Crochet Makeup Bag Pattern for Handmade Beauty Storage

There’s something deeply satisfying about reaching into a bag you made with your own hands. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or someone who has recently discovered the meditative rhythm of yarn and hook, a crochet makeup bag is one of those projects that feels both practical and genuinely joyful to complete. It sits at a perfect intersection of creativity and usefulness — something beautiful enough to display on a vanity but sturdy enough to toss into a travel bag without a second thought.

This pattern is designed for crafters who already have a basic understanding of crochet stitches. If you know how to chain, single crochet, and work in the round, you have everything you need to follow along. The finished bag will measure approximately 8 inches wide and 5 inches tall, which is the ideal size for holding everyday makeup essentials — lipsticks, mascaras, brushes, and small palettes. It closes with a zipper, which keeps everything secure and gives it a polished, professional look that feels more boutique than handmade.

Before diving into the pattern itself, let’s walk through everything you need to know to set yourself up for success.

Materials You’ll Need

Choosing the right materials makes a significant difference in both the process of making this bag and the durability of the finished product. Here’s what you’ll want to gather before you begin.

Yarn: A cotton yarn works best for this project. Cotton is washable, holds its structure well, and doesn’t stretch out of shape the way acrylic can when it’s holding the weight of makeup products. Look for a worsted weight or DK weight cotton in whatever color speaks to you. You’ll need approximately 150 to 200 yards depending on your gauge and the exact dimensions you choose. Some lovely options include Paintbox Yarns Simply DK, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, or Drops Safran if you want a finer finish.

Crochet Hook: For worsted weight cotton, a 4.5mm or 5mm hook is ideal. DK weight works nicely with a 3.5mm or 4mm hook. The exact hook size matters less than achieving the correct gauge, so don’t be afraid to adjust up or down.

Zipper: A 9-inch zipper in a coordinating or contrasting color. Metal zippers give a more finished, high-end look. Nylon coil zippers are easier to sew and still look great. You can find these at most fabric stores or online.

Lining Fabric (optional but recommended): A small piece of cotton quilting fabric, roughly 10 by 12 inches, to line the interior of the bag. This keeps small items from slipping through the crochet stitches and protects your makeup from any snags.

Sewing needle and thread: For attaching the zipper and lining.

Stitch markers: To mark the beginning of each round.

Scissors and a yarn needle: For finishing off and weaving in ends.

Understanding the Gauge

Gauge determines whether your finished bag will match the intended dimensions. For this pattern using worsted weight cotton and a 5mm hook, you’re aiming for approximately 14 single crochets and 16 rows to equal 4 inches. If your gauge is tighter, your bag will come out smaller. If it’s looser, it will be larger. Neither is necessarily wrong — you can adjust the number of stitches and rows to compensate — but checking your gauge before you begin saves frustration later.

To check your gauge, crochet a small swatch of about 20 chains and work 20 rows of single crochet. Lay it flat without stretching and measure a 4-inch square from the center of the swatch.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

Throughout the instructions, you’ll see the following abbreviations. If you’re unfamiliar with any of these stitches, a quick video tutorial will have you up to speed in minutes.

ch — chain
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
sl st — slip stitch
st — stitch
BLO — back loop only
MR — magic ring
rnd — round
rep — repeat
sp — space

The Pattern: Classic Oval Bottom Makeup Bag

This bag is worked from the bottom up, starting with an oval base that creates a flat, stable bottom. The sides are then built up from that base. The result is a bag that stands on its own, with a wide opening at the top that makes it easy to find what you’re looking for.

Part One: The Oval Base

The oval base is created by chaining a foundation and working around it, increasing at each end to create the rounded shape.

Foundation: Ch 20.

Round 1: Starting in the second ch from the hook, sc 18 across. Work 3 sc in the last ch (this rounds the corner). Now working along the other side of the foundation chain, sc 17 across. Work 2 sc in the first ch (the same ch where you began). Sl st to join. Place a stitch marker. (40 sts)

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in same st and next 18 sts. Work 2 sc in each of the next 3 sts. Sc in next 17 sts. Work 2 sc in each of the last 2 sts. Sl st to join. (46 sts)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in same st and next 18 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 3 times. Sc in next 17 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 2 times. Sl st to join. (52 sts)

Round 4: Ch 1, sc in same st and next 18 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] 3 times. Sc in next 17 sts. [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] 2 times. Sl st to join. (57 sts)

At this point, your oval base should measure approximately 8 inches long and 4.5 inches wide. If you’d like a larger base, work one more increase round, following the same pattern of spacing your increases evenly around the short ends.

Part Two: The Sides

Now you’ll begin working upward to build the sides of the bag. This section uses the back loop only technique, which creates a clean ridge that defines the transition from base to sides and gives the bag structure.

Round 5 (Transition Round): Ch 1. Working in BLO only, sc in each st around. Sl st to join. (57 sts)

Rounds 6 through 20: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st to join. (57 sts each round)

Continue working these plain single crochet rounds until your bag measures approximately 4.5 to 5 inches in height from the base transition round. This usually takes around 15 to 18 rounds depending on your gauge. The bag should feel substantial and hold its shape when you set it on a flat surface.

If you’d like to add a textured element to the sides, you can substitute a moss stitch (alternating sc and ch 1 with offsets) or a simple waffle stitch for some or all of the side rounds. These textures look stunning in cotton and don’t add significantly to the difficulty level. The basic single crochet version, however, is beautifully clean and lets colorwork or the yarn itself be the star.

Part Three: The Top Edge and Zipper Prep

The top edge is worked in half double crochet to give it a slightly firmer, more structured feel that will hold the zipper cleanly in place.

