Crochet Makeup Bag Pattern: Easy 2-Color Drawstring Guide

Keeping lipsticks, brushes, and compacts organized is effortless when you make this crochet makeup bag pattern. Instead of wrestling with metal zippers or sewing tricky fabric linings, this clever pouch uses a sturdy crocheted drawstring cord. Furthermore, the entire project requires just sixty-five grams of soft light worsted cotton yarn and a 4.00 mm hook. In this complete step-by-step guide, you will find exact yarn weights, stitch counts, and full instructions in both US and UK crochet terms.

Why You Will Love This Crochet Makeup Bag Pattern.

Many small cosmetic pouches flop flat on your bathroom counter, forcing you to dig around for eyeliner pencils. However, this crochet makeup bag pattern starts from a flat seventy-stitch circular base and turns upward with a crisp back-loop ridge. Consequently, the finished bag stands upright on your vanity table like a mini organizer cup while you get ready.

Additionally, the body features a gorgeous pebbled stitch texture created by alternating slip stitches and double crochets on turned rows. Because you turn your work after joining each round, the short slip stitches push the tall stitches forward into raised horizontal waves. If you already enjoyed making our chic easy crochet cosmetic pouch or our 13-square moss stitch crochet granny square bag, this two-color drawstring design is a fast weekend project.

Finished Size and Stitch Specifications.

Before grabbing your hook, review the dimensions and stitch counts for each section of the pouch. Consistently hitting seventy stitches by the fifth round ensures your bag holds daily cosmetics comfortably.

Materials and Tools Needed.

Selecting 100% cotton yarn gives your crochet makeup bag pattern crisp stitch definition and easy washability if makeup ever spills inside. Check the Craft Yarn Council yarn weight chart when choosing substitutes. Any Category 3 light worsted or DK cotton yarn pairs beautifully with a 4.00 mm hook.

• Color 1 Yarn (Base, Lower Stripe, and Top Collar). Approximately 40 grams (about 92 yards / 84 meters) of King Cole Cottonsoft DK in your main shade, such as Denim Blue, Coral Pink, Mustard Yellow, or Violet.
• Color 2 Yarn (Middle Band and Drawstring Tie). Approximately 25 grams (about 57 yards / 52 meters) of King Cole Cottonsoft DK in a contrasting shade, such as Mint Green, White, or Ice Blue.
• Recommended Yarn Substitutes. Use any light worsted weight #3 cotton yarn, such as Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK, Stylecraft Naturals Cotton DK, or Lion Brand Coboo.
• Crochet Hook. Size 4.00 mm (US G-6) Clover ergonomic crochet hook.
• Notions and Finishing Tools. Blunt tapestry needle for weaving ends and threading the drawstring tie, locking stitch marker, and sharp embroidery scissors.

Abbreviations and Essential Pattern Notes.

Read through these essential construction rules before starting your magic circle. Notice that every single round is joined with a slip stitch and then turned before starting the next row.

• RS. Right Side facing you.
• st / sts. Stitch or stitches.
• ch. Chain stitch.
• dc (US) / tr (UK). US Double Crochet (called Treble Crochet in UK terms).
• sl st (US) / ss (UK). Slip stitch.
• BLO. Back Loop Only.
• Inc. Increase by working two stitches into the same stitch.
• rpt. Repeat the instructions between the asterisks as directed.
• Base of ch Rule. Whenever the pattern says “in base of ch 3” or “in base of ch 1,” insert your hook directly into the very first stitch at the bottom of that chain.
• Turning Chain Count. Your starting ch 3 counts as the first dc stitch on every double crochet row.

Crochet Makeup Bag Pattern (US Crochet Terms).

Follow these standard US crochet instructions step by step to crochet the circular base, textured two-tone body, ruffled collar, and drawstring tie.

Part 1: Crocheting the Flat Circular Base (Rows 1 to 7).

• Row 1 (Right Side). With Color 1, make a magic circle. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), and work 13 dc into the circle. Pull the loose yarn tail tight to close the center hole. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Turn. (13 dc + ch 3 = 14 stitches total).
• Row 2 (Increase Row). Ch 3, work 1 dc in the base of ch 3. Work 2 dc in each dc around to the end. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Turn. (27 dc + ch 3 = 28 stitches total).
• Row 3 (Increase Row). Ch 3, work 1 dc in the base of ch 3, and work 1 dc in the next dc. *Work 2 dc in the next dc, 1 dc in the next dc*. Rpt from * to * around to the end. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Turn. (41 dc + ch 3 = 42 stitches total).
• Row 4 (Increase Row). Ch 3, work 1 dc in the base of ch 3, and work 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc. *Work 2 dc in the next dc, 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc*. Rpt from * to * around to the end. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Turn. (55 dc + ch 3 = 56 stitches total).
• Row 5 (Increase Row). Ch 3, work 1 dc in the base of ch 3, and work 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc. *Work 2 dc in the next dc, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc*. Rpt from * to * around to the end. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Turn. (69 dc + ch 3 = 70 stitches total).
• Row 6. Ch 3, work 1 dc in each dc around to the end. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Turn. (69 dc + ch 3).
• Row 7 (BLO Ridge Row). Working in BLO (Back Loop Only), rpt Row 6 once. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Turn. Note: Work through both loops of every stitch from now on.

