Tide Pool Coastal Set

Seashell Pouch & Sunglasses Case

Skill level: Beginner
Construction: Bottom-up, in the round
Yarn weight: Worsted (4 – Medium)
Terminology: US crochet

A matching beach set in worsted cotton. The sunglasses case is a firm oval tube with a buttoned flap. The pouch is a small market-style bag with a circular base, seashell texture, a stretchy mesh band, and two sturdy handles. Optional scallop appliqués add extra coastal detail.

Finished Measurements

Sunglasses Case
7½" long × 3¾" wide when laid flat (19 × 9.5 cm), not including flap.
Fits most standard adult sunglasses.

Coastal Pouch
8¼" wide × 6½" tall (21 × 16.5 cm), not including handles.
Handles: 10" (25.5 cm) long.
Base diameter: 5¼" (13.5 cm).

Materials

Yarn — worsted weight cotton (smooth, high stitch definition; about 180–200 yd / 165–183 m per 100 g)

• MC (seafoam or ocean teal): 180 yd / 165 m
• CC (sand or cream): 80 yd / 73 m
• Accent (coral or white), optional: 30 yd / 27 m for appliqués and stripes

Sample amounts make both pieces with a little leftover.

Hook
US H-8 / 5 mm (main)
US G-6 / 4 mm (optional, for a denser sunglasses case)

Notions

• 4 stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• 1 button, ⅝–¾" (16–19 mm)
• Scissors
• Optional lining: 9" × 11" (23 × 28 cm) cotton fabric and sewing needle for the pouch; 8" × 8" (20 × 20 cm) for the case

Gauge

16 sc and 16 rnds = 4" × 4" (10 × 10 cm) in single crochet with US H-8 / 5 mm, unblocked.

Work a 5" (12.5 cm) swatch, then measure the center 4".
If you have more than 16 sc in 4", go up a hook size.
If you have fewer than 16 sc in 4", go down a hook size.

The sunglasses case should feel firm. If the fabric is gappy, use the 4 mm hook for that piece only.

Abbreviations (US)

Special Stitches

Inc: 2 sc in the same stitch.

Shell: 5 dc in the same stitch.

Magic ring (adjustable ring): Wrap yarn around index finger to form a loop, insert hook, yo, pull up a loop, ch 1, work stitches into the ring, then pull the tail to close.

Magic-ring alternative (easier): Ch 2, work the stated stitches into the 2nd ch from the hook. The small hole can be sewn shut later.

Joined round: Sl st in first stitch to close. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch unless noted). Work the next round into the first stitch of the previous round, not into the slip stitch.

Pattern Notes

• Use US stitch names only (sc, hdc, dc).
• Cotton has very little stretch and excellent stitch definition — ideal for shells and for a case that must hold its shape. The pouch mesh band is what gives that piece flexibility.
• The sunglasses case is worked in a continuous spiral (do not join, do not turn) so there is no seam. Move the stitch marker up every round.
• The pouch is worked in joined rounds so the shells stack evenly.
• Stitch counts appear in parentheses at the end of every round. Check them before you move on.
• Ch 3 at the start of a dc round counts as 1 dc. Ch 4 at the start of mesh counts as dc + ch 1.
• Color changes: finish the last stitch of the old color until 2 loops remain, yo with the new color, pull through.
• Weave tails as you go when possible.

Techniques for Beginners

Hook hold: Use whichever grip feels relaxed — knife (hand over hook) or pencil (hook like a pen). Keep the wrist loose; tight hands make tight stitches and a stiff, undersized bag.

Yarn hold: Tension the working yarn over the non-hook index finger. Cotton is smooth and can slide; a single wrap around the finger is usually enough.

Yarn texture: Worsted cotton is matte, slightly cool, and “thumpy” as the hook goes in. You will see every stitch. That is what makes the seashell ridges look crisp. Do not split the plies — insert the hook under both loops unless BLO is specified.

