This Free Crochet pattern teaches how to make this cute handbag, purse or bag using the shell and crocodile stitch.

You can find more things like this under the category Bags and Purses

Scale and Shell Bag – Free Crochet Pattern

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For this project you’ll need:

HOOK: 5 mm hook or size H hook for the US

YARN: 3 skeins of worsted weight yarn, 1 color for the shell stitch, and 2 skeins of the color you use to make the crocodile stitch scales.

I used acrylic yarn

4 ply US, 10 ply AU

100 grams / 3.5. oz

240 meters / 262 yards

You will also need a Tapestry needle and a Button

4 stitch markers

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ABBREVIATIONS

ch = Chain

sl st = Slip Stitch

st = Stitch

sc = Single Crochet

dc = Double Crochet

sc dec = Single crochet decrease

Shell Stitch

Crocodile Stitch

* = Repeat what is in between the stars for the rest of the row

THE TUTORIALS:
RIGHT HANDED VERSION

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LEFT HANDED VERSION

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This bag measures 33 cms or 13 inches wide at the bottom of the bag.

Color A – Shell and Bottom of bag

Color B – Crocodile Stitch

To Start

Ch 43

Round 1

sc in all sts in all sts, sc twice in last st and sc down the bottom of the same sts. (84)

Rounds 2 – 5

sc in beg st and Place a marker in it so you can work in one continuous round. (84)

After round 5, sl st in the beg st.

CHANGE COLORS HERE – Color B

You will not be starting your rows of Crocodile stitches. If you don’t know how to do them, please refer to the video tutorial.

Round 6

ch 3 and skip a st. *dc 2 in next st, ch 1, sk a st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip a st* To end round, no need to ch after last dc of round just sl st in 2nd ch of beg ch 3

Round 7

ch 1 and working in your first set of 2 dc’s , work 5 dc’s going down on the post of ch 2, then work 5 dc’s going up the next post of dc. * sc into middle space in between the crocodile stitch, 5 dc’s going down on the post of dc 2, then work 5 dc’s going up the next post of dc. * Sl st in next dc repeat for round. To end round sl st in last dc or round.

Round 8

ch 2 and dc into the same st, * ch 1, dc 1 in space in between your crocodile stitch, ch 1, dc 2 in the dc in between 2 crocodile stitches * repeat for round. No need to ch 1 after your last dc of round, just sl st in last dc of round to end round.

Round 9

ch 1 and work 5 dc’s going down on the post of ch 2, then work 5 dc’s going up the next post of dc. * dc into middle space in between the crocodile stitch, 5 dc’s going down on the post of dc 2, then work 5 dc’s going up the next post of dc. * Sl st in next dc repeat for round. To end round sl st in last dc or round.

Rounds 10 – 15 (4 rows of scales)

Repeat rounds 6 and 9

Round 16

This round is done almost the same as before, only don’t chain 1 in between stitches.

ch 2 and dc into the same st, * dc 1 in space in between your crocodile stitch, dc 2 in the dc in between 2 crocodile stitches * repeat for round.

Round 17

Round 18

ch 2 and dc into the same st, * dc 1 in space in between your crocodile stitch, dc 2 in the dc in between 2 crocodile stitches * repeat for round.

Round 19

Now you have your 6 rows total of Crocodile Stitches.

Scale and Shell Bag 9

CHANGE COLORS HERE – Color A

Round 20

ch 1, sc 2 in same st, * sc into middle space in between the crocodile stitch, sc in the next dc * repeat for round you have 3 crocodile sts left for the round. Put 1 sc in last 5 sts. sl st in beg sc to end round. (60 sts) sl st in beg sc.

Round 20

ch 1 and sc into same stitch, sc in all sts, sl st in beg sc. (60 sts)

You will not be starting your rows of Shell stitches. If you need more help to do them, please refer to the video tutorial.

Round 21

ch 2 and dc 4 into same st, * sk 2 sts, sc in next, sk 2 sts, dc 5 into next st * repeat for round. Sl st in beg ch 2 to end round. you should have 21 shells

Round 22

Ch 1, sk 1 sts, sc in top of shell,* dc 5 in sc, sk 2 sts, sc in next st * repeat for round. Sl st in beg sc to end round.

Rounds 23 – 27 ( 5 rounds)

Repeat rounds 21 and 22

Round 28

ch 1, sc in all 5 sts above the shells and HDC on all sc’s. Sl st in beg sc to end round. (60 sts)

CHANGE COLORS HERE – Color B

Round 26

ch 1, sc in the next 10 sts, sc dc. Repeat for round. Sl st in beg sc to end round. (55 sts)

Rounds 27 & 28

ch 1, sc in all sts. Sl st in beg sc to end round. (55 sts)

Round 29

ch 1, sc in 27 sts, bringing you right before the center front of bag. Ch 3, skip 3, sc in last 25 sts. Sl st in beg sc to end round. (55 sts)

CHANGE COLORS HERE – Color A

Round 30

ch 1, sc in first 27 sts, sc 3 into ch 3, sc in last 25 sts. Sl st in beg sc to end round. (55 sts)

Round 31

ch 1, sc in all sts, Sl st in beg sc and fasten off yarn. (55 sts)

Making the Handles

Fold a corner, making sure the button is showing in the middle of the bag. Make sure you have 2 sts on the fold and count 4 sts going each direction symmetrically and mark it. You should have 8 sts from marker to marker. Do this for both sides.

Attach your color that you wish to use for your strap, in the stitch that’s marked. And sc over to next marker for a total of 8 sts.

Ch 1 and turn, sc 8 * repeat for 27 rows, then change to other color and finish other side of strap but stop on the 54^th row. For the 55^th row you want to turn your bag inside out and line up the strap to the bag where the markers are on this side, and sc sew your strap to the other side of bag. Ch 1 cut yarn.

Or do all rows in the same color. Up to you!

If you are wanting a long strap bag just use 70 sts total for the strap. If you want the 70 sts 2 toned just change colors after the 35^th row.

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