Final Round: Ch 2 (does not count as a st), hdc in each st around. Sl st to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Attaching the Zipper

This is the step that many crafters feel most nervous about, but it’s more approachable than it looks. You’ll need your zipper, a sewing needle, and thread that matches either the zipper tape or your yarn color.

Begin by folding the finished top edge of the bag flat so you can see the two sides clearly. Open your zipper partially. Align the zipper along the inside top edge of the bag, with the zipper teeth facing inward and the zipper tape resting against the crochet fabric. The ends of the zipper should align roughly with the ends of what will become the bag opening — you’ll sew the excess zipper tape down or fold it under.

Using a backstitch or whip stitch, sew the zipper tape to the top inside edge of the bag, working through the crochet fabric. Go slowly and keep your stitches even. Repeat for the other side of the zipper. Once both sides are attached, zip and unzip a few times to make sure it moves smoothly and the crochet fabric doesn’t pucker or bunch.

If you’ve never sewn a zipper before, it helps to pin or use binder clips to hold the zipper in place before sewing. Some crafters also use fabric glue as a temporary hold before sewing permanently.

Adding the Lining

A lining elevates this bag from craft project to finished product. It’s worth the extra thirty minutes it takes to add.

Cut two pieces of lining fabric, each measuring approximately 9 by 6 inches. Place them right sides together and sew around three sides with a half-inch seam allowance, leaving the top open. Press the seams flat with an iron. Fold the top edge down by half an inch and press.

Slip the lining inside the crochet bag, wrong side of the fabric facing the inside of the crochet. The folded top edge of the lining should sit just below the zipper. Using a needle and thread, slip stitch or whip stitch the lining to the zipper tape, attaching it to the inside of the bag all the way around the top opening. This conceals all the zipper stitching and gives the interior a neat, clean look.

Customization Ideas

One of the great pleasures of making your own makeup bag is the ability to tailor it completely to your style. Here are some ways to make this pattern uniquely yours.

Color blocking is one of the simplest customizations. Work the base in one color, the first several rounds of the sides in a second, and finish with a third. The natural break at the transition round makes it easy to switch colors cleanly.

Stripes can be introduced on any round simply by changing yarn at the end of a round. Even a few rounds of a contrasting color near the top creates a striking effect.

Surface embroidery adds personality without changing the structure of the bag. Once the bag is complete, use a yarn needle and a contrasting yarn to embroider simple flowers, initials, or geometric shapes across the sides.

Beaded edging along the top opening, worked by adding a single bead to alternating stitches in the final round, gives the bag a glamorous quality that feels very appropriate for a makeup accessory.

A crocheted handle or wrist loop can be added during the final round by replacing a few stitches with a short chain loop. This makes the bag easy to carry or hang.

Care Instructions for Your Finished Bag

Because this bag is made from cotton, it’s relatively easy to care for. Hand washing in cool water with a gentle soap is always the safest approach. If you used a machine-washable cotton yarn (most commercial cotton yarns are), you can also machine wash on a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Always lay flat to dry to preserve the shape.

Keep in mind that the lining may behave slightly differently from the cotton shell. If you’re unsure whether your lining fabric is machine washable, err on the side of hand washing.

Tips for Beginners

If this is your first time attempting a structured bag, a few pieces of advice can make the experience smoother.

Working in rounds takes some adjustment if you’re used to working in rows. The key is to keep your stitch markers current — move them at the beginning of every round so you always know where you started. It’s easy to accidentally gain or lose stitches in the round when you’re not paying close attention to the count.

Tension consistency matters more in this project than in, say, a blanket or a scarf. Because the bag needs to hold a defined shape, uneven tension can cause the sides to wave or the base to curl. If you find your tension loosening as you go (which often happens when you get into a rhythm and start moving faster), try going down half a hook size or consciously slowing your pace.

Cotton yarn is less forgiving than acrylic when it comes to frogging (unraveling and redoing). If you make a mistake, don’t tug aggressively — ease the yarn back gently to avoid stretching or splitting the plied cotton strands.

Why Make Your Own Makeup Bag?

It’s worth pausing for a moment on this question, because in a world where you can buy a perfectly serviceable makeup bag for a few dollars, the act of making one yourself is a choice that deserves its own small celebration.

When you crochet your own bag, you choose exactly the colors that belong in your bathroom or on your vanity. You choose the size that fits your specific collection of products — not the average person’s hypothetical collection. You make something that no one else in the world has. And if you’re giving it as a gift, the hours of attention and care stitched into it communicate something that a store-bought item simply cannot.

There’s also a quiet satisfaction in understanding how something is made. After completing this bag, you’ll look at every zipped pouch and woven accessory a little differently. That’s the particular gift that making things by hand gives you — a literacy in construction, a new way of seeing the made world.

Final Thoughts

This crochet makeup bag pattern is one of those projects that rewards you well for the time you put in. It’s not too complicated to be discouraging, but it has enough detail — the oval base, the zipper, the lining — to feel genuinely accomplished when it’s finished. It makes a wonderful gift for birthdays, holidays, or as a thoughtful handmade gesture for someone who appreciates beautiful, functional things. It also makes a very satisfying project to keep for yourself.

Once you’ve made one, you’ll likely want to make several. The pattern adapts easily to different sizes — make a smaller version for lip products and a few favorites, or scale it up for a full brush roll and palette storage. The structure stays the same; only the foundation chain and the number of increase rounds changes.

Keep your finished bags in good company on your vanity or tucked into your travel kit. They’re made to be used, handled, and enjoyed — which is exactly what handmade things are for.