There is something deeply satisfying about a bag that closes with one gentle pull, and that is exactly why I love crochet drawstring bag ideas so much. No zips to wrestle, no clasps to fumble with, just a soft cord drawn snug at the top and everything inside kept safe. Whether you need a roomy backpack for everyday adventures, a tiny pouch for jewellery or treats, or a pretty gift bag that is part of the present itself, the drawstring does the work beautifully — and it looks charming while doing it.
So here are twenty of my favourite drawstring designs, all genuinely free and all with a real working drawstring closure: tapestry snowflakes, granny square pouches, a pumpkin backpack for autumn, a sheep bag that makes everyone smile, and even a smart DROPS bag closed with a twined cord. I have noted the yarn, the size and the honest little details for each one as we go, including the few patterns where the designer also sells an ad-free PDF while the full instructions stay free on the blog. Grab your hook, pick your cord, and let's make something that closes with a satisfying tug.
1. A Snowflake Tapestry Bag for Winter Gifting
We are starting with the prettiest winter make on this list: the Tapestry Drawstring Bag Snowflake from Nordic Hook, worked in tapestry crochet so a crisp white snowflake appears against a deep festive background. The pattern is written out in full on the blog with a colour chart and step-by-step photos, so even if you have never tried tapestry crochet before, you can follow the colour changes row by row without guessing. It is sized as a small gift bag, which makes it perfect for tucking a candle, a pair of earrings or a little box of chocolates into at Christmas. The designer also sells an ad-free PDF if you prefer a printable version, but every stitch of the pattern is free to follow online. Make one in classic red and white, or try icy blue on cream for a frostier feel.
Pattern: Tapestry Drawstring Bag Snowflake by Nordic Hook — Get the free pattern
2. A Little Ruby Bag in Trinity Stitch
Nordic Hook is back with a second treasure, the Drawstring Bag Ruby, and this one shows off the trinity stitch to wonderful effect. Trinity stitch creates a dense, starry little texture that looks far more complicated than it is, and it gives this small bag a lovely firm structure that holds its shape when the drawstring is pulled tight. Like its snowflake sister, it is a small Christmas gift bag size, so it works beautifully as reusable festive wrapping — the bag itself becomes part of the gift. The full pattern is free on the blog with clear written instructions. I would make this one in a rich ruby red, naturally, but a deep forest green or a warm plum would be just as gorgeous under the tree.
Pattern: Drawstring Bag Ruby by Nordic Hook — Get the free pattern
3. A Proper Backpack for Everyday Adventures
If you want a drawstring bag you can actually live out of, the Voyager Drawstring Backpack from Make and Do Crew is the one to make first. Worked in single crochet with two strands of cotton held together, it is sturdy enough for a book, a water bottle and all the everyday bits, and the photo tutorial walks you through every stage. The drawstring doubles as the shoulder straps, so the whole thing cinches shut and sits comfortably on your back, and the finished backpack has that relaxed, handmade look that goes with jeans and a tee perfectly. The full pattern is free on the blog, with an ad-free PDF also available if you want a printable copy, and the post discloses that it was made in collaboration with Lion Brand. Choose a sturdy cotton and this will be your everyday carry all summer long.
Pattern: Voyager Drawstring Backpack by Make and Do Crew — Get the free pattern
4. A Pumpkin Backpack for Autumn Fun
Here is the seasonal showstopper: the Pumpkin Drawstring Backpack from Sigoni Macaroni, a cheerful pumpkin-shaped bag that is honestly framed as an autumn and Halloween make. The round pumpkin body is worked in full on the blog, and the drawstring closure at the top keeps the seasonal shape neat while letting you open and close it in seconds. It is the kind of bag that gets compliments everywhere it goes, from pumpkin patch visits to Halloween parties, and it is just as useful holding treats as it is holding your phone and keys. The complete pattern is free on the designer's blog. Make it in classic pumpkin orange with a green top, and do not be surprised if someone asks where you bought it.
