Free Knitting Patterns for tote bags and pouches with drawstring closures for project bags, gift bags, purses, treat bags, and more. Updated 10/18/23.
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Woven Look Bucket Bag
Cute drawstring tote knit with linen stitch stripes, stockinette, and garter stitch. Size Approx 20" [51 cm] circumference x 10" [25.5 cm] tall. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Yarnspirations. Knit for less than $15 with yarn available on the page.
Sassy's Stash Sack
Easy drawstring bag designed to use of leftover yarn odds and ends. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Sassy Skein. Pictured projects by designer and cyndim
Minimal Magic Bag
Drawstring bags knit in a 4 round repeat Honeycomb Brioche stitch. Designed as dice and gaming bags, they are also great for gift bags or everyday use. The instructions in the pattern can be easily modified to create what you want, and that’s on purpose! Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Diana Keyson.
Mind The Skulls Bag
Drawstring bag with stranded skull pattern. Perfect for Halloween treat bags, costumes, or for everyday fun. Finished size: Height 23 cm (9 inches) after blocking. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Hanna Kyttä
Lay Flat Dice Bag
Drawstring bag that lies flat when opened. Put your dice or other valuables in the center, cinch it up, and you’re ready to go! Perfect for D&D players, other gamers, or to use as travel pouch for makeup, toys for kids, and more. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Worsted yarn weight. Designed by C.B. Williams.
Balme Bag
Drawstring tote bag knit flat with a 4 row repeat cable pattern. Approximately 12” across x 11” high (Not including strap). Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Melba Clapp.
Bucket Tote Bag
2 round repeat drawstring tote bag knit with a variation of slipped linen stitch. Great showcase for variegated yarn. Uses one skein of the recommended bulky weight yarn. Designed by Bernat.
Charlotte's Dice Bag
Drawstring dice bag with a spider motif. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by A. A. Leavitt-Reynolds. Pictured project by rsteussy
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the Knits for Nerds book that's in the background (ad)
- Get the Geek Knits book that's in the background (ad)
Casual Summer Bag
Striped drawstring tote bag with diamond texture for interest. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Cynthia Gilbertson.
Cthulhu Dice Bag
Why trust your dice to any drawstring bag? Put them in the hands…er…tentacles of the Elder Gods with this drawstring dice bag. DK weight yarn. Designed by A. A. Leavitt-Reynolds.
Rose of Sharon Hat and Bag
Lace hat and drawstring bag purse knit with a 4 round repeat Feather Lace pattern. Hat can be knit bottom up or top down. Top down pattern creates a purse or a hat. DK weight yarn. Designed by Angela Hahn.
More Free Patterns
Strawberry Bag
Drawstring pouch bag shaped like a strawberry and topped with garter stitch leaves. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Rachael Richardson.
Owl Hat and Bag
Cable owls decorate this beanie hat and drawstring bag. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Noreen Hunter-Talbot. Pictured projects by LucysMomMarlene and SusanK
Cleo's Drawstring Purse
Drawstring pouch with leaf lace. Uses just one skein 123 yards (112 m) of DK weight yarn. Designed by Camy Tang who was inspired by bag used by the heroine Cleo in Kari Trumbo’s novella, January Hope. .
Phone of Hours Pouch
Drawstring pouch with floral design inspired by medieval manuscripts, such as Books of Hours, girdle books, and knitted reliquary purses. Easily customizable to fit different models of phones, or any other precious trinkets you wish to protect! Great stashbuster for leftover Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Jen Bootwala.
Handy Bag
Drawstring bags knit in a 4 round repeat using small amounts of twelve colors of yarn in a slip stitch pattern. The drawstrings have a magnetic clasp so that the bag can be fastened. Two sizes included but easily adapted for other sizes. Pictured large bag is 37 cm tall and 22 cm wide and the smaller one is about half the size. Great stashbuster for leftover DK weight yarn. Designed by Frankie Brown.
Bread and Gift Bags
Drawstring bags perfect for breads and other gifts. Grateful Bread knit in the round with a textured stitch and Warm Delights is knit flit with a lace top edge. DK weight yarn. Designed by DROPS design.
Cupcake Pouch
Drawstring bag designed to look like a cupcake with pompom cherries on the drawstrings. Great for a party treat bag, Halloween bag, dress up, or gift bag for your sweeties. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Teresa Yoon.
