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Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern

Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern
4.1★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
3.6K 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.

🏡

Cozy Accent

A warm touch for your space that transforms ordinary corners into inviting nooks filled with handmade charm.

About This Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern

This pattern creates a vintage-style drawstring bag approximately 14-16 inches in diameter using size 10 cotton thread worked with two strands. The design features shell clusters, 7-tr treble groups and a picot-edged finish for an elegant lace look. You will also make two flat drawstrings and matching tassels to complete the bag.

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

Worked in the round from the base up, the bag is sturdy yet decorative and easily customized with beads or different threads. Clear round-by-round instructions and finishing notes are included for confident assembly.

Why You'll Love This Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines classic lace stitches with practical construction to create a bag that is both beautiful and useful. I enjoy working with two strands of thread to achieve a durable yet delicate texture that holds shape well. The repeating treble groups and shell motifs are relaxing to crochet and produce a lovely visual rhythm. I also appreciate how simple finishing steps—flat drawstrings and tassels—elevate the finished piece into a special handmade gift. Every time I make this bag I find little ways to personalize it, which keeps the project fresh and fun.

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 to experiment with color combos when making this bag; try using two contrasting colors held together for a striped lace effect.

I often substitute mercerized cotton in bright colors for a modern twist—this changes drape and sheen beautifully.

If you want a larger bag, I change to a heavier thread and a larger hook and adjust rounds 2-4 to increase the base diameter.

For a mini version, use a finer thread and a smaller hook; reduce the number of shell repeats to shrink the pattern evenly.

I like to add seed beads threaded onto the strands before crocheting the 7-tr groups to give a subtle sparkle to the lace motifs.

Try making a removable lining from fabric and slip-stitch it inside for extra strength and a polished interior finish.

Change the drawstrings to a braided cord or a ribbon threaded through the ch-1 spaces for a different look and easier handling.

To make a shoulder bag, lengthen the drawstrings into a long strap or crochet an attached strap instead of separate drawstrings.

I sometimes embroider initials or small motifs onto the finished bag body using contrasting thread for a personal touch.

For an aged antique look, dye the finished bag with tea or diluted fabric dye and distress lightly, then attach natural-fiber tassels for character.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the instruction to work with two strands throughout causes the fabric to be too lightweight; always hold two strands together for the correct texture and size. ✗ Forgetting to keep track of ch-1 spaces in rnd.16 can distort lace placement; mark the start of the round and count ch-1 spaces after joining. ✗ Twisting the drawstring while slip-stitching across ch 151 will make the drawstring curl and sit poorly; lay the chain flat and check for twists before fastening off. ✗ Overstuffing or pulling the yarn too tight during shell and treble groups can close up lace openings; maintain even, moderate tension for open, balanced shells. ✗ Not weaving drawstrings through the ch-1 spaces evenly will cause uneven gathers; weave one drawstring from one side and the second from the opposite side, checking spacing as you go.

Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern

Make a charming vintage-style drawstring bag with a delicate shell and treble stitch lace pattern. This intermediate crochet pattern guides you through a 14-16" diameter cotton thread bag worked with two strands for a sturdy, textured finish. You will learn shell clusters, treble groups, picot edging, and how to make matching drawstrings and tassels. Perfect for gifting or as a lovely handmade accessory for special occasions.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Vintage Style Drawstring Bag Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Size 10 cotton crochet thread, approximately 450 yards (work with two strands throughout)
  • 02
    Cotton thread or similar fine thread for a delicate vintage look
  • 03
    Optional small beads for embellishing the 'sc in center tr of 7-tr group' (not included in yardage)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 0 steel (or size C/2/2.75mm)
  • 02
    Scissors
  • 03
    Tapestry/yarn needle for weaving ends and attaching tassels
  • 04
    Stitch markers to mark round starts if desired
  • 05
    4 inch cardboard square for making tassels
  • 06
    Measuring tape to check gauge
  • 07
    Optional beads and small beading needle (if adding beads)

Progress Tracker

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— Directions :

Infos :

Supplies: Size 0 steel crochet hook (or size C/2/2.75mm Crochet Hook), 450 yds size 10 cotton crochet thread. 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). Gauge: with 0 hook: 8 dc = 1 inch, 2 dc rows = 1 inch. 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 sl st 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 1sp**, repeat from ** 6 times], repeat from [to] around, join with sl st to beginning sc, fasten off.

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. 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-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, pulling evenly so the bag gathers uniformly and tying the drawstring tails to secure the closure.
  • Make two flat drawstrings (ch 151, sl st back across) and place one starting at one side of the bag and the second starting opposite, so the bag closes evenly when pulled.
  • Make two tassels by wrapping a double strand 12 times around a 4" cardboard square, cut and attach the tassels to the secured ends of each drawstring, trimming to even length.
  • If adding beads, thread them onto strands before weaving them into the 'sc in center tr of 7-tr group' locations and secure with small knots or sewn ends.
  • Fasten and weave in all ends securely on the inside of the bag to keep the exterior neat and prevent beads or tassels from shifting.

Important Notes

  • 💡Work with two strands of thread held together throughout the entire project for correct gauge and fabric stability.
  • 💡Check your gauge early; 8 dc = 1 inch with the recommended hook and two strands to get a 14-16" diameter bag.
  • 💡When making drawstrings, be careful not to twist the chain; lay the chain flat before fasten off to ensure a flat drawstring.
  • 💡Pin and check placement of drawstrings and tassels before final securing to ensure even gathers and balanced decoration.

This vintage-style drawstring bag is a lovely project that blends lacework with practical structure, perfect for gifts or special outings. Use delicate cotton thread and two-strand construction for an authentic, durable finish that still feels soft and elegant. Add beads or different color threads to personalize your bag and make it uniquely yours. 🧶✨

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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 held in two strands and the recommended hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can adapt the pattern to other yarn weights, but your final size and texture will change; use an appropriate larger or smaller hook and check gauge before continuing.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate; familiarity with double crochet, treble groups, shells, picots and working in the round is recommended for best results.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters finish this project in about 5-7 hours, though time may vary depending on experience and any added embellishments such as beads or tassels.