Sage Crochet Drawstring Bag Pattern – Romantic Lace Bucket Bag

Materials

• DK / light worsted cotton yarn – sage green 300-350 g
• DK cotton yarn – warm cream 180-220 g
• 3.5 mm crochet hook 1
• 3 mm crochet hook for firmer handles 1
• Wooden beads with large holes 2
• Stitch markers 4
• Yarn needle 1
• Scissors 1 pair
• Optional cotton fabric for lining approximately 40 × 70 cm
• Optional handmade label 1

Abbreviations

Finished Size

• Height: approximately 30 cm / 12 in
• Width: approximately 28 cm / 11 in
• Base depth: approximately 10-12 cm / 4-4.7 in
• Handle drop: approximately 24 cm / 9.5 in
• Drawstring: approximately 90 cm / 35 in

Part 1 – Sage Green Bag Base

Foundation

With sage green yarn, ch 31.

Round 1

Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Work 3 sc into the final ch. Continue working along the opposite side of the foundation chain. Sc across and work 2 additional sc into the first chain. Join with sl st.

You now have an oval foundation.

Round 2

Ch 1. Sc around, working 2 sc into each of the three curved-end stitches on both ends. Join.

Round 3

Ch 1. Sc around, increasing evenly around each curved end so the base remains flat.

Rounds 4-7

Continue increasing only around the curved ends until the oval measures approximately 27 × 11 cm.

Part 2 – Build the Bag Body

Round 8

Ch 1. Working in BLO, sc in every st around. Join.

This creates a subtle ridge between the bottom and sides.

Rounds 9-30

Ch 1. Work hdc in every st around. Join each round with sl st.

Continue until the sage section measures approximately 17-18 cm high from the bottom ridge.

Rounds 31-33

Sc around without increasing. These firmer rounds support the lace overlay and drawstring section.

FO and weave in the tail.

Part 3 – Cream Lace Overlay

The cream lace section is worked separately and later attached around the upper section of the green bag.

Ch enough stitches to fit comfortably around the circumference of your bag. Join carefully with sl st without twisting.

Lace Round 1

Ch 1, sc around. Join.

Lace Round 2

Ch 4, skip 2 sts, sc in next st. Repeat *ch 4, skip 2, sc in next* around.

Lace Round 3

Sl st into first ch-4 sp. Ch 3, 4 dc in same sp, sc in next ch-4 sp. Repeat around.

Lace Round 4

Ch 5, sc into center dc of next shell, ch 5, sc into next space. Continue around.

Lace Round 5

Work alternating shells and chain spaces to begin creating the open floral texture.

Part 4 – Large Lace Petals

The dramatic pointed petals are what give this bag its distinctive romantic appearance.

Petal Foundation

Working across approximately 10-12 sts:

1. Ch 3.
2. Dc in next 2 sts.
3. Tr in next 4 sts.
4. Dc in next 2 sts.
5. Ch 3 and sl st into next st.

Turn and work back across the petal with a combination of chain spaces and double crochets.

Petal Edging

Work *sc, ch 3, sc* evenly around the outside edge to create the delicate picot-like finish.

Repeat around the lace section, allowing the petals to overlap slightly.

Part 5 – Crochet Flower Motifs

Make several small cream flowers to decorate the lace panels.

Flower Center

Make a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 10 sc into ring. Join and pull closed.

Petals

In each alternate stitch work:

(sl st, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, sl st)

Repeat until you have 5 petals.

FO leaving a long tail for sewing.

Make approximately 5-7 flowers depending on how decorated you’d like the bag.

Part 6 – Attach the Lace Overlay

1. Place the cream lace around the upper half of the sage bag.
2. Position the upper edge approximately 2-3 cm below the bag opening.
3. Use stitch markers to hold everything evenly.
4. Thread cream yarn onto a yarn needle.
5. Sew the upper lace edge securely to the bag.
6. Add a few hidden stitches beneath the larger petals to keep them from twisting.
7. Leave the lower scalloped sections mostly free so they retain their layered look.

Part 7 – Drawstring Eyelets

Join cream yarn near the upper edge.

Eyelet Round

Ch 3, dc in next st, *ch 1, skip 1 st, dc in next 2 sts*. Repeat around.

These ch-1 spaces will hold the drawstring.

Top Scallop Round

Sl st into next space, work 5 dc in next space, sc in next space. Repeat around.

This produces the softly scalloped opening visible at the top of the bag.

Part 8 – Drawstring Cord

With cream yarn, ch approximately 90-100 cm.

Sl st into the second ch from hook and in every ch across.

FO.

Weave the cord in and out through the eyelet round, making sure both ends emerge at the center front.

Part 9 – Wooden Beads

Thread one wooden bead onto each drawstring end.

Tie a secure knot beneath each bead before attaching the tassel.

Natural unfinished wooden beads work especially well with the sage and cream color combination.

Part 10 – Tassels

Make two tassels approximately 9-10 cm long.

1. Wrap cream yarn around a piece of cardboard approximately 25-30 times.
2. Thread a strand beneath the wraps and tie securely.
3. Remove from the cardboard.
4. Wrap yarn several times around the tassel approximately 1 cm below the top.
5. Tie securely.
6. Cut the bottom loops.
7. Trim the strands evenly.

For the second tassel, combine cream and sage strands for the subtle two-tone look shown in the design.

Part 11 – Crochet Handles

Make 2 identical handles.

Foundation

With sage yarn and the smaller 3 mm hook, ch approximately 70-75.

Row 1

Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across.

Rows 2-4

Ch 1, turn. Sc in every st.

FO leaving long tails at both ends.

Fold the narrow strip lengthwise and whip stitch the edges together to create a rounded, reinforced handle.

Attach the Handles

1. Place the first handle on the front side of the bag.
2. Position each end approximately 8-10 cm apart.
3. Pin securely.
4. Sew through several rows of the green bag body.
5. Repeat with the second handle on the back.
6. Check that both handles are equal before finishing the stitches.

Optional Fabric Lining

A lining is recommended if you plan to use the bag regularly.

1. Measure the inside circumference and height.
2. Cut two fabric pieces slightly larger than the bag.
3. Sew the side and bottom seams.
4. Place the lining inside with the wrong side facing the crochet.
5. Fold the upper raw edge inward.
6. Hand stitch it just below the drawstring round.

You can also add a small interior pocket before installing the lining.

Optional Handmade Label

Sew a small leather or faux-leather handmade tag near the lower right corner of the sage section.

Keep it small so it doesn’t compete visually with the detailed lace work.

Color Variations

• Cottage: sage green + warm cream
• Autumn: rust + oatmeal
• Romantic: dusty rose + ivory
• Coastal: muted blue + natural cream
• Neutral: mocha + beige
• Spring: soft lavender + cream
• Vintage: olive + antique white

Finishing

1. Weave in every yarn tail securely.
2. Check the handles and reinforce them if necessary.
3. Gently steam or wet block the cream lace only if your yarn allows it.
4. Shape each scalloped petal with your fingers.
5. Arrange the flower motifs evenly.
6. Comb and trim the tassels.
7. Pull the drawstring gently to test the closure.