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Drawstring Makeup Bag

crocheted makeup bag with gathered top, holding makeup on white wood backdrop

This crochet drawstring makeup bag pattern is quick to work up with size 5 yarn and simple, increasing rounds. It makes a cute and stylish way to pack makeup for travel, or just store in the bathroom. It is very functional, while also doubling as a decorative piece.

The Origin of This Pattern

crocheted makeup bag and makeup materials on white board backdropThe idea for this pattern came from a sewn makeup bag that I used for years when traveling. It was a simple and cute way to store makeup. I often found it was so convenient that even after getting home from my travels, my makeup stayed in the bag on my counter for a long time afterwards.

I have no idea what eventually happened to that bag, so I thought I’d make myself a new one! I liked the idea that it was a simple circle with a drawstring attached. It seemed it would be easy to adapt to crochet.

The Yarn For This Pattern

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crocheted circle, next to skein of yarn on white board backgroundThe yarn for this pattern is actually how it started. I saw this yarn in Joann’s and just couldn’t pass it up! It was so pretty! And actually, all the other color variations were beautiful as well. I had a hard time picking.

So then the yarn sat in my craft room for a while as I mulled over ideas for what to use it for. I really wanted something that would show off the variegation and beautiful colors. I also wanted something that would fit with a summer vibe, as the colors really felt like they fit the season. I went through a few before I landed on the makeup bag.

I have seen this type of yarn in several other brands and stores. First Kiss by Loops & Threads at Michael’s has the same construction of 100% polyester with a black binder. It makes for a very smooth feel with a “bouncy” squish. It’s very soft. The downside is that it is a bit slick and also can break easily when pulled, so it’s not super great for the drawstring portion of the bag. It works, but I suggest in the pattern that if the slip of it bothers you, or if you’re worried about strength, you might try something else for the drawstring.

The Pattern

If you would like to purchase an inexpensive, ad-free pdf version of this Crochet Drawstring Makeup Bag Pattern, you can find it here at my Etsy shop. (scroll down for the full free pattern)

Add this Crochet Drawstring Makeup Bag pattern to your Ravelry favorites HERE.

Materials:


Size 5 Yarn (I used 1 ½ skeins of Fair Isle Sutton Yarn in Beach. Roughly 180 yards)
US J10/ 6 mm Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle
Scissors

Gauge:

See notes in pattern for checking gauge after round 3.

Stitches Used:

(ch) Chain
(dc) Double Crochet
(sl st) Slip Stitch

Pattern Notes:

Beginning chain of each round does not count as a stitch.

I tend to crochet tightly. So be sure to check your gauge according to the notes after round 3 and if you are crocheting more loosely than me you can move to a smaller hook (or larger if you crochet even more tightly). Some people even need to go down two hook sizes to match my gauge. Alternatively, you can just crochet enough rounds to reach the finished diameter noted after round 12 and not worry about gauge.

Because of the large circumference of this piece that gets cinched shut, it does not close up completely on top and tightness may depend on the kind of yarn used (a softer yarn will have more flex). The ruffled top is intended to give a little extra coverage to the opening, but ultimately this bag will do a good job holding standard makeup items, but may not be good for carrying tiny items (like jewelry or safety pins, etc) that might escape more easily.

Pattern:

Ch 5. Join with a sl st to the first chain to create a circle. (or if you prefer, start with a magic circle)

Round 1: Ch 2. Dc 12 times in the circle (If you crochet around the tail as well, you can use this as a draw string to tighten the hole in the center). Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (12)

Round 2: Ch 2. 2 dc in the same stitch and each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (24)

Round 3: Ch 2. 1 dc in the same stitch. 2 dc in the next. *1 dc in the next stitch. 2 dc in the next.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (36)

You can stop and check your gauge here. At this point my circle was 3.6” across (diameter). See photo. If your gauge is larger or smaller, this is a good point to start over with a larger or smaller hook. OR if you’re happy with the fabric drape, you can just keep going at your gauge and then stop increasing when you reach the width desired on the last round, as opposed to ending at the exact number of rows stated in pattern.

