Summer Beach Tote – Free Crochet Pattern
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
Ready for summer? ☀️
With this Summer Beach Tote, you definitely will be!
This beginner-friendly crochet pattern is fun, practical, and perfect for sunny days. Along the way, you'll learn how to make Invisible Joins and a seamless way to start your Double Crochet rounds, making your stitches blend in beautifully.
In this post, you'll find the free written crochet pattern, a step-by-step YouTube video tutorial, and an ad-free printable PDF if you'd like to crochet offline.
If you'd like to support my work and get a printable, ad-free version of this pattern, please visit my shop or Ravelry.
HUGE THANKS to everyone who supports me through purchases, likes, shares, comments, tags, or feedback! It truly means a lot to me.
This post contains affiliate links for the yarns I used and love and it also displays ads. I make a small commission if you purchase through these links or through the Ads which in no way affects the cost to you. The revenue I receive from Ads, and affiliate links, help me to support my small business which allows me to share my free crochet patterns/content with you. Thank you for your understanding and your support! It means a lot to me.
This pattern and all images associated with this pattern cannot be sold or claimed as your own. You are allowed to sell finished project. Feel free to mention me for creating this pattern, it would make my day and I can share your finished project on my social media if you allow.
Don’t forget to share your project on Instagram! If you have your account you can tag me under @happyheartsy. I would love to see your finished Summer Beach Tote so I can share it with others.
Before we get into the pattern, I also created The Ultimate Crochet Hack Sheet, a handy 2-page PDF designed to keep your crochet essentials in one place.
Inside, you'll find crochet abbreviations and symbols, hook size conversions (US and UK), yarn types with recommended hook sizes and project ideas, and other quick-reference guides that are useful to keep nearby while crocheting.
Feel free to click on the image below or visit my shop to learn more.
What you need for this Summer Beach Tote:
Materials:
Yarn Used for the tote
Colour A - Sunny Day - 1 whole skein
Colour B - Fiesta Red - 53g
Colour C - Sunshine Multi - 1 whole skein
Hook - 4mm/US G-6
Scissors, Yarn Needle, Stitch Markers
Measurements:
Approximately 16" long (without handles) × 14" wide.
Gauge:
Tote Base (Single Crochet): 2" × 2" = 8sts x 8rows
Tote Body (Stitch Pattern): 4" × 4" = 17sts x 8 rows
Notes:
This pattern is worked in the round.
Stitch markers are very helpful for this pattern, so I highly recommend using them.
Carry the yarn up the side of your work. There is no need to cut the yarn after every colour change.
The tote body follows a 2-round repeat using the following colour sequence: B, C, C. Repeat this sequence throughout the tote body.
This pattern includes instructions for both regular joins and Invisible Joins. Use whichever method you prefer.
Stitch counts are provided at the end of each round in ( ).
Abbreviations:
Ch - Chain
FCH - Foundation Chain
YO - Yarn Over
St - Stitch
SC - Single Crochet
Inc - Increase
Sl St - Slip Stitch
DC - Double Crochet
BPDC - Back Post Double Crochet
Ch Sp - Chain Space
Directions for Summer Beach Tote
Tote Base - pick up colour A (solid yellow)
Start with ch 51. (If you would like to make a smaller or larger bag, always start with an odd number of foundation chains. This will give you an even number of stitches in the following rows.)
Round 1 - Into the second Chain (Ch) from the hook, make 1 Single Crochet (SC) (place a stitch marker in the first SC you make). Continue with 1 SC in each remaining Ch. In the last Ch, make 3 SC (place a stitch marker in the first of these 3 SC to mark the corner for the next round). Continue working along the opposite side of the foundation chain, making 1 SC into each stitch. Once you reach the stitch marker (the first SC of the round), make the last 2 SC into the same stitch, so you have a total of 3 SC in that stitch. (102 sts in total)
You have two options for joining the round:
Option 1: Join with a regular Slip Stitch (Sl St). The join will be slightly visible.
or
Option 2: Once you finish your last SC, remove your hook (don't lose the loop). Insert your hook from the back to the front through the first SC of the round. Place the loop back on your hook and pull it through to the back.
Remove your hook again. Insert it from the front to the back into the same stitch, yarn over (YO), and pull up a loop. Place the second loop back on your hook so you have two loops on the hook. YO and pull through both loops.
This counts as the first SC of the following round, so place your stitch marker in this stitch.
Round 2
If you joined with a regular Sl St, make 2 SC into the first stitch of the previous round.
If you used the invisible join, you have already made the first SC. Make 1 more SC into the same stitch (2 SC in total).
Continue with 1 SC in each stitch until you reach the stitch marker (the first of the 3 SC in the corner).
Then make 1 Inc in each of the next 3 stitches by making 2 SC into each stitch. (6 sts around the corner)
Continue with 1 SC in each stitch until you reach the remaining 2 stitches of the first corner. Make 1 Inc in each stitch (2 SC in each stitch). Place a stitch marker in the first SC of the first increase to mark the corner for the next round.
Finish the round with either a regular Sl St or the Invisible Join. (108 sts)
Round 3
If you joined with a regular Sl St, make 2 SC into the first stitch of the previous round.
If you used the Invisible Join, you have already made the first SC. Make 1 more SC into the same stitch (2 SC in total). Then make 1 more Inc in the next stitch (2 SC in the same stitch).
