How to crochet a beach bag

What yarns to use to make your bag?
Cotton and cotton rich yarns work best, they make bags more rigid, are hard wearing, but still soft. Use a wool based yarn and your bag is more likely to stretch. My favourites is Sugar n Cream an Aran weight yarn, but I also love Drops cotton yarns and Scheepjes soft fun is an excellent yarn for bags. cotton linen blends. Cotton made bags are usually washable, ideal for the beach and summer picnics.

What stitch to use for your bag?
Double crochet (single crochets) stitches work well, as do half trebles (half double crochets). You can also use a looser stitch or open work style crochet when the lining will show through and this can look very effective. Front and back row post stitches also look good, create pretty ridges and are useful for defining changes in rows.

Options for the construction of your bag
I like to make my rectangular crochet bags in 4 or 5 pieces. That is a front, back, 2 side gussets and a bottom piece, plus handles. Making your crochet bag in this way will make your bag more roomy. However you can make a bag with just a front, back and bottom piece. If you prefer a simpler style and one that is easier to make and easier to construct, just make a front and back and join together on three sides. With this option line it in the same way as a 5 piece bag, that is line your pieces separately, then join together using a back stitch.

Lining
If you can, line your bag with a cotton or cotton rich fabric to protect it and reduce the chances of stretch. This really does make bags look better and more professional, see my orange/pink bag above. Make lining pieces for the front and the back. Turn in half an inch (1.27cm’s) leaving a gap of one row of crochet. This will make it easier when you join your crochet pieces together and will create a neater finish.

Putting it all together after you have added the lining
Attach the side pieces to the front or back of your bag using matching yarn and a backstitch. Join this to the base of your bag. Finally attach the front to the sides and bottom. A ttach handles to your bag.

Handles and straps.
I like strong carrying handles and there are different ways to achieve this. You can make a strip of crochet using dc’s (sc’s) for your handle and double it over when finished by stitching the sides together.  Alternatively use your yarn double and doing this creates a lovely strong effect. You can also buy leather and wooden handles in craft stores and these work well.  Another alternative is to make thinner handles by making a length of crochet and stitching around strong plastic tubing which you can buy from craft stores. I make shoulder straps in the same way as handles for some of my bags, see my patchwork over shoulder beach bag. 

Fastenings
I like to vary these. Sometimes I make a drawstring top to my bags by making 2 chain holes in rows of crochet. This I do by crocheting in dc’s (sc’s) or half trebles (half dc’s) with one row of holes between to make a professional looking top to your bag and to make it stronger. If you do this make sure you make at least four rows on top of your holes. Crochet a drawstring using chains or dc’s (sc’s) on chains and thread through. You can also add tassels, small strips of crochet stitched to your bag for clipping on keys.  Sometimes I use a button fastening (you can find how to crochet a button in tutorials on my web site) and loop fastening or a zip. Zips make your bag more secure but require more dressmaking skills!

How to Create Picture Crochet

Otherwise known as Intarsia you can use picture crochet to create a variety of crochet projects. For example one large crochet image for a cushion or a bag or make smaller motifs for cushions and scarves. You can use any weight of yarn for Intarsia crochet, but DK (light worsted) and 4ply (sport weight) work best. You will need to use a yarn with a good stitch definition or your design will be lost. Once you have perfected the yarn change of Intarsia using this style of crochet makes easy crochet projects as usually only one stitch is used, usually dc’s (sc’s).

Intarsia hints and tips

If you are using multiple colours wind small balls to reduce ‘taffle’
Start with two colour designs to build your confidence
Always carry the yarn across the back of your work
Don’t crochet over the yarn you have carried across the back or you will create double thickness fabric
For long stretches of one colour ‘catch up’ the yarn once or twice to avoid long stretches of yarn strands
Take care not to pull up your work as you carry the yarn across the back of your work

For an example of picture crochet see large square cushion

What can you make using Intarsia Crochet?

• Cushions
• Bags look fantastic using Intarsia designs check out Wayuu bags from Columbia and South America on Pinterest
• Scarves with snowflakes
• Tartan cushions and scarves
• Cushions with flowers
• Flowers and leaves work well
• Animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits work well as do birds and look great on children’s clothing
• Contemporary designs such as triangles, zigzags and oblongs

Where to find inspiration and original design ideas?

Anything that can be turned into a grid will work, cross stitch patterns with grids are a good resource or you can place a grid over an image you like. The design you choose shouldn’t be too complicated as it is difficult to create shades with crochet. Check that the grid will fit your crochet work, use 1 stitch on the grid as one or two stitches in your crochet. Crochet Patchwork Bag. 

