middle st 2 rows down from top on front of wallet pouch. Sew button to this st, keeping thread and knots on WS.
CARE
Hand wash in cold, dry flat.
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