How to Crochet a Tote Bag – Summertime Shell Bag – Free Pattern

Whether you’re headed to the market or taking a crochet project on the go, you can carry all your essentials in this handy tote. This bag combines simple stitches and the shell stitch, worked in the round, to create a perfect summertime bag. This easy pattern will show you how to crochet a beautiful shell tote bag that you can use all summer long!

This roomy crochet shell bag works up beautifully and is a treat to make! It’s a relaxing, repetitive project, with an easy stitch pattern (and there’s a video tutorial). So find a shady spot, kick up your feet in your favorite deck chair, and enjoy some time for you!

The Yarn

For the bag pictured here, I used Love Crafts Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran. This worsted weight cotton is machine-washable and comes in over 50 colors! While I love the springy pastel colors I used for my tote, there are so many more gorgeous combinations you could make with this yarn.

Cotton yarn works great for this tote because it’s washable, durable, and has excellent stitch definition. Cotton is also breathable, which you’ll appreciate when you carry the bag over your shoulder on a warm summer day.

Purchase this yarn here

The Hook

The hook I used to work up this pattern was an H/5.0mm hook, like these ones from Furls Crochet. I love the way these Streamline Hooks feel in my hand. They have a smooth finish and the just yarn glides right over them. I use my Furls hooks all the time and definitely recommend you try one for yourself!

Purchase A Furls Wooden Hook Here

Interested in my other Shell Stitch Crochet patterns?

• Shell Stitch Bookmark
• JJ’s Blankie
• JJ’s NICU Bonding Square

Where to get the pattern for the Summertime Shell Bag

You can purchase a beautifully-formatted PDF of this pattern for just a few dollars from my Ravelry or Etsy shop.

OR

View the pattern below for free!

Free Pattern for the Summertime Shell Bag

Skill Level: Easy

Materials

• Love Crafts Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran, Worsted weight #4 yarn (100% Cotton; 93 yds/85 m per 50g skein) or any other cotton worsted weight yarn
  • Color A: Pale Lilac (646) – 2 Skeins (Approximately 160 yards)
  • Color B: Washed Teal (633) – 1 Skein (Approximately 90 yards)
  • Color C: Spearmint Green (626) – 1 Skein (Approximately 90 yards)
  • Color D: Daffodil Yellow (622) – 1 Skein (Approximately 90 yards)
  • Color E: Blush Pink (654) – 1 Skein (Approximately 90 yards)
• Size H/5mm crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch Markers

Gauge

18 sc x 19 rows = 4” x 4” square
Stitch used to obtain gauge = sc rows

Stitch Abbreviations (US Terminology)

• BLO – Back Loop Only
• ch – Chain
• FLO – Front Loop Only
• hdc – Half Double Crochet
• mc – Magic Circle
• sc – Single Crochet
• sl st – Slip Stitch
• sk – Skip
• sp – Space

Video Tutorial for Shell Stitch in the Round

Pattern Notes

• Stitches between *asterisks* are repeated.
• The base is worked continuously in the round. No slip stitches, ch 1, or turning. 
• Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round, this way you can keep track of your rounds easier. Remove & replace the stitch marker at the start of each new round.
• The body of the bag is also worked in the round, but each round is finished with a slip stitch. 
• The stitch used in the body is called the shell stitch. I have written out the instructions for the stitch in the pattern below. 
• Each round of the body is worked in a different color. Always leave the unworked yarn on the WS, or inside of the bag. Keep the unworked skein of yarn inside the bag, and set out the working skein of yarn. This helps avoid tangling. 
• To avoid the need to weave in so many ends, do not fasten off after each color change in the Body rounds. Simply pull the working yarn taught when beginning a new round.  
• To change the size of your bag, begin with a chain count of any multiple of 6 + 3. Work the base as written until your base is the desired size. Work the body as written, but add or subtract rows as desired.
• Click here for a video tutorial on how to work the Shell Stitch in the Round.

Instructions

Base

Ch 33

Round 1: Sc in 2nd chain from hook, 30 sc, 3 sc in last chain. Turn work 180 degrees and work across underside of chain, 30 sc, 2 sc in last ch. (66 sc)

Round 2: *30 sc, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts* twice (72 sc)

Round 3: *30 sc, (2 sc in next st, 1 sc) 3 times* twice (78 sc)

Round 4: *30 sc, (2 sc, 2 sc in next st) 3 times* twice (84 sc)

Round 5: *30 sc, (2 sc in next st, 3 sc) 3 times* twice (90 sc)

Round 6: *30 sc, (4 sc, 2 sc in next st) 3 times* twice (96 sc)

Round 7: *30 sc, (2 sc in next st, 5 sc) 3 times* twice (102 sc)

Round 8: *30 sc, (6 sc, 2 sc in next st) 3 times* twice (108 sc)

Round 9: *30 sc, (2 sc in next st, 7 sc) 3 times* twice (114 sc)

Round 10: *30 sc, (8 sc, 2 sc in next st) 3 times* twice (120 sc), sl st to first st of round to join.

Body

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first st of round to join.

Round 2: Ch 1, *sc, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, repeat from * around, sl st to sc.

Work rest of rounds in alternating colors.

Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in 1st st, sk 2 sts, sc, *5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sc,  sk 2 sts, repeat from * around, end with 2 dc in same st as initial ch 3, sl st to join.

Rounds 4-32: Repeat Round 2-3. Last Round should be worked in Color A.

Fasten off.

Strap

Place a stitch marker at stitch 15 and 85.

Row 1: Join Color A to Stitch 15, sc in next 19 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch across. (19 sc)

Rows 3-91: Repeat Row 2.

Row 92: Sl st to stitch with marker (Stitch 85), sl st in next 18 sts. (19 sl st)

Fasten off.

Weave in ends.

Customization Tips

Get creative with your bag!

• Work the bag up in one color for a monochrome look.
• Attach a store-bought strap instead.
• Embellish around the opening of the bag with tassels. 
• Line the inside to keep tiny items more secure.

Ready, Set… CROCHET!

Action Items:

• Work up the Summertime Shell Bag
• Post a picture of your finished blanket in the J&O FB Group
• Head back to the blog hop page each day until January 31, 2025 for the next installment of the blog hop.

If you have any issues, questions, or tips, please post them on the J&O FB Group.

Gift to Myself Crochet Along 2025

Definitely post pictures and share about the blog hop on any social media you have. When you make this blanket, be sure to tag me @juniperandoakes and use #juniperandoakes so we can see your progress!

The Fine Print

This pattern and its images are the property of Juniper and Oakes ©2024. The pattern is for your personal use only. Please do not copy/paste, distribute, or alter and claim as your own. You may sell products made by this pattern, but please credit @juniperandoakes and remember to link back to juniperandoakes.com or credit Juniper & Oakes on the craft fair tag.

You may post pictures on social media and tag @juniperandoakes and use the hashtags #juniperandoakes. If you make this pattern, please email a picture to [email protected] and I will include it in a gallery on my website. You can also post pictures on my Facebook Page, or in the Juniper + Oakes Crochet Community Facebook Group.

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Let me know if you run into a problem. I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.