How to crochet an evening Bag

Given that there are so many stunning yarns available some with sequins, some with metallic threads running through them and silk and mohair blends crochet evening bags can be as stunning and as sophisticated as any shop versions. They can make quick to make crochet projects for proms and weddings outfits for yourself or for gifts.

What shape to make your evening bag?
Clutch style bags are very easy to construct. Basically you just need one long strip of crochet with enough crochet to fold over to form a flap. I like to add a decorative edge to the flap of my bags and to the sides. If you decide to add a decorative edge to the side of your bag you can crochet your bag together saving time on sewing! You can also insert decorative rows, such as rows of clusters or shells into the long strip of crochet as you go along.

Round shaped evening bags are very pretty and the easiest way to make them is with five motifs, one for the bottom and four for the sides. This also has the benefit of giving you an endless choice of motifs and designs to choose from. Use a see through lacy motif and make your bag lining a fundamental part of your design.

Alternatively round evening bags can be made by using a round base and then building up the sides. Make your base plain and make the sides decorative with popcorn stitches or front and back posts. Start with 8dc’s (sc’s) and increase on each row beginning with an increase in every stitch. Then increase in every other stitch, into every second, then third and so on. Stop increasing to work up the sides.

Which yarn to use for your bag?
It’s surprising that even a wool based yarn can produce a lovely bag. Try a sequin yarn or one with a sparkly thread running through it or a silk blend for a touch of luxury. I like to use Double knit (light worsted yarn) but 4 ply or chunky would work just as well. Yarns with soft sheens make very elegant crochet evening bags, Sirdar Baby Bamboo DK (light worsted) is ideal as is Sirdar Toscana 100% cotton which is a gorgeous blended silky cotton. Cotton yarns make strong durable bags.

Crochet Evening Bag

Which stitches to use?
Double crochet (single crochets) stitches work well, as do half trebles (half double crochets) and these create a lovely ridge effortlessly. You can also use a looser stitch or open work lacy style crochet when the lining will show through and this can look very effective. Front and back row post stitches look good, create pretty ridges and are useful for defining changes in rows. For example use front posts trebles (dc’s) before you add a band of cluster stitches.

Finishing your bag
Always line your bag. This really does make the difference between a professional looking bag that will not only look better and be one that will last longer.  If you can line your bag with a cotton or cotton rich fabric to protect your work and to make your bag stronger.
Try to use a material lining that doesn’t fray. Satin or a satin stripe would look lovely as would a lining in a contrasting material to the crochet you have made. Line the base of your bag to prevent stretching and make sure you leave a small gap of crochet around the edge of your lining so you can stitch together.

Add a decorative fastening, a crochet flower or crochet button and you can also add beads to your yarn to crochet them in as you go along. Add a centre button or flower with a loop for a fastening . Add a decorative draw string to the top of tour bag with an oversized tassel and handle.
Handles crochet or bought?

Crochet Evening Bag

I like strong carrying handles on the bags I make and there are different ways to achieve this. You can make a strip of crochet using dc’s (sc’s) for your handle and double it over when finished by stitching the sides together.  Alternatively use your yarn double, doing this creates a lovely strong tweed style effect. You can also buy leather and wooden handles in craft stores and these work well.

Another alternative is to make thinner handles by making a length of crochet and stitching around strong plastic tubing which you can buy from craft stores. I make shoulder straps in the same way as handles for some of my bags.

Sirdar Toscana Yarn Review

Strong cool and silky Sirdar Toscana yarn is perfect for summer crochet projects. Strong and firm I used it for place mats and for a gorgeous summer crochet cover up. Toscana is 100% cotton and machine washable. 50grm balls make 212m/232yds, using a 3.50mm or 4mm crochet hook.

I love the very subtle colour effects of Toscana, described as a blend it’s very subtle with only slight changes in colour. It comes in Val d’orcia a pale teal purple, Arezzo is a cream coral blend and this is the colour option I used for my summer wedding cover up.  Siena is a blue/grey blend and Orbetello is a very pretty red/teal/red, much subtler than it sounds. Tropica is cream/sea green, Firenze is pale orange/red and Ravello is cream/lavender blend. Porto Azurro is a teal/cream blend.

I’ve also used Toscana to make a crochet teddy and I think it would be perfect for crochet bags, giving a strong rigid structure to crochet toes and holdalls. 

Stained glass Window Crochet Holdall

This lovely bag has a patchwork look about it achieved by adding rows of one main colour in between blocks of contrasting colour which highlight the multi coloured squares. It’s made in a tapestry style crochet which I’ve made simpler for this easy to make bag.

