Square One Project Bag, an easy drawstring linen stitch crochet pouch

Starting a new WIP? It’ll be right at home in the Square One Project Bag! Access the full FREE pattern for this adorable linen stitch crochet pouch in this blog post.

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Get the printable, ad-free PDF version of the Square One Project Bag from TLYarnCrafts.com or Ravelry.

Keep scrolling to view the free version of the Square One Project Bag, which is available to view at the bottom of this blog post.

How to Make a Linen Stitch Crochet Pouch

One of my favorite parts of kicking off a new project is picking the perfect bag to hold it. A good project bag should be both useful and beautiful—and that’s exactly what inspired the design of the Square One Project Bag. I wanted a way to show off some gorgeous hand-dyed yarn and finally put an end to my habit of impulse-buying cute bags online. Mission accomplished.

This crochet drawstring pouch is a smart way to work through your stash while making something you’ll actually use—or gift. And fair warning: it’s highly addictive to make. The base starts with a simple linen stitch square—the same stitch I used for one of my most popular temperature blanket patterns. Once your square is the size you want, you’ll build up the sides in the round with no increases. Add a drawstring, pop on a handle, and just like that, you’ve got a bag you’ll reach for again and again.

Stash Busting Like a Pro

One of my biggest goals this year is to work through as much of my yarn stash as humanly possible. Easier said than done, especially since I have zero willpower at yarn stores and fiber festivals. I can’t resist bringing home a few new skeins. But now it’s time to stop collecting and start using—starting with the pretties I’ve been saving for “something special.”

After opening my 2024 yarn advent from Hue Loco, I was left with one stunning skein of DK-weight hand-dyed yarn. Just one. So what do you do with a lone skein that’s too good to waste? You find it a friend, of course. And that’s when the Square One Project Bag started to take shape.

I stitched up my linen stitch crochet pouch using yarn straight from my stash—and you absolutely can, too. You’ll need about 545 yards of DK-weight yarn to make your own Square One Project Bag. I used two full skeins of Hue Loco DK and rounded things out with some leftovers from a half-used skein I had tucked away.

This is your sign to finally pull out those special skeins you’ve been saving. Or, go full-on scrappy and mix DK-weight mini skeins for a one-of-a-kind look. However you slice it, this project is made for stash diving. Play with color, mix textures, and see what magic you can make from the yarn you already own.

Get the printable, ad-free PDF version of the Square One Project Bag from TLYarnCrafts.com or Ravelry.

Keep scrolling to view the free version of the Square One Project Bag, which is available to view at the bottom of this blog post.

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Get the Square One Project Bag:

• Get the ad-free printable pattern HERE
• Pick DK-weight yarns from Hue Loco HERE
• Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE
• Pin this pattern on Pinterest HERE

Square One Project Bag Details

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Every new WIP deserves a home. Store your next project in the Square One Project Bag, the ultimate stash buster to house your precious WIPs. Start with a linen stitch square, then reinforce with clear mesh and begin working the sides in the round. Add a drawstring and sturdy handle, and you’re in business! This roomy dumpling bag is the perfect way to use up leftover skeins from past projects, or break out those coveted mini skeins you’ve been hoarding, err, collecting 🙂

MATERIALS

• 545 yards DK-weight yarn. Sample uses Hue Loco DK (category #3), 100% superwash merino – 3 skeins needed to complete the project. NOTE – I only used yarn from my stash for this project, and I encourage you to, also!
• 4mm crochet hook (this one is my favorite!)
• Scissors
• Tape measure
• Tapestry needle
• Locking stitch markers
• One (1) Clear 7 Mesh plastic canvas – 10.5″ x 13.5″ sheet (like this one)
• Nail file

FINISHED SIZE

8″ square base, 10″ tall, 6″ handle drop

GAUGE

4” = 20 rows x 24 stitches (ch-1 counted as a stitch)

ABBREVIATIONS

BLO = back loop only

Ch = chain

Dc = double crochet

MR = magic ring

Rep = repeat

Sc = single crochet

Sl St = slip stitch

Sp = Space

Tch = turning chain

PATTERN NOTES

• Stash busting options: This pattern is made to be a stash buster. The bag is made with two full skeins, and the handle is made with an additional 30g of DK weight yarn. Mix and match DK-weight yarns to complete your bag. Full skeins, leftovers, and mini skeins are recommended.
• Row Counts: Numbers at the end of some rows indicate the total number of stitches in that row.
• Adjusting the size: Instead of row-by-row counts, this pattern is completed by dimensions. Adjust the dimensions of the bag to suit your personal style. Note that adjusting these dimensions will alter the amount of yarn used.
  • To make your bag bigger/smaller: Add or remove rounds to the Base.
• • To make your bag taller/shorter: Add or remove rounds to the Sides.
  • To make your strap longer or shorter: Add or remove rows to the Handle.
• Tutorial video: Learn how to do the thermal stitch used for the Handle in this tutorial video.

