La Jolla Beach Bag Crochet Pattern by Sun Sand Stitch

Jess Hoffard

4 years ago

Hi everyone! I’m Jess and I am the crochet designer and blogger behind Sun Sand Stitch. You may remember my Catalina Sunhat crochet pattern featured last summer. Now I’m back with another crochet pattern that is sure to be a staple this summer.

As a designer, my favorite designs are ones that are simple, practical and feature a boho flair. This past year a big focus for myself as a crafter and designer is being a sustainable maker. I have switched to only working with yarns that are plant-based fibers or natural fibers. I am a big advocate for protecting our environment and reducing my footprint. Now I create designs that aren’t just pretty and practical, but also make me feel good about using them.

Living in southern California, we experience summer almost year round so I love to create designs that I can use in warmer weather. One of those pieces is my latest design, the La Jolla Beach Bag. This design is a basic tote bag that is beginner friendly. Once you get going on the body, this project is a great mindless project to work on while watching your favorite show or lounging out at the beach or poolside. This bag is simple in design, so you’ll be able to whip one up just in time for summer!

Now let’s get started!

Difficulty Level: Advanced Beginner

Materials:

8 skeins of Re-up by Lion Brand or approximately 850 yards of worsted weight #4 yarn
Amour Crochet Hook 5mm – Art. No 1047/H (or hook to obtain gauge)
Mini Patchwork Scissors – Art. No 493/CW
Darning Needle Set – Art. No 339
Locking Stitch Markers – Art. No 353

Pattern Notes:

This pattern is written in US terms
Ch 1 at the beginning of the row does not count as a stitch
Numbers in parentheses at the end of each round indicate the number of stitches for that row
This bag is worked from the bottom up in continuous rows. The oval base is made first with the body worked up from there.
The straps are made separately and attached afterwards.
For the entirety of the pattern the bag is worked with holding two strands together.

Stitches:
Blo = back loop only
Ch= Chain
Hdc= half double crochet
Sc 2 = 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches
2 sc = 2 sc in the same stitch
Sl st = Slip stitch
St = Stitch
Sts = stitches

Gauge:
4 inches = 14 stitches x 12 rows
(gauge is measured in hdc)

Finish measurements:
12 inches wide by 12 inches tall (not including the straps)

Pattern:
Note: For the entirety of the pattern, the bag is worked by holding two strands together.

Base:

Ch 21.

Round 1: Sc in 2nd ch from the hook. Sc in the next 18 chains. 3 sc in the last ch (22).

Round 2: [working on the other side of the chain] sc in the next 17 ch spaces. 2 sc in the last ch space. Sl st to first sc (19).

Round 3: Ch 1. 2 sc. Sc in the next 17 sts. 2 sc in the next 3 sts. Sc 18. 2 sc in the last 2 sts. Sl st (47).

Round 4: Ch 1. 2 sc. Sc 18. 2 sc, sc, 2 sc, sc, 2 sc. Sc 20. 2 sc, sc, 2 sc. Sl st (53).

Round 5: Ch 1. Sc 2, 2 sc. Sc 17. *Sc 2, 2 sc. Repeat from * twice more. Sc 18. **sc 2, 2 sc. Repeat from ** once more. Sc in the last st. Sl st (60).

Round 6: Ch 1. Sc 3, 2 sc. Sc 17. *Sc 3, 2 sc. Repeat from * twice more. Sc 18. **sc 3, 2 sc. Repeat from ** once more. Sc 2. Sl st (67).

Round 7: Ch 1. Sc 4, 2 Sc. Sc 17. *Sc 4, 2 sc. Repeat from * twice more. Sc 18. **Sc 4, 2 sc. Repeat from ** once more. Sc 3. Sl st (74).

Round 8: Ch 1. Sc 5, 2c. Sc 17. *Sc 5, 2 sc. Repeat from * twice more. Sc 18. **Sc 5, 2 sc. Repeat from ** once more. Sc 4. Sl st (81).

Round 9: Ch 1. Sc 6, 2c. Sc 17. *Sc 6, 2 sc. Repeat from * twice more. Sc 18. **Sc 6, 2 sc. Repeat from ** once more. Sc 5. Sl st (88).

Round 10: Ch 1. Sc 7, 2c. Sc 17. *Sc 7, 2 sc. Repeat from * twice more. Sc 18. **Sc 7, 2 sc. Repeat from ** once more. Sc 6. Sl st (95).

Round 11: Ch 1. Sc 8, 2c. Sc 17. *Sc 8, 2 sc. Repeat from * twice more. Sc 18. **Sc 8, 2 sc. Repeat from ** once more. Sc 7. Sl st (102).

Round 12: Ch 1. 2 sc in the first st. Sc in each st around. 2 Sc in the last st (104).

Round 13: Ch 1. 2 sc in the first st. Sc in each st around (105).

Round 14-15: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Sl St (105).

Round 16: Ch 1. Sc in blo of each st around. Sl st (105).

Round 17: Ch 1. Sc, *ch 1, sk 1, sc. Repeat from * around (105).

Round 18: Ch 1, *sc, ch1, sk 1, sc. Repeat from * around (105).
Note: You will be placing each sc in the ch 1 space of the previous row.

Body

Round 19- 49: Repeat row 18 (105).

Row 50: *Sc, ch 1, sk 1, sc. Repeat from * 10 more times. Ch 4, sk 4. *Sc, ch 1, sk 1, sc. Repeat from * 16 more times. Ch 4, sk 4. *Sc, ch 1, sk 1, sc. Repeat from * 24 more times. Ch 4, sk 4. *Sc, ch 1, sk 1, sc. Repeat from * 16 more times. Ch 4, sk 4. *Sc, ch 1, sk 1, sc. Repeat from * 8 more times (105).

Row 51 -53: Ch 1, *sc, ch1, sk 1, sc. Repeat from * around (105).

Straps (make two):

MR.

Round 1: 8 hdc in the MR. Sl st to join (8).

Round 2-90: Hdc in each st around (8).

Cut a long tail (approximately 8 inches) for sewing. Using a yarn needle, sew the tail back and forth through the 8 stitches. Then pull yarn to cinch the tube closed.

Straps should measure approximately 40 inches long.

Assembly

Insert the straps into the holes at the top of the bag. Tie a knot on the ends of each strap. This will ensure that the straps will not slide back into the holes.

That’s it! You’re all done!

Share your finished project on social media and be sure to share it with Sun Sand Stitch and Clover Needlecraft!

You can also purchase the PDF pattern on Etsy and Ravelry.

Happy Stitching!
– Jess