My inspiration for this bag was a blouse design I saw in a clothing catalogue. I knew immediately the material design would look good translated into a crochet design. For my bag I chose colours that blended together but using contrasting colours would look just as good and produce a wonderful pool of colour for your bag. By using brighter colours for the square inserts you would produce a stained glass effect.

The double crochets stitches (single crochet) used in this design show the colours to their best effect and gives a more rigid dense structure perfect for a bag. Before finishing your bag, it’s worth lining your bag stops it stretching and to prevent it being damaged.

The main points to remember when making this bag is to carry the yarn across the back and front. When working the front keep your yarns to the back and carry the main colour along the back, be careful not to pull this too tight. When working the back carry the yarns along the side facing you.

I added big tassels for more interest and thick chunky carrying strap which is long enough to fit comfortable over your shoulder. Grab the pattern here.....

Calico Crochet Bag Pattern Story

I made a crochet bag a couple of years ago, I love it and use it all the time. I decided to create another bag but something simpler that a beginner would be able to make. I wanted this design to use the same layout as the first one which makes a strong rigid and reliable bag that doesn’t stretch.

This latest design is quick and easy to make and you have the choice of making the basic pattern which looks really classy or adding on the surface crochet to lift the bag to an extra level, something that makes it really special. Even with the surface crochet this crochet bag is not as complicated as it looks!

Use your bag for your craft projects and it would look really stylish as a holdall or beach bag. Cotton yarn is lovely to use for summer patterns and using a cotton rich yarn makes for a good rigid bag. Adding a lining is not my favourite thing to do but is so worth it to stop your bag stretching and also protects your bag from damage by the contents you add.

I used a pale sage green as this is one of my favourite colours but the crochet bag would also look good in pink with a cream trim or a darker colour with a contrasting colour for the surface trim. You could also try this pattern in Sirdar Beachcomber which is a cotton rich yarn with slubs and comes in a range of blended colours. This finished bag would make the perfect beach bag, pick one of the colours from the blend for a contrasting lining.

Sirdar Crofter Review

 Sirdar Crofter double knit (light worsted is a quality yarn priced well. Very soft it was designed to create a Fair Isle effect in knitted jumpers and cardigans. 60% Acrylic and 25% Cotton a 50g ball gives a Yardage/metre of 170m/184y.

I’ve seen Crofter used in knitting to create that lovely Fair Isle look, but you can also use Crofter very effectively in crochet tops and jackets. When you use it for scarves, cushions or throws, Crofter will make a simple design look much more intricate than it really is.

Simple strips or motifs of double crochet Crofter looks very effective combined with other Sirdar yarns, such as Baby Bamboo and cottons. Crofter would be lovely used in a ripple pattern using plain colours contrasting or blending with the colours of the Crofter Fair Isle.

I used Crofter for my summer bag/work bag and I added strips of Sirdar Crofter in a blue/rust/brown blend in double crochet in between rows of Sirdar double knit (light worsted) Snuggly. To add interest and to tone in with it I used Sirdar Snuggly double knit in a rusty brown colour.

Sirdar Crofter comes in a range of colours with dyes that tone in with other Sirdar yarns. Choose from 21 colours including pinks, purples, heathers, oranges, grey, greens and a lovely pale sea grass.
Where to buy from.....

Sirdar Crofter Review

 Sirdar Crofter double knit (US equivalent) is a quality yarn at a good price. Very soft it is designed to create a Fair Isle effect in knitted jumpers and cardigans. 60% Acrylic and 25% Cotton a 50g ball gives a Yardage/metre of 170m/184y.

I’ve seen Crofter used in knitting to create that lovely Fair Isle look, but you can also use Crofter very effectively in crochet. Use Crofter to crochet tops and jackets. However when you use it for scarves, cushions or throws, Crofter will make a simple design look very effective and much more intricate than it really is.

Simple strips or motifs of double crochet Crofter looks very effective combined with other Sirdar yarns, including Baby Bamboo. Crofter would be lovely used  in a ripple pattern using contrasting or blended colours with the colours of the Crofter Fair Isle.

Popcorn stitches in Sirdar Baby Bamboo

I used Crofter for my summer bag/work bag. I added strips of Sirdar Crofter in a blue/rust/brown blend in double crochet in between rows of Sirdar double knit Snuggly. To add interest and to tone in with it Sirdar Snuggly double knit in a rusty brown colour.

Sirdar Crofter comes in a range of colours with dyes that tone in with other Sirdar yarns. Choose from 21 colours including pinks, purples, heathers, oranges, grey, greens and a lovely pale sea grass.



for a big selection of Sirdar and great customer service buy it from Little Lamb or The Wool Warehouse.