Height reminder:

• sc ≈ ¼" (6 mm) tall at this gauge
• dc ≈ ½" (1.3 cm) tall at this gauge

Reading the mini diagrams: Each X is one sc. Each T is one dc. A cluster of five T’s above one stitch is a shell.

Shell (5 dc in same st):

        T T T T T
              |
              X     ← stitch you work into

Pouch mesh (dc, ch 1, skip 1):

    T   T   T   T
    | c | c | c |
    X   X   X   X

Construction Schematics

Sunglasses Case (side view, flap open)

          ___________ flap 2½" with buttonhole
         /           \
        |  opening    |
        |  3¾" wide   |
        |             |
        |  sc tube    |  7½" long
        |  30 sts     |
        |             |
         \  oval end  /

Coastal Pouch (front)

      ╭─────╮     ╭─────╮     handles 10"
      |     |     |     |
   ___┤     ├─────┤     ├___
  |        mesh band         |
  |        shell body        |  6½" tall
  |        sc base wall      |
   \         circular       /
    \        base 5¼"      /

Pattern 1 — Coastal Sunglasses Case

Worked in a spiral from the closed oval end to the opening, then a flap is added on one side. Use MC throughout, or stripe the last 4 rounds with CC.

Leave a 6" (15 cm) tail at the start to sew the tiny oval gap closed if needed.

Oval Base

With MC and US H-8 / 5 mm (or 4 mm for a denser fabric), ch 12.

Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 9 ch, 3 sc in last ch; rotate and work along the opposite side of the foundation chain: sc in next 9 ch, 2 sc in the last ch (the same chain as the first sc). Do not join. PM in the first sc of the round. (10 + 3 + 9 + 2 = 24 sc ✓)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in first st (move marker to the first of these 2), sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in each of next 2 sts. (6 increases → 24 + 6 = 30 sc ✓)

The piece is now a small oval, about 3¾" × 1" (9.5 × 2.5 cm). 30 is a multiple of 6, ready for shells later.

Body (dense tube)

Rnds 3–26: Sc in each st around. (30 sc each rnd; 24 even rounds ✓)

Length from the closed end should measure about 6½" (16.5 cm). Add or subtract 1–2 sc rounds if you need a longer or shorter case. Stop on any even-looking round; the count stays 30.

Shell Cuff

Join with sl st to the next st so the shells sit evenly. From here, join each round.

Rnd 27 (shell setup): Ch 1, *sc in next st, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts; rep from * around, join with sl st to first sc. (5 shells + 5 sc = 30 sts used; 30/6 = 5 repeats ✓)

Rnd 28: Sl st in next 2 dc, sl st in 3rd (center) dc of the first shell, ch 1, sc in same center dc, *sk 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in center dc of next shell; rep from * around, omitting the last sc, join to first sc. (5 shells ✓)

Do not fasten off.

Flap

The tube is a flattened oval: 15 sts form the “front,” 15 sts the “back.” Work the flap across 15 sts only.

Lay the case flat. Choose the 15 sts that sit neatly along one long edge, starting at the join if it falls at a corner. If the join is not at a corner, sl st across to the corner first.

Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, sc in next 15 sts, turn. (15 sc ✓)
Leave the remaining 15 sts unworked.

Rows 2–8: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn. (15 sc; 7 more rows → 8 rows total ≈ 2" / 5 cm ✓)

Row 9 (buttonhole): Ch 1, sc in first 6 sts, ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc in last 6 sts, turn. (6 + 3 ch + 6 = 15 ✓)

Row 10: Ch 1, sc in first 6 sts, 3 sc in ch-3 sp, sc in last 6 sts, turn. (6 + 3 + 6 = 15 sc ✓)

Row 11: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (15 sc ✓)

Do not fasten off if you want a tidy edging.

Flap Edging and Hanging Loop

Ch 1, sc evenly down the side of the flap (about 11 sc into row-ends), sc in each of the 15 unworked opening sts, sc evenly up the other flap side (about 11 sc), sc in each st across the flap top, working 3 sc in each corner.

