Ripple Makeup Bag: Free Crochet Pattern
If you’ve been searching for a crochet project that’s both practical and absolutely stunning, you’ve found it. The Ripple Makeup Bag combines the timeless beauty of the ripple stitch with a functional, zippered pouch that’s the perfect size for storing your everyday essentials. Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first structured project or an experienced crocheter wanting something satisfying to stitch on a quiet afternoon, this pattern is designed to delight you from the first chain to the final fastened-off stitch.
In this post, you’ll find everything you need to make your own Ripple Makeup Bag completely free of charge — materials, hook size, stitch counts, step-by-step instructions, and tips to help you get a beautiful result every single time. Let’s get into it.
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
The ripple stitch is one of those classic crochet designs that never goes out of style. The gentle waves create a texture that’s visually rich, tactile, and impressive to anyone who sees it — and yet the stitch itself is surprisingly simple once you understand the rhythm. Pair that with a zippered lining and you have a bag that looks professionally made and holds up beautifully over time.
This makeup bag is sized to fit comfortably in a purse or a carry-on, but it’s also spacious enough to store your mascara, lipsticks, foundation, brushes, and a few other essentials without everything rattling around loose. The fabric has a gentle structure that protects your products, and the zipper closure means nothing tumbles out when you’re on the move.
Beyond the practical side, this bag makes a truly thoughtful handmade gift. Birthdays, bridal showers, holidays, a little self-care package for a friend who needs some love — a handmade ripple bag in someone’s favorite colors goes a long way. People are always surprised to learn it’s crocheted. The ripple pattern looks so polished that it’s easy to mistake for a boutique purchase.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you cast on — or rather, chain up — gather your supplies. Having everything ready before you begin makes the process smooth and enjoyable.
Yarn: You’ll need approximately 150–200 yards of worsted weight cotton yarn (Category 4). Cotton is the ideal choice for this project because it’s washable, holds its shape, has a clean stitch definition that shows off the ripple pattern beautifully, and is easy to wipe clean if any product spills inside. You can use a single color for a modern minimalist look, two colors for a classic two-tone wave, or multiple colors for a bold, boho-inspired feel. The pattern works with any color combination.
Hook: Size 5.0mm (H/8) crochet hook. This is the standard size for worsted cotton and produces a firm, structured fabric that won’t stretch out of shape over time.
Zipper: One 9-inch zipper in a coordinating color. Nylon coil zippers work beautifully and are widely available at fabric stores and online. If you can’t find exactly 9 inches, a 10-inch zipper can be trimmed down, or you can adjust the width of your bag slightly to match whatever zipper you have on hand.
Lining fabric (optional but recommended): A small piece of coordinating fabric, roughly 10 x 8 inches. A cotton quilting fabric, a pretty printed cotton, or even a piece of iron-on interfacing can work. Lining your bag protects the inside from product residue and gives the whole thing a polished, professional finish.
Notions: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, a hand sewing needle and thread in a color that matches your zipper, straight pins for positioning the zipper and lining, and a fabric marker or chalk if you choose to line the bag.
Abbreviations and Stitches Used
This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here’s a quick reference for the stitches you’ll encounter:
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
dc — double crochet
sk — skip
st — stitch
rep — repeat
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
The ripple stitch in this pattern is a classic decrease-and-increase wave worked in double crochet. It creates a gentle, uniform wave rather than a sharp zigzag, giving the finished bag an elegant, flowing look.
Gauge
Gauge: 14 dc x 8 rows = 4 inches in ripple pattern
Getting gauge matters for this project because the bag needs to be a specific size to accommodate the zipper. Before diving into the full pattern, take a few minutes to work a gauge swatch. If your swatch is too wide, try dropping down to a 4.5mm hook. If it’s too narrow, move up to a 5.5mm hook. A small adjustment now saves a lot of frustration later.
Finished Dimensions
Approximately 9.5 inches wide x 5 inches tall (before lining and assembly). After assembly with zipper, the finished interior measurement is approximately 9 inches wide x 4.5 inches tall, which is a very generous size for a makeup bag.
