Toluver's Creations: Drawstring Bag Pattern

I searched Pinterest. I searched and searched and searched for a pattern for a drawstring bag that I liked. But I couldn't find one that was exactly what I wanted so I did the only thing I COULD do. I sat down and made up my own!

This bag is made using cotton yarn. I guess you could use a regular yarn if you really wanted, but I think the cotton has far more strength, stretch and durability for this type of project. I plan to use mine as a laundry bag for travel, to toss in all the dirty laundry as we go through the week and keep it separate from the clean clothes in my suitcase. I always find that to be a challenge! And while you can use any old bag for dirty laundry, an open pattern like this allows airflow and I find when it comes to dirty laundry, this is a good thing! It could also be great for the beach or the pool.

For laundry purposes, I was able to fit five shirts, three pairs of socks, three pairs of underwear and a pair of yoga pants with plenty of room to spare, so I would say you could easily cram a week's worth of dirty laundry in that bag, not counting bulky pants and jeans.

Supplies:

Cotton Yarn -- I used Lily Sugar n Cream in bright green. You will need three packages unless you are able to buy it in large spools.
Size G Crochet hook
Scissors
Yarn needle

Note: if you have ever crocheted a hat, you will notice that this pattern starts off quite similar to a basic hat.

If you have never used a magic circle before, here is a video to walk you through it. The first fifteen or twenty times I did it, I found it challenging but now I don't even think about it. Practice is key. If you really can't get the hang of it, you can alternatively choose to chain 4 and then double crochet 9 times into the third chain. The chains will count as one double crochet. This method just isn't quite as neat as the magic circle method.

NOTE: In some of the pictures, I used a miniature version of this pattern. When I made the original bag, I was mostly sitting in the car while hubby ran errands. So when I needed pictures to explain the stitches, I made a tiny version of the bag. The stitches are correct, you will just be doing a lot more of them than what is pictured!!!

Round 1: Magic Circle. Chain 1. 10 double crochet (DC) in magic circle and pull tight. Slip stitch into first DC. (10 DC)

Round 2: Ch 1. 2 DC in each stitch around. Slip stitch into first DC of round. (20 DC)

Round 3: Ch 1. DC in same stitch as chain. 2 DC in next stitch. * DC in next stitch, 2 DC in next. * Repeat the instructions between the * * around the circle until you reach the end. You will have 30 DC stitches. Slip stitch into first DC of round.

Round 4: Ch 1. DC into same stitch as chain. DC in next stitch. 2 DC in next. * DC in next two stitches, 2 DC in third stitch *. Repeat * * around. You will have 40 DC stitches. Slip stitch into first DC of round.

Round 5: Ch 1. DC into same stitch as chain. DC in next two stitches, the 2 DC stitches in next stitch. * DC in next three stitches, 2 DC in fourth stitch. * Repeat * * around. You will have 50 DC stitches. Slip stitch into first DC of round.

Round 6: Ch 1. DC into same stitch as chain. DC in next three stitches, then 2 DC in next stitch. *DC in next four stitches, 2 DC in fifth stitch.* Repeat * * around. You will have 60 DC stitches. Slip stitch into first DC of round.

Round 7: Ch 1. DC into same stitch as chain. DC in next four stitches, then 2 DC in next stitch. *DC in next five stitches, 2 DC in sixth stitch.* Repeat * * around. You will have 70 DC stitches. Slip stitch into first DC of round.

Round 8: Ch 1. DC into same stitch as chain. DC in next five stitches, then 2 DC in next stitch. *DC in next six stitches, 2 DC in seventh stitch.* Repeat * * around. You will have 80 DC stitches. Slip stitch into first DC of round.

Round 9: Ch 1. DC into same stitch as chain. DC in next six stitches, then 2 DC in next stitch. *DC in next seven stitches, 2 DC in eighth stitch.* Repeat * * around. You will have 90 DC stitches. Slip stitch into first DC of round.

Round 10: Ch 1. DC into same stitch as chain. DC in next seven stitches, then 2 DC in next stitch. *DC in next eight stitches, 2 DC in ninth stitch.* Repeat * * around. You will have 100 DC stitches. Slip stitch into first DC of round.

At this point you will have a nice big circle.

Now you will stop increasing your base and begin creating the sides of the bags.

Round 11: Ch 1. DC into same stitch. DC in next Stitch. *Chain 3. Skip next three stitches and DC into next two stitches (insert picture).* Repeat * * around. You should end with a chain 3 that you will slip stitch into the first DC of the round.

Chain 1 and DC into same stitch

DC into next stitch

Chain 3. Skip the next three stitches and DC into 4th stitch.

Repeat around with 2 DC and three chains, making a pattern of square "windows".

Rounds 12 - 35: Repeat Round 11. You should be DC into the DC stitches of the previous round and skipping the same stitches each time so that you are getting straight rows and lines of "windows" in the pattern.

Round 36: Ch 1. Single crochet (sc) in each stitch around. (100 sc)

When doing SC for round 36, I found it easier to SC around the chains instead of into a single loop of the chain.

Rounds 37-39: SC around.

Round 40: Ch 1. Double crochet in same stitch. *Ch 1, skip one stitch, DC in second stitch from hook.* Repeat * * around. You should end up with 50 DC. Slip stitch into first DC of round.

You are leaving small spaces to weave the drawstring through.

Round 41: Ch 1. SC in each stitch around.

DO NOT FASTEN OFF.

Strap

Chain 100. This chain will be connected to the body of the bag to start your strap. You will still need to sew the strap down when you finish, but making it one continuous piece with the body will give it more strength.

Row 1: DC in each stitch across. Chain 1. Turn.

Rows 2-3: Repeat row 1. Fasten off. Sew to top and bottom of bag.

Drawstring:

Chain 155.

Row 1: Skip first 5 chains and begin at 6th chain from hook. SC in each stitch across. At the end, chain 5 and slip stitch back into drawstring. You will have a look on each end. You can use this to attach a bead or button to keep the drawstring from pulling out of the bag, but this is optional.