Carry your essentials in style with this charming crochet drawstring bag pattern, combining functionality with a touch of handmade elegance.
Looking for a fun and easy crochet project? The free crochet drawstring bag pattern is just the thing to try! This charming little bag is perfect for carrying your favorite small items or organizing your belongings. Whether you want a cute pouch for toys, a handy snack holder, or a stylish beach bag, this pattern lets you make all these and more with simple changes.
The bag’s beauty lies in its clean, soft texture and simple shape. You can choose any colors you like, bright, pastel, or neutral to make it truly your own. Plus, you can easily adjust the size to fit anything from small keys to bigger treasures, which makes this pattern so flexible and fun to customize.
Easy Free Crochet Drawstring Bag Pattern
This project uses the easy-to-learn single crochet stitch, which creates a sturdy fabric that keeps everything safe inside. The bag is made by crocheting in rounds from the bottom up, and the top finishes off with a drawstring that lets you open and close it quickly. It’s a fantastic project for beginners, kids, or anyone who wants a quick and satisfying crocheting experience.
Not only is this drawstring bag practical and pretty, but it also makes a thoughtful handmade gift or a special personal accessory. You can turn this simple pattern into something useful or decorative, perfect for everyday use or special occasions. If you’re looking for a creative project that’s easy to customize and fun to make, this crochet drawstring bag pattern is an inviting way to get started.
Beaded Drawstring Crochet Bag with Leather Base - Pattern
Before You Start
- Gather all your materials: a pre-punched leather (or faux-leather) bag base, chunky yarn (e.g., polyester or cord yarn), a 4 mm crochet hook, and your chosen bag strap (beaded, leather, or otherwise).
- This project is great for experimenting with different yarn types – cotton, polyester, or blends.
- Choose your finished size by selecting a base to suit your needs.
- The pattern is customizable in height and materials.
Pattern Notes
- The bag starts by crocheting onto a ready-made perforated (pre-punched) base, making it beginner-friendly and giving a neat professional look.
- You will alternate rows with a “popcorn” texture using double treble crochet (US: triple crochet), interspersed with rows of single crochet.
- Simple construction: make the body as tall as you like, finish with a slip stitch round, add a twist-cord drawstring and your chosen handle.
- You can adapt the pattern for larger or smaller bags by using different bases or working more/less rounds.
How I Made the Crochet Pattern
- Made a base round of single crochet, working twice in each hole of the leather base for a sturdy foundation.
- Alternated rounds of single crochet with rounds that alternate single crochet and "puff" (double treble) stitches to achieve a popcorn/raised look to match the beaded handle.
- Worked more rounds of plain single crochet to desired height.
- Finished with a round of slip stitches, created a twist cord, and added the handle and any decorative tips.
Skill Level
Beginner – Confident Beginner
- Minimal shaping, easy stitch alternation, no sewing required except to add the strap.
Finished Size
- Typical small bag: approx. Height 16–18 cm (6–7"), Width 20 cm (8")
- Adjust height and width by your choice of leather base and number of rounds!
Materials
- Yarn: Polyester cord, 4 mm (or any similar chunky or sturdy yarn)
- Hook: 4 mm crochet hook
- Leather (or faux-leather) perforated base: Preferably with uniform holes (variety of sizes available)
- Bag strap: e.g., beaded, leather, or macramé—ready made or handmade
- Blunt tapestry needle (for finishing)
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Optional: Decorative tips for drawstring ends
Measurements / Sizing
- Choose a base that suits your style (measured in cm or inches)
- Desired bag height (after base rounds and body rounds)
- Typical: Base 20 cm (8") × Height about 18–20 cm (7–8")
Gauge
- Not critical! Ensure your stitches are firm for bag structure.
- Sample: 10 sc in 4 mm cord yarn = 2.5” (6.5 cm). If you prefer a softer or slouchier bag, use a larger hook, or fewer rounds for a shorter bag.
