Berroco Spiaggia Bag Crochet Pattern

Berroco Spiaggia Crochet Bag

What is Being Made

The Berroco Spiaggia is an intermediate-level crochet bag designed by Donna Yacino. This project creates a structured tote-style bag with finished measurements of approximately 6 inches across the bottom, 17 inches across the top, and 10½ inches high, not including handles. The bag features handles with a height of 3¾ inches, making it a practical everyday carryall.

Construction Techniques

This bag is constructed using bottom-up methodology, meaning the crocheter begins at the base and works upward toward the opening. The design is worked seamless and in the round, eliminating the need for seaming after completion. This continuous circular construction creates a smooth, unified fabric without visible seams.

The pattern begins with a foundation chain that is worked into a circular base using single crochet stitches. Strategic increases are placed at corner markers to shape the flat bottom into the wider top opening. The base is established by chaining 40 stitches, then working single crochet into the foundation chain and its bottom loops to create an oval foundation. Corner markers are placed and maintained throughout the increase rounds to ensure even shaping.

Stitches Used

The Spiaggia bag primarily employs the following stitches:

• Single Crochet (sc) – The foundation stitch used throughout the majority of the bag for creating a dense, structured fabric
• Slip Stitch – Used to join rounds and transition between rows while maintaining seamless construction
• Double Rounds – A pattern stitch element worked in the body section to create texture and visual interest
• Chain Stitch (ch) – Used for foundation chains and structural elements

The pattern incorporates an increase round repeated multiple times to shape the bag from the narrow base to the wider top opening. Increases are worked by placing 3 single crochets into marked stitches, with the marker then moved to the center stitch of these three stitches to maintain proper shaping for subsequent rounds.

Materials and Tools

This project requires Berroco Medina yarn in the colorway #4746 Tripoli. A total of 3 balls of yarn, each weighing 100 grams, is needed to complete the bag. The recommended crochet hook size is 3.50 mm (size E), or whatever size is necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Additional notions include 2 removable markers, which are essential for tracking corner placement and shaping throughout the construction process. These markers are moved up as the rounds progress to maintain accurate shaping.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 single crochet stitches and 18 Double Rounds equal 4 inches in the pattern stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is strongly recommended to ensure the finished bag achieves the intended dimensions. The pattern notes that taking time to verify gauge will save time during construction by preventing the need to restart if the finished measurements are incorrect.

This intermediate-level project is suitable for crocheters with experience in basic stitches and circular construction techniques who are ready to tackle a structured garment with shaping and finishing details.