Boho Crochet Drawstring Bag Pattern: A Free Step-by-Step Guide to Your New Favorite Accessory

There’s something deeply satisfying about carrying a bag you made yourself. It tells a story before you even open your mouth — that you value craft, that you took the time to create something beautiful with your own hands, and that you have impeccable taste. A boho crochet drawstring bag is one of those perfect projects that sits right at the intersection of practical and gorgeous. It’s spacious enough to carry your essentials, light enough to forget it’s on your shoulder, and stylish enough to draw compliments wherever you go.

Whether you’re heading to a farmer’s market, a beach bonfire, a yoga class, or a weekend festival, this bag fits the vibe effortlessly. The open-weave texture, the relaxed silhouette, and the dangling fringe or tassel details that you can customize make it the quintessential bohemian accessory. And the best part? You don’t have to be an advanced crocheter to make one. This pattern is designed to be approachable for beginners while still offering enough texture and detail to keep intermediate crafters engaged.

So grab your hook, pull out that gorgeous cotton or jute yarn you’ve been saving, and let’s get started.

What Makes a Bag Truly “Boho”?

Before we dive into the pattern, it’s worth talking about what gives a crochet bag its bohemian quality. Boho style, short for bohemian, draws inspiration from a free-spirited, nature-loving aesthetic that blends global folk art traditions with a relaxed, earthy sensibility. When it comes to crochet bags, that translates into a few specific design choices.

Open stitch work is central to the look. Mesh patterns, granny squares, and lacy textures all read as boho because they have that handcrafted, slightly undone quality. Natural fibers like cotton, jute, hemp, and linen enhance the earthy feel and give the bag structure without making it stiff or formal. Earth tones, cream, rust, olive, terracotta, and dusty mauve are all classic boho colors, though bright bohemian pops of saffron yellow or deep teal work beautifully too. Finally, embellishments matter: fringe, tassels, wooden beads, and metal ring accents all elevate a simple crochet bag into a statement piece.

This pattern incorporates all of these elements. The body of the bag is worked in a simple mesh stitch that creates beautiful negative space while still holding its shape. The drawstring closure keeps things functional and adds a finishing touch that feels intentional and polished. And we’ll walk through several customization options so you can truly make this bag your own.

Materials You’ll Need

Getting your materials together before you start is one of those small habits that makes crocheting so much more enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need for this pattern:

Yarn: Approximately 200–250 yards of medium weight (size 4) cotton yarn. A single-ply or loosely twisted cotton works best for that relaxed, boho texture. You can also substitute with a cotton-jute blend for a slightly stiffer, more structured bag. Cream, off-white, or natural undyed cotton is the most classic choice, but follow your heart here.

Hook: A 5.0mm (H/8) crochet hook. If you tend to crochet tightly, size up to a 5.5mm.

Notions: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, a stitch marker (optional but helpful), and about 1.5 yards of thin rope, leather cord, or macramé cord for the drawstring. You’ll also want a measuring tape.

Optional embellishments: Wooden beads, small tassels, fringe cut from matching yarn, or a macramé ring to thread the drawstring through.

Finished size: Approximately 12 inches wide and 13 inches tall (before the drawstring channel), with a circumference of about 24 inches. This is a generous tote-style bag with comfortable room for your daily essentials.

Gauge

Gauge is especially important for bags because you want the finished piece to hold its shape and have the right proportions. For this pattern, your gauge should be approximately 14 stitches and 8 rows = 4 inches in half double crochet using a 5.0mm hook.

If your swatch comes out smaller than that, go up a hook size. If it comes out larger, go down a hook size. A few minutes spent checking gauge will save you from a bag that’s either too small to be useful or so large it loses its shape.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
sp — space
rep — repeat
st(s) — stitch(es)
BLO — back loop only
RS — right side

Pattern Instructions

Foundation: The Base of the Bag

This bag is worked in the round from the bottom up, so you’ll start by creating an oval base that gives the bag its flat bottom and stable shape.

Chain 16. This will form the spine of your oval base.

Round 1: Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, work 1 sc in each of the next 14 chains. Work 3 sc in the last chain (this is the first turning point of the oval). Now working along the opposite side of the foundation chain, work 1 sc in each of the next 13 chains. Work 2 sc in the same chain as your very first sc to complete the other turning point. Join with a sl st to the first sc. You should have 32 stitches total.

Round 2: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each of the first 14 stitches. Work 2 sc in each of the next 3 stitches (the curve of the oval). Work 1 sc in each of the next 12 stitches. Work 2 sc in each of the next 3 stitches. Join with a sl st to the first sc. You now have 38 stitches.

Round 3: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each of the first 14 stitches. Now work [1 sc, 2 sc] in each of the next 3 stitches. Work 1 sc in each of the next 14 stitches. Work [1 sc, 2 sc] in each of the next 3 stitches. Join with a sl st. You now have 44 stitches.

Round 4: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each of the first 14 stitches. Work [2 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc] across the curve (6 increases spread across the curve). Mirror on the other side. Join. You should now have approximately 50 stitches.

Don’t worry about achieving a perfect oval; crochet ovals are forgiving, and once the bag is stuffed with your belongings, the base will sit naturally. What matters is that the bottom lies flat and relatively smooth.

Building the Sides

Now you’ll transition from the flat base into the bag walls. This is where the mesh stitch pattern begins, and it’s where the bag really starts to take shape.

Round 5 (transition round): Ch 1. Working in the BLO of each stitch, work 1 sc in each stitch around. Join with a sl st. This back-loop-only round creates a clean ridge that defines where the base ends and the sides begin. It’s a subtle detail that makes the bag look professionally finished.