Stitch Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| trtr | double treble (triple treble) |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| rep | repeat |
Special Stitches
Double Treble (US) / Triple Treble (UK) (trtr):
- Yarn over hook three times, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook). [Yarn over, pull through 2 loops] four times.
Popcorn/Bead Spike Texture:
- Create by alternating rounds of single crochet and single crochets interposed with trtr (double treble) stitches—the trtr makes a bead/popcorn that stands out.
Twisted Cord:
- Cut a length of yarn (about 1 meter), fold in half, twist both ends tightly in the same direction until the cord begins to kink and fold back on itself for a twisted drawstring.
The Pattern
Base Foundation
- Using the pre-punched base:
- Attach yarn with a slip knot to any hole.
- Rnd 1: Work 2 sc in each hole all the way around the leather base.
- In corners, also work 2 sc in each hole for an even, non-puckered start.
- Sl st to join to the first sc; if needed, adjust the last stitch for a neat join.
-After finishing the base round, your bag bottom should look even and lie flat, ready for the body.
Bag Body Rounds
- Rnd 2: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each stitch around. Sl st to join.
- [First “wall” row.]
- Rnd 3 (Popcorn/spike round):
- Ch 1. Alternate:
- sc in first stitch
- trtr in next stitch (double treble: yarn over 3 times, insert, finish as trtr)
- Repeat [sc, trtr] around.
- Join with a slip stitch to the beginning sc.
You will create a bumpy “pearl” texture on the outside of the bag. If a trtr gets turned inside, help it “pop out” to the right side as you go.
- Ch 1. Alternate:
- Rnd 4 (sc round):
- Ch 1. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st to join.
- Rnd 5 (Popcorn/spike round):
- Ch 1. Alternate: [trtr in first stitch, sc in next stitch] around. Start opposite the previous round for an offset "bead" pattern.
- Join with slip stitch.
- Rnd 6 (sc round):
- Ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Sl st to join.
- Repeat Rounds 3–6 for 5 full repeats (these form 10 rows—5 spike rows, 5 sc rounds). You should have about 10 rows total, alternating between trtr/sc and plain sc.*
After you have the desired height for your "spiked" textured section, continue to the upper body:
Upper Plain Section
- Next 15 rounds:
- Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Sl st to join.
- Continue working single crochet rounds until the bag reaches your preferred height (typically add 15 more rounds for a classic pouch size).
After these rounds, your bag should be tall enough and shaped like a sturdy pouch.
Finishing Round (Drawstring Channel):
- Last round:
- Work 1 sl st in every stitch around the top.
- Finish off, weave in all ends carefully in the inside of the bag for a neat finish.
-This creates a firmer edge, perfect for threading your drawstring closure.
Below: For those who do not read patterns—the process is: make two single crochet in each hole around a leather base. Then alternate rows between single crochet and a very tall stitch (double treble) to make the “popcorn” beads. Do this for several rounds, then switch to plain single crochet to finish the height, ending with a round of slip stitches. Add a handle and twisted drawstring.
Assembly & Finishing
- Weave in any remaining yarn ends for a clean interior.
- Fold the pouch and block as needed for symmetry.
- Create a twisted cord: take about 1 meter of yarn, twist tightly, fold in half, and release so it curls into a nice cord. Knot ends.
- Thread the cord through the top edge, weaving in and out to create a drawstring closure.
- Attach decorative tips or beads (optional) to the cord ends.
- Attach chosen bag strap or handle to rings or loops at the base.
- Add a magnetic snap or zipper for extra security, if desired.
What You Can Make Using These Stitches
- Drawstring pouches in any size
- Cosmetic or phone bags
- Yarn project bags (larger base)
- Simple backpacks (add two straps)
- Gift bags with unique custom colors
- Bags using different yarns: jute, cord, cotton, linen for different looks
Solution of Possible Problems
Base puckers or curls:
- Make sure not to crochet too tightly around the base; keep even tension and ensure 2 sc in every hole.
Textured stitches won’t “pop out”:
- Push the tall (trtr) stitch outward as you go so the braid/“bead” stays on the bag’s exterior.
Leave a Reply