Home » Hook » Life’s a Beach Bag: Free Beach Bag Crochet Pattern
| | | | | | | |

Life’s a Beach Bag: Free Beach Bag Crochet Pattern

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase. See our disclosure policy for more information.

I’ve been having nightmares dreams about designing a beach bag crochet pattern. For weeks now I have crocheted, frogged, crocheted some more, started again, abandoned, and then returned to the hook to crochet yet another draft of a beach bag. I must say that I think I hit beach bag crochet pattern gold with this beauty: the Life’s a Beach Bag crochet pattern!

Life's a Beach Bag Free Crochet Pattern

Life’s a Beach Bag

This beach bag features super chic leather straps secured with rivets. If you aren’t interested in leather straps, I have also included instructions to crochet the strap and add the bag. Seriously, I couldn’t pick my favorite photos for this post, so included a bunch! Needless to say, I. LOVE. It!!!

Life's a Beach Bag Free Crochet Pattern

Life's a Beach Bag Free Crochet Pattern

Straps on a crochet beach bag

Materials:

Cotton yarn in two contrasting colors
-approx 750 yards total (about 500 in variegated, 240 in solid)
*Crafter’s Secret cotton in Desert Gold and Ocean used
Crochet hook in size G/4mm
Crochet hook in size H/5mm
Stitch markers

Beach Bag Free Crochet Pattern

If adding leather straps:

Leather strip 1-½” wide, 42” long for medium, 60” for large
*I found these much cheaper in-store – or use an old, long belt!
Dual Rivet set (like this)
(4) 1-½” Buckles (like this )
*again, much cheaper in-store

Crocheting straps to a beach bag

If adding crocheted straps:

You will need additional yarn in solid color.

Notes:

For the bottom and top of the bag we are working in spirals, NOT joining at the end of each row.
For the body of the bag we are joining and turning to create the star stitch.
Pattern written using US terms.

Get the ad-free printable PDF on Ravelry here. Thank you!

See the VIDEO tutorial below!

Beach bag crochet pattern

Finished Dimensions:

18” wide and 16” tall.

Pattern:

Starting with the G/4mm hook and solid color

Row 1: Ch-54. 3hdc in 2nd ch from hook. hdc in each to end. 6hdc in last. Working up opposite side of chain, hdc in each st to end, 3hdc in beg st. (114) Work in spiral using stitch markers to mark first st of row.

Row 2: 2hdc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 51 sts, 2hdc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 51 sts, 2hdc in each of last 3 sts. (126)

Row 3: 2hdc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 51 sts. 2hdc in next 12 sts, hdc in next 51 sts, 2hdc in each of last 6 sts.  (150)

crocheting a bag bottom

Row 4 – 10: hdc in each st around. (150) do not turn

Life's a Beach

Starting a star stitch

With contrasting color AND the H/5mm hook join to top of first hdc. See photos for clarification.

Row 11: Ch-3, pull up a loop in 2nd, front loop of 3rd, back loop of 3rd, first actual st and next st. (see 1st photo below, 6 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through all loops. Ch-1. * Pull up a loop in center of last star st, side of last star st, bottom of star st (same as last loop of the previous star), in next st and next st. (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through all loops. Ch-1. * Repeat between * * around. (see photo of last star st below) Sc in same as last st. Join to top of first star st. (75 star sts)

Pull up a loop in each of these FIVE places so that you have a total of SIX loops on your hook.

Row 12: ch-1, turn, 2 hdc in center of each star st. Join to top of first hdc with sl st. (150)

Crocheting star stitch

Beautiful star stitch up close

Row 13: Ch-3, turn, pull up a loop in 2nd, front loop of 3rd, back loop of 3rd, first actual st and next st. (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through all loops. Ch-1. * Pull up a loop in center of last star st, side of last star st, bottom of star st (same as last loop of the previous star), in next st and next st. (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through all loops. Ch-1. * Repeat between * * around. Sc in same as last st. Join to top of first star st. (75 Star sts)

Repeat rows 12 & 13 twelve times.

Repeat row 12. (14 complete rows of star stitches)

Top of bag:

With base color AND the G/4mm hook

Row 1: Ch-1, turn. Hdc in each st around. Do not join. Work in spiral using stitch markers to mark first st of row.

Rows 2 – 3: hdc in each st around.

If using leather straps:

Lay bag flat and position stitch markers where the buckles will go. Each buckle will be crocheted around (the bottom bar) to secure. Each buckle gets 8 sts. Mark them with stitch markers where you would like the buckle to be. I did 30 sts in between each buckle, 8 sts for each buckle, 29 sts from outside of one buckle to outside of next (around side of bag).

For example: 30+30+8+8+8+8+29+29 = 150 sts total

How to add a buckle to a crochet bag

Row 4: Hdc in each st around, going around the bottom bar of the buckle for each of those 8 sts as shown. Continue with bag top. (If adding crocheted straps, crochet this row as a solid hdc row.)

