Learn How to Crochet a Drawstring Bag – FREE pattern

Updated April 15, 2026

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, I may earn a small commission. Click to see full details of my Privacy Policy.

Pin it now, make later!

3.4K

Learn how to crochet a drawstring bag with this free step-by-step crochet pattern. This intermediate-level pattern is a pretty and modern make to get on your crochet hook. If you consider your skill level to be beginner, you may wish to practice the feather stitch before attempting this pattern or, if you’re looking at testing your skills, give it a go! You may surprise yourself.

This pattern features a round base and functioning drawstrings and is a perfect little catch all, or add straps and turn it into a bag to take out and about with you.

Crochet drawstring bag close up, made with Peach Ice coloured yarn.

How to Crochet a Drawstring Bag?

In this crochet drawstring bag pattern, you’ll be using basic stitches such as Double Crochet, Half Treble Crochet and Treble Crochet (US Single Crochet, Half Double Crochet and Treble Crochet) as well as working the feather stitch.

If you’re not familiar with the feather stitch, you can give it a go by creating a swatch and gain your confidence before moving on to the bag.

You can use it for make up, self care items or for holding your latest WIP.

Gauge Swatch

Crochet gauge (Also known as tension swatch) is important because it ensures that your finished projects have the correct size, fit, appearance, and use of materials as intended by the pattern designer. Ignoring gauge can lead to the finished item not coming out to the intended size so I highly recommend making a gauge swatch to ensure you are not disappointed with the finished item.

Struggling with Gauge?

Are you struggling to hit gauge? You may find the following video helpful. In the video, I explain how to adjust the amount of stitches on your own and I also demonstrate how to adjust the height of your stitches using the golden loop. This is a great way to get to know your own personal tension and I’d highly recommend watching this video tutorial.

Materials & Tools

Yarn: 2 balls (80g/175yds) of Sheepjes Sunkissed 4ply/Fingering weight (#1), 100% Cotton, 50g (1.8oz), 170m (109yds), in shade Peach Ice (011)
Hook: 3mm
Stitch markers – 6 Stitch Markers (5 in one colour/style, 1 in another colour/style)
Scissors
Darning Needle

Where to Shop Yarn

pattern Notes

Written in UK terms but switchable to US terms below.
Working in a continuous circle in amigurimi style for base of bag. Mark first st of each round with your single colour marker. You will be using the 5 other stitch markers to mark your increases.
For the sides of the bag, you will be joining your rounds. You will be turning the work for the feather section on the sides of the bag.

Gauge & Size

Base measures approx 12.5cm (at widest point) after 17 rounds.
Circumference: 49.5cm (19.5inch) X Height: 19cm (7.5inch).
Completed bag measures 49.5cm (19.5inch) in circumference and 19cm (7.5inch) in height.

Convert Pattern Terms

Here you can quickly switch between UK and US crochet terms. This will make following the pattern easier as all terms will be converted to your preferred version.

view in UK terms

view in US terms

Terms & Abbreviations

Stitch(s): st(s)
Space (sp)
Chain (ch): Yarn over, pull through.
Place Marker: PM: Place a stitch marker in indicated stitch.
Slip Stitch(s): ss(s): Insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook.
Double Crochet(s): dc(s): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have two loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
Reverse Double Crochet(s): rdc(s): Insert hook into previous stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have two loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
Half Treble Crochet(s): htr(s): Yarn over, insert into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have three loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through remaining three loops.
Treble Crochet(s): tr(s): Yarn over, insert into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have three loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.

Special Stitches

Beginning Feather Stitch(S): BFS(s): Yo, insert hook into first ch-sp, yo and pull up a loop in line with loops on the hook (3 loops on hook), yo, insert hook into ch-sp or skipped st two rows below, yo and pull up a loop in line with loops on the hook (5 loops on hook), yo, insert hook in next 1-ch sp, yo and pull up a loop in line with loops on the hook, yo and pull through all 7 loops on the hook.
Feather Stitch(s): FeS(s): Yo, insert hook into same ch-sp as last part of BFS or FeS, yo and pull up a loop in line with loops on hook (3 loops on hook), yo, insert hook into 1-ch sp or skipped st two rows below, yo and pull up a loop in line with loops on hook (5 loops on hook), yo, insert hook in next 1-ch sp, yo and pull up a loop in line with loops on the hook, yo and pull through all 7 loops on the hook.

