Beach Bag

Beach Bag by Nicole Riley

What Is Being Made

This is a structured beach bag designed by Nicole Riley for Nicki's Homemade Crafts. The bag combines crocheted fabric panels with fabric or felt lining, a functional zipper closure, and cord handles. The finished bag measures approximately 13 by 18 inches, making it a practical size for carrying essentials to the beach or other outings.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

The beach bag is constructed using fundamental crochet techniques suitable for an intermediate-level crocheter. The main body is created by crocheting rectangular panels that are then lined with fabric or felt material. This hybrid construction method—combining crocheted elements with sewn fabric components—provides both the aesthetic appeal of handmade crochet work and the durability of a structured lining.

The pattern incorporates hardware elements including eyelets, which are set into the crocheted fabric using a tool and hammer. These eyelets serve both functional and decorative purposes, anchoring the cord handles securely to the bag structure. The zipper is integrated into the bag design, requiring sewing skills in addition to crochet work, making this an intermediate project that bridges multiple crafting techniques.

Crochet Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes six fundamental crochet stitches, all expressed in US terminology:

• Single crochet (sc) — the shortest and tightest of the basic stitches
• Chain (ch) — the foundation stitch used to create the base of the project
• Slip stitch (sl st) — used for joining rounds and creating seamless transitions
• Half double crochet (hdc) — a medium-height stitch providing moderate density
• Double crochet (dc) — a taller stitch that creates a more open fabric
• Treble crochet (tr) — the tallest stitch in this pattern, creating an even more open texture

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The beach bag pattern calls for Lion Brand Jeans worsted weight yarn in two colors: Faded and Brand New. Depending on your individual tension, you will need 1 to 2 skeins of each color. Worsted weight yarn is a medium-weight yarn that works well for structured projects like bags, providing good stitch definition and durability.

Additional materials required include a 5.0mm crochet hook, which is the standard hook size for worsted weight yarn. You will also need a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, scissors for cutting yarn, and a cutting board for preparing the fabric or felt lining pieces.

Lining and Hardware Components

The bag features an internal lining made from fabric or felt, with the pattern creator using felt in their version. You will need to cut two lining pieces measuring approximately 13 by 18 inches—slightly larger than your crocheted rectangle to account for individual tension variations. These lining pieces are attached using either a sewing machine or hand-sewing techniques.

The bag is secured with a 17-inch zipper for closure and is equipped with 4 eyelet sets measuring 11.1mm, along with the necessary tool and hammer for installation. The handles are made from cord measuring 2 by 36 inches total, providing sturdy support for carrying the bag. A sewing machine or hand-sewing needle and thread are needed to attach the lining, zipper, and handles to the completed crochet base.