Crochet Shells Tote Bag

Looking for the perfect accessory to carry all your essentials? Look no further than the Crochet Shells Tote Bag! This charming and versatile bag is not only stylish but practical too. The intricate shell crochet pattern adds a delightful touch, making it a standout piece for any outfit. With its roomy interior and sturdy straps, it's ideal for trips to the beach, farmers' market, or just a casual day out.

Written Pattern

Materials Used

• Worsted - Aran weight cord type yarn, size 4 - medium. I used YarnArt Macrame Cotton - (250 grams / 225 meters) - 80% Cotton, 20% Polyester. Thickness of the cord - 3 mm. 2 skeins (approx 315 meters) needed for this pattern.
• 4.5 mm (7) crochet hook.
• Scissors.
• Yarn needle or latch hook for weaving in ends.
• 4 stitch markers.
• Measuring tape.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• st./sts - stitch / stitches
• ch - chain
• sl st. - slip stitch
• sc - single crochet
• dc - double crochet
• ( )* - repeat the instructions between the brackets the number of times indicated.

Instructions

Base

• Foundation chain: ch32 (multiples of 6 plus 2)

• 6 x 5 + 2 = 32

• Round 1: 3dc in 3rd ch st. from hook, 1dc in each of next 28 ch sts, 6dc in next (last) ch st., 1dc in each of next 28 ch sts on the other side of foundation chain, 3dc in next (last) ch st. Join with a sl st. in first dc st. (68 dc sts)
• Round 2: ch2 (doesn't count as a st.), 2dc in same st., 2dc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 28 sts, 2dc in each of next 6 sts, 1dc in each of next 28 sts, 2dc in each of remaining 3 sts. Join with a sl st. in first dc st. (80 dc sts)
• Round 3: ch2 (doesn't count as a st.), 2dc in same st., 2dc in each of next 3 sts, 1dc in each of next 32 sts, 2dc in each of next 8 sts, 1dc in each of next 32 sts, 2dc in each of remaining 4 sts. Join with a sl st. in first dc st. (96 dc sts)

Body

• Round 4: ch3 (counts as 1dc), skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st., (skip 2 sts, 1dc in next st., skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st.)* repeat 15 times around. Join with a sl st. in 3rd ch of beginning ch3. (96 dc sts)
• Round 5: ch3 (counts as 1dc), 4dc in same st., skip 2 sts, 1dc in next st., (skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st., skip 2 sts, 1dc in next st.)* repeat 15 times around. Join with a sl st. in 3rd ch st. of beginning ch3. (96 dc sts)
• Round 6: sl st. in each of next 2 sts, ch3 (counts as 1dc), skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st., (skip 2 sts, 1dc in next st., skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st.)* repeat 15 times around. Join with a sl st. in 3rd ch of beginning ch3. (96 dc sts)
• Round 7 - 18: repeat Round 5 - 6.

Handle Straps

• Round 19: ch1 (doesn’t count as a st.), 1sc in same st., 1sc in each of next 15 sts, ch70, skip next 23 sts, 1sc in each of next 25 sts, ch70, skip next 23 sts, 1sc in each of remaining 9 sts until the end of round. Join with a sl st. in first sc st. at the beginning of round. (50 sc sts, 140 ch sts)
• At this round you can also use stitch markers instead of counting stitches where the handle straps are going to be created. Finish Round 18 as directed, lay your bag on a flat surface and place stitch markers approx 9 cm (3.5'') from the sides of the bag (2 stitch markers on front and 2 on back panel of the bag). Make sure that they are in the same place on both sides and continue as follows:
• ch1 (doesn't count as a st.), 1sc in same st., 1sc in each st. until you get to the first stitch marker, remove the marker and 1sc in the marked st., ch70, remove the second stitch marker, 1sc in the marked st., 1sc in each st. until you get to the third stitch marker, remove the marker, 1sc in the marked st., ch70, remove the fourth stitch marker, 1sc in the marked st., 1sc in each st. until the end of the round. Join with a sl st. in first sc st. at the beginning of round.

Round 20: ch2 (doesn't count as a st.), 1dc in same st., 1dc in each st. around. Join with a sl st. in first dc st. (190 dc sts)