The Hove Beach Bag is a contemporary design that it easy to crochet and is a great introduction to intarsia crochet.

If you are new to intarsia crochet then you may want to start with the Hove Purse (free pattern at Provenance Craft Co.). The Hove Purse matches the Hove Beach Bag and has been designed to create a tension square for the bag that can be made into a small purse afterwards. It uses three balls of yarn at one time, so is a great intarsia practice project before you move up to five balls for the bag.

The yarn amounts given below (400g of cotton in total) is enough to make both the bag and the purse.

Yarn :
Erika Knight Gossypium Cotton 50g/ 100m
200g - Mouse (170g used)
100g - Iced Gem (65g used)
100g - Pretty (65g used)

Other cotton based yarns of similar weights can also be used, such as the Yarn and Colours Charming range which is a cotton/acrylic mix.

Yarn substitutes: Something with the same or very similar meterage. It can be a different blend but be aware that meterage requirements will change if you substitute yarns. Other cotton-based yarns of similar weights can also be used, such as the Yarn and Colours Charming range which is a cotton/acrylic mix.

Hook:
3mm hook

Techniques:
In the main you will be working in rows to create the base and the sides of the bag.

At one point you work in the round to create the structure require around the base of the bag,

The pattern gives the choice of using the standard turning chain or my preferred method of the starting dc (instructions are given in both the written pattern and the supporting YouTube tutorial).

Handles and inner:
This pattern has been designed to accommodate the O bag handle system which allows yo to crochet lots of bags and use the same set of handles for each bag (due to their unique screw system).

The dimensions of the bag are also specific to the size of the O bag Beach inner. This is a waterproof inner that acts as a neat compartment within your bag.

NOTE - you don’t need to use the O bag handles or inner with this bag. You can easily add leather straps, standard bag handles or upholstery rope instead. The bag also operates perfectly well without the O bag inner, but definitely looks best when full and bulked out.

Dimensions:
Base of bag 38 x 12cm
Body of bag 100cm circumference and 24.5cm height