Hove Beach Bag

Hove Beach Bag by Fay Dashper-Hughes

Project Overview

The Hove Beach Bag is an intermediate-level crochet project designed by Fay Dashper-Hughes. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating a practical and stylish beach bag using cotton yarn and basic crochet techniques. The finished project requires approximately 16 hours of crochet time and uses a total of 300g of yarn across three coordinating colors.

What is Being Made

This pattern creates a functional beach bag suitable for carrying essentials to the seaside or pool. The bag features a structured main body with handle holes positioned strategically for comfortable carrying. The design incorporates a color-blocked aesthetic using three distinct yarn colors: a primary mouse gray shade complemented by two contrasting accent colors in iced gem and pretty tones. The bag is designed to accommodate optional interior elements, including a waterproof drawstring inner lining for added functionality and protection of contents.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

This intermediate crochet project employs fundamental crochet techniques worked in the round and in rows to construct the bag's main body. The pattern utilizes strategic placement of stitch markers to track progress throughout the project. Two distinctly colored place markers denote the start and mid-point of each round or row in the main body section, while four additional markers indicate the mid-stitches in each of the four handle holes. This systematic marking approach helps crocheters maintain accurate stitch counts and shaping throughout the construction process.

Stitches and Stitch Work

While the PDF content does not specify individual stitch names in detail, the pattern employs standard crochet stitches appropriate for creating a structured, durable beach bag. The use of two different hook sizes—3mm and 3.5mm—suggests that the pattern incorporates stitch variations or density changes to achieve specific shaping or structural elements within the bag design.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

• Yarn Weight: DK weight yarn
• Yarn Fiber: Erika Knight Gossypium Cotton, a natural cotton yarn
• Total Yardage: Approximately 600 meters across all colors
• Color Quantities:
  • Main Colour (MC) Mouse (502): 4 x 50g balls (170g total)
  • Contrast Colour 1 (CC1) Iced Gem (504): 2 x 50g balls (65g total)
  • Contrast Colour 2 (CC2) Pretty (507): 2 x 50g balls (65g total)
• Hook Sizes: 3mm hook (US C/2 or D/3) and 3.5mm hook (US E/4)

Additional Materials and Notions

Beyond yarn and crochet hooks, this project requires several supplementary materials. A tapestry needle is necessary for weaving in yarn ends upon completion. The pattern calls for six place markers total—two in distinctly different colors for marking the main body sections, and four additional markers for tracking handle hole positions. Straps or handles of the crafter's choice are incorporated into the design, allowing for customization based on personal preference and available materials. An optional waterproof drawstring inner lining is recommended to enhance the bag's functionality and protect contents from moisture, though this element is not essential to the basic construction.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Hove Beach Bag is suitable for crocheters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle projects involving multiple colors, shaping techniques, and careful stitch tracking. The systematic use of place markers and the structured construction method make this pattern accessible to those with some crochet experience while providing appropriate challenge through color work and dimensional shaping.