15 DIY Crochet Drawstring Bag Patterns You’ll Want to Make Right Now

There is something deeply satisfying about making your own bags. You choose the yarn, the colors, the size, and the stitch, and what comes out at the end is something entirely yours — practical, beautiful, and made with your own two hands. Drawstring bags are one of the most beginner-friendly and versatile projects in crochet, and once you start making them, it is genuinely hard to stop.

Whether you are looking for a gift bag for a friend’s birthday, a gym bag for your morning workouts, a produce bag for the farmers market, or a boho-style purse to carry on a weekend trip, there is a crochet drawstring bag pattern for every need and every skill level. In this post, we are walking through 15 DIY crochet drawstring bag patterns that range from quick and easy beginner projects to more detailed designs that will challenge intermediate and advanced crocheters alike.

Grab your hook, pick your yarn, and let’s get started.

Why Crochet Drawstring Bags Are Worth Making

Before we jump into the patterns, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate why drawstring bags have become such a staple in the crochet world. For starters, they are functional. A drawstring closure is one of the simplest and most reliable ways to secure a bag, and it works beautifully in crochet because you can weave the drawstring right through the stitches or create a dedicated channel at the top.

They are also incredibly customizable. You can work from the bottom up or the top down. You can use a flat circular base and work up the sides, or you can work in continuous rounds from the very first stitch. You can add texture with bobble stitches, visual interest with color changes, or structure with a stiffer cotton yarn. The design possibilities are essentially endless.

And perhaps most importantly for newer crocheters, the basic structure of a drawstring bag is forgiving. If your tension is a little loose or a little tight, the bag will still function. If you miscounted a row, you can often adjust without anyone being the wiser. That makes these bags one of the best projects to build confidence while still making something genuinely useful.

What You Need Before You Start

Most drawstring bag patterns will call for some variation of the same basic supplies. You will need a crochet hook in a size appropriate for your chosen yarn — most patterns specify this in the materials list. You will need yarn, which we will discuss in more detail as we go through each pattern. You will need a yarn needle for weaving in ends. And you will need a drawstring, which can be a length of yarn, a ribbon, a leather cord, or even a macrame cord depending on the aesthetic you are going for.

For bags that will carry heavier items, cotton yarn is often the preferred choice because it is durable, washable, and holds its shape well. For decorative bags or gift pouches, you might lean toward softer acrylic blends or even luxury fibers like alpaca or merino. We will note material recommendations as we work through each pattern below.

1. The Classic Mesh Drawstring Bag

This is the pattern that most crocheters start with, and for good reason. The mesh structure — created by alternating chain stitches with single crochet — naturally creates openings through which you can weave your drawstring, so there is no need to create a separate channel. It is an incredibly quick project that works up in a single afternoon.

Work a magic ring, chain two, then work 12 single crochet stitches into the ring to form your base. From there, work in continuous rounds using a chain-two, single crochet mesh pattern, increasing as needed in the first few rounds to keep the base flat, then working straight up the sides to your desired height. To finish, skip one round of mesh, work a single crochet round as a drawstring channel, and thread your cord through. This is an excellent project for cotton yarn in a size 5mm hook.

2. The Boho Jute Market Bag

Jute yarn has a beautiful natural texture that gives any bag an earthy, rustic feel. This pattern uses a simple shell stitch worked in rounds to create a bag with elegant scalloped sides. The jute yarn is stiff enough that the bag holds its shape even when empty, making it ideal for the farmers market or as a catch-all bag by the door.

Start with a foundation chain, join to form a ring, and work your shell stitches in a fan pattern around the base. As the bag grows taller, the shells create a lovely rhythm that makes this pattern very meditative to work. Finish with a jute or leather cord drawstring for a fully cohesive natural aesthetic.

3. The Baby Shower Gift Bag

This sweet little bag is worked in soft pastel acrylic yarn and uses a combination of double crochet and chain-space lace to create a delicate, airy fabric. The lacy construction makes it perfect as a gift bag — you can peek through the stitches to see what’s inside without opening it, which adds a lovely element of anticipation.

Work from the bottom up using a small flat circle base in double crochet, then switch to the lace pattern for the sides. A ribbon in a matching or contrasting color serves as both the drawstring and a decorative bow at the top. This pattern makes a wonderful reusable gift bag that the recipient can keep and use long after the gift inside is gone.

4. The Bulky Yarn Weekend Bag

If you want a bigger bag that works up fast, bulky yarn is your best friend. This pattern uses a size 8mm or larger hook with chunky cotton or cotton-blend yarn to create a generously sized drawstring bag that is sturdy enough to use as a beach bag, gym bag, or overnight tote.

