Crochet Patterns, Patterns / June 3, 2019

Sunburst Beach Bag – Crochet Beach Bag Using Puff Stitches and Wooden Rings

Hi friends!

This post includes everything you need to know about my new summery design: the Sunburst Beach Bag, a large circular bag featuring textured puff stitches around the body and wooden rings to join the straps.

Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry, Etsy, and my website.
Add your finished project to Ravelry here!
Shop the recommended yarn, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, here!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Shop my first book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

Pre-order my new book – Summer Crochet: 19 Delicate Designs with Simple Lace and Timeless Silhouettes – here!

If you want to be notified of all new pattern releases (and get exclusive discounts on all new paid patterns), sign up below!

This post contains affiliate links. This means, should you make a purchase, I will receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own. View my Privacy + Disclosures Policy here.

About

This generously sized tote is the perfect companion for your next trip to the beach. Designed with a large, circular base, decorative wooden rings, and wide handles for a more comfortable carrying experience, the Sunburst Beach Bag will keep everything you need for your day in the sun secure—with plenty of room for a towel, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and more.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted—Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in colorway “Ecru”

100% Cotton
186 yds (170 m) per 3.5 oz (100 g) skein
Find this yarn on lionbrand.com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes

Yardage: 5 skeins or 775 yds (709 m)

Yarn Substitution: Substitute Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton with any similar medium, worsted weight (category #4) yarn that matches gauge. Cottons will work best for this project, particularly those that feel “stiff” to lend some structure to your finished bag. Note that worsted weight is often referred to as “aran” in the U.K., or “10-ply” in Australia.

Hook: Size U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, four wooden rings measuring approximately 2” (5 cm) in diameter, one locking stitch marker to mark BOR

Image from the pattern showing how to crochet around the wooden rings.

Finished Measurements

Diameter of Circular Base: 22.5” (57 cm)

Circumference of Bag: 40.25” (102 cm), measured around textured puff stitch panel

Strap Length: 12” (30 cm)

Gauge

Diameter of circle after Rnd 4 = approximately 3” (8 cm)

Gauge for Base, Top of Bag, and Straps:

4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = approximately 13.5 hdc and 10 rows

Gauge for Puff Stitch Panel:

4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = approximately 7 PS reps and 9 rows

Terms + Abbreviations Used

Written in U.S. Crochet terms

ch: chain
ch-sp: chain space
hdc: half double crochet (htr in U.K. terms)
inc: increase—work 2 hdc in designated stitch
PM: place marker
PS: puff stitch—yarn over, insert hook into designated stitch and pull up a loop, rep for a total of 5 times (11 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all loops on hook, chain 1
rep: repeat
rnd(s): round(s)
sk: skip
sl st: slip stitch (ss in U.K. terms)
st(s): stitch(es)

Pattern Notes

Skill Level: Easy

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row/round.

Right Side / Wrong Side: The right side will face you as you crochet the base and body of the bag.

Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch anywhere in this pattern.

Construction: The base of this bag is crocheted in a spiral, and the body of the bag (the textured puff stitch panel) is crocheted in joined rounds. You will begin with the base, increasing each round by 8 stitches. Once the proper bag circumference is reached, you will crochet straight for several rounds without any shaping. Next, you will crochet the textured panel that makes up the body of the bag. Lastly, you will incorporate the wooden rings and crochet the handles directly onto these rings.

If you’re a fan of Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, I also used it for these 4 patterns as well:

Displaying 4 other patterns that are crocheted with 24/7 Cotton yarn. — Top left: Beginner Bralette
Top Right: Calypso Carry All
Bottom Left: Island Beach Dress
Bottom Right: Peguis Cardigan

Yarn Used

I used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton for this project. I chose the colour ecru, and used just over 4 skeins for the entire project, so I used 4 full skeins and just broke into the 5th. Cotton will work best for this type of project, but feel free to experiment for yourself! LB 24/7 Cotton is available in so many colours, you’ll definitely find something that suits you! I wrote an entire blog post about why I love this yarn so much, but I won’t bore you with all the details – you can read here about it if you like. It’s made of 100% cotton, and has a chainette style construction so your hook won’t split the yarn like it would in other yarns where the plies twist. This yarn is nice and durable, perfectly suitable for a bag.