How to Make a Seaside Gradient Yarn Crochet Bag: A Complete DIY Guide with Hollow Drawstring Pouch, Starfish Shell Pendant, and Bead Metal Chain Strap

There is something deeply satisfying about carrying a bag you made yourself, especially one that looks like it was pulled straight from the shore on a golden summer afternoon. This project brings together the soft, dreamy texture of gradient yarn, the breezy practicality of a hollow drawstring pouch, the whimsical charm of starfish and shell pendants, and the polished finish of a bead metal chain strap. The result is a bag that feels handmade in the best possible way — organic, personal, and completely one of a kind.

Whether you are an experienced crocheter looking for a new challenge or someone who has just mastered the basics and wants a project worth showing off, this guide walks you through every stage of the process. You will learn how to choose the right materials, work the crochet stitches that give this bag its distinctive open, beachy texture, construct a clean drawstring closure, and attach the decorative accessories that make this design sing. By the end, you will have a finished bag that functions beautifully as a beach tote, a summer market bag, a festival carry-all, or an everyday crossbody with a handcrafted coastal story.

Let’s get into it.

Understanding the Design Before You Begin

Before picking up your hook, it helps to understand the logic of the overall design so you can make informed choices about sizing, color, and finishing details along the way.

The bag is built in three main sections. The body is crocheted in the round using a gradient yarn, which naturally shifts through two, three, or more colors as you work. This eliminates the need to manually join new yarns for color changes — the yarn does the visual work for you. The texture of the body uses an open mesh or shell stitch pattern that creates the hollow, airy look ideal for a summer bag. This open construction is not just decorative; it also makes the bag lighter and more breathable, which is exactly what you want when you are carrying sunscreen, a water bottle, and a paperback to the beach.

The drawstring closure sits at the top of the bag and threads through a row of open loops or a dedicated channel. When pulled, it cinches the bag shut and creates a gathered top edge that is both functional and visually appealing. The drawstring itself can be made from a coordinating yarn, a twisted cord, or a ribbon, depending on the aesthetic you prefer.

The accessories are the details that elevate this from a simple crocheted pouch to something you would see in a boutique window. Starfish and shell pendants attach to the exterior of the bag, the drawstring knot, or the strap itself. The bead and metal chain strap adds structure and a fashion-forward touch, contrasting the soft yarn with something more refined.

Materials You Will Need

Gathering everything before you start means you can work without interruption, which makes the whole process more enjoyable and keeps your tension consistent.

For the yarn and hook, you will need one or two skeins of gradient or ombre yarn in a colorway that speaks to you. Ocean-themed colorways work beautifully — think transitions from sandy beige through seafoam green, aqua, and deep navy, or a coral-to-gold sunset gradient. Aim for a light to medium weight yarn, DK or worsted, depending on how structured you want the finished bag to feel. A lighter yarn gives you a more draped, fluid bag; worsted weight gives you more body. A 5mm to 6mm crochet hook works well for most worsted weight yarns used in an open stitch pattern.

For the bag structure, you will need a stitch marker to track your rounds, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, and scissors. If you want a lining — which helps the bag keep its shape and prevents smaller items from slipping through the open stitches — pick up a quarter meter of cotton fabric in a coordinating color and a needle and thread or access to a sewing machine.

For the drawstring and closure, you will need a length of coordinating cord, ribbon, or twisted yarn approximately one and a half times the circumference of the bag at its widest point, plus extra for the knot and tails. Two wooden beads, resin beads, or metal rings threaded at the ends of the drawstring add a polished finishing touch and make the drawstring easier to grasp.

For the accessories and strap, you will need a small collection of craft supply starfish and shell pendants, available at most craft stores or online. These typically come with a small loop or eyelet for easy attachment. You will also need a length of bead metal chain — this is a decorative chain that incorporates beads directly into its links — available in silver, gold, or antique brass tones. Measure out the length you want for your strap, which for a crossbody bag is typically 110 to 120 centimeters, and pick up two small lobster claw clasps or jump rings to attach it to the body of the bag. You will also need small jump rings for attaching your shell and starfish pendants.