The Pattern
Getting Started
This bag is worked in two flat rectangular panels that are then seamed together and finished with a zipper along the top edge. You’ll make two identical panels — one for the front and one for the back.
Foundation Chain: Chain 39.
The foundation chain forms the width of your bag. If you want a slightly smaller bag, you can chain 33 instead (which will give you a bag approximately 7.5 inches wide). Just make sure whatever number you choose is a multiple of 6, plus 3.
Row 1 (RS):
Starting in the 4th chain from your hook (the skipped chains count as your first dc), work 2 dc in that same chain. Skip 2 chains, sc in next chain, skip 2 chains, 5 dc in next chain. Repeat from to across, ending with skip 2 chains, sc in next chain, skip 2 chains, 3 dc in last chain. Turn.
You should have a row of gentle waves beginning to form along your foundation chain.
Row 2:
Chain 3 (counts as first dc throughout). Work 2 dc in the same stitch at the base of your turning chain. Skip 2 stitches, sc in next stitch (this will be the center single crochet of the previous row’s wave), skip 2 stitches, 5 dc in next stitch (this will be the center dc of the previous row’s shell). Repeat from to across the row, ending with skip 2 stitches, sc in next stitch, skip 2 stitches, 3 dc in the top of the turning chain. Turn.
Rows 3 through 18:
Repeat Row 2 for a total of 18 rows. This gives you a panel approximately 5 inches tall. If you prefer a slightly taller bag, work to 20 rows. If you want a shorter, slimmer pouch, stop at 14 rows.
The beauty of the ripple stitch is that once you’ve worked the first couple of rows, the pattern becomes completely intuitive. You’ll find yourself settling into a meditative rhythm — shell, sc, shell, sc — and the waves will build naturally without you having to think too hard about the stitch placement. The previous row always shows you clearly where the next row’s stitches should land.
Finishing the Panel:
Fasten off and weave in your ends carefully. The finished panel should be a neat rectangle with a beautiful wave pattern across its surface. Make two identical panels.
If You’re Working in Two Colors:
The ripple stitch is stunning in two alternating colors. To do a simple two-color stripe, simply change your yarn color at the end of every two rows. Join the new color by completing the final yarn over of your last stitch in the old color with the new color. Cut the old yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail for weaving in. Carry the unused color loosely up the side of the work rather than cutting it each time, and you’ll minimize ends significantly.
For a more dramatic look, change colors every single row. For a subtle tonal effect, work three or four rows in each color before switching. Any of these approaches work beautifully with the ripple structure.
Assembling the Bag
Once you have your two panels finished and all ends woven in, it’s time to put the bag together. This is where things go from “pretty crochet rectangle” to “actual beautiful makeup bag,” and it’s so satisfying.
Step 1: Block your panels. If you’re working in cotton, a light wet blocking will help your panels lie perfectly flat and even out any slight variations in tension. Soak each panel in cool water, gently squeeze out the excess water without wringing, and pin the panel flat to a foam blocking board or a clean towel on a flat surface. Allow to dry completely. This step is optional but highly recommended — it makes a noticeable difference in the finished look.
Step 2: Attach the zipper. Lay one panel flat with the right side facing up. Position your zipper along the top edge, right side of the zipper tape facing down, so that the zipper pull is aligned with one end of the panel. Pin it in place. Using a hand sewing needle and thread, sew the zipper tape to the top edge of the panel using a whip stitch or a backstitch, working through both the zipper tape and the top row of crochet stitches. Keep your stitches small and even. Repeat on the second panel, attaching it to the other side of the zipper tape.
When you open and close the zipper, the two panels should come together cleanly to form the body of the bag. This is a good moment to test the zipper a few times and make sure everything is aligned before you sew the side seams.
Step 3: Sew the side seams. With right sides facing each other (the bag will be inside out at this point), use a yarn needle and a length of matching yarn to seam the two short sides of the bag together. You can use a mattress stitch for an invisible seam, or a simple whip stitch if you prefer the look of a visible seam along the interior. Work from the top edge (near the zipper) down to the bottom corner on each side.