The structure is simple: a large flat oval base worked in half double crochet forms the bottom, and you work straight up the sides in continuous rounds until the bag reaches your desired height. A thick braided cord or macrame rope serves as the drawstring and also adds a nice visual weight at the top. Because of the bulky yarn, this bag can be finished in just a few hours.

5. The Waffle Stitch Toiletry Bag

The waffle stitch creates a gorgeous textured fabric that looks far more complicated than it actually is. This pattern uses that stitch to make a compact, structured toiletry bag or makeup pouch. The denser fabric created by the waffle stitch means the bag holds its shape beautifully and can protect the items inside from bumping around.

Work a rectangular base in single crochet, then pick up stitches around all four edges and begin working the waffle stitch in the round. This is a slightly more intermediate technique because it involves picking up stitches from a flat piece, but the result is worth every bit of the extra effort. Finish with a cord drawstring woven through a row of chain spaces near the top.

6. The Striped Gym Bag

Stripes are one of the easiest ways to add visual interest to a bag without changing the stitch pattern at all. This pattern works in single crochet rounds, changing colors every two rounds to create bold horizontal stripes. Using two or three contrasting colors — think navy and cream, or black and mustard yellow — creates a graphic, modern look that is right at home at the gym or the yoga studio.

This is a wonderful stash-buster pattern because you can use any cotton or acrylic yarn you already have on hand. The key is keeping your tension consistent when you switch colors, and always carrying the unused color up the inside of the bag rather than cutting it at every row to save yourself a mountain of ends to weave in.

7. The Linen Stitch Project Bag

The linen stitch (also called the moss stitch or granite stitch depending on who you ask) produces a tight, dense fabric that resembles woven linen at first glance. It is worked by alternating single crochet stitches with chain-one spaces in a staggered pattern, and the result is both beautiful and practical.

This pattern uses the linen stitch to create a flat-bottomed project bag — the kind of bag that crocheters carry their current work-in-progress in. It is roomy enough to hold a ball of yarn and needles but structured enough to sit upright on a coffee table. Work in a cotton-linen blend yarn for the most authentic look, and finish with a simple chain drawstring in a complementary color.

8. The Bobbly Gift Pouch

Bobble stitches create raised, rounded clusters of yarn that give a three-dimensional texture to the fabric. This small gift pouch uses bobbles scattered across the surface of the bag to create a playful, tactile design that looks festive and celebratory without being over the top.

Work the base in single crochet rounds, then introduce bobble stitches every few rounds and spaced several stitches apart to create a scattered pattern. As the bag grows, the bobbles will create a gorgeous surface texture. This pattern works beautifully in a single-color yarn — the texture speaks for itself without needing the distraction of color changes. Finish with a satin ribbon drawstring for a polished, gift-ready look.

9. The Reusable Produce Bag

Sustainability-minded crocheters, this one is for you. This open-mesh produce bag is designed to replace the disposable plastic bags we all grab without thinking at the grocery store or farmers market. It is worked in a lightweight cotton thread using a large hook to create a very open mesh that lets air circulate around your fruits and vegetables while still securely containing them.

Work a magic ring, chain three, and work your mesh rounds using alternating chain-three spaces and slip stitches to create the laciest, most open structure possible. The finished bag should be lightweight enough that it barely registers on the produce scale. Make several in different sizes — a smaller one for herbs, a larger one for apples or bell peppers.

10. The Drawstring Backpack

Yes, you can crochet a fully functional drawstring backpack. This is one of the more advanced patterns on this list, but it is absolutely achievable for anyone who has mastered the basics and is ready for a larger, more complex project.

The key to making a backpack that works is using a stiff cotton yarn and keeping your tension on the tighter side so the fabric has enough body to hold its shape under the weight of whatever you put inside. The base is worked as a large oval, the sides are worked in ribbed single crochet for structure, and the drawstring doubles as the backpack straps — running up the sides and looping through reinforced channels at the top and bottom of the bag. This is a project that will take a weekend, but the result is a one-of-a-kind bag you will use for years.

11. The Lavender and Herb Sachet Bag

Tiny drawstring bags have dozens of uses beyond carrying larger items. This miniature sachet bag is designed to hold dried lavender, herbs, or potpourri and can be tucked into a drawer or closet to keep things smelling fresh. It is small enough to work up in under an hour, which makes it a wonderful last-minute gift or a fun project to do while watching a movie.

Work in a size 10 crochet thread or a fingering-weight yarn with a small hook to create a delicate, fine-gauge fabric. A simple mesh or lace pattern allows the scent from the herbs inside to drift through the stitches. Finish with a narrow satin ribbon drawstring and a bow. Make a dozen in an afternoon as hostess gifts or party favors.