Round 6 (begin mesh pattern): Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1). Skip the next stitch. Work 1 dc in the next stitch, ch 1, skip 1 stitch. Repeat from to around. Join with a sl st to the 3rd chain of the beginning ch-4. You should have approximately 25 dc and 25 ch-1 spaces around.

Round 7: Sl st into the first ch-1 space. Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1). Work 1 dc in the next ch-1 space, ch 1. Repeat from to around, working into each ch-1 space from the previous round. Join with a sl st to the 3rd chain of the beginning ch-4.

Repeat Round 7 for a total of 14 mesh rounds (Rounds 6 through 19). This will give you the tall, airy body of the bag. The mesh stitch is wonderfully meditative once you get into a rhythm — it’s the kind of pattern you can work on while watching a movie or sitting outside in the afternoon light.

After completing your 14 mesh rounds, you should have a bag body that measures approximately 10 to 11 inches tall from the base ridge. If you’d like a taller bag, simply add more mesh rounds at this point.

The Drawstring Channel

The drawstring channel is what transforms this crochet bag from a simple pouch into a polished, functional piece. It’s worked in a denser stitch to create a firm fabric that will stand up to the pulling motion of the cord.

Round 20: Sl st into the first ch-1 space. Ch 2 (counts as hdc). Work 1 hdc in each dc and each ch-1 space around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-2. You should have approximately 50 hdc stitches around.

Round 21: Ch 2. Work 1 hdc in each stitch around. Join with a sl st.

Round 22: Ch 6 (counts as dc + ch 3). Skip the next 2 stitches. Work 1 dc in the next stitch, ch 3, skip 2 stitches. Repeat from to around. Join with a sl st to the 3rd chain of the beginning ch-6. These ch-3 spaces are the openings through which your drawstring will pass.

Round 23: Ch 2. Work 2 hdc in each ch-3 space around, and 1 hdc in each dc. Join with a sl st.

Round 24: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each stitch around. Join with a sl st. Fasten off and weave in your ends.

The Drawstring

Cut two lengths of your cord, each measuring about 45 inches. Thread one length through the drawstring channel, weaving it in and out through the ch-3 spaces from Round 22 all the way around, so both ends exit from the same opening. Tie the ends together in a knot, or thread wooden beads onto the ends before knotting for a beautiful boho finish.

Repeat with the second length of cord, starting from the opening directly opposite the first one. When you pull both cords simultaneously, the bag will cinch closed. When you tie them together in a bow, the bag stays securely shut.

Customization Ideas

One of the joys of making your own accessories is the freedom to make them exactly the way you want. Here are some ways to put your personal stamp on this boho crochet drawstring bag.

Fringe: Cut strands of yarn approximately 12 inches long. Fold each strand in half, insert the folded end through a stitch along the base of the bag using your crochet hook, and pull the loose ends through the loop. Pull snug. Repeat across the bottom edge of the bag for a full fringe hem. Trim to even everything out. This single addition dramatically amplifies the boho feel.

Tassels: Make two large tassels from matching or contrasting yarn and attach one to each end of the drawstring cords before knotting them. Tassels add movement and a festive, handmade quality that photographs beautifully.

Color blocking: Work the base and lower portion of the bag in one color, then join a second color for the mesh body. Switch to a third color for the drawstring channel. Even simple two-tone combinations look striking.

Granny square panel: If you love granny squares, make two large squares and join them at three sides, then add a mesh border around the top for the drawstring channel. This gives the bag a patchwork quality that leans even harder into the boho aesthetic.

Beaded drawstring: Thread small wooden or clay beads onto your drawstring cord before threading it through the channel. The beads will gather at the ends of the cord and add beautiful detail.

Tips for a Beautiful Finished Bag

Tension consistency matters more in bags than in almost any other crochet project, because inconsistent tension creates bulges and uneven sides that will be visible when the bag is in use. If you notice your tension tightening when you get tired or loosening when you relax, try to take breaks at natural points and check in with yourself as you work.

Blocking your finished bag makes a significant difference. Fill the bag with a plastic bag stuffed with plastic bags or a small pillow, lightly mist the outside of the bag with water, and allow it to dry in the shape you want. Cotton yarn responds beautifully to wet blocking and will hold its shape much better afterward.

Weave in your ends very securely. A bag gets a lot of use and movement, and poorly secured ends will work their way loose. Weave each end in at least two directions and give the yarn a gentle tug to test before trimming.

Caring for Your Boho Crochet Bag

Cotton crochet bags are surprisingly durable and easy to care for. Turn the bag inside out and machine wash on a gentle cycle in cold water, or hand wash in lukewarm water with a gentle detergent. Reshape the bag while damp and allow it to air dry flat or stuff it while drying to preserve its shape. Avoid putting a crochet bag in the dryer, as heat can shrink the fibers and distort the mesh pattern.

If your bag gets a small snag, don’t pull it. Use a crochet hook or yarn needle to gently ease the pulled yarn back through to the wrong side and smooth out the surrounding stitches.

Why Crochet Bags Are Worth Making

In a world full of fast fashion and disposable accessories, there’s something quietly radical about making your own bag. Every stitch you work is a choice — a choice about the material, the color, the size, the texture, and the finish. The result is an object that’s genuinely one of a kind, built to last, and made with intention.

A boho crochet drawstring bag is also an incredibly satisfying project because the payoff is immediate and practical. You finish it, weave in your ends, thread the drawstring, and the very next morning you can throw your wallet, your keys, your sunscreen, and your sunglasses into it and head out the door. You’ll use it constantly, and every time you do, you’ll feel that little private satisfaction of having made something beautiful with your own hands.

Share this pattern with the crochet lovers in your life, tag your finished makes on social media, and don’t be shy about showing off your work. You made something wonderful. The world should see it.

Happy crocheting, and enjoy your new favorite bag.