Square One Project Bag Pattern

BASE

ROUND 1: In MR, ch 1, (sc, ch 1, sc, ch 2) 4 times, close ring, sl st in first sc to join, turn.

ROUND 2: Sl st into the ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in same ch-sp, ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, [(sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 3 times, sc in starting ch-2 sp, ch 2, sl st in first sc to join, turn.

ROUND 3: Sl st into the ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in same ch-sp, ch 1, (sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) 2 times, [(sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, (sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) 2 times] 3 times, sc in starting ch-2 sp, ch 2, sl st in first sc to join, turn.

ROUND 4: Sl st into the ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in same ch-sp, ch 1, (sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) to next ch-2 sp, [(sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, (sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) to next corner] 3 times, sc in starting ch-2 sp, ch 2, sl st in first sc to join, turn.  

Rep Row 4 until square measures 8” wide, measuring from one flat side, across the center to the other flat side. This took me 20 rounds.

When you reach the end of the last round, do not join. Proceed to Side.

SIDE

Do not join at the end of the round, and do not turn. Instead, we will begin working in continuous rounds.

ROUND 1: After last sc, ch 1, sc in the ch-sp after the first sc (mark this sc), ch 1, (sc in next ch-sp, ch 1) around.

Continue in pattern to work in a spiral until the Side measures 9” from the Base, using the marked stitch as the start. This took me 45 rounds.

When you reach 9”, work until you come to the end of the round (trace up from the marked stitch to determine the approximate end of the round). Continuing in pattern, place a sl st in the next ch-sp instead of a sc.

NEXT ROUND: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), (dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) around, sl st in 3^rd ch of tch. Ensure you have an EVEN number of dc in your round. I had 78.  

NEXT ROUND: Sl st into next ch-sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, (ch 1, sc in next ch-sp) around, sl st in first sc to join.

Rep last round 3 more times. Fasten off.

Do not remove the placed marker!

STRENGTHEN THE BASE

Cut #7 mesh to an 8×8 square. Use scissors to round out the corners. Use a nail file to smooth out the sides.

Insert mesh into the bottom of the bag. Use leftover yarn and a tapestry needle to sew the mesh to the bottom of the bag in a cross pattern – one in each corner. Knot the length of yarn on the inside of the bag.

DRAWSTRING

Locate the marked stitch. Trace up from this marker to the dc row. Mark the corresponding dc. Lay bag flat with marked dc at one end. Find the dc on the opposite side of the row. Mark this dc also.

Make two lengths of chain that are 28” when lightly stretched. Ensure they are not tight. Lightly steam block the chains to 28”. Set aside.

HANDLE

ROW 1: Leaving an 8” tail for seaming, ch 10, starting in the 2^nd ch from the hook, sc BLO across row, turn. (9 sc) 

ROW 2: Ch 1, sc across row, catching the back loop + the free loop of the stitch one row below (thermal stitch tutorial), turn.

Rep Row 2 until Handle measures 18” long. Fasten off, leaving an 8” tail for seaming.

ASSEMBLY

• Starting at the first marked dc, weave a length of 28” chain through the dc stitches around the bag until the ends of the chain are coming out of the same space. Secure the ends together with an overhand knot. Remove the marker.
• Starting at the opposite marked dc, weave the remaining 28” chain through the dc stitches around the bag until the ends are coming out of the same space. This second chain should follow the same path as the first chain. Secure the ends together with an overhand knot. Remove the marker.
• Remove the marker from the marked sc.
• Using locking stitch markers, position the ends of the Handle vertically 2.5” below the opening of the bag, centering them below the drawstring. Use the tapestry needle and the 8” tails to secure both sides of the Handle to the bag.

FINISHING

• Weave in all remaining ends.
• Insert soft clothing or balls of yarn to give the bag some shape. Lightly steam block the entire bag to soften the stitches.

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Share your linen stitch crochet pouch with me on Instagram using #TLYCMakers. Then pop over to the TLYC Makers Facebook Group and share there, too – we can’t wait to see your project!

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