Pattern: Pumpkin Drawstring Backpack by Sigoni Macaroni — Get the free pattern
5. The Beautiful Stitch Bag in Everyday Cotton
The Beautiful Stitch Drawstring Bag from Life and Yarn is exactly what its name promises: a clean, textured bag worked in Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton that measures about 13 inches by 12 inches, a genuinely useful everyday size. The stitch pattern gives the fabric a lovely subtle texture without any fiddly colour changes, so this is a wonderfully relaxing make that still looks polished when it is finished. The full pattern is free on the blog, and an ad-free PDF is also sold on Ravelry and Etsy if you prefer a printable version. In a soft neutral like ecru or sage it will go with absolutely everything, and the cotton yarn means it can handle daily use and the occasional wash without losing its shape.
Pattern: Beautiful Stitch Drawstring Bag by Life and Yarn — Get the free pattern
6. A Feather Stitch Classic from Bella Coco
Bella Coco Crochet's Drawstring Bag is a true classic of the genre, and it is the one I recommend to anyone who wants a straightforward, beautiful bag without any fuss. The body starts with a round base and grows upward in feather stitch, a soft, feathery texture that looks delicate but works up quickly, and the pattern is written in UK terms with US equivalents noted so nobody gets tangled in translation. The full pattern is free on the blog, and it is a lovely weekend project in a single colour or a gentle stripe. I picture this one in a soft dusty pink or a warm cream, with a matching cord pulled through the top, ready to hold a project, a paperback or a picnic's worth of small treasures.
Pattern: Drawstring Bag by Bella Coco Crochet — Get the free pattern
7. A Group-Designed Bag with a Ribbon Drawstring
This next one has a lovely story behind it: the Design Improv Workshop Drawstring Bag from StitchesNScraps was created as a group design project, and the full pattern is free on the blog. The bag is worked in rows for the front and back, and the drawstring — a ribbon or cord — threads through row 12 near the top, so you can customise the closure with anything from a silky ribbon to a chunky cotton cord. Because the construction is so simple, it is a brilliant first bag for a confident beginner, and it is easy to resize by adding or removing rows. Try it in a bright solid colour with a contrasting ribbon, and you have a sweet little bag for gifts, notions or everyday essentials that cost almost nothing to make.
Pattern: Design Improv Workshop #1 – Drawstring Bag by StitchesNScraps — Get the free pattern
8. A Beaded Drawstring Pouch for Small Treasures
The Lazy Hobbyhopper's Drawstring Pouch is a small, neat pouch worked in sport weight yarn in two colours, finishing at about 8.5 inches square — a perfect size for jewellery, coins, lip balm or a little gift. What makes it special is the pair of beaded drawstrings: two cords, each finished with beads, that pull the top closed and add a pretty jingling detail. The full pattern is free on the blog, written out row by row so you can follow along without a chart. This is the kind of pouch you will make again and again in different colour pairs, and it is a wonderful stash-buster since it uses so little yarn. Make one for yourself and one for every friend who loves a handmade surprise.
Pattern: Drawstring Pouch by The Lazy Hobbyhopper — Get the free pattern
9. A Flower Granny Square Pouch with a Ruffle Edge
Jenny and Teddy's Flower Granny Square Pouch is pure charm: two flower granny squares joined together, finished with a pretty ruffle edge and closed with a simple chain tie drawstring. The full pattern is free on the blog, and the flower motif on each side means the pouch looks lovely from every angle, whether you choose matching flowers or a different bloom on each side. It is a small pouch, ideal for treats, trinkets or a gift card tucked inside, and the granny square construction makes it a great portable project — one square at a time, no large pieces to wrestle. Work it in bright cheerful colours for a springtime feel, or soft pastels for something more delicate.
Pattern: Flower Granny Square Pouch by Jenny and Teddy — Get the free pattern
10. Two Squares, One Pouch, Endless Charm
Chelsey at God's Gift of Creativity keeps things beautifully simple with her Granny Square Pouch: two granny squares joined on three sides, a chain-50 drawstring threaded through the top, and a video tutorial to walk you through it. The full pattern is free on the blog, and because it starts with the granny squares every crocheter knows, you can have the pieces done in an evening and the pouch assembled the next. It is a small, sweet pouch that works for gifts, notions or the little things that get lost at the bottom of a bigger bag. The beauty of this design is how endlessly customisable it is — change the square colours, change the drawstring colour, and you have a completely different pouch every time.
