This roomy drawstring bag starts with a flat circle and continues upward without seams. A contrasting cord passes through evenly spaced eyelets, making it useful for a small yarn project, travel supplies or everyday storage.
Pattern overview
- Skill level: Beginner
- Finished size: About 8 in / 20 cm diameter × 9 in / 23 cm tall
- Construction: Continuous-round base, straight body and eyelet round
- Terminology: US crochet terms
Materials
- 300 yd / 274 m worsted-weight cotton in deep blue-green
- 60 yd / 55 m worsted-weight cotton in pale mint
- 5 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Locking stitch marker
- Yarn needle and scissors
Gauge
15 single crochet stitches and 16 rounds measure 4 in / 10 cm. The finished base should lie flat and measure close to 8 in / 20 cm after Round 10.
Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- inc: work 2 sc in the same stitch
- sl st: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
Notes before you begin
- Work the base and body in a spiral. Do not join unless instructed.
- Move the stitch marker to the first stitch of every round.
- Count at the end of each increase round. A flat base is easier to correct before the body begins.
Free drawstring bag pattern
Crochet the base
With blue-green, make a magic ring.
Round 1: Work 8 sc into the ring. 8 sts.
Round 2: Inc in every st. 16 sts.
Round 3: Repeat sc in next st, inc in next st around. 24 sts.
Round 4: Repeat sc in next 2 sts, inc around. 32 sts.
Continue in this manner, placing one additional sc between increases on each round:
- Round 5: 40 sts
- Round 6: 48 sts
- Round 7: 56 sts
- Round 8: 64 sts
- Round 9: 72 sts
- Round 10: 80 sts
The circle should lie flat. If the edge waves, remake the last round with a smaller hook. If it cups sharply, check that no increase was missed.
Crochet the body
Round 11: Sc in the back loop only of every st. 80 sts. This creates the fold between the base and sides.
Rounds 12–42: Sc in both loops of every st. 80 sts.
For an optional color detail, work Rounds 27–29 in pale mint, then return to blue-green.
Make the eyelets
Round 43: Repeat sc in next 8 sts, ch 2, skip 2 sts around. There are 8 eyelets.
Round 44: Sc in each sc and work 2 sc in every ch-2 space. 80 sts.
Rounds 45–47: Sc in every st. On the final round, join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.
Make the drawstring
With pale mint, ch 151. Sl st loosely in the back bump of each chain. Fasten off. The cord should measure about 38 in / 96.5 cm; add chains for a longer tie.
Attach a safety pin or yarn needle to one end. Weave the cord over and under through the eight eyelets. Bring both ends out through neighboring eyelets at the front. Tie an overhand knot near each end or add a small tassel.
Add an optional shoulder strap
For a project bag that can be carried, ch 121 with blue-green. Sc in the second ch and across for 120 sts. Work 3 more rows of sc. Sew each end over a side point, at least 1.5 in / 4 cm below the top edge, using a rectangle-and-X seam.
Finishing
Weave in all ends on the inside. Wet block the base flat, then fill the bag lightly with towels while it dries. Leave the drawstring loose during blocking.
Customize your bag
Stop the base after any increase round to make a smaller bag, then begin the back-loop round. For every 8 stitches in the final body count, make one eyelet repeat of 10 stitches only if the total divides evenly; otherwise space paired skipped stitches as evenly as possible. Add height by repeating body rounds before the eyelets.
Pattern check
- The base ends with 80 stitches and lies flat.
- Every body round keeps 80 stitches.
- Eight eyelets are evenly spaced.
- The cord moves freely without stretching the eyelets.
- Any shoulder strap is reinforced below the top edge.
Common questions
Can I replace the magic ring?
Yes. Ch 4, join with a sl st to form a ring and work Round 1 into the center.
Why is my seam drifting?
The body is worked in a spiral, so there is no joined seam. The start marker will naturally travel slightly; keep moving it to the first stitch of each round.