How to add a buckle to a crochet bag

How to add a buckle to a crochet bag

Buckles crocheted onto bag

Row 5 – 9: Hdc in each st around.

Row 10: Sc in each st around. Fasten off and weave in ends.

To add leather straps:

See a complete tutorial for Double Cap Rivets here. Cut leather strip in half so that you have two 21” strips (or 30” strips for longer straps). Insert end of leather strap into buckle and, on a hard surface (we used a spare piece of wood on the floor of the garage), create rivet holes with tool. Insert your rivets (long side on the “right” side of the bag, flat side on the “inside” of the bag) and secure with mallet and tool. Be careful not to twist the strap as you secure the other end. Do this to all four buckles. You’re done!

Gorgeous beach bag crochet

If using crocheted straps:

NOTE! Your strap will be more sturdy and stretch less if you carry and crochet around another strand of yarn.

Row 1: Leaving a long tail for securing strap to bag, ch-101 (or longer if you want longer straps), sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each to end. (100)

Rows 2 – 8: Ch-1, turn, sc in each st to end.

Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing this end to bag.

Position ends perpendicular to bag and several inches down. Using the tail, sew a square making sure to secure end of strap thoroughly. You’re done!

VIDEO Tutorial for Life’s a Beach Bag

YouTube video
Life's a Beach Bag Free Crochet Pattern

I hope you just love your Life’s a Beach Bag! If you like this post, I think you’ll love these:

Cold Shoulder Swimsuit Cover Up Crochet Pattern
Sunday Ballet Slippers Free Crochet Pattern
The Hedonist’s Housecoat: Free Crochet Housecoat Pattern (Medium, One-Size and Plus Size)
Hair Towel with a Twist {FREE Crochet Pattern}
The Bee’s Knees Face Cloth: Small Face Cloth Free Crochet Pattern
Sweet Summertime Lightweight Hooded Vest: Free Crochet Pattern

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

32 Comments

  1. Thanks so much for your easy to follow video tutorial...I was stuck until I watch it! I love this pattern.. thank you so much!
  2. I love the pattern, but I think I am doing something wrong on the body of the bag. The seam, where you join each row goes diagonal, as I work up the bag. Shouldn’t it be straight up and down. Am I adding a stitch I shouldn’t be? Thank you.
    1. Hi Mary! Are you remembering to turn each row? I do have a video for this pattern that could help. https://youtu.be/zxE8k52Vozw
  3. I just adore you and your site!!! This is soooooo clever - never would have thought of attaching the buckles this way - I love it.
  4. I am trying to complete the child's version and when I half double crochet six times in the second stitch from the hook, it leaves a hole. I have started and restarted this project six times but always end up with a hole at each end of the spirals. Any advice would be so welcome!
  5. My mother is always looking for a new pattern and new project. Is there anywhere I can locate the downloadable pattern without all the advertisements? My mother needs a printed version. Thanks!
    1. Hi Judy! The ad-free paid version is available on Ravelry which can be found here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lifes-a-beach-bag
  6. Hello Ashlea love your patterns. I really want to make this beach bag, I saw that 500 yards is needed for the variegated yarns and 240 for solid colors. I know this may sound silly but can I ask how many skeins of yarn I can buy? I will be using Lily Sugar and Cream. Thank you
  7. Pingback: 10 FREE Crochet Beach Bag Patterns - Marly Bird™
  8. question if I wanted to make this more of a beach tote bag how would i increase the bottom rounds to a larger size prior to the star stitches.
  9. Hi! If I wanted it to be smaller, can I start my chain with 44 & the stitches still work out with the pattern? I want some to be smaller & some larger! Thankyu!
    1. Hi Ashley! Yes, the stitches should still work out with a 44 starting chain. I did a smaller version in my video tutorial, which starts with a chain of 29, and the finished bag is appoximately 12" wide. Hope that helps!
  10. Pingback: How to Set Double Cap Rivets in Leather
    1. Hi Heather! The video tutorial within this post is of the smaller version. Hope that helps!
  11. Hi Ashlea, is there a pic of the Beach bag with crocheted straps? Also how do we know where to position them. I just don't want them to come out crooked. Thanks
    1. Hi Cecelia! At this time I do not have photos with the crocheted strap, but I can try to get some added to the post. As for placement of the straps, I would lay your bag flat, measure in 2-3 inches and down a few inches, then sew a square...making sure the end is secure. Hope that makes sense!
  12. I'm about to star the star stitch and don't understand the ch3 etc, do you have a video on this first row?
      1. Thank you so so much. Love your patterns and your tutorials are so good and easy to follow. When I looked up star stitch there were so many different ways and your tutorials give us confidence to try your patterns which I do. Many many thanks!
  13. Awesome design incorporating non-yarn products into the Beach Bag! I may give this a try soon. Thank you for the pattern!