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Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern

Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern
4.6★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.0K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

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Stylish Touch

An elegant detail to elevate any look, combining traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities.

About This Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern

This pattern creates a vintage-style drawstring bag approximately 14-16" in diameter using size 10 cotton thread. The stitch pattern features shells and treble groups that produce a lacy, textured surface. You will work with two strands throughout to achieve a sturdy fabric and clear stitch definition.

Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Complete, round-by-round instructions are provided including drawstrings and fringe tassel finishing. The pattern can be adapted to different yarn weights or single/double strand work for size variation.

Why You'll Love This Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines vintage elegance with practical function in a single project. I enjoy how the shell and treble grouping create a beautiful texture that looks much more complex than it actually is. Working with two strands gives the bag a lovely weight and structure that holds its shape well. This pattern is rewarding to make and adapts easily to personalization like beads or different yarns, which keeps each finished bag unique.

Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern step 1 - construction progress Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love experimenting with color when I make this bag, switching the thread to soft pastels for a feminine look or bold neutrals for a modern edge.

I sometimes use a thicker cotton yarn held double with a larger hook to make a sturdier, chunkier shopper-style bag.

I like to add beads in the "sc in center tr of 7-tr group" spaces for a subtle sparkle — I pre-string the beads onto the strand before working those spaces.

I will occasionally line the bag with lightweight fabric and add a zipper to make it more secure for daily use.

I change the drawstring length depending on how I plan to wear the bag — shorter for a wrist pouch, longer for a crossbody or shoulder carry.

I often add a small interior pocket by sewing a fabric pocket inside the lining for keys or cards.

I also experiment with embroidery over the shell motifs for a personalized stitched design that really stands out.

I sometimes create a matching set of tassels with contrasting colors for a playful finishing touch.

I use metallic or variegated thread occasionally to make a dressier version suitable for evening or special events.

I recommend making a small swatch when changing hook or yarn to find the exact look and drape you want before committing to a full bag.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the instruction to work with two strands throughout can make the fabric too loose and floppy; always hold two strands together for consistent tension and structure. ✗ Failing to join rounds correctly will shift your stitch placement and pattern repeats; join each round as written and place a marker to indicate the start of the round. ✗ Twisting the drawstring while making or weaving it can prevent it from lying flat and neat; chain carefully and lay the drawstring flat before fastening off and weaving through spaces. ✗ Not counting stitches after increases and decreases can lead to mismatched shell patterns; count stitches at the end of rounds that list stitch totals to confirm accuracy. ✗ Adding beads without planning placement can distort the lace pattern; place beads in the suggested "sc in center tr of 7-tr group" spaces and test on a small swatch first.

Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern

Make a charming vintage-style drawstring bag with a lacy shell and treble stitch design. This pattern guides you round-by-round to create a 14-16" diameter cotton bag worked with two strands for a sturdy, elegant finish. Perfect as a unique gift or a special handmade accessory to elevate your wardrobe.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Size 10 cotton crochet thread - approximately 450 yards (main material).
  • 02
    Pattern can be adapted to most any size hook and any weight yarn and worked with single or double strand (adjust quantity as needed).
  • 03
    Optional small beads for embellishment (use in "sc in center tr of 7-tr group" if desired).

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 0 steel (recommended)
  • 02
    Crochet hook size C/2/2.75mm (alternative)
  • 03
    4" cardboard square (for wrapping fringe tassels)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Bag :

Info :

Supplies: Size 0 steel crochet hook (or size C/2/2.75mm Crochet Hook), 450 yds size 10 cotton crochet thread. (Note: Pattern may easily be adapted with most any size hook and any weight yarn and worked with single or double strand) For a little bling, beads can easily be added in the "sc in center tr of 7-tr group".

Infos :

Stitches Used: ch (chain), slst (slip stitch), sc (single crochet), scdec (decrease single crochet), dc (double crochet), tr (treble), picot (ch3, slst in 3rd ch from hook).

Info :

Gauge: with 0 hook: 8 dc = 1 inch, 2 dc rows = 1 inch.

Info :

Directions-Working with 2 strands throughout entire project.

Round 1 :

ch 4, join with sl st to form ring, ch 3 (counts as first dc of next rnd).

Round 2 :

work 15 dc in ring, join to top of beginning ch 3, ch 3, do not turn. 16 dc

Round 3 :

dc in same st, *2 dc in next dc*, repeat from asterisks 14 times, join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3, ch 3, do not turn. 32 dc

Round 4 :

dc in first st, *2 dc in next dc*, repeat from asterisks 30 times, join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3, ch 3, do not turn. 64 dc

Round 5 :

skip next dc, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in next dc, skip next dc, *dc in next dc, skip next dc, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in next dc, skip next dc*, repeat from asterisks 14 times, join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3, ch 1, do not turn. 16 shells

Round 6 :

sc in same st, 7 tr in next ch 1 sp, *sc in next dc, 7 tr in next ch 1 sp*, repeat from asterisks 14 times, join to beginning sc, ch 4 (counts as first tr of next rnd), turn. 16-7 tr groups

Round 7 :

6 tr in same sc, sc in center tr of next 7 tr group, *7 tr in next sc, sc in center tr of next 7-tr group*, repeat from asterisks 14 times, join with slst to top of beginning ch-4, ch1, turn. 16-7 tr groups

Round 8 :

7 tr in first sc, sc in center tr of next 7 tr group, *7 tr in next sc, sc in center tr of next 7 tr group*, repeat from asterisks 14 times, join to top of beginning tr, ch 1, turn.