12. The Color Block Bag

Color blocking — using large, solid sections of different colors rather than stripes or patterns — is one of the most on-trend design techniques in textiles right now, and it translates beautifully to crochet bags. This pattern divides the bag into two or three large color sections worked in a simple double crochet stitch, creating a bold, modern look.

The base and lower portion of the bag are worked in one color, and you switch to a contrasting color for the upper portion. If you want a third color, use it for the drawstring channel and the cord itself. The simplicity of the stitch allows the colors to do all the visual work. This is a great project for anyone who wants a stylish finished object without spending hours on a complicated stitch pattern.

13. The Crochet Wedding Favor Bag

This elegant little bag is designed to hold wedding favors, and every detail is chosen to feel refined and special. Work in a fine cotton or cotton-silk blend yarn in white or ivory, using a small shell or fan stitch to create a lacy, romantic fabric. The finished bag should be small enough to hold a few chocolates, a small candle, or a packet of wildflower seeds.

The finishing details matter a lot on this one. Use a narrow satin or organza ribbon as the drawstring, and tie it in a carefully shaped bow at the top. If you want to add a monogram or a small decorative element, a slip-stitched initial on the side of the bag adds a personal touch. Make them in bulk for a bridal shower, a wedding, or any other occasion that calls for something a little special.

14. The Children’s Toy Bag

Every child accumulates toys at an alarming rate, and a large crochet drawstring bag is one of the most charming and practical storage solutions you can make. This pattern uses super bulky yarn and a large hook to create a roomy, durable bag that is big enough to hold a collection of stuffed animals, blocks, or small toys.

Work in continuous single crochet rounds with the yarn held double for extra strength — children’s storage bags take a beating, and you want something that will last. Use bright, cheerful colors or stripes to make the bag visually appealing to kids. The drawstring should be a thick, sturdy cord, and you should double-reinforce the channel by working two rows of single crochet rather than one before creating the drawstring openings.

15. The Luxury Velvet Gift Bag

Velvet yarn has taken the crochet world by storm, and for good reason — it has a soft, plush texture that feels genuinely luxurious and makes even simple stitches look like something you would find in a high-end boutique. This final pattern uses velvet yarn in a rich jewel tone (deep plum, emerald green, or midnight navy all work beautifully) to create a gift bag that is as gorgeous as whatever goes inside it.

Work in simple single crochet rounds to let the yarn do the talking. Velvet yarn can sometimes be tricky to work with because it is hard to see the individual stitches, so going slowly and counting carefully is worth the effort. Finish with a gold or satin ribbon drawstring, and the result is a gift bag that will likely be kept and reused by whoever receives it. This is the kind of bag you give for a birthday, an anniversary, or a holiday gift that you want to feel truly thoughtful.

Tips for Customizing Any Drawstring Bag Pattern

One of the best things about working from a pattern is that you can treat it as a starting point rather than a fixed blueprint. Here are a few ways to make any of the patterns above more personal.

Sizing is the most obvious customization. To make a bag larger, simply increase the number of stitches in your foundation round or chain more stitches in your starting row. To make it smaller, do the reverse. As a general rule, adding six stitches to a round worked in the round will increase the diameter by roughly an inch, though this varies by yarn weight and stitch type.

Color is another easy lever. Any of these patterns can be worked in a single color for a clean, minimalist look, or in multiple colors for something more dynamic. If you are working stripes, changing color every two rounds creates a classic look. Every round creates something more graphic and bold.

Embellishments can completely transform a simple bag. A row of picots or shells along the top edge adds elegance. A crocheted flower or leaf stitched onto the side makes a bag feel botanical and handmade in the best way. Buttons, beads, and tassels attached to the drawstring ends add personality and polish.

Finally, do not underestimate the power of the drawstring itself. A simple chain of yarn looks casual and handmade. A leather cord looks structured and modern. A satin ribbon looks elegant and feminine. A macrame rope looks bohemian and earthy. The same bag with four different drawstrings becomes four different bags.

Final Thoughts

Crochet drawstring bags are one of those rare project categories that truly offers something for everyone. They are fast enough to satisfy the crafter who wants immediate results, flexible enough to accommodate the creative person who wants to design their own variations, and practical enough that every single one you make will actually get used.

Whether you are a beginner picking up a hook for the first time and wanting something achievable, an intermediate crocheter looking for a satisfying weekend project, or an experienced maker wanting to experiment with texture, construction, or new materials, there is a bag on this list for you.

Start with whichever one speaks to you most. Keep the others bookmarked for later. And enjoy the process — because the making is just as