Learn How to Crochet a Drawstring Bag – FREE Pattern – Bella Coco Crochet
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been crocheting for years, a drawstring bag is one of those projects that never gets old. It’s practical, beautiful, quick to make, and endlessly customizable. In this free crochet pattern inspired by the Bella Coco Crochet style, you’ll learn everything you need to know to crochet your very own drawstring bag from scratch — step by step, stitch by stitch.
This pattern is beginner-friendly, works up quickly, and makes a gorgeous finished project you’ll actually use. Let’s dive in.
Why You’ll Love This Drawstring Bag Pattern
Before we get into the yarn and hook sizes, let’s talk about why this particular project is so beloved in the crochet community. The drawstring bag is one of those timeless makes that sits perfectly at the intersection of fashion and function. Use it as a beach bag, a gym bag, a gift bag, a produce bag, a project bag for your own yarn — the possibilities are genuinely endless.
Bella Coco Crochet, run by the incredibly talented Sarah-Jayne Fragola, has built a reputation for creating patterns that are both accessible and stylish. Her tutorials are known for being clear, well-paced, and approachable for crocheters of all skill levels. This free pattern is designed in that same spirit — easy to follow, with beautiful results that look far more complicated than they actually are.
This drawstring bag pattern uses simple stitches you likely already know, or can learn in minutes. It’s a perfect project for a weekend afternoon, a crafting evening, or even on the go.
What You’ll Need
Getting your materials together before you start is always a good idea. Here’s everything you’ll need to make your own crochet drawstring bag.
Yarn: You can use almost any yarn for this project, which is part of what makes it so versatile. For a sturdy, structured bag, cotton yarn is the top choice. It holds its shape beautifully, is washable, and comes in a stunning range of colors. A DK weight or worsted weight cotton works especially well. If you want a softer, drapier bag, a cotton-acrylic blend will give you that effect while still maintaining durability. For a beachy, boho feel, macramé cord or a chunky cotton rope yarn creates a wonderfully textured result.
Hook Size: Match your hook to your yarn. For DK weight cotton, a 4mm or 4.5mm hook works well. For worsted weight, go with a 5mm or 5.5mm hook. For chunkier yarns or cord, you might go up to a 6mm or even 7mm hook. As always, gauge matters less for a bag than for a wearable, but keeping your tension consistent will give you a neater, more even fabric.
Notions: You’ll also need a yarn needle or tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and stitch markers (optional but helpful for marking the beginning of rounds). A large safety pin or a piece of wire bent into a needle shape is also useful for threading the drawstring through at the end.
Yardage: For a medium-sized bag, you’ll need approximately 200–300 yards of yarn depending on your hook size, gauge, and how large you want the finished bag to be.
Abbreviations and Stitches Used
This pattern uses standard UK crochet terms. Here’s a quick reference guide:
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
dc – double crochet (UK) / single crochet (US)
htr – half treble crochet (UK) / half double crochet (US)
tr – treble crochet (UK) / double crochet (US)
sp – space
rep – repeat
BLO – back loop only
FLO – front loop only
st(s) – stitch(es)
MR – magic ring (also called a magic circle)
If you’re more familiar with US terms, just remember that UK double crochet = US single crochet, and UK treble = US double crochet. It can get confusing, but once you get in the habit of double-checking which system a pattern uses, it becomes second nature.
Pattern Notes
This bag is worked in the round from the bottom up. The base is worked in flat rounds to create a circular bottom, and then the sides are worked continuously upward. The drawstring channel is created near the top using a simple row of chain spaces, and the drawstring itself is a crocheted chain or a length of cord threaded through.
The finished bag measures approximately 25–30cm (10–12 inches) in height and 20–25cm (8–10 inches) in diameter when made with worsted weight cotton on a 5mm hook. Adjustments for size are easy — just add or subtract rounds on the body section.
The Pattern: Crochet Drawstring Bag
Part One: The Base
Start with a magic ring. If you’re not comfortable with a magic ring yet, you can chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring instead — both methods work perfectly well.
