Product Description
This crochet drawstring makeup bag 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.
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.
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
Stitches Used: (ch) Chain (dc) Double Crochet (sl st) Slip Stitch
Drawstring Makeup Bag by Esther Thompson
Project Overview
The Drawstring Makeup Bag is a beginner-friendly crochet project designed by Esther Thompson and available as a downloadable PDF pattern. This practical accessory combines simple construction with functional design, making it an ideal first project for those new to crochet or looking for a quick, satisfying make.
What You'll Create
This pattern produces a drawstring-closure makeup bag with a circular base that expands to a larger circumference. The bag features a cinched top created by a drawstring mechanism, allowing for flexible storage of cosmetics, toiletries, and small personal items. The finished piece has a relaxed, slightly gathered appearance at the top due to its construction method and yarn characteristics.
Crochet Techniques and Stitches
The Drawstring Makeup Bag uses fundamental crochet techniques suitable for beginners. The pattern employs three essential stitches:
- Chain (ch) – Used to create the foundation and structure of the piece
- Double Crochet (dc) – The primary stitch used throughout the body of the bag for building height and texture
- Slip Stitch (sl st) – Used to join rounds and create seamless transitions
The pattern is worked in rounds, building from a circular base outward. An important note for crocheters: the beginning chain of each round does not count as a stitch, which is a common technique in circular crochet construction.
Materials and Tools Required
This project calls for Size 5 (Bulky weight) yarn, with the designer using approximately 1½ skeins totaling roughly 180 yards. The pattern example was created using Fair Isle Sutton Yarn in the Beach colorway, though any bulky weight yarn suitable for the specified hook size will work.
Essential tools include a US J10 / 6 mm crochet hook, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, and scissors. The bulky yarn weight and larger hook size make this project work up quickly and are particularly beginner-friendly.
Gauge and Customization
Gauge checking is recommended after round 3 of the pattern to ensure proper sizing. Because crochet tension varies significantly between individual crafters, the pattern provides flexibility: those crocheting more tightly than the designer may need to move to a smaller hook (or even go down two sizes in some cases), while looser crocheters might use a larger hook. Alternatively, crafters can simply work enough rounds to reach the finished diameter specified after round 12, bypassing formal gauge checking.
The pattern notes that the large circumference of the finished piece, combined with the drawstring closure mechanism, means the top does not close completely. The final appearance and tightness may vary depending on the specific yarn used, with softer yarns producing different results than stiffer varieties.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Bulky |
| Pages: | 0 |
| Designer: | Esther Thompson |
| Craft: | Crochet |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
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