Pattern: Granny Square Pouch by God’s Gift of Creativity — Get the free pattern
11. A Flower Pouch with a Solid-Back Option
Viv Crochets' Flower Drawstring Pouch is a delightful two-sided make: flower granny squares on the front, and your choice of a second flower or a solid square on the back if you prefer a plainer reverse. The full pattern is free on the blog with a video tutorial, so you can watch the joining and the drawstring steps as well as reading them. It is a small pouch with a big personality, and the flower motif makes it feel like a little garden you can carry. Because it uses so little yarn, it is perfect for using up the pretty oddments in your stash, and it makes a wonderful gift pouch for jewellery or a sweet treat. Try a bold flower on a neutral background for a modern look, or go all-out rainbow.
Pattern: Flower Drawstring Pouch by Viv Crochets — Get the free pattern
12. A Heart Pouch You Can Finish in an Evening
Staying with Viv Crochets, the Heart Drawstring Pouch is the sweetest quick make on this list: heart granny squares, a simple drawstring closure, and a total make time of under two hours using only about 25 grams of yarn. The full pattern is free on the blog with a video tutorial, and the heart motif makes it an obvious choice for Valentine's gifts, anniversary surprises or just a little love note in pouch form. It is small enough to tuck into a handbag or a stocking, and the drawstring pulls it snugly shut so nothing escapes. Make it in classic red or pink for romance, or in a soft cream with a red heart for something a little more subtle and everyday.
Pattern: Heart Drawstring Pouch by Viv Crochets — Get the free pattern
13. A Mini Pouch with a Clever Lining Trick
Emma Knitty's Mini Granny Square Pouch is a tiny treasure with a clever detail worth knowing about: it is worked by holding two strands of cotton together, and a small canvas pouch is slipped inside as a lining, so the finished pouch is firm, tidy and genuinely useful for small items. The full pattern is free on the blog, and the mini size makes it perfect for presenting small gifts, crystals or coins without any disposable wrapping — the pouch itself is part of the present. It is a quick, satisfying make, and the dense double-strand fabric means it holds its square shape beautifully. Make a set in different colours and you have a whole drawer of reusable gift packaging ready to go.
Pattern: Mini Granny Square Pouch by Emma Knitty — Get the free pattern
14. A Rose Pouch with Leaf-Tipped Cords
If you love a floral detail, the Rose Drawstring Pouch from Easy Breezy Crochet is going to steal your heart: a ring of three-dimensional roses sits around the top edge of the pouch, and the drawstring ends are finished with tiny crocheted leaves that tie the whole flower theme together. The full pattern is free on the blog, worked in DK yarn in about two hours, so it is a quick project with a big wow factor. It is just the right size for small gifts like jewellery or sweets, and the rose ring means it looks like a little bouquet even when it is sitting empty on a shelf. Work the roses in soft pink or lilac with green leaves, and this pouch becomes a gift in itself.
Pattern: Rose Drawstring Pouch by Easy Breezy Crochet — Get the free pattern
15. A Carrot Favor Bag for Easter Treats
Amy Yarbrough's Carrot Favor Bag at Crochet Spot is a one-piece wonder: worked from the point of the carrot upward, with greenery in a simple mesh stitch and a shell round on top, and closed with two green cinch straps woven through the stitches near the top. The full pattern is free on the blog, and at about 6.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches long it is exactly right for filling with little treats and giving as an Easter gift. It works up quickly in medium weight yarn, so you can make a whole patch of them in a weekend. Fill them with chocolate eggs or small toys, pull the straps tight, and you have the cutest Easter favours on the table.
Pattern: Carrot Favor Bag by Amy Yarbrough at Crochet Spot — Get the free pattern
16. A Sheep Bag That Makes Everyone Smile
Sarah Zimmerman at Repeat Crafter Me created the Sheep Drawstring Bag by adapting her lamb hat design, and the result is pure joy: a bobble-textured bag with a sweet sheep face and ears, closed with a chain drawstring woven through a row of double crochets near the top. The full pattern is free on the blog, worked in worsted weight yarn with a size H hook, and it finishes at about 8 inches tall by 7 inches wide — big enough for gifts, goodies, accessories, or a ball of yarn and a hook for on-the-go crocheting. It is the bag children ask for by name and adults secretly want too. Make the face with safety eyes or embroidered yarn details, tie the drawstring in a bow, and watch it get stolen by the first person who sees it.