Continue with 1 SC in each stitch until you reach the next stitch marker (the first SC of the increase in the next corner). Then make 1 Inc in each of the next 6 stitches by making 2 SC into each stitch. (12 sts in the corner)
Continue with 1 SC in each stitch until you reach the next stitch marker (the first SC of the increase in the final corner). Then make 1 Inc in each of the next 4 stitches by making 2 SC into each stitch. (12 sts in the final corner; the first 4 increases were made at the beginning of the round).
(120 sts) This stitch count will remain the same for the rest of the tote until you begin the handles.
Rounds 4–8
Make 1 Single Crochet (SC) in each stitch around. Do not make any increases. (120 sts)
Tote Body
Using Colours B (Red) and C (Yellow Multi), repeat the following colour sequence: B, C, C
Work Colour B for 1 row and Colour C for 2 consecutive rows. Repeat until instructed otherwise.
Round 9
Pick up Colour B (Red). Insert your hook into the first stitch and place Colour B over your hook.
You have two options for starting the round:
Option 1: Traditional Beginning
Pull up a loop and make 2 Chains (Ch). These count as the first Double Crochet (DC) of the round. Continue with 1 DC in each stitch around. (120 sts in total)
Option 2: Invisible Beginning
Pull up a loop and make 1 Chain (Ch) to secure the yarn. Then pull up another loop, making it slightly longer as shown in the picture. Hold this loop with your finger to prevent it from slipping off the hook.
Wrap the long loop around your hook to create 2 loops on the hook (continue holding the first loop). Insert your hook into the same stitch where you made the chain, yarn over (YO), and pull up a loop (3 loops on the hook). YO and pull through 2 loops. You can now release the first loop. YO again and pull through the remaining 2 loops.
You have now created your first DC, which blends in with the rest of the stitches. Continue with 1 DC in each stitch around. (120 sts in total)
Once you finish your last stitch, remove your hook from the loop (don't lose the loop). Insert your hook from the back to the front through the first Double Crochet (DC) of the round. Place the loop back on your hook and pull it through to the back.
Round 10
Pick up Colour C (Yellow Multi). Place the yarn over your hook, pull up a loop, and make it slightly longer, as shown in the picture. You may need to tighten Colour B (Red). Do not cut the yarn, you will carry it for the next rows.
Hold the long loop with your finger for almost the entire stitch to prevent it from slipping off the hook.
Wrap the long loop around your hook to create 2 loops on the hook (continue holding the first loop). Insert your hook from the back around the first DC of the previous round (Back Post Double Crochet - BPDC), yarn over (YO), and pull up a loop.
Complete the stitch as a regular DC (YO, pull through 2, YO, pull through remaining 2).
From now on, repeat the following pattern around:
BPDC, Ch 1 (skip the next stitch to create a chain space).
Repeat until the end of the round. Your last stitch will be Ch 1. Finish the round with either the Invisible Join or a regular Sl St join.
Round 11 – Using Colour C (Yellow Multi), make 1 DC in each stitch around. Join the round using either the Invisible Join or a regular Sl St join. Then simply pick up the carried Colour B (Red) by placing it over your hook, ready for the next round.
Rounds 12–30 - Repeat Rounds 10 and 11. Your final round (Round 30) should be a repeat of Round 11, ending with a full round of DC using Colour B (Red).
Tote Handles
Rounds 31 - 34 - Pick up Colour A (Solid Yellow). Make 1 SC in each stitch around. Finish each round with either a regular Sl St join or the Invisible Join. (120 sts)
Round 35 - Before starting this round, grab your stitch markers and mark the handle placement. Your round has 120 stitches, so place a stitch marker in the 20th, 40th, 80th, and 100th stitches. (Optional: Place an additional stitch marker in the very first stitch of the round.)
Continue with 1 SC in each stitch until you reach the first stitch marker. Ch 60 to create the handle. Skip all stitches until you reach the second stitch marker, then make 1 SC into the marked stitch.
Continue with 1 SC in each stitch until you reach the next stitch marker. Ch 60 to create the second handle. Skip the next 20 stitches and make 1 SC into the marked stitch. Continue with 1 SC in each remaining stitch until the end of the round. (160 sts)
Round 36-42 - Make 1 SC in each stitch around. In Round 36, also make 1 SC into each Chain (Ch) across both handle openings. (160 sts)
Ta-Da! Your Summer Beach Tote Is Done! ☀️👜
You did it! I hope you enjoyed making your new Summer Beach Tote as much as I enjoyed designing it. Whether it's coming with you to the beach, the farmers' market, the library, or your next weekend adventure, I hope it becomes a bag you reach for all summer long.
I'd absolutely love to see your finished tote! Share a photo in the comments below or tag me on Instagram @happyheartsy so I can admire your beautiful creation. Seeing your projects is always my favourite part!
If you enjoyed this free crochet pattern, please consider sharing it with your crochet friends or pinning it to Pinterest so more makers can find it. Every share truly helps support my small business and allows me to keep creating free patterns and tutorials.
If you post your tote on social media, please remember to credit Happy Heartsy as the pattern designer. It means so much to me and helps others discover my work.
I'll see you in the next pattern! 💛
Happy crocheting!
Lenka
Where happy heart meets crochet art
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