Round 4: Ch 2. 1 dc in the same stitch. 1 dc in the next stitch. 2 dc in the next. *1 dc in each of the next 2 stitches. 2 dc in the next.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (48)

Round 5: Ch 2. 1 dc in the same stitch. 1 dc in each of the next 2 stitches. 2 dc in the next. *1 dc in each of the next 3 stitches. 2 dc in the next.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (60)

Round 6: Ch 2. 1 dc in the same stitch. 1 dc in each of the next 3 stitches. 2 dc in the next. *1 dc in each of the next 4 stitches. 2 dc in the next.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (72)

Round 7: Ch 2. 1 dc in the same stitch. 1 dc in each of the next 4 stitches. 2 dc in the next. *1 dc in each of the next 5 stitches. 2 dc in the next.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (84)

Round 8: Ch 2. 1 dc in the same stitch. 1 dc in each of the next 5 stitches. 2 dc in the next. *1 dc in each of the next 6 stitches. 2 dc in the next.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (96)

Round 9: Ch 2. 1 dc in the same stitch. 1 dc in each of the next 6 stitches. 2 dc in the next. *1 dc in each of the next 7 stitches. 2 dc in the next.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (108)

Round 10: Ch 2. 1 dc in the same stitch. 1 dc in each of the next 7 stitches. 2 dc in the next. *1 dc in each of the next 8 stitches. 2 dc in the next.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (120)

Round 11: Ch 2. 1 dc in the same stitch. 1 dc in each of the next 8 stitches. 2 dc in the next. *1 dc in each of the next 9 stitches. 2 dc in the next.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (132)

Round 12: Ch 2. 1 dc in the same stitch. 1 dc in each of the next 9 stitches. 2 dc in the next. *1 dc in each of the next 10 stitches. 2 dc in the next.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (144)

Note: At this point my circle was about 13.5” across (diameter). You can choose to add or remove rows here to obtain this diameter, especially if your gauge is different than mine. Many of my testers found they had reached this measurement after round 11, so they skipped round 12 and moved to round 13. For each row of increase, just add one more stitch to the number of stitches between each instance of where 2 dc are placed in one stitch.

Round 13: Ch 2. (all stitches in this round are done in front loop only. See photo below) 1 dc in the same stitch. 1 dc in the next stitch. 2 dc in the next. *1 dc in each of the next 2 stitches. 2 dc in the next.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (192)

Finish off and weave in ends.

Create a drawstring by chaining your yarn until your chain is about 35 inches. Finish it off.

Some notes about drawstring:

Length: The length of the drawstring depends on whether you want to be able to completely open up the bag to a full flat circle again. If so, the 35 inches will allow for this (see photo below). However, it will make your string a little long when pulled all the way tight. If you want it a little shorter, it will still work, you just may not be able to completely open up the bag to a flat position again.

Material: I used the same yarn for the drawstring that I used for the bag. However, this yarn in particular breaks easily when pulled. It is stronger when chained, but for an even stronger drawstring an alternative option would be a decorative cord or similar item.

To insert the drawstring:

Attach a yarn needle to one end of the chain. Weave the chain in and out around the stitches of round 12 (not round 13 – round 13 is meant to be a ruffle above the drawstring). I wove in and out around every 2 stitches. Start by going “in” from the right side of the project and the last exit should come out the right side of the project, a few stitches away from the original entry. Pull the drawstring tight to close the bag and tie shut. It will not close up the top completely, but the ruffled outer edge should help seal the opening so that standard makeup items should not slip out.

If desired, add tassels to the ends of the drawstring. You can find instructions for making tassels here: https://www.caabcrochet.com/how-to-make-a-tassel-with-yarn/

Note: Feel free to sell finished products made with this pattern. If finished products are posted online, please include a reference/credit to this pattern. Do not distribute or claim the pattern as your own, or alter and use my photos to market your finished products.

12 Comments

  1. I’ve been waiting for this pattern. It’s just in time to make for my daughter-in-law’s Mother’s day present. Considering she travels occasionally, this will afford her a safe place for her cosmetics when she’s away from home.
    Thank you!
    Joanne

  2. This was too adorable not to make.
    So far, I’ve made one, it is in same Fair Isle – Sutton, in the color ‘Dusk’ -was on sale over the weekend at JoAnn Fabrics for only $1.97 each
    -Thank you for sharing this pattern, just found you on Instagram!

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