Imagine a summer evening, a mojito in hand, and the air scented with jasmine and sea salt. Picture a light suitcase, two swimsuits, a pair of woven sandals, and her: Kea. Not the island, but the bag. The one that follows you like a breeze, as loyal as a friend, and photogenic enough to steal the show even from the most Instagram-worthy sunset in the Cyclades.

Kea is the crochet bag that whispers "summer" without shouting it. It has the color of sun-dried linen, the texture of natural raffia, and that clean line that seems to say: “I was born to be carried through the white alleys of a Greek island, but I look just as great on the sizzling asphalt of the city.”

In this article, I won’t just take you on a journey with your imagination – I’ll get you hands-on. I’ll teach you how to crochet it step by step, with just a few materials, a pinch of patience, and a big desire to be the star of your summer wardrobe.

Spoiler: there’s also a glam detail that won’t go unnoticed (yes, we’re talking about the gold chain).

Get your yarn ready, free your holiday spirit… let's go.

NECESSARY MATERIALS

• 2 balls of DMC raffia in color 031
• 4 mm crochet hook or according to your tension
• 1 magnetic button
• 1 chain with clasps for the shoulder strap
• Scissors
• shoulder strap button

STITCHES USED

Cat = chain

Sc = single crochet

Dc = double crochet

Sl st = slip stitch

Sc dec = single crochet decrease

Sc inc = 2 single crochets in the same stitch

THE TUTORIAL – STEP BY STEP

OVAL BASE

Start with 29 chains + 1 (total 30 ch)

Round 1:

Starting from the 2nd ch from the hook:

28 sc, 3 sc in the last ch

Continue on the opposite side of the chains:

27 sc, 2 sc in the next ch

Total: 60 stitches

Round 2:

2 sc in the next stitch, 27 sc,

2 sc in each of the next 3 stitches,

27 sc, 2 sc in each of the last 2 stitches

Total: 66 stitches

Round 3:

1 sc, 2 sc in the next, 27 sc,

(1 sc, 2 sc in the next) × 3 times,

27 sc, (1 sc, 2 sc in the next) × 2 times

Total: 72 stitches

Rounds 4–7:

72 sc

LACE PATTERN (repeat 3 times)

Round 8:

3 ch (counts as 1 dc),

1 ch, 1 dc in the same stitch,

skip 2 stitches*, then (1 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc) in the same stitch

Repeat * 23 times

Close with 1 sl st in the 3rd starting ch

Round 9:

3 ch, 1 dc in the ch-space, 1 dc in the next stitch

Then (1 dc, 1 dc in the ch-space, 1 dc) × 23 times

Close with sl st

Total: 72 stitches

Round 10:

1 ch, 72 sc

Repeat rounds 8–10 two more times (total of 3 sets)

BAG BODY – FINAL ROUNDS

Rounds 20–22: 72 sc

FLAP – WORKED IN ROWS

From here, work back and forth.

Row 1:

1 ch, 33 sc, 1 ch, turn

Rows 2–5:

33 sc, 1 ch, turn

Rows 6 to 14:

Each row starts and ends with 1 sc dec, and you work 2 sc less than the previous row:

Row 6 → 31 sc

Row 7 → 29 sc

Row 8 → 27 sc

Row 9 → 25 sc

Row 10 → 23 sc

Row 11 → 21 sc

Row 12 → 19 sc

Row 13 → 17 sc

Row 14 → 15 sc

Fasten off, cut the yarn, and weave in the end.

FLAP EDGING

Work single crochets around the flap edge:

1 ch

14 sc on one side

15 sc along the top

14 sc on the other side

Total: 43 sc

Fasten off and weave in the end.

ASSEMBLY AND FINISHING

Sew the magnetic button inside the flap

Attach the chain with clasps to the sides of the bag

(Optional) Sew 4 small rings inside to secure the strap better

No seams are required in the structure: the bag body is worked entirely in the round.

FINAL TIPS

Choose a soft but sturdy raffia to give structure without stiffness.

You can alternate the lace pattern with solid rows to create a customized version.

SEO FAQ (to place at the end or in a dedicated box)

1. Is Kea a free tutorial?

Yes! This tutorial is completely free and guides you step by step to make the bag.

2. What kind of yarn do I need for the Kea Bag?

You only need DMC raffia (color cream no.031) and a few other accessories, all easily found on Tessiland.

3. Is the bag suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. The project is clearly explained and the difficulty level is beginner-friendly.

4. Where can I buy the materials?

You can find everything you need – yarn, crochet hook, gold chain, and magnetic button – directly on Tessiland.

5. Is it a trendy bag for summer 2025?

Of course! Raffia bags with chains are among the must-haves of summer 2025: lightweight, chic, and super Instagrammable.

And now, holiday queen, your Kea is ready.

Set it on the table of a seaside café, between a glass of ouzo and a pair of oversized sunglasses: it will speak for you.

Want to start your project right away?

Discover yarns and accessories on Tessiland:

• DMC raffia cream no.031
• Gold chain with clasp
• Magnetic button with 4 loops

And tag us on Instagram with @tessiland to show us your Kea Bag!

Rosaria Tessiland®