I know, don’t faint. I’m just releasing a pattern. It’s only been…two years (730+ days, but who’s counting?) It was about time. I had motivation thanks to Ravelympics (or whatever we’re calling it these days).

Inspiration

I must be missing home a lot because home has been on my mind. A lot. I miss living 5 minutes from the beach and a stone’s throw from the river, the Metedeconk River. There was always something to do for an independent, adventurous kid who liked being outdoors and discovering things on her own.

What makes the area interesting is that, despite any preconceived notions you might have about New Jersey, it’s a very diverse area. Historically-speaking, the area was a resort town (Bay Head and Point Pleasant, before they were their own towns) for the affluent city folk who’d take the train down to it’s last stop in Bay Head and come and hang out amongst the cranberry bogs and sand dunes. Some stayed permanently and took on clamming, crabbing, fishing, and hunting for work and sport. It was a simple way of life that, in many ways, still exists there today (minus the hunting and rampant summer tourism).

The Metedeconk is an ecologically diverse river, since being joined with the Manasquan River via the Point Pleasant Canal it now contains both freshwater and saltwater. As a kid, I’d go tool around by the canal and watch the fishermen cast their lines, ride my bike to the river to look out into the water, and then head over to the beach to collect shells and whatever interesting detritus made its way to the shoreline (I wasn’t supposed to be there alone. Don’t tell my mom). I didn’t usually have any of my travels planned so I’d just head up there without anything to put my finds into; I’d roll them up in the end of my shirt or a towel and bike it home, no hands on handlebars required.

But far be it from me to leave you shorthanded like that. So may I present you my, “Metedeconk Beach Tote.” This bag is large enough to put a buff, masculine Olympic swimmer in and still have room for your suntan lotion and a trashy summer novel. The bag is lined, but that’s optional, of course. And it features a large handle opening because, can I just tell you how annoying it is to have stuff crammed in, giving yourself an arm wedgie? Now you have a visual of that in your head, don’t you? Sorry.

Details

• Project overview: This beach tote is worked from the bottom up beginning with an oval bottom worked in the round. A scalloped shell pattern forms for the body of the bag which leads into a ribbed border and then a sand stitch. Lastly, a semi-circle design is worked along the inside edge of the bag and the handles are attached with tabs. All of the patterns are created by working into either the front of back loop.
• Yarn: 10 skeins of Katia, Linen (OK, here’s the problem. This yarn is discontinued. Ack. It’s a DK weight, cotton/linen yarn. Garnstudio makes a 100% linen yarn called, “Drops Lin” that comes is lovely colorways and is priced similarly. Universal Yarns makes “Summer Linen” in even more colorways and is cheaper than Katia or Garnstudio. Or, off-road it. It doesn’t need to be a linen yarn!)
• Skill: Intermediate
• Size: 181/2″ wide x 18″ high, excluding handle
• Hook: US H8/5.00mm hook, or size required to obtain correct gauge
• Notions: 2 D-shaped bag handles, yarn needle
• Extra: The main shell stitch pattern is illustrated in a large stitch diagram and the steps to create the upper portion of the bag are clearly laid out in several illustrations.

 

Tags: bag, beach tote, Crochet, crochet pattern, handbag, katia linen, metedeconk, nj, pattern