Hanging loop (optional): At one top corner of the opening, ch 12, sl st in the same st. Sc in each ch of the loop if you want it thicker, then sl st in the same corner again.

FO, leaving a tail. Weave in ends.

Button

Sew the button to the front of the case, centered, about 1" (2.5 cm) below the opening, so it lines up with the buttonhole when the flap is closed.

Pattern 2 — Seashell Coastal Pouch

Worked in joined rounds from a circular base, then shell body, mesh band (the stretchy market-bag section), and two sturdy handles worked in the same round.

Join every round with sl st to the first st. Ch 1 at the start of sc rounds does not count as a stitch.

Circular Base

With MC, make a magic ring (or ch 2 and work into the 2nd ch).

Rnd 1: 6 sc in ring, join. Pull tail tight. (6 sc ✓)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, inc in each st around, join. (6 increases → 6 + 6 = 12 sc ✓)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in next st, inc in next st; rep from * around, join. (6 increases → 12 + 6 = 18 sc ✓)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st; rep from * around, join. (18 + 6 = 24 sc ✓)

Rnd 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st; rep from * around, join. (24 + 6 = 30 sc ✓)

Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st; rep from * around, join. (30 + 6 = 36 sc ✓)

Rnd 7: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st; rep from * around, join. (36 + 6 = 42 sc ✓)

Rnd 8: Ch 1, *sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st; rep from * around, join. (42 + 6 = 48 sc ✓)

Rnd 9: Ch 1, *sc in next 7 sts, inc in next st; rep from * around, join. (48 + 6 = 54 sc ✓)

Rnd 10: Ch 1, *sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st; rep from * around, join. (54 + 6 = 60 sc ✓)

Rnd 11: Ch 1, *sc in next 9 sts, inc in next st; rep from * around, join. (60 + 6 = 66 sc ✓)

Base measures about 5¼" (13.5 cm) across. 66 is a multiple of 6 (66 / 6 = 11 shells later ✓).

Tip: If the base cups, you are working too tight — go up a hook size for the base only. If it ruffles, you are working too loose.

Firm Lower Wall

Rnds 12–14: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (66 sc each rnd ✓)

Optional stripe: work Rnd 14 in CC, then return to MC.

Seashell Body

Rnd 15 (shell setup): Ch 1, *sc in next st, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts; rep from * around, join to first sc. (11 repeats × 6 sts = 66 ✓ → 11 shells + 11 sc)

Mini map of one repeat:

sk 2    shell     sk 2    sc
 X X    TTTTT     X X     X

Rnd 16: Sl st in next 2 dc, sl st in center (3rd) dc of first shell, ch 1, sc in same center dc, *sk 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in center dc of next shell; rep from * around, omitting last sc, join to first sc. (11 shells ✓)

Rnds 17–19: Repeat Rnd 16 three more times. (4 stacking shell rounds after setup; 11 shells each rnd ✓)

Shells should sit in the valleys (the sc stitches) of the round below, like overlapping scallops.

Mesh Band (stretch section)

This is the market-bag mesh, scaled for a pouch. It gives the top a little give without making the whole bag floppy.

Rnd 20 (reset to sc): Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (11 shells × 5 dc + 11 sc = 66 sc ✓)

Rnd 21: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), sk next st, *dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st; rep from * around, join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4. (33 dc + 33 ch-1 sps = 66 ✓)

Rnd 22: Sl st in first ch-1 sp, ch 4 (dc + ch 1), *dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; rep from * around, join to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4. (33 dc ✓)

Rnds 23–24: Repeat Rnd 22 twice more. (4 mesh rounds total ✓)

Rnd 25: Ch 1, 2 sc in each ch-1 sp around, join. (33 sps × 2 = 66 sc ✓)

Rnds 26–27: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (66 sc ✓)

Optional: switch to CC for Rnds 26–27 for a sandy rim.

