Summer Tote Bag and Hat

Here is a complete, professional step-by-step crochet pattern in English to create this gorgeous summer beach hat and matching tote bag set.

This design features a classic Shell Stitch (Fan Stitch) texture, perfect for a breezy, elegant summer look.

Materials Needed

Yarn: 3–4 skeins of Raffia yarn (or structured paper/cotton yarn) in Beige/Straw (Main Color – MC) and 1–2 skeins in Mustard Yellow (Contrast Color – CC).
Crochet Hook: 3.5 mm (US E-4) or 4.0 mm (US G-6) depending on your tension. Tip: Keep stitches tight to ensure the hat brim and bag hold their shape.
Bag Handles: A pair of round bamboo handles.
Notions: Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors, and measuring tape.

Ch: Chain
Sc: Single Crochet
Dc: Double Crochet
Sl st: Slip stitch
St(s): Stitch(es)
Shell (Fan): Work 5 Double Crochets into the same designated stitch or space.

The hat is worked in the round from the top down (crown, body, and brim).

Round 1: With Beige (MC), start with a magic ring. Ch 1, work 6 sc into the ring. Sl st to join. (6 sts)
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. Join. (12 sts)
Round 3: Ch 1, 1 sc, 2 sc in next st, repeat around. Join. (18 sts)
Round 4 (Setting up the Shells): Ch 1, sc in first st, skip 2 sts, work a 5-dc Shell in the next st, skip 2 sts, repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Round 5–8 (Increasing the Crown): Continue expanding the circles by increasing the number of shells or spacing until the flat circle measures approximately 16–17 cm (6.5 inches) in diameter for a standard adult size. To increase, work shells into the center of the previous rows’ shells and secure with sc in between.

Rounds 9–20 (or until desired depth): Work evenly without any more increases.
- Pattern Repeat: Work a 5-dc Shell into the sc of the previous row, and work a sc into the center stitch (3rd dc) of the previous row’s shell.
- Repeat this texture until the hat reaches just above your ears (approx. 11 cm / 4.3 inches from the crown edge).

To create the wavy, wide brim seen in the photo, you will gradually add extra stitches to your shells.
Round 21 (Increase): Instead of 5-dc shells, work 6-dc Shells in each sc space around.
Round 22–28: Continue the shell pattern. If you want a wider flare, increase the shells to 7-dc Shells for the final 3 rows.
Final Round: Work 1 sc in every stitch around the edge to create a clean, firm finish. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Using the Mustard Yellow (CC) yarn, crochet a simple chain (approx. 120–150 chains) or a thin cord.
Weave it through the stitches at the base of the hat body (where the brim begins) and tie it into a beautiful bow at the front.

The bag is worked from the bottom up. It features a two-tone color block (Mustard Yellow at the bottom, Beige at the top).

Row 1: With Mustard Yellow (CC), Ch 41. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (40 sts)
Row 2–12: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
Note: This creates a flat rectangular bottom. Now, you will transition to working in rounds around this rectangle to build the body.

Round 1 (Set-up): Work sc all the way around the 4 sides of your rectangular base to establish the foundation. Join with a sl st.
Round 2 (Shell Pattern Starts): Ch 1, sc in first st, skip 2 sts, 5-dc Shell in next st, skip 2 sts, repeat around the entire base. Join.
Round 3–12: Repeat the established shell pattern repeat using Mustard Yellow (CC) until the yellow section measures about 12–15 cm (5 inches) in height.
Switch Color: Fasten off the yellow yarn and join the Beige (MC) yarn in the center of any shell.
Round 13–26: Continue the shell pattern with the Beige yarn until the bag reaches your desired total height (approx. 30–35 cm total).

Round 27–29: Switch to a continuous round of Single Crochet (sc) across the top to stabilize the opening of the bag.
Attaching Bamboo Handles: 1. Center your bamboo handles on both the front and back panels of the bag. 2. Use a yarn needle and a long strand of Mustard Yellow (CC) yarn to securely sew/wrap over the bamboo handle and through the top rows of the crochet stitches (as seen in the picture). 3. Ensure the stitches are tight and wrapped close together to form a solid yellow accent bar holding the handle.

Blocking: Raffia can look stiff or wrinkled. Once finished, lightly steam both the hat brim and the bag with an iron (use a pressing cloth between the iron and the raffia) to perfectly shape the brim and flatten the bag texture.
Lining (Optional): To make the tote bag more functional, you can stitch a simple fabric lining inside to prevent small items from slipping through the shell stitch gaps.