Crocheted beach bag

You start by working the front of the bag from the bottom. Using Col 2, make a loop and 30 chain stitches (ch). Turn the work. Row (r) 1: Make 2 ch (these are not counted in the total no. of stitches (sts)). Work 30 treble crochets (tr). Row 2: Work 30 double crochets (dc). Row 3: Switch to Col 1. Work 2 ch and 30 tr. Row 4: Work 30 dc. Repeat these 4 rs 5 times in all. To finish, using Col 2, work 1 r of tr and 1 r of dc. You now have the bag front.

Using Col 1, work about 95 dc along the three sides of the bag front. Start working at the upper right-hand corner. The stripes you have already worked will be horizontal. Work a total of 9 rs of dc. These rs form the sides and base of the bag.

Now make the back of the bag: Using Col 2, work 30 tr into the bottom sts. Make the back with stripes as described for the front. You can choose to crochet the bag back and sides together with a slip stitch (ss) at the start and end of each r. Alternatively, you can sew the back to the sides when you have finished crocheting. Make sure you align the stripes on front and back.

Make 1 strap in Col 1 and the other in Col 2. You can either attach each strap as you work or sew them on when you have finished crocheting. To attach the strap as you work: At the bottom of the front of the bag, count 7 tr in from the lower right-hand corner. Using Col 1, start here and work vertically up the bag. Work about 34 dc to the top edge of the bag. Make sure that you have the same number of stitches to the edge all the time. The strap should form a straight line up the bag front. Now work 36 ch. Continue working down the bag. Work about 34 dc with a distance of 7 tr from the edge of the other side of the bag. Work 4 rs dc, attaching all sts to the bag itself. Using Col 2, make a strap on the back in the same way.

Start each pocket working in dc at the base of the bag between the straps using the opposite colour. Work about 12 ss along the bottom edge of the bag between the vertical lines of the strap. At the end of the r, work 1 slip stitch to attach the pocket to the strap. Work the pocket to the desired depth. You should preferably end the pocket at a point in the striping just before the switch to the opposite colour. Finishing: Weave in ends. Sew the parts together if you chose not to crochet them together as you worked.