Sunset Ombre Drawstring Project Bag Free Crochet Pattern

Sunset Ombre Drawstring Project Bag Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Sunset Ombre Drawstring Project Bag is the perfect little home for your works in progress, whether you knit, crochet, or both. It is worked entirely in single crochet, so even a brand-new crocheter can make it with confidence. The horizontal stripes move from pale yellow through peach and coral up to magenta and back down again, like a sunset caught in yarn. At about 10 inches wide by 12 inches tall, it is soft, sturdy, and roomy enough for a skein, a hook roll, and your pattern notes.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: (4) Medium worsted weight, 100% acrylic, 200 yds per 3.5 oz skein. Color A = Pale Yellow (1 skein), B = Peach (1 skein), C = Coral (1 skein), D = Magenta (1 skein).
• Hook: 5.5 mm (I-9) crochet hook
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker (optional), tape measure
• Finished size: Approx. 10 inches wide x 12 inches tall (excluding drawstring), 3 inches deep

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• sp(s) – space(s): the small gap made by a chain.
• st(s) – stitch(es)

Gauge

14 sts and 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. To check it, crochet a small swatch in single crochet and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 14, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Change colors on the last pull-through of the final stitch of a row so the new color starts cleanly at the beginning of the next row.
• Keep your turning chains relaxed but not loose; tight edges make the side edging harder to work evenly.
• Count your stitches at the end of every stripe. The body stays at 35 stitches the whole way up.
• Work the side edging stitches evenly by spacing them about one stitch per row along the side edges.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bag Base (Color A)

Row 1: Ch 36, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (35 sts).

Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (35 sts).

Do not fasten off. Change to Color B.

Bag Body (Color B, then C, D, C, B, A)

Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (35 sts).

Rows 6-8: Repeat Row 5 (35 sts). Change to Color C.

Rows 9-12: Repeat Row 5 (35 sts). Change to Color D.

Rows 13-16: Repeat Row 5 (35 sts). Change to Color C.

Rows 17-20: Repeat Row 5 (35 sts). Change to Color B.

Rows 21-24: Repeat Row 5 (35 sts). Change to Color A.

Rows 25-28: Repeat Row 5 (35 sts). Do not fasten off.

Sides and Top Edging (Color A)

Continue with Color A.

Left side: Sc evenly along the left side edge (approx. 28 sts).

Top: Sc in each st across the top (35 sts).

Right side: Sc evenly along the right side edge (28 sts). Join with sl st to first sc (91 sts). Fasten off.

Drawstring Channel (Color D)

Join Color D to the top edge at one corner.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around (91 sts).

Rnd 2: Ch 1, [sc in next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next st] around, join with sl st to first sc (68 sc, 23 ch-1 sps).

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch-1 sp around (91 sts). Fasten off.

Drawstring (Color D)

Row 1: Ch 100, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (99 sl sts). Fasten off.

Weave the drawstring through the ch-1 sps of Rnd 2 of the drawstring channel.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends with your tapestry needle, working them into the wrong side of the fabric. Fold the bag flat and smooth the side edges so the base sits as a rectangle. Block lightly to measurements: mist with water, pat into shape, and let dry flat. Thread the drawstring through the channel openings and tie the ends together.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the acrylic for a cotton worsted yarn for a crisper, more washable bag.
• Make a wider base by chaining 46 instead of 36 for a larger project bag; add rows to the body to keep the proportions.
• Add a small crocheted loop and button at the top center as an alternative closure, or thread a ribbon through the channel instead of the crocheted drawstring.