This pouch is soft and pretty, with a ruffled edge and two little bows, but the construction couldn't be simpler: an oval base, ten plain rounds, one contrast round and one round of chain loops. The two drawstrings run in opposite directions, so pulling both bows closes the pouch evenly from each side.
It's from Elise's lilthings YouTube channel, aimed at absolute beginners.
Video tutorial by Elise on her YouTube channel, lilthings: watch "crochet drawstring pouch 🎀🖇️how to crochet a pouch | crochet bow bag" on YouTube.
Written from Elise's video.
What you need
- 5-ply milk cotton in white and pastel yellow
- 3.5 mm hook
- A stitch marker, scissors and a darning needle
Pouch
Begin each round with a chain 2 and end it with a tight slip stitch into the first stitch.
- Base (round 1): with white, chain 21. Starting in the 3rd chain from the hook, work 1 dc in each chain along one side. Work extra dc in the end chain to curve round it, then work 1 dc in each loop along the other side of the chain, curving round the second end the same way. Join.
- Rounds 2 to 10: 1 dc in each stitch around.
- Round 11 (drawstring round): change to yellow on the last pull-through of round 10. Work 1 dc in each stitch around. The gaps between these stitches are your eyelets.
- Round 12 (ruffle): change back to white. [Chain 3, skip 1 stitch, slip stitch in the next stitch] all the way round.
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Drawstrings and bows
- With yellow, make two chains of 60 to 70 chains each.
- Thread the first through round 11, going over two stitches and under two, all the way round, so both ends come out at the left side.
- Thread the second the same way, starting and ending on the right side.
- Pull both pairs of ends and tie each pair into a bow.
Tips
- Count round 2. Whatever number of stitches you end round 1 with, keep it every round. If your stitch count grows, the pouch flares; if it shrinks, it narrows.
- Ruffle that doesn't come out even? The ruffle uses stitches in pairs, so an odd count leaves one over at the end. Just slip stitch into it.
- Tie the ends. Knot the ends of each drawstring so they don't unravel, or finish with a small pompom.
Frequently asked questions
Why use two drawstrings instead of one?
One drawstring pulls the pouch closed from one side and leaves a lopsided gather. Two, threaded in opposite directions, close it evenly, and you get a bow on each side.
How do I make the oval base neat?
The ends of the chain are where the oval turns. Spread the extra stitches into the last chain so the corner is round, not pointed. Our guide on reading crochet patterns explains how "work into the other side of the chain" works.
Can I make it bigger?
Yes. A longer starting chain makes it wider; more rounds make it taller. Keep the number of stitches in round 11 even for the ruffle.
Questions & notes
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