Step 4: Seam the bottom. With the bag still inside out, seam the bottom edge closed using the same method. You now have a complete bag. Turn it right side out through the zipper opening and give it a gentle press with your fingers to shape the corners.
Adding a Lining (Optional but Wonderful)
A lining transforms this bag from charming handmade to genuinely polished. It also makes the bag much easier to wipe clean, which is practical for a makeup bag where spills and product residue are a fact of life.
Cut two pieces of lining fabric, each measuring approximately 10 inches wide by 5.5 inches tall. With right sides together, stitch the two fabric pieces together along both short sides and the bottom, leaving the top open and leaving a quarter-inch seam allowance. Press the seams open.
Fold the top edge of the lining down by about half an inch toward the wrong side and press it in place. Slip the lining inside the finished crocheted bag, wrong sides together, so the folded top edge of the lining sits just below the zipper. Use straight pins to hold it in position, then hand stitch the folded edge of the lining to the zipper tape using small, neat stitches. Your stitches only need to catch the zipper tape and the very edge of the lining — you don’t want them to show on the outside of the bag.
Once the lining is secured, give the whole bag a final press and you’re done.
Tips for a Beautiful Finish
A few small things make a big difference when you’re working on this bag. First, tension is everything with the ripple stitch. If your tension is too tight, the waves will pucker. If it’s too loose, the fabric will be floppy and the bag won’t hold its shape. Aim for a firm, even tension throughout, and don’t be afraid to frog and restart if your first few rows don’t feel right.
Second, pay close attention to your stitch count at the beginning and end of each row. Ripple patterns are notorious for growing or shrinking by a stitch or two when you’re not paying attention. A quick count at the end of every row — or at least every few rows — will save you from discovering a problem only after you’ve worked ten rows.
Third, use stitch markers liberally. Placing a marker in the center stitch of each five-double-crochet shell makes it easy to find your placement on the next row, especially when you’re working in multiple colors and the rhythm gets disrupted by yarn changes.
Finally, don’t skip the blocking step. Cotton responds beautifully to blocking, and even just five minutes of wet blocking can make a panel that looked slightly uneven look absolutely perfect.
Customizing Your Ripple Makeup Bag
One of the best things about this pattern is how infinitely customizable it is. Here are a few ideas to make the design your own.
You can add a wrist strap by crocheting a chain of about 60 stitches, working a row of slip stitches back along it for stability, and then sewing each end securely to one of the side seams. This turns the makeup bag into a small wristlet that’s easy to carry on its own.
You can add an interior pocket by sewing a small fabric rectangle to one side of your lining before attaching the lining to the bag. A pocket about 4 inches wide by 3 inches tall is perfect for keeping small items like lip liner or a safety pin from getting lost.
You can also play with the ripple count to make a larger version of this bag. By chaining a multiple of 6 plus 3 and working more rows, you can create a full-sized toiletry bag, a project bag, or a zippered pouch in any size you need.
Caring for Your Ripple Makeup Bag
Because this bag is made from cotton yarn, it’s fully machine washable. Turn the bag inside out before washing to protect the outer surface, and wash it on a gentle cycle in cool water. Lay it flat to dry rather than putting it in the dryer — this preserves the shape and prevents the crochet fabric from shrinking or distorting over time.
If you get a makeup stain inside the bag, a little dish soap and a soft toothbrush will usually lift it without any drama. Cotton is wonderfully forgiving, which is part of why it’s such a great choice for practical accessories like this one.
Final Thoughts
The Ripple Makeup Bag is one of those patterns that rewards you at every stage. Casting on, finding your ripple rhythm, watching the waves build row by row, seaming the pieces together, sliding in the zipper, and finally turning the finished bag right side out to see it complete — every step has its own small satisfaction. The finished object is genuinely useful, genuinely beautiful, and genuinely something to be proud of.
Whether you’re making this for yourself or as a handmade gift for someone you love, I hope this pattern brings you a few peaceful, happy hours of stitching. If you make one, I’d love to see it — share your finished bag in the comments below or tag it on social media. Happy crocheting!