Round 9-11 :

repeat rnd. 8.

Round 12 :

tr, ch 1 in first sc (7 times), sc, ch 1 in center tr of next 7 tr group, * tr, ch 1 (7 times) in next sc, sc, ch 1 in center tr of next 7 tr group*, repeat from asterisks 14 times, join with sl st to beginning tr, ch 1, turn.

Round 13 :

repeat rnd. 12, join with sl st to beginning tr, ch 1, do not turn.

Round 14 :

sc in each st and sc in each ch 1 sp around, join with sl st to beginning sc, ch 1, do not turn. 256 sc

Round 15 :

sc in first 4 sc, dec sc over next 2 sc, *sc in next 4 sc, dec sc over next 2 sc*, repeat around, join with sl st to beginning sc, ch 5, do not turn. 215 sc

Round 16 :

skip next sc, *tr, ch 1 in next sc, skip next 2 sc*, repeat from asterisks around, join to 4th ch of beginning ch 5, sl st to next ch 1 sp, ch 1, do not turn. 72-ch 1 spaces

Round 17 :

sc in same sp, skip next ch 1 sp, 7 tr in next ch 1 sp, skip next ch 1 sp, *sc in next ch 1 sp, skip next ch 1 sp, 7 tr in next ch 1 sp, skip next ch 1 sp*, repeat from asterisks around, join with sl st to beginning sc, ch 1, do not turn. 18-7 tr groups

Round 18 :

sc, ch 1 in first sc, tr, ch 1 in next tr (7 times), *sc, ch 1 in next sc, tr, ch 1 in next tr (7 times)*, repeat from asterisks around, join with sl st to beginning sc, ch 1, do not turn. 18-7 tr, ch 1 groups

Round 19 :

sc in first sc, sc, picot in next ch 1 sp, *sc in next tr, sc, picot in next ch 1 sp*, repeat from asterisks 6 times, [sc in next sc, sc, picot in next ch 1 sp, **sc in next tr, sc, picot in next ch 1 sp**], repeat from ** 6 times], repeat from brackets around, join with sl st to beginning sc, fasten off.

— Drawstrings :

Drawstrings-Make 2 :

Rnd. 1: leaving 4 inch tail, ch 151, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, being careful not to twist, fasten off leaving 4 inch tail.

Info :

Weave drawstring through ch 1 spaces at rnd. 16, pull 2 strands of tail through the end sl st of drawstring, tie to secure drawstring closed. Starting at opposite side of bag, weave 2nd drawstring through ch 1 spaces on rnd. 16, secure as done with first drawstring.

— Fringe :

Fringe-Make 2 :

Wrap double strand of thread 12 times around 4" cardboard square, cut in half. Attach tassel on secured end of drawstring, trim if necessary.

Assembly Instructions

  • Weave each drawstring through the ch-1 spaces created in Round 16 and pull both strands of the drawstring tail through the end slip stitch to secure the drawstring closed.
  • Make two drawstrings and position them on opposite sides of the bag so that pulling the strings closes the opening evenly and symmetrically.
  • Attach each fringe/tassel to the secured end of each drawstring by tying and wrapping as shown, then trim tassel ends to even length.
  • Securely fasten off and weave in all ends on the inside of the bag to hide tails and prevent unraveling.
  • If adding beads, place them in the "sc in center tr of 7-tr group" spaces before assembling to ensure even placement and a balanced look.

Important Notes

  • 💡Work with two strands throughout the entire project unless you are intentionally adapting for a different weight; this gives the bag structure and the correct finished size.
  • 💡When making drawstrings, chain the full length and lay flat to check for twists before fastening off to ensure a neat, even drawstring.
  • 💡You may adapt the pattern to different yarn weights and hooks, but remember this will change finished size and required yardage; swatch first to confirm gauge.
  • 💡If adding beads, thread them onto the working strands ahead of time and place them in the sc in center tr of the 7-tr group to avoid disrupting the lace pattern.

This vintage style drawstring bag is a beautiful combination of vintage charm and modern practicality, perfect for gifting or everyday use. Handmade texture and optional bead accents let you personalize each piece for a unique finish. Enjoy the meditative rhythm of the stitch repeats and the satisfaction of a lovely finished bag. 🧶✨

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished bag measures approximately 14-16 inches in diameter when worked with size 10 cotton thread and the recommended hooks.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can adapt the pattern to different yarn weights and hook sizes, but the final size and yardage will change; make a gauge swatch to estimate results.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so familiarity with double crochet, treble (tr), shell groups, and reading round-by-round instructions is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters finish this bag in about 5-7 hours depending on experience and whether you add embellishments like beads or tassels.