Round 1: Work 6 dc into the magic ring. Pull the ring closed. (6 sts)
Round 2: 2 dc in each stitch around. (12 sts)
Round 3: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st — repeat from to around. (18 sts)
Round 4: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts — repeat from to around. (24 sts)
Round 5: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts — repeat from to around. (30 sts)
Round 6: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 4 sts — repeat from to around. (36 sts)
Round 7: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 5 sts — repeat from to around. (42 sts)
Round 8: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 6 sts — repeat from to around. (48 sts)
You should now have a flat circle that forms the bottom of your bag. If you’d like a larger bag, continue adding rounds in this same pattern — each round will add 6 stitches. For a very small bag like a gift pouch or a little project bag, you might stop at round 6 (36 sts).
Part Two: Building the Sides
Now you’ll begin working upward to create the body of the bag. The key here is to stop increasing so that the fabric begins to rise vertically instead of spreading outward.
Round 9: Work 1 dc in each stitch around, working through the back loop only (BLO). This creates a neat fold line at the base of the bag and gives it a nicely defined shape. (48 sts)
Rounds 10 onwards: Work 1 dc in each stitch around, through both loops as normal. (48 sts)
Continue working round after round until the body of the bag measures approximately 20–22cm (8–9 inches) from the fold line, or until you’re happy with the height. This is completely flexible — if you want a tall tote-style bag, add more rounds. If you want a little pouch, work fewer.
As you work, keep your tension as even as possible. Cotton yarn is not very stretchy, so any inconsistencies in tension will be visible. Take your time, especially in the early rounds.
Part Three: The Drawstring Channel
This is where the magic happens — the row of eyelets that will allow you to thread your drawstring through.
Before working this section, count your stitches and make sure you still have 48. This matters because the eyelet row works best with a stitch count divisible by a consistent number.
Eyelet Round: Ch 3, skip 2 sts, sl st in next st — repeat from to all the way around.
You should end up with 16 chain-3 spaces evenly spaced around the top of the bag. Finish the round by joining with a slip stitch to the first chain.
Next Round: Work 1 dc into each chain space and each slip stitch around, filling in the gaps from the eyelet round. (48 sts)
Final 2 Rounds: Work 1 dc in each stitch around for 2 more rounds to create a neat border above the drawstring channel. (48 sts each round)
Fasten off and weave in your ends using your yarn needle.
Part Four: The Drawstring
You have a few options for the drawstring itself, and it really comes down to personal preference.
Option 1 – Crocheted chain drawstring: With the same yarn or a contrasting color, crochet a chain long enough to thread through all the eyelets and still have a generous amount on each end for pulling. Measure roughly 1.5 times the circumference of the bag plus about 40cm (16 inches) extra. Fasten off and leave a tail.
Option 2 – Braided or twisted cord: Cut several lengths of yarn, hold them together, and either braid them or twist them tightly and fold in half to create a natural twist cord. This gives a lovely, slightly rustic look.
Option 3 – Ribbon or fabric cord: A satin ribbon or cotton cord from your local craft store threads beautifully through the eyelets and gives a polished, finished look. This is especially lovely if you’re making the bag as a gift.
To thread the drawstring, attach it to your safety pin or improvised needle and weave it in and out through each eyelet space, going over and under the chain spaces all the way around. Both ends of the drawstring should come out from the same side of the bag so that when you pull them, the bag gathers closed.
Finishing Touches
Once your drawstring is in place, all that’s left is a little tidying up. Make sure all your ends are woven in securely — cotton yarn doesn’t felt or grip the way wool does, so it’s worth weaving in an extra direction or two to prevent unraveling.
If your bag feels a little stiff from the cotton yarn, you can wet block it lightly. Simply dampen it with cool water, reshape it gently, and lay it flat to dry. This softens the cotton slightly and helps even out your stitches for a beautifully smooth finish.
You can also add embellishments — a crocheted flower, a tassel, a button, or a charm attached to the drawstring ends all look wonderful. If you used a contrast color yarn for the drawstring, you might add a small pompom to each end for a playful, fun finish.
Tips for Beginners
If this is one of your first crochet projects, here are a few extra tips that will make the process much smoother.
Use a stitch marker. Place a stitch marker at the beginning of each round so you always know where you are. Move it up with each new round. This tiny habit will save you a lot of confusion.