A pair of jewelry pliers makes the accessory attachment much easier and gives you cleaner, tighter closures on the jump rings.

Crocheting the Bag Body

Start with a magic ring or a chain of four joined into a ring. From this starting point, you will work in continuous rounds, increasing at regular intervals until you reach the desired diameter for the base of the bag.

For a base roughly 15 centimeters in diameter, work six single crochet stitches into the ring, then increase every stitch for the next round, then increase every other stitch, and so on, following the standard flat circle increase formula. Once your base has reached the right size, stop increasing and simply work straight up in rounds to build the walls of the bag.

This is where the open, hollow texture comes in. Switch from single crochet to a shell stitch pattern or a simple mesh by chaining two and skipping two stitches between single crochets. This creates the open lattice effect that gives the bag its airy, beachy feel. Work this pattern consistently around the bag walls until the body measures approximately 25 to 30 centimeters tall, or whatever height suits your intended use.

As you crochet, watch the gradient yarn shift. If you are using a hand-dyed or commercially produced gradient skein, the color transitions happen naturally. If you prefer more control, you can hold two separate skeins of solid color yarn and join the new color when you are ready to transition, weaving the ends in carefully afterward.

Creating the Drawstring Channel

When your bag walls have reached the desired height, it is time to create the drawstring channel. This is a row of open loops near the top of the bag through which your drawstring will thread.

Work one round of single crochet all the way around the top of the bag to stabilize the edge. Then work a round of chain loops by crocheting one single crochet, chaining four, skipping two stitches, and repeating all the way around. Close this round with a slip stitch and single crochet back across to secure the loops. Work one or two more rounds of single crochet above the loop row to frame the channel neatly.

Cut your drawstring material to length, attach a safety pin to one end, and thread it through the loops all the way around the bag. When both ends emerge from the same loop or adjacent loops at the front of the bag, remove the safety pin and even out the ends. Thread a decorative bead onto each end and secure with an overhand knot so the bead cannot slip off. The beads add weight that helps the drawstring hang beautifully and makes it easier to pull closed.

Adding the Starfish and Shell Pendant Accessories

This is the part of the project where the seaside theme really comes to life. The starfish and shell pendants transform the bag from a pretty crocheted pouch into something that tells a story.

Lay your finished bag flat and arrange your pendants on the surface before committing to any attachment point. Most people prefer to cluster the pendants asymmetrically near the bottom corner of the bag or along the drawstring, but there is no wrong choice here. You can also attach a single statement starfish to the knot of the drawstring where it emerges from the channel.

To attach each pendant, open a jump ring using your jewelry pliers by twisting it sideways rather than pulling it apart — this preserves the shape. Loop the open jump ring through the eyelet of the pendant and then through a stitch on the bag. Close the jump ring firmly. Repeat for each pendant until you are happy with the arrangement.

If you want the pendants to have a little movement, use a short length of chain between the jump ring on the bag and the pendant itself. This creates a slight dangle effect that catches the light and adds dimension to the bag’s surface.

Shell pendants in particular look lovely in groups of two or three, mixed with starfish and perhaps a small coral charm or a glass bead in a complementary color. Keep the palette cohesive — all silver-toned hardware, all gold, or all antique brass — so the mixed shapes read as intentional rather than random.

Attaching the Bead Metal Chain Strap

The bead metal chain strap is the finishing element that moves this bag from purely handcrafted to thoughtfully designed. The contrast between the soft, organic crochet and the structured glint of a metal chain is one of the things that makes this style of bag so appealing, and you see it constantly in high-end boutique and artisan markets.

Cut or purchase your chain at the desired length. If you are working with a chain-by-the-meter roll, use jewelry wire cutters to cut it cleanly at a link. Attach a lobster claw clasp to each end using a jump ring, closing each ring firmly with your pliers.

To attach the strap to the bag, you have a couple of options. The cleanest method is to sew two small D-rings or O-rings directly to the sides of the bag using a tapestry needle and a length of sturdy yarn, then clip the chain’s lobster clasps onto those rings. This is also the most functional approach because it makes the strap removable — you can wear the bag as a drawstring pouch without the strap when you prefer, or swap the chain out for a different strap in the future.