Small Lace Bag
Drawstring bag designed with an 8 row repeat leaf lace pattern. Options to knit flat or in the round. This looks small but you could probably adapt for a larger size with a heavier weight yarn or more repeats. Uses leas than one skein 20 - 40 yards (18 - 37 m) DK weight yarn. Designed by Hayley. Pictured project by ZazaBeth
Foxy Pouch
Drawstring purse designed to look like a cute little fox. Knit or crochet versions. Finished size: 8” x 6” not including tail. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Shamrock Creations for Melody’s Makings
Bunny Gift Bag
Drawstring bag with ears and face to create a cute bunny. Or knit without for a pretty everyday bag. Finished Measurements: 28" x 19", though I think you could make a smaller version with a lighter weight yarn. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Premier Yarns Design Team.
Bridal Bag
Elegant drawstring pouch with a knit ruffle, rose, and leaves. Perfect for weddings or other special occasions when you want something pretty to carry a few items. Sport weight yarn. Designed for Nicky Epstein for Lion Brand
- Get the free knitting pattern - download link is below yarn info
- Get the recommended Vanna's Glamour® Yarn at Amazon
Sock Baggie
This small project bag stands roughly 6 inches high. 13 inches around at the drawstring row and 17 inches around the widest part. It features picot edge, braided drawstring with optional pompoms and beads.
Patterns for Purchase
Charter Bucket Bag
A cinchable sturdy drawstring bag with quilted texture, that can be worn crossbody or over the shoulder. Size Height 9.75”, Depth 5” (base), Width 8.5” (base). Strap length 34.5”. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Whistle and Wool (Angie Bivins). A kit is also available.
Sheep Tote Bag
Roomy drawstring bag purse featuring a flock of sheep. Bag size 40 cm wide x 46 cm tall (16 inches wide x 18 inches tall) excluding strap. Designed by Denny Gould.
Squid Dice Drawstring Bag
A squid shaped drawstring bag to hold all your dice or other small items. This knitting pattern will show you how to knit the entire bag, from body to tentacles. This doesn’t take a lot of yarn to make, so it’s a great stashbuster. Finished dimensions are: 12 inches long and 4 inches wide. Designed by KnitsByWest.
Carpette Bag
Drawstring bag with a fish motif created with twist stitches and cables. Size 33”/7.5cm depth, 10”/25.5cm high, 10”/25.5cm wide.. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Christine Guest
Bunny Bag
Bunny rabbit drawstring bag perfect for Easter or any day. Fill with Easter eggs, treats, small gifts, or treasures. It will not take more than 3 hours to knit according to the design in the size of 23 x 16 cm. Size is customizable. Designed by WoolAffair. There's also a crochet version.
Sparrow Reticule
Drawstring bag with a bird motif created with twist stitches and cables. There are both complete charts and complete written instructions. Size 3”/7.5cm depth, 9”/23cm high, 10”/25.5cm wide. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Christine Guest
Caduceus' Blooms and Star Motes Bags
Two drawstring bags that also could be used as dice bags. Caduceus' Blooms features budding blossoms from the garden and trailing vines that stand out on a gradient yarn background. Star Motes features a diamond design that looks great on a self-striping yarn background. Designed by KnitsByWest.
Octopus Dice Drawstring Bag
A fun little cephalopod bag to hold all your dice or other small items. This knitting pattern will show you how to knit the entire bag, from body to tentacles with pictures to help explain the fiddly bits. This doesn’t take a lot of yarn to make, so it’s a good project to use up leftover yarns. Finished dimensions are: 10 inches long and 3.5 inches wide. Designed by KnitsByWest. There's also a squid bag pattern.
Animal Drawstring Gift Bags
Adorable bags with animal faces and ears for children's purses, treat bags, or gift bags. Dog and Cat or Bear and Rabbit. Dimensions : 12cm wide and 14cm from bottom to top edge of bag when full.
Gift Bags in Norwegian, Snowflake and Fair Isle patterns
These patterns are sold separately. The gift bag measures approx 8” in height and 5” in width, finished. Great stash buster.
- Get the Norwegian bag knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get the Snowflake bag knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get the Fair Isle bag knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get DK weight yarn for this pattern on Etsy
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