EBOOK promotion for the Bella Coco How to Crochet - a Handy Reference Guide eBook. — How to Crochet – A Handy Reference Guide eBook

Unsure of the differences between UK and US terms? Need a refresher on how to do your crochet stitches? In my ‘How to crochet: A handy reference guide’ EBook I help you with all of these terms and you can always have them to hand! You will also get exclusive access to free video instructions. You can find my EBook HERE.

Pattern Support

The fastest way to get pattern support is to ask in our dedicated facebook group for Bella Coco Crochet patterns. This is the best place for you to connect with other crocheters.

Please note, if you wish to change and adapt this pattern in any way, this must be done at your own exploration and we cannot offer assistance with this.

Assisting Stitch Tutorials

Never tried the feather stitch? I have a video tutorial to help you practice before you start the pattern, available in both right and left-handed versions.

PDF Pattern

purchase an ad-free instant download of this crochet pattern.

Alternatively, you can upgrade to the Ad-Free PDF with all of the information for this pattern plus more via Etsy, Ravelry and Bellacococrochet.com, click the buttons below. This beautiful PDF pattern includes additional information such as yarn substitutions, photo guides and step-by-step photos for completing the feather stitch.

etsy

Bella coco crochet

ravelry

Free Crochet Pattern: Drawstring Bag

Base of Bag

You are viewing this pattern in UK terms.

Start with a magic Ring
Round 1: Ch 1 (does not count as st here or throughout), 6dc in magic ring. Pull ring closed. <6 sts>
Round 2: 2 dc in first st [place single coloured marker in first stitch]. 2dc in each st around. <12 dc>
From here, move your single coloured marker up to mark the beginning of each round.
Round 3: (2 dc in next st, dc in next st) 6 times. <18 dc>
Round 4: (2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts) 6 times. <24 dc>
Round 5: (2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts) 6 times. <30 dc>
Round 6: (2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts) 6 times. <36 dc>

7-18

You are viewing this pattern in UK terms.

Round 7: (2 dc in next st [PM in first st], dc in next 5 sts) 6 times. <42 dc>
At this stage you will now have a total of 6 stitch markers, these will indicate where to work your increases from this point forward. Your single coloured marker indicates the beginning of the round.
Round 8: (2dc in next st, PM in first st, dc in each st up to next stitch marker) 6 times. <48 dc>
Round 9-17: Repeat round 8 nine more times. At the end of round 17, you will have 102 sts. Join with ss to first st. Remove all stitch markers.
Round 18: Ch 1 (does not count as st here or throughout), BLOdc in first st (PM in first st) and each st around. Join with ss to first st.

Side of Bag

You are viewing this pattern in UK terms.

Round 19: Ch 1, htr in first st, ch 1, miss a st, *htr in next st, ch 1, miss a st; repeat from * around. Join with ss in first st. <51 htr, 51 ch-1>
For this section (feather section) of the bag, you will be turning your work at the end of the round.
Round 20-30: Ch 1, work BFS, 1 ch, *FeS, ch 1; rep from * around working your last leg of the last st in the same sp as the first leg of the first st. Turn.
Round 31-44: Ch 1, htr in first st, htr in each st and ch sp around. Join with ss in first st.

45-52

You are viewing this pattern in UK terms.

Round 45: Ch 1, tr in first st and next 8 sts, ch 1, skip a st. (Tr in next 9 sts, ch 1, skip a st) three times. Tr in next 11 sts, ch 1, skip a st. (Tr in next 9 sts, ch 1, skip a st) five times. Join with ss to first st. <92 tr, 10 ch-1 sp>
Round 46: Ch 1, htr in first st, htr in each st and ch-sp around. Join with ss in first st. <102 sts>
Round 47-51: Ch 1, htr in first st and around. Join with ss in first st.
Round 52: Ch 1, rdc in each st around. Join with ss in first st.
Fasten off and sew in ends.

Cord

Create a Romanian cord that measures 71 cm (28 inch) long. (See page 12 of the PDF for guidance or the video tutorial below )
Weave cord in and out starting in the first space to the left of the 11htr sp.

Crochet Self-Care Patterns

I always love to see your makes so if you try any of my patterns or follow my stitch tutorials please tag me @bellacococrochet or use the #bellacococrochet
sarah-jayne