Free Crochet Pattern: Evelyn Drawstring Bag

Bags are one of the most exciting things to design, in my opinion. The variety is tremendous! For the Evelyn Drawstring Bag I wanted to do a simple drawstring bag… but with a few special aspects.

The bag is made with a cotton yarn in simple half double crochet stitches up until the middle when the stitch changes to the unique but easy to crochet, trinity stitch.

But what I like most might just be the flat braided straps. Anyone with a general knowledge of braiding will be able to pull it off.

Ready to add the Evelyn Drawstring Bag to your collection? Splendid!

Skill Level:

Finished Size: Laid flat, 10” (25.5 cm) tall x 13” (33 cm) wide

Materials:
Medium weight, cotton yarn (approximately 250 yards of gray, 35 yards of pink)
Crochet hook 7(4.50 mm)
Yard stick, measuring tape, or ruler
Scissors

Gauge:
Round 1 in pattern measures 3/4” (2 cm)

How to Crochet the Trinity Stitch (sc3tog cluster in the pattern):
The trinity stitch is simply a series of sc3tog. To work the trinity stitch, work the 3 legs of your sc3tog in the same st as the last st, the st after that, and then the next st.

Need help understanding the abbreviations and symbols? Check out the crochet abbreviation chart.

Crochet Pattern: Evelyn Drawstring Bag
Round 1: with gray, make an adjustable ring, ch 2, 9 hdc in ring, sl st in first hdc: 9 hdc
Round 2: ch 2, 2 hdc in each hdc around, sl st in first hdc: 18 hdc
Round 3: ch 2, * 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next hdc, repeat from * around, sl st in first hdc: 27 hdc
Round 4: ch 2, * 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 2 hdc, repeat from * around, sl st in first hdc: 36 hdc
Round 5: ch 2, * 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 3 hdc, repeat from * around, sl st in first hdc: 45 hdc
Round 6: ch 2, * 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 4 hdc, repeat from * around, sl st in first hdc: 54 hdc
Round 7: ch 2, * 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 5 hdc, repeat from * around, sl st in first hdc: 63 hdc
Round 8: ch 2, * 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 6 hdc, repeat from * around, sl st in first hdc: 72 hdc
Round 9: ch 2, * 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 7 hdc, repeat from * around, sl st in first hdc: 81 hdc
Round 10: ch 2, * 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 8 hdc, repeat from * around, sl st in first hdc: 90 hdc
Round 11: ch 2, * 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 9 hdc, repeat from * around, sl st in first hdc: 99 hdc
Round 12 – 20: ch 2, hdc in each hdc around, sl st in first hdc: 99 hdc
Round 21: with pink, ch 1, sc in first hdc, * sc3tog cluster, ch 1, repeat from * around, sl st in first sc:
Round 22 – 26: ch 1, sc in first sc, * sc3tog cluster, ch 1, repeat from * around, sl st in first sc: 99 sts
Round 27: with gray, ch 2, hdc in each st around, sl st in first hdc: 99 hdc
Round 28 – 35: ch 2, hdc in each hdc around, sl st in first hdc: 99 hdc
Round 36 – 37: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st in first sc: 99 sc
Round 38: ch 1, sc in next 9 sc, ch 1, skip next sc, repeat from * around, sl st in first sc: 99 sts
Round 39 – 40: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st in first sc: 99 sc
Round 41 – 42: ch 2, hdc in each hdc around, sl st in first hdc: 99 hdc
Finish off.

Straps (make 2)
Cut 9 strands of pink yarn each 2 yards long. Align them at one end and knot. Hang the knot on a hook on the wall or somewhere to keep it in place as you braid. Divide the strands into 3 equal portions and begin braiding. Keep the strands flat and work carefully so that the strands do not curl and give you a rounded braid instead. Once you reach the bottom, carefully knot.

Inserting Straps
Lay the bag flat. Take one strap and weave it in on one side and around to the same side. Knot straps. Do the same with the other side, working around the previous straps.

You can add a liner to the bag if you like, or even purchase bag inserts online, or just leave it as is.

Have some questions about the pattern? Leave me a comment below and I’ll see what I can do.