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There are infinite uses for this small drawstring bag! Make sure you don’t miss all the photos in this post because the lovely people helping me test my pattern were super creative with their projects. Check out the option for a lined version that holds even the smallest of toys, or a waterproof lining so you can tote your makeup - it’s truly versatile. Mixing and matching colors and patterns might have been my tester’s favorite part and I hope you love it too.

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Dishie Cotton Yarn

If you haven’t worked with Dishie before, it’s my absolute favorite worsted cotton yarn. It's super soft, easy to work with, and the colors are amazing! I used Swan, Sunbaked and Inlet for my drawstring bag (pictured at top of post). You can grab some now from WeCrochet (free shipping over $45 every day).

This pattern is great for confident beginners and for learning to work in the round. If you have basic sewing skills, you have the option to make a lined bag! This creates many more opportunities to personalize the look of the bag itself, while also allowing for a ton of creative uses. I was super stoked every time a new bag popped up during testing because everyone was thinking of genius ways to modify their bag!

My testers also had great results with other cotton yarns from their stashes and mixed and matched for fun, colorful results (keep scrolling for photo gallery).

Supplies

Here are the supplies you will need:

• G (4.25mm) hook or hook to meet gauge

• 253-259 total yards of a worsted (4) weight cotton yarn such as Dishie from WeCrochet (approx. 6 yards needed for braided cord option)

• Recommended/Optional: Dritz Cord Lock/Stop (sewing section of craft store) - about 7/8" wide, double hole

• Optional: 68" of 1/8" wide cord

• Optional: Fabric for lining such as waterproof PUL, sewing needle & thread, straight pins

• Optional: Blocking Supplies

• Scissors

• Tapestry needle

• Measuring tape

Above is a selection of my tester’s photos - they were so unbelievably creative. One of my testers made FIVE bags during the testing process! You can choose a fun food theme, match a character fabric to your yarn colors, go neutral and classy, or even draw on the fabric to make a toy car track or a playmat. You can even choose a color scheme based on an outfit and have a cute drawstring bag to carry out and about!

Add a Lining to Your Crochet Bag

Here’s a little more about lining your new crochet drawstring bag. I started by choosing a waterproof PUL fabric. You can find this fabric online or in a fabric store, it’s the same fabric used to line modern cloth diapers. I chose this fabric since I wanted to use my bag for storing makeup. You don’t need a whole lot of fabric, but you need to make sure it’s wide enough to go across from side to side where you want it to be attached. Get creative with your yarn and fabric combos!

First, I measured the diameter of my bag when laying flat across, from the point I wanted the lining to start to end. For this particular project, I wanted the lining to start end end inside the round that has the drawstring. Once I had my measurement, I tried to find a circular object that was about the same size to use as a template. I ended up borrowing a very large mixing bowl from an aunt, and it was perfect! There are other methods to use to cut out a circle when you don’t have something to trace - you can search on YouTube. One involves folding paper into a wedge.

Once I traced the circle onto my fabric and cut the circle out, I pinned it in place with straight pins and started stitching it on using a blanket stitch. In the pattern, I recommend the blanket stitch or a whip stitch. If you need the lining to be very secure, such as making it for a child, I would go with the whip stitch. I tried to go through only the top layer of yarn so there was no thread showing through on the outside of the bag.

Get the Emery Drawstring Bag crochet pattern

Ready to get going? Grab your pattern at the links below!

If you make an Emery Drawstring Bag (or more than one!) I’d love to see photos - find me on Facebook and Instagram @icrochetsohard and tag me! I’m also on Pinterest @icrochetsohard.

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