FREE Crochet Seashell Purse: A Free Summer Tote

Looking for that perfect toddler summer tote? Look no further! The free crochet seashell purse is perfect for collecting tiny treasures all summer long and carrying around a favorite tiny pal! This purse was designed specifically for the bitty mermaid, so she can be toted along on adventures all summer long!

Every mermaid needs a place to call home—even the bitty ones, right! This magical little carrier was designed especially for your Bitty Mermaid to rest, travel, and dream of ocean adventures. Shaped like a charming scallop shell and sized just right to cradle your tiny sea friend, this purse doubles as a cozy hideaway and a stylish statement piece.

Don’t miss out on adding a magical mermaid to your tote! You can also find the ad-free printable pdf including both the bitty mermaid and the seashell purse available in my Etsy and Ravelry shops. The printable pdf includes both patterns in one bundle!

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FREE CROCHET SEASHELL PATTERN

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MATERIALS:

HOOK(S): [My all-time favorite hooks are Clover Amour hooks]

Size 8.0 mm

YARN: Super Bulky, ~40 yards
Yarnspirations, Bernat Blanket here

NOTIONS

FINAL HEIGHT
~ 6″

STITCH ABBREVIATIONS:

SPECIAL STITCHES:

BACK LOOP ONLY (BLO):
Work into only the back loop of the “v” stitch.

DECREASING STITCHES (hdc2tog/sc2tog):
To decrease, sc or hdc 2 sts together. This allows the shape to become narrower. To do this, begin your first st as you typically would (whether sc or hdc) but before finishing off your st, place your hook in the next st and complete another. To finish, pull through both working sts on the hook, so that you are left with one st where previously there were two sts.

INCREASE STITCHES (sc inc/hdc inc):
To increase sts, sc or hdc 2 sts into the same spot. This allows the shape to become wider. To do this, complete your first st (whether sc or hdc) as you typically would. Place a second st in the same spot, so you are left with two sts where previously was one st.

PATTERN:

Use an 8.0 mm hook for the pattern.

CREATING THE PANELS:
Make two shell panels. Work the first panel and then cut yarn, tie off and weave ends. After the second
panel, do not cut yarn.

Row 1: To begin, ch 10. Working in the 2nd chain from the hook, sc x 9. Ch 1 and turn. [9]
Row 2: hdc inc, hdc, sc x 7. Ch 1 and turn. [10]
Row 3: Working in the BLO, sc x 8, (hdc x 2, dc). Leave one st unworked. Ch 1 and turn. [11]
Row 4: hdc x 3, sc x 8. Ch 1 and turn. [11]
Row 5: Working in the BLO, sc x 9, (hdc x 2, dc). Leave one st unworked. Ch 1 and turn. [12]
Row 6: hdc x 4, sc x 8. Ch 1 and turn. [12]
Row 7: Working in the BLO, sc x 10, (hdc x 2, dc). Leave one st unworked. Ch 1 and turn. [13]
Row 8: hdc2tog, hdc x 3, sc x 8. Ch 1 and turn. [12]
Row 9: Working in the BLO, sc x 10, (hdc x 2, dc). Leave one st unworked. Ch 1 and turn. [13]
Row 10: hdc2tog, hdc x 3, sc x 8. Ch 1 and turn. [12]
Row 11: Working in the BLO, sc x 9, (hdc x 2), dc. Leave one st unworked. Ch 1 and turn. [12]
Row 12: hdc2tog, hdc x 2, sc x 8. Ch 1 and turn. [11]
Row 13: Working in the BLO, sc x 8, (hdc x 2), dc. Leave one st unworked. Ch 1 and turn. [11]
Row 14: sc2tog, sc x 9. Ch 1 and turn to work along the bottom of the shell. [10]

You will now make the bottom of the shell. The shell ‘ridges’ should be at the top and the working yarn should be at the bottom.

Row 15: [hdc2tog] x 7. Ch 1 and turn. [7]
Row 16: hdc2tog, hdc x 3, hdc2tog. [5]

Fasten off and weave in ends for the first panel. Do not cut yarn for the second panel.
Continue to the joining instructions.

JOINING THE PANELS:

After finishing both panels, join them together to create the purse.

The purse is joined inside out and then flipped so the “right” side is facing out. It is entirely up to you which side you prefer to be the “right side.” There is a side with the ridges of the shell facing outwards and a side. with edges facing inwards. Choose whichever side you prefer to face outwards and this will be the “right” side of the bag. Sample shown uses the ridges facing out as the “right” side.

Place the second panel on top of the first panel with the “right” sides facing each other (photo A). The “wrong sides” should be facing outwards on either side. With the second panel on top of the first, sl st in each st along the bottom to join together. If desired, use stitch markers to line up the panels and ensure they are joined together evenly.

Work 6 sl st along the bottom of the shell to join together (photo B). If your stitch count is slightly different, that is OK – just make sure that the panels line up evenly with a st in each space.

Place st marker in the top of the outermost bump of the shell. Working up the side, sl st in each st to join both panels together (photo C). I worked 12 sts but again, a different st count is OK. Just align evenly.

After connecting the outermost bump, work ch sts to create the strap. Desired strap length varies. For the bag pictured, I used a ch 75 strap. Adjust to fewer or more chains as needed (photo D).

Place a st marker through both panels in the top of the outmost bump on the unworked side of the shell.After working desired number of chains for the strap, sl st to the space with the st marker (photo E).

Now, working down the side, sl st in each st to join the panels together (photo F). Sl st to the first st, cut
yarn and tie off. Weave in ends. Both panels should be joined together on three sides now.

FINISHING THE PURSE:
Now that the panels have been joined together, flip the shell purse right side out. The ridges of the sl st used to join the panels will be inside the purse. The purse should be joined on three sides, with the top of the shell open to use as a purse.

If you find that the opening of the shell purse is too wide, causing the mermaid to fall out, consider these options:

Add a button along the opening of the purse or sew a clasp on the inside of the panels
Tack the sides of the purse to add stability,
- To do this, place st markers on either side of the shell in the outermost shell bump. This should be the bump with the strap attachment (photo G).
- Working just inside the strap attachment, use a long strand of yarn to sew the panels together. This will help to keep the opening of the purse more narrow, giving more support (photo H)

That’s it! Flaunt your stuff with your brand new bag! If you make this free crochet seashell purse pattern, I’d love for you to share! On Instagram, tag me @_stuckonyoucrochet_ OR share on Facebook! And if you’d prefer to keep a copy of the ad-free printable version, you can find it bundled with the bitty mermaid on Etsy or Ravelry.

Thanks for checking out this free crochet seashell purse pattern!

Please Note!
This pattern and the pictures are the property of Allison Wasserman and may not be copied, shared, reproduced or sold in part or in whole. The pattern may not be altered or rewritten in any way for resale. You may not use any photos without consent. You are permitted to sell the finished product in small quantities, but please credit the designer by linking to the shop or pattern in your online description.