Part 2: Crocheting the Two-Color Textured Body and Collar.

• First Pattern Row. Continuing with Color 1 through both loops, ch 1. Work 1 sl st in the base of ch 1, and work 1 dc in the next dc. *Work 1 sl st in the next dc, 1 dc in the next dc*. Rpt from * to * around to the end. Join with a sl st to the first sl st at the beginning of the row. Turn. (70 stitches).
• Second Pattern Row. Ch 3, work 1 dc in each st around to the end. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Turn. (69 dc + ch 3).
• Finish Lower Color 1 Section. Rpt the First and Second Pattern Rows once more. Fasten off Color 1. Turn.
• Middle Color 2 Contrast Band (8 Rows). Join Color 2 into the last stitch. Rpt the First and Second Pattern Rows four times in Color 2. Fasten off Color 2.
• Upper Color 1 Collar and Casing (6 Rows). Join Color 1 and rpt the First and Second Pattern Rows twice. Next, rpt Row 6 twice (two plain rows of 1 dc in each stitch around) to form the top drawstring casing and ruffled edge. Fasten off.

Part 3: Crocheting the Chain Tie and Finishing.

• Drawstring Chain Tie. With Color 2, ch 101. Work 1 sl st in the second ch from your hook, then work 1 sl st in each remaining ch across to the end (100 sl st total). Fasten off.
• Assembly and Threading. Weave in and trim all loose yarn ends neatly on the wrong side of the pouch. Thread your Color 2 chain tie onto a tapestry needle or use your hook to weave it in and out through alternate dc posts on the second row from the top. Pull both ends to gather the opening and tie into a secure bow.

Bonus Reference: Complete UK Crochet Terms Version.

Prefer working in British crochet terminology where a US double crochet is called a treble crochet (tr)? Follow this exact UK conversion for your crochet makeup bag pattern using the same 4.00 mm hook and 65 grams of DK cotton yarn.

• Row 1 (RS). With Colour 1 make a magic circle, work 3ch, 13tr into circle, pull loose thread to close circle, and ss to top of 3ch at beginning of row. Turn. (13tr + 3ch).
• 2nd Row (Inc Row). 3ch, 1tr into base of 3ch, 2tr into each tr to end, ss to top of 3ch at beginning of row. Turn. (27tr + 3ch).
• 3rd Row (Inc Row). 3ch, 1tr into base of 3ch, 1tr into next tr, *2tr into next tr, 1tr into next tr*. Rpt from * to * to end, ss to top of 3ch. Turn. (41tr + 3ch).
• 4th Row (Inc Row). 3ch, 1tr into base of 3ch, 1tr into each of next 2tr, *2tr into next tr, 1tr into each of next 2tr*. Rpt from * to * to end, ss to top of 3ch. Turn. (55tr + 3ch).
• 5th Row (Inc Row). 3ch, 1tr into base of 3ch, 1tr into each of next 3tr, *2tr into next tr, 1tr into each of next 3tr*. Rpt from * to * to end, ss to top of 3ch. Turn. (69tr + 3ch).
• 6th & 7th Rows. 6th Row: 3ch, 1tr into each tr to end, ss to top of 3ch, turn. 7th Row: Working into BLO, rpt 6th Row once, turn. Work through both loops from now on.
• Pattern Rows & Stripes. First Pattern Row: 1ch, ss into base of 1ch, 1tr into next tr, *ss into next tr, 1tr into next tr*, rpt from * to * to end, ss to first ss, turn. Second Pattern Row: 3ch, 1tr into each st to end, ss to top of 3ch, turn. Rpt First and Second Pattern Rows once more in Colour 1 and fasten off, turn. Join Colour 2 and rpt First and Second Pattern Rows four times, fasten off. Join Colour 1, rpt First and Second Pattern Rows twice, then rpt 6th Row twice and fasten off.
• Chain Tie & Finishing. With Colour 2 make 101ch, ss into second ch from hook and into each ch to end, fasten off. Weave in ends, thread tie through alternate tr posts on second row from top, gather, and tie.

Colorway Ideas and Washing Care Tips.

Because each pouch uses less than half a standard ball of cotton yarn per shade, you can mix leftover skeins into cheerful gift sets. Try classic coastal combinations like denim blue with mint green, romantic coral pink with crisp white, or sunny mustard yellow with white. You can also slide two wooden beads onto the drawstring ends before knotting them for extra flair. Whenever foundation or lipstick marks the inside of your crochet makeup bag pattern, simply machine wash it on a gentle thirty-degree cycle inside a mesh laundry bag and reshape it upright to air dry.