Sunburst Circle Drawstring Bag Free Crochet Pattern

Sunburst Circle Drawstring Bag Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This cheerful little pouch is made from two flat crocheted circles in six rainbow colors, joined around the edge to form a round drawstring bag. It is a wonderful first colorwork project: every round is simple single crochet, and the color changes do all the work of making it look special. The finished bag measures about 6 inches (15 cm) across, with a soft, dense cotton fabric that holds its shape nicely. It is perfect for holding small treasures, stitch markers, or a gift for a crafty friend.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) cotton yarn, approximately 50 yards (46 m) each of 6 rainbow colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple.
• Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook.
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.
• Finished size: Diameter 6 inches (15 cm).

Abbreviations

• MR: Magic ring — an adjustable loop used to start the circle.
• sc: Single crochet — insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• inc: Increase — work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
• st(s): Stitch(es).
• rnd(s): Round(s) — a complete circle of stitches.
• WS: Wrong side — the back of the fabric.
• ch: Chain.

Gauge

16 sc and 16 rnds = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. To check, crochet a small flat swatch in the round and measure the center; if your circle grows faster than the pattern, go down a hook size.

Tips Before You Start

• Change colors on the last pull-through of the final stitch of a round so the new color starts cleanly.
• Keep your tension even — a tight, consistent circle keeps both halves the same size for easy joining.
• Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you never lose your place.
• Cotton yarn gives the bag structure; avoid stretchy acrylic if you want a firm pouch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bag Sides (make 2)

Setup: With red, make a magic ring and work 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).

Rnd 1: inc x6 (12 sts).

Rnd 2: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Change to orange.

Rnd 3: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 4: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).

Change to yellow.

Rnd 5: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts).

Rnd 6: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts).

Change to green.

Rnd 7: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts).

Rnd 8: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54 sts).

Change to blue.

Rnd 9: [8 sc, inc] x6 (60 sts).

Rnd 10: [9 sc, inc] x6 (66 sts).

Change to purple.

Rnd 11: [10 sc, inc] x6 (72 sts).

Rnd 12: [11 sc, inc] x6 (78 sts).

Fasten off. Make a second circle the same way.

Joining

Hold the two circles with wrong sides (WS) together. With purple, join yarn at the edge.

Joining rnd: Work sc evenly around the edge, leaving a 2-inch (5 cm) opening at the top for the drawstring (approximately 140 sc). Fasten off.

Drawstring

With rainbow colors (change color as you like along the chain), make a chain 40 inches (100 cm) long. Fasten off. Thread the chain through the opening at the top.

Edging

With purple, work sc around the entire outer edge of the bag. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side of the bag, using the tapestry needle to hide them inside the stitches. Gently block the finished bag by misting it with water and shaping it flat into a round; let it dry completely. Thread the drawstring through the top opening and tie the ends together so it cannot pull out.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the rainbow for two or three colors for a more subtle, modern look.
• Add a small fabric lining to keep tiny items from slipping through the stitches.
• Make a longer chain and wear the bag as a crossbody pouch.