Thank you Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this pattern!

I’m a textbook procrastinator, so with just 4 days left of preschool for the middle monkey, of course I was scrambling this weekend to figure out what to give his teachers. I was also working on a really fun beach bag pattern (to be released soonish), and a couple nights ago the idea for this gift card holder dawned on me as I was working on the other pattern. What says “Summer’s here!” more than a beach bag filled with a beach ball, flip flops and sunglasses?

So I whipped up this little mini bag and then put together an adorable printable to go with it. (Patterns rarely come together this quickly for me, so I was pretty proud of myself!) I used Lion Brand’s 24/7 Cotton yarn, because its bright colors are so summery.

I included the phrase “School’s out, summer’s here… thanks for all you’ve done this year!” on the printable. But don’t worry; if you love the gift card holder but don’t have any teachers to buy for this year, you can also download the free printable without the phrase on it!

Prefer a PDF?

This pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! And if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my All Access Pass. It’s an awesome deal! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)

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MINI BEACH BAG GIFT CARD HOLDER

Difficulty: Easy

Finished Size: 3″ wide at bottom, 4″ wide at top, and 2.5″ tall (not including straps)

Hook:  E (3.5mm)

Yarn: Less than 40 yards of #4 medium weight yarn. I used Lion Brand’s 24/7 Cotton in “Aqua” (COLOR A, about 11 yards); “White” (COLOR B, about 13 yards); and “Silver” (COLOR C, about 11 yards).

Gauge: 10 rows of 10 SC = 2″ square. Starting chain should wrap snuggly around a gift card.

You’ll also need: Yarn needle, tape, and this downloadable insert for teachers or this generic downloadable insert printed on card stock. Starfish charm optional (I found mine at Hobby Lobby)

Abbreviations Used:
ST/STS (stitch/stitches)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)

Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) CH1 at the beginning of round does not count as a stitch.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

THE PATTERN

To begin: With COLOR A, leaving a 12″ tail, CH33. Join to first CH with a SL ST, being careful to not twist the chain. (Briana K has an awesome video tutorial here for how to do this perfect every time.) (33)

Rounds 1-2: CH1. SC in same ST and in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (33)

Switch to COLOR B; fasten off COLOR A.

Round 3: CH1. SC in same ST and in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (33)

Switch to COLOR C (do not fasten off COLOR B).

Round 4: CH1. SC in same ST and in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (33)

Switch to COLOR B (do not fasten off COLOR C).

Round 5: CH1. SC in same ST and in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (33)

Switch to COLOR C (do not fasten off COLOR B).

Round 6: CH1. 2SC in same ST. SC in each of the next 16 STS. 2SC in next ST. SC in each of the next 15 STS. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (35)

Switch to COLOR B (do not fasten off COLOR C).

Round 7: CH1. SC in same ST and in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (35)

Switch to COLOR C (do not fasten off COLOR B).

Round 8: CH1. 2SC in same ST. SC in each of the next 17 STS. 2SC in next ST. SC in each of the next 16 STS. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (37)

Switch to COLOR B (do not fasten off COLOR C).

Round 9: CH1. SC in same ST and in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (37)

Switch to COLOR C (do not fasten off COLOR B).

Round 10: CH1. 2SC in same ST. SC in each of the next 18 STS. 2SC in next ST. SC in each of the next 17 STS. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (39)

Switch to COLOR B; fasten off COLOR C.

Round 11: CH1. SC in same ST and in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (39)

Switch to COLOR A; fasten off COLOR B.

Round 12: CH1. 2SC in same ST. SC in each of the next 19 STS. 2SC in next ST. SC in each of the next 18 STS. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (41)

Round 13: CH1. SC in same ST and in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (41)

Fasten off and weave in all ends except your starting tail. Turn your bag inside out and lay it flat so that the starting tail is at one end, then use it to sew the bottom together, stitch by stitch. Turn bag right side out.

Straps

1. Cut 6 strands of white yarn, each 10″ long. Take 3 of them and tie them together with a knot toward one end (pictured). Do the same with the other 3 strands.

2. Take one set of strands and tape the knotted end down to something sturdy, then braid the three strands until the braided section measures 5″. Tie another knot to secure the braid. Repeat with the other set of strands.

3. Lay your bag flat and locate the spaces between the final two rounds (the tiny spaces created by the stitches). Count 7 stitches from the top left edge of the bag and use a crochet hook to draw a knot from one of your braids through that space from the inside of the bag to the outside. Count 7 stitches from the top right edge and do the same with the other end of the same braid. Tie an additional knot over each of the original knots to make them big enough that they won’t slip back through the holes. Trim the excess yarn from each end.

4. Turn bag over and repeat step 3 with the remaining braid.

Free Printable

Don’t forget the adorable printable for your mini beach bag! I’ve created two versions: one specifically for teachers with the saying “School’s out, summer’s here… thanks for all you’ve done this year!” and one blank version in case you want to write your own message or use this for someone other than a teacher.

Download the Mini Beach Bag Gift Card Holder Insert – for Teachers
Download the Mini Beach Bag Gift Card Holder Insert – Generic

Cut out your insert, add your gift card, stuff it in your beach bag, and you’re done! I just know that the recipient will get a kick out of this adorable and reusable gift card holder.