Sturdy Handles

Mark the round before you chain: PM in st 1, st 18, st 34 (18 + 15 + 1 = 34), and st 51 (34 + 17). The skipped sections are 15 sts each, opposite each other.

Rnd 28: Ch 1, sc in next 18 sts, ch 40, sk next 15 sts, sc in next 18 sts, ch 40, sk next 15 sts, join to first sc.
(18 + 15 + 18 + 15 = 66 sts of the round accounted for ✓)
(Each handle = 40 ch ≈ 10" / 25.5 cm ✓)

Keep the chains untwisted.

Rnd 29: Ch 1, sc in each of next 18 sc, sc in each of next 40 ch, sc in each of next 18 sc, sc in each of next 40 ch, join. (18 + 40 + 18 + 40 = 116 sc ✓)

Rnd 30: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (116 sc ✓)

FO. Weave in ends.

For extra-strong handles (recommended if the pouch will carry keys or a phone): attach yarn at the base of one handle and work 1 extra row of sc along the handle stitches only; repeat for the second handle.

Optional — Scallop Shell Appliqués (make 2 or 3)

Beginner fan shell. Use Accent or CC. Sew onto the pouch front and/or the sunglasses-case flap.

Row 1: Ch 4, 6 dc in 4th ch from hook (the skipped 3 ch count as 1 dc). (7 dc ✓) Turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first dc, *ch 2, sc in next dc; rep from * across. (6 ch-2 loops ✓)

FO, leaving a 12" (30 cm) tail. The fan with ch-2 loops reads as a tiny scallop.

Sew in place with the tail, using small stitches around the straight (ch) edge so the scallops stand free.

Finishing

1. Weave in every remaining tail on the WS.
2. Wet-block both pieces: soak in cool water 10 minutes, press out water in a towel (do not wring), shape the case into a flat oval and the pouch into a round-bottomed bag with handles upright. Dry fully. Cotton blooms and the shells flatten into even fans.
3. Sew on the button and appliqués after blocking.
4. Optional lining (keeps sunglasses scratch-free and the pouch from stretching):
   • Case: cut fabric 7½" × 7" (19 × 18 cm). Fold in half, sew the two short sides at ¼" (6 mm), nest inside, turn raw top edge under, and whipstitch to Rnd 26.
   • Pouch: cut a circle 5½" (14 cm) and a rectangle 16½" × 6½" (42 × 16.5 cm). Sew rectangle into a tube, sew to circle, nest inside, turn top edge under, and whipstitch just below the handles.

Color Ideas

Work the pouch base and sc wall in MC, shells in MC, mesh in CC, handles in MC for the clearest coastal bands.

Care

Cotton. Machine wash cool, gentle cycle, or hand wash. Lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry (cotton shrinks and the case will no longer fit sunglasses). Re-block if the shells curl after washing.

Quick Fit Checks

• Sunglasses case: Slide glasses in before sewing the button. There should be about ½" (1.3 cm) of ease at the closed end. If tight, undo the flap, add 2 sc rounds, and rework the flap.
• Pouch: At Rnd 11 the circle should measure 5–5½" (12.5–14 cm). At Rnd 27 the piece should stand about 6½" (16.5 cm) tall. Handles should not twist; one sc round over the chains is the minimum for strength.

Stitch-Count Summary

Sunglasses Case
Rnd 1: 24 → Rnd 2: 30 → Rnds 3–26: 30 → Rnds 27–28: 5 shells → Flap: 15 sts × 11 rows.

Coastal Pouch
Rnds 1–11: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66
Rnds 12–14: 66 sc
Rnds 15–19: 11 shells
Rnd 20: 66 sc
Rnds 21–24: 33 dc
Rnd 25: 66 sc
Rnds 26–27: 66 sc
Rnd 28: 18 sc + 40 ch + 18 sc + 40 ch
Rnds 29–30: 116 sc