Don’t pull your yarn too tight. Especially with cotton, tight tension can make it very hard to insert your hook into the stitches. Aim for an even, relaxed tension rather than pulling snug.
Check your stitch count regularly. It’s easy to accidentally skip a stitch or work an extra one when you’re working in the round without a seam. Counting every few rounds keeps you on track.
Practice your magic ring on scrap yarn. If you’ve never done a magic ring before, do it a few times before you start the actual project. Once it clicks, it’s very straightforward — but it can feel awkward the first time.
Watch a tutorial. Bella Coco Crochet’s YouTube channel is an amazing resource for visual learners. Sarah-Jayne’s clear, friendly teaching style makes it easy to follow along, and her videos are well-paced with close-up shots so you can see exactly what’s happening.
Ways to Customize Your Drawstring Bag
One of the best things about this pattern is how easily it adapts to whatever style or purpose you have in mind.
For a market bag, use a thinner cotton or even kitchen twine with a larger hook for an open mesh effect. Work the body section in a simple shell stitch or a mesh pattern rather than solid double crochet, and you’ll get a lightweight, stretchy bag perfect for vegetables or bread.
For a gift bag, use a luxurious yarn in a beautiful color — deep jewel tones look stunning in cotton, and metallic yarn woven in with your main yarn adds a lovely festive shimmer. Keep it small and add a ribbon drawstring for a gift shop finish.
For a beach or pool bag, size up generously with a bulky cotton or a cotton rope yarn on a large hook. Add an extra 10–15 rounds to the body for plenty of depth, and use a sturdy macramé cord as your drawstring.
For a project bag, make it in your favorite yarn colors, add a row of surface slip stitches in a contrast color for a striped detail, and you’ve got a gorgeous place to keep your current work-in-progress.
For a child’s bag, reduce the stitch count and body rounds to make a small, sweet little pouch, and add their initial in surface crochet or with a small embroidered patch. Kids absolutely love having their own little bag.
Why Cotton Is the Best Choice for This Bag
It’s worth taking a moment to talk about yarn choice more specifically, because it really does make a significant difference to how your finished bag looks and behaves.
Cotton is the gold standard for crochet bags for several reasons. It’s sturdy and holds its shape, so your bag won’t stretch out of shape when you fill it. It’s breathable, which makes it perfect for produce, snacks, or anything that benefits from a little airflow. It’s washable — most cotton yarns are machine washable on a cool or gentle cycle — so you can keep your bag looking fresh. And it has a beautiful drape and a subtle sheen that makes it look polished and intentional rather than hobbyist.
Brands like Paintbox Yarns Simply DK Cotton, Drops Safran, Scheepjes Catona, and Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton are all popular choices in the crochet community and work beautifully for bags. All are widely available online and in most craft stores.
If you do want to experiment with wool or acrylic, go ahead — the pattern will still work. Just know that the finished bag may be stretchier and less structured than a cotton version.
Sharing Your Make
Once you’ve finished your drawstring bag, we’d absolutely love to see it. Share your make on Instagram or Pinterest with hashtags like #crochetdrawstringbag, #bellacococrochet, #freecrochetpattern, and #crochetbag. The online crochet community is one of the most supportive and encouraging spaces on the internet, and there’s something genuinely lovely about seeing how different crocheters interpret the same pattern in different colors, yarns, and sizes.
If you’re making this bag as a gift, don’t forget to snap a photo before you give it away — these bags photograph beautifully, especially in natural light with a few extras styled around them.
Final Thoughts
Crocheting a drawstring bag is one of those projects that reminds you why you fell in love with crochet in the first place. It’s satisfying, it’s practical, it’s creative, and you end up with something genuinely beautiful at the end. This free pattern, made in the spirit of Bella Coco Crochet’s warmth and accessibility, is designed to give you exactly that experience — a smooth, enjoyable make with a result you’ll be proud of every time you use it.
Whether you’re new to crochet or a seasoned maker looking for a quick and rewarding project, this drawstring bag deserves a spot in your queue. Grab your hook, pick your favorite cotton yarn, and get started today. You might just end up making one for everyone you know.
Happy crocheting!
