Reusable Drawstring Crochet Gift Bag Free Christmas Pattern

Wrap your holiday gifts in something truly handmade that won’t end up in the bin. This reusable drawstring gift bag features a flat oval base that holds its shape, a lightweight shell stitch body, and a soft cream cotton drawstring to cinch it all closed.

Reusable Drawstring Crochet Gift Bag Free Christmas Pattern

Quick Facts

• Skill level: Intermediate
• Finished size: 7 inches wide x 8.5 inches tall (18 cm x 22 cm)
• Yarn: Aran / Worsted weight cotton yarn in Forest Green (approx. 180 yards / 165 meters) and bulky braided cotton cord in Cream (approx. 36 inches / 90 cm)
• Hook: US H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
• Stitches used: ch, sl st, sc, dc, shell stitch
• Time to make: 3 to 4 hours

Size tips are included further down the page to help you adjust the bag for larger bottles or smaller trinkets.

What Makes This Drawstring Crochet Gift Bag Special

This bag relies on a sturdy flat single crochet oval base so it can stand upright on its own under the tree. The textured shell stitch body provides gorgeous open lace work while remaining firm enough to hold candles, jars, or small wrapped boxes without sagging. A simple cream drawstring cinches the ruffled top neatly shut.

Skill Level

• Working in the round (spirals and joined rounds)
• Basic shaping with increases and decreases
• Foundation single crochet or starting chain work
• Working in the back loop only (BLO)

You’ll master this quickly if you are comfortable with basic stitches and shell patterns.

Finished Measurements

Dimension	Inches	Centimeters
Width	7 in	18 cm
Height	8.5 in	22 cm
Base Length	6 in	15 cm
Base Width	3.5 in	9 cm

Materials You Will Need

Item	Color	Type / Weight	Amount
Main Yarn	Forest Green	Aran / Worsted Cotton	180 yds / 165 m
Drawstring	Cream	Braided Cotton Cord (4mm)	36 in / 90 cm
Crochet Hook	–	US H/8 (5.0 mm)	1 hook
Notions	–	Tapestry Needle, Stitch Markers	As needed

Yarn Suggestions

Brand	Line	Skein Yardage	Notes
Lion Brand	24/7 Cotton	186 yds / 170 m	100% mercerized cotton, great stitch definition
Drops	Paris	82 yds / 75 m	100% aran weight cotton, grab 3 skeins
Hobbii	Rainbow Cotton 8/8	82 yds / 75 m	Budget-friendly standard cotton

⚠️ Note: Avoid stretchy acrylic yarns for this project. Cotton yarn gives the bag the crisp structure and weight it needs to hold gifts upright without stretching out of shape.

Gauge

14 sc x 16 rows = 4 in / 10 cm using a 5.0 mm hook in single crochet.

Abbreviations

• beg – beginning
• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• rep – repeat
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• sc – single crochet
• sk – skip
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• BLO – back loop only
• inc – increase (work 2 sc in same st)
• shell – work 5 dc in the designated st or ch-space

UK terms conversion: sc = dc, hdc = htr, dc = tr.

Special Stitches Explained

1. Shell Stitch: Work 5 double crochet stitches into the exact same stitch or chain space indicated in the pattern.
2. Back Loop Only (BLO): Insert your hook under the back loop only of the designated stitch, leaving the front loop free to create a sharp turning ridge.

Pattern Instructions

Note: Work the base in continuous spiral rounds without joining, using a stitch marker to track the first stitch of each round. Join with a sl st for the shell body rounds.

Section 1: Base (Forest Green, make 1)

Ch 19.

Rnd 1: Work 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 16 ch, 4 sc in last ch. Working along opposite side of foundation chain, sc in next 16 ch, 2 sc in last ch. (40 sc)

Rnd 2: Inc in first 2 sts, sc in next 16 sts, inc in next 4 sts, sc in next 16 sts, inc in last 2 sts. (48 sc)

Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 2, sc in next 16 sts, (1 sc, inc) x 4, sc in next 16 sts, (1 sc, inc) x 2. (56 sc)

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 2, sc in next 16 sts, (2 sc, inc) x 4, sc in next 16 sts, (2 sc, inc) x 2. (64 sc)

Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 2, sc in next 16 sts, (3 sc, inc) x 4, sc in next 16 sts, (3 sc, inc) x 2. (72 sc)

Rnd 6: Sc in each st around in BLO. (72 sc)

✅ Checkpoint: You should have a flat oval base measuring roughly 6 inches by 3.5 inches with a crisp edge formed by the BLO round.

Section 2: Body (Forest Green, make 1)

Rnd 1: Sc in first st, sk 2 sts, shell in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st rep around to last 5 sts, sk 2 sts, shell in next st, sk 2 sts, join with sl st to first sc. (12 shells, 12 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in same sc, sc in top center dc of next shell, shell in next sc rep around, ending with 2 dc in same st as beg ch-3, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (12 shells, 12 sc)

Rnds 3 to 10: Alternate Rnds 1 and 2 four more times. (12 shells, 12 sc each rnd)

Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc in each st and dc around, join with sl st. (72 sc)

Rnd 12 (Eyelet Round): Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc + 1 ch-1 sp), sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch 1 rep around, join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (36 dc, 36 ch-1 spaces)

Rnd 13: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each ch-1 space around, join with sl st. (72 sc)

Fasten off and weave in all ends securely.

Assembly & Finishing

1. Thread the 36-inch cream braided cotton cord through the eyelet holes (Rnd 12) weaving it in and out every two stitches all the way around the bag opening.
2. Pull both ends evenly to cinch the bag closed and tie into a neat bow.
3. Place your gift inside, add a sprig of pine behind the bow, and fluff the ruffled top.

Size Customization Tips

• To make it taller: Add 2 more pattern repeats of the body shells (Rnds 1-2) before working the eyelet round. Each extra shell round adds about 0.75 inches to the height.
• To make it wider: Add one more increase round to the base, ensuring your total base stitch count is a multiple of 6 to fit the shell stitch repeat.

Care Instructions

Hand wash gently in lukewarm water with mild detergent. Press out excess water in a towel and lay flat to dry in the original shape. Do not tumble dry.

FAQ

Can I use acrylic yarn instead of cotton?

While you can, acrylic yarn lacks the stiffness of cotton, meaning the bag may slump rather than standing firmly upright on its own.

How do I adjust this pattern for a wine bottle?

Increase the base chain length to 25 stitches, adjust your base increase rounds so the final stitch count is a multiple of 6, and add 4 extra rounds to the body height.

Is this bag safe for small children to handle?

Yes! There are no small plastic parts, buttons, or wire frames. Just make sure to knot the ends of the drawstring securely so they don’t fray.

Happy Crocheting!

I hope you love making and giving this eco-friendly gift bag as much as I loved designing it for you. Be sure to save this pin to your Christmas Crochet board on Pinterest, and drop a comment below to let me know what colors you chose for your holiday gifts this year!