Alternatively, you can thread the jump ring directly through a reinforced stitch on each side of the bag, though this is less clean and harder to undo if you change your mind later.

Once the strap is attached, hold the bag up and check that it hangs evenly. Adjust the attachment points if needed. Give the chain a gentle tug to make sure everything is secure before loading the bag with your belongings.

Optional: Adding a Fabric Lining

If you plan to use this bag regularly and want it to hold its shape and keep smaller items from slipping through the open crochet stitches, a simple lining makes a significant difference.

Cut two pieces of cotton fabric to the dimensions of the bag body — measure the circumference and the height, add a centimeter seam allowance all around, and cut accordingly. Sew the two pieces together along the sides and bottom with a sewing machine or by hand. Press the seams open, then fold the top edge down by about a centimeter and press again.

Slip the lining inside the bag, aligning the folded top edge just below the drawstring channel. Use a tapestry needle and matching thread to whipstitch the lining to the inner edge of the bag just below the channel. Work slowly and keep your stitches small so they don’t show through to the outside of the bag.

A lining in a print fabric — think tiny shells, stripes, or tropical florals — adds a delightful surprise element when the bag is opened, even if no one else can see it. It is one of those small details that makes a handmade item feel truly finished.

Caring for Your Crochet Bag

Now that your bag is complete, a few care tips will keep it looking its best for seasons to come.

Most gradient yarns made from cotton or cotton blends are machine washable on a gentle cycle in cool water, but always check the yarn label before washing. Turn the bag inside out, place it in a mesh laundry bag, and lay it flat to dry rather than hanging it — hanging can stretch the bag out of shape when it is heavy with water.

The metal chain and pendants are best kept dry. If the bag gets wet at the beach, remove the chain strap and dry the pendants with a soft cloth before storing. If your hardware is sterling silver, a quick polish with a silver cloth keeps it looking bright.

Store the bag stuffed loosely with tissue paper when not in use to help it hold its shape. Avoid hanging it by the chain for long periods, as the weight of the bag can stress the attachment points over time.

Variations and Customization Ideas

One of the greatest things about this design is how adaptable it is. Once you have made the base version, there are endless directions you can take it.

You can scale the pattern up by working more increase rounds at the base and more rounds on the walls to make a large beach tote capable of fitting a towel and sunscreen. Scale it down by working fewer rounds to create a small coin purse or jewelry pouch.

Try switching the stitch pattern in the body of the bag — a pineapple stitch gives a more intricate, dressy feel, while a simple half double crochet creates a more solid, structured look. A crocodile stitch evokes fish scales and doubles down on the maritime theme.

Swap the metal chain strap for a length of macramé cord in a natural tan or jute color for a more bohemian take on the same design. Or use a wide braided leather strap for something that reads more structured and polished.

For the pendants, extend the theme with sea glass beads, tiny pearl drops, or miniature lighthouse charms. Mix textures by adding a tassel made from the same gradient yarn at the bottom point of the bag, echoing the colors of the crochet body with a playful fringed accent.

Why This Project Is Worth Making

In a world where bags are mass-produced and identically stocked on shelves from one end of the high street to the other, making your own is a quiet act of individuality. This particular design carries something extra — it is rooted in a feeling, the feeling of warm sand, salt air, and the unhurried pace of a day spent near the water.

The combination of craft techniques in this project is also genuinely educational. You practice crocheting in the round, working open stitch patterns, constructing a drawstring channel, and finishing with basic jewelry-making skills like using jump rings and attaching hardware. Each of these skills carries over into dozens of other projects, making this bag not just a beautiful finished object but a foundation for further exploration.

And when someone stops you on the street to ask where you got your bag, and you get to say you made it yourself, that is a reward no boutique can replicate.

Take your time with this one. Let the gradient yarn surprise you as you work. Arrange and rearrange your shell pendants until they feel exactly right. Choose a chain that makes you happy every time you look at it. The bag will be ready when it is ready, and it will be entirely yours.