Do anyone else’s fingers hurt when scrolling through Pinterest or Etsy to find the right pattern? Well, finding a beach bag pattern made me want to put my fingers in ice.
You see, I am going on a 12-day cruise in October of 2025, and I wanted something easy to throw and go, no worries about items dropping out (do not use small items in mesh bags), and most importantly…easy to make! After at least an hour and a half scrolling through Pinterest, reading patterns, and starting some, I found the perfect beach bag crochet pattern!
I am a nerdy, loopy critic who has dozens of Loungefly backpacks. And anyone who collects them knows how expensive they are. So, dragging one around a cruise ship for 12 days just feels like a bad idea. I am the type to lose things that are in my hand, and I plan to drink from morning to night.
Can you imagine leaving an $80 bag at the casino because you’re tipsy?! I would be heartbroken. So, I wanted to make something that was economical and not time-consuming. Something that I would not feel heartbroken about on my long-overdue vacation.
In fact…I could make another while on the cruise in just a few days!
Introducing, Two of Wands practical and beautiful Portofino Bag Set!! Yes, I said SET! Not only is this a Beach Bag Pattern, but it also has a matching water bottle pattern! Man, that will come in handy on the cruise boat.
Let’s dig into the pattern, shall we….
NEWS ALERT! Crochet is in! All the kids are doing it! Why, you ask? Mental health is the simplest answer here. The kids nowadays are so self-aware of their mental health that it puts all generations before them to shame. This is why I always have a WIP in my hand (quite literally, I work remotely). As a neodyvergent, I need to stay away from social media (besides blogging accounts) and the news.
Crocheting was my answer!
Pinterest is a frienemy, isn’t it? Etsy can be scammy due to AI. And all you want is the perfect project to start so your hands are not still. It can be a real struggle. But when you stumble on gold, FREE GOLD, you create that slip knot so fast that the yarn may break.
The Portofino Bag Set
….it stopped me dead in my tracks!
Why did I pick it?
- Has a low row repeat count
- The holes are small
The materials were easy to grab (ask me about my yarn stash, never mind…don’t), and the stitch is for beginners. I may not be a beginner, but I sure do love a fast project. If you are an advanced fiber artist and have the free time, you can finish this entire set in ONE weekend!
The yarn suggested is #4 worsted cotton. Well, I had a mishap (happy?) with MJ’s Off The Hook V Neck Granny Square Sweater. I ran out of yarn (because my cat got into it, creating yarn vomit that had to be thrown away) with only a few rows and the cuff left in my sweater.
Normally, this would not be a big deal, but I was using Hobbii’s Mega Ball!! I had to buy an entire Mega Ball to finish a few rows.
So, right then and there, I made a promise to myself not to start a new project with different yarn until this Mega Ball is gone. It may not be the type of yarn this bag calls for, but I was going to use it anyway. Please note: changing yarn or hook size can change the finished product.
I normally do not use the hook this pattern calls for: 3.75mm. But I found that I like the hook. Maybe it is the yarn or the pattern, but I find the hook to be enjoyable. I seem to work a bit slower with it, but nothing that would make a big impact on my work.
So, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of the pattern. The materials call for worsted-weight yarn, a 3.75mm hook, stitch markers, and a needle. Pretty much the most basic of the basic, right? No way you do not have these lying around. Hint…the stitch markers are in the cushion of your couch!
This pattern was just as simple as the materials it needed. The types of stitches are a breath of fresh air. The entire bag is made up of single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), and chains (ch). A lot of chains. Which may sound boring, but the chains are what make the beautiful mesh pattern.
This is a 2 row repeat. No, I am serious…it is only 2 rows. And they are so similar that we could argue it is a 1 row repeat. You will be chaining and double crocheting, that is it. Chain 2, skip (sk) 2, dc, ch 2, sk 2, dc.
Now, there are some beautiful beach bag patterns out there (taking no beauty from this one), but they were so complicated. I started and frogged probably 4 different beach bag patterns before finding Alexandra’s Portofino Bag Set. After reviewing the photos and pattern, I knew I had found the bag that would sail the ocean with me.
Her pattern is clear, easy to understand, and (hot take) her blog is not miserable to navigate.
Should you hook it?
If you are going to the beach or the Farmer’s Market, yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! The mesh pattern is hypnotizing, and the end result is satisfying.
Did I make changes?
I did. And that is only because I like thicker straps, so I did a few extra rounds.
Did I make mistakes?
Sure did. My handles do not line up perfectly, but I won’t give two shits once I am on that cruise. I do not blame this mistake on the pattern author; in fact, I think it was something I 100% could have frogged if I felt like it would matter much.
Do you like mesh stitches?
If so, which one is your favorite? If not, why?
