Salamanca Beach Bag in Hoooked Eco Barbante - Downloadable PDF

Salamanca Beach Bag Crochet Pattern – Hoooked Eco Barbante

The Salamanca Beach Bag (also referred to as the Salamanca Ocean Bag in the pattern) is a free, downloadable PDF crochet pattern designed to produce a stylish, structured tote-style bag with a rounded base and straight sides — perfect as a beach bag, market bag, or everyday carry-all. The pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an ideal first bag project for those who have mastered basic crochet stitches and are ready to work in the round.

What Is Being Made

The finished object is a crocheted tote bag with a flat, oval base that expands into a cylindrical body. The design features two O-ring handles, giving it a clean, modern, and nautical aesthetic that suits its ocean-inspired name. The bag is worked entirely in the round from the bottom up, beginning with a foundation chain and gradually increasing to form the oval base before continuing straight up the sides.

Construction and Techniques

• Foundation chain start: The bag begins with a chain of 15 stitches, from which stitches are worked along both sides to create an oval base — a classic technique for flat-bottomed bags.
• Working in the round: All rounds are joined with a slip stitch and begun with a turning chain, creating a continuous tubular structure.
• Oval base shaping: The first five rounds involve strategic increases at both ends of the oval to build the base shape. Increases are worked in groups, with each round adding more stitches between increases to maintain an even, flat oval — a technique similar to working a flat circle but adapted for an elongated shape.
• Straight body: Rounds 6 through 30 are worked without any increases, creating the tall, upright walls of the bag. This section is straightforward and repetitive, making it a great opportunity to practice consistent tension.
• Edging round: Round 31 is worked in slip stitches (vasten) around the top opening, providing a neat, firm finish to the bag's rim.
• Handle attachment: The bag is laid flat to determine the correct placement of the two O-rings, which serve as the handles. The pattern includes instructions for crocheting around the O-rings to attach them securely to the bag body.

Stitches Used

• Chain stitch (lossen/l) — used for the foundation chain and turning chains at the start of each round
• Double crochet (dst — dubbele stokjes) — the primary stitch used throughout the base shaping and the entire body of the bag
• Slip stitch (hv — halve vaste / verbindingssteek) — used to join each round and to work the final edging round
• Increases (2dst in één steek) — worked in the base rounds to shape the oval bottom

The pattern is written in Dutch, using standard Dutch crochet abbreviations. Crocheters familiar with US or UK terminology should note that dst (dubbele stokjes) corresponds to the US double crochet stitch.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Hoooked Eco Barbante — 2 x 200g skeins. Eco Barbante is a worsted weight cotton yarn produced by the Hoooked brand, known for its chunky, rope-like texture and durability, which makes it especially well-suited for structured bags and home accessories. Its natural cotton composition also makes the finished bag practical for beach and outdoor use.
• Hook: 4mm crochet hook
• Notions: 2 x O-rings for the bag handles

Who This Pattern Is For

This pattern is ideal for beginner crocheters who are comfortable with chain stitches, double crochet, and joining rounds. The repetitive body section makes it a relaxing, meditative project, while the oval base construction introduces a practical and widely applicable bag-making skill. Because the pattern is a free downloadable PDF