Pattern: Sheep Drawstring Bag by Sarah Zimmerman at Repeat Crafter Me — Get the free pattern
17. A Tiny Granny Square Bag with a Foundation Cord
April Garwood's Dixon Drawstring Bag at Banana Moon Studio is a small, neat bag built from two granny squares, finishing at about 4 inches wide by 5.75 inches tall — a perfect little pouch for treasures. The full pattern is free on the blog, and it has a detail I particularly like: the drawstring itself is worked in foundation single crochet to about 12 inches long, which gives a soft, sturdy cord that feels much nicer than a plain chain. Worked in DK yarn with a 5 mm hook, it is an easy, relaxing make and a wonderful way to use small amounts of three colours. Make one in crisp white with a coloured trim, or go bold with a bright contrast cord, and you have a pocket-sized bag for everyday little things.
Pattern: Dixon Drawstring Bag by April Garwood at Banana Moon Studio — Get the free pattern
18. A Carrot Soap Cozy That Doubles as a Gift Bag
Here is our second carrot, and it is a completely different pattern from a different designer, so do not confuse the two: EyeLoveKnots' Carrot Soap Cozy (or Small Gift Bag) is a quick 45-minute make, about 4 inches by 5.5 inches, with a green chain tie woven through round 13 to pull it closed. The full pattern is free on the blog, with an ad-free PDF also available, and it works beautifully both ways — slip a bar of soap inside for a pretty bathroom gift, or use it as a tiny gift bag for sweets and trinkets. The carrot shape is simple and cheerful, and because it is so small it is a brilliant last-minute gift when you need something handmade in under an hour. Make it in bright orange with a leafy green top and tie the cord in a little bow.
Pattern: Carrot Soap Cozy (or Small Gift Bag) by EyeLoveKnots — Get the free pattern
19. A Wristlet Purse with a Drawstring Top
Goddess Crochet's Wristlet Purse is a clever little hybrid: a drawstring closure at the top plus a wrist strap, so you can carry it hands-free like a purse while still closing it with a simple pull. The full pattern is free on the blog, worked in cotton at about 6.5 inches by 4.5 inches using under 2 ounces of yarn, with a shell-edge option for a prettier finish. It is the perfect size for a phone, keys and a card, which makes it ideal for evenings out, markets and festivals when you do not want a full bag. The drawstring top means nothing slips out while you are on the move, and the wrist strap keeps it right where you need it. Make it in a sturdy cotton in your favourite colour and it will earn its keep all year.
Pattern: Wristlet Purse by Goddess Crochet — Get the free pattern
20. A Smart DROPS Bag Closed with a Twined Cord
We are finishing with something a little more refined: Port Noir, DROPS design 173-54, a bag worked in the round following the DROPS diagrams, and honestly framed here as a bag whose closure is a twined string tie. The twined cord is threaded up and down through the holes near the top of the bag and pulled to close it, finished with tassels, and the bag also carries an 80 cm shoulder strap, so it works as a proper everyday bag with a drawstring-style tie closure. The full pattern is free on the Garnstudio site, as DROPS patterns always are. In a deep, dark colour — true to its name — with natural tassels, it is the most grown-up bag on this list, and a lovely make if you want your drawstring style with a little more polish.
Pattern: Port Noir (DROPS 173-54) by DROPS Design — Get the free pattern
Conclusion
And that is twenty drawstring bags, my friend — tapestry snowflakes and trinity stitch, backpacks and wristlets, granny square pouches and two very different carrots, every single one free and every single one closing with a satisfying pull of the cord. If you are new to bags, start with the two-square pouches or the feather stitch classic; if you want a project with personality, the sheep, the pumpkin or the rose pouch are calling your name. Whichever you choose, remember the drawstring maker's golden rule: make the cord a little longer than you think you need, because a generous bow at the top is half the charm.
Now tell me — are you team tiny gift pouch or team everyday backpack, and which of these twenty is going on your hook first? I read every comment, and I cannot wait to see your makes!
