‘Tis the season for gift giving! And all too often, that means waste – paper, gift bags, all the stuff we use to bring color to the festivities! Well, going green doesn’t have to mean boring – or not being able to present presents in a beautiful way. Introducing a crochet bag that becomes part of the gift – one that can be used for years and years to come – the free Favorite Gift Bag crochet pattern!

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.

I made the Favorite Gift Bag in just 2 colors, for a classic, unisex look that’s ready to give anyone from the office Secret Santa to your new nephew. The one part most likely to wear out – the handles – are just slipped over the buttons, making them easy to replace as needed, so you can keep passing this crochet gift bag around the family for a long long time. It’s a great stashbuster too – how colorful will your gift bag be?

Favorite Gift Bag

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• US – H, 5.0mm hook (Furls Fiberarts used)
• 235 yds Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Aran/yarn symbol “4”/UK: 10 ply; 145 yds; 3oz)
  Color A: Cranberry – 140 yds (1 ball)
  Color B: Fisherman – 95 yds (1 ball)
• 4 Buttons – 3/4″/19mm shown (LaMode Style 24534)
• Optional: Clover Handy Thread Twister
• Optional: Plastic Canvas (cut to 3-3/4″ x 7-7/8″)
• Gauge: 16 sts x 12 rows = 4″ in hdc
• Finished Size: 9″ tall (excluding handles), 8.5″ wide, 4″ deep
• Helpful Video Tutorials: bag bottoms; shallow post stitches; changing colors for striped patterns

SPECIAL STITCH: Shallow bphdc – worked as for a normal back post hdc, but only inserting the hook under the top 2 loops of each st, rather than going around the post of the stitch itself. Please see the helpful video tutorial linked above.

NOTES: This pattern begins with Rows, and switches to Rounds, but Row/Round count is maintained. Unused yarn is carried along the inside of the bag to reduce ends left to weave in, but you can cut after each color change if desired.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Row 1: With Color A, ch 31, skip the ch closest to the hook, hdc in remaining chs; turn. (30 sts)

Row 2 – 10: Ch 1, hdc across; turn. (30 sts)

Round 11: Ch 1, hdc across to last st, 3 hdc in last st, turn work 90 degrees, hdc 10 across side of work, turn work 90 degrees, 3 hdc in 1st st of foundation ch, hdc across to last st of foundation ch, 3 hdc in last st of foundation chain, turn work 90 degrees, hdc 10 across last side of work, 2 hdc in same st as 1st hdc of the round; join. (88 sts)

Round 12: Ch 1, shallow bphdc around; join. (88 sts)

Round 13 – 15: Ch 1, hdc in each st around; join. (88 sts)

Round 16 and 17: Repeat Round 13 with Color B.

Round 18: Repeat Round 13 with Color A.

Round 19 and 20: Repeat Round 13 with Color B.

Round 21 and 22: Repeat Round 13 with Color A.

Round 23 – 25:  Repeat Round 13 with Color B.

Round 26: Repeat Round 13 with Color A.

Round 27 – 29:  Repeat Round 13 with Color B.

Round 30 and 31:  Repeat Round 13 with Color A.

Round 32 and 33:  Repeat Round 13 with Color B.

Round 34: Repeat Round 13 with Color A.

Round 35 and 36:  Repeat Round 13 with Color B, break Color B.

Round 37 – 39:  Repeat Round 13 with Color A.

Round 40: Continuing with Color A, ch 1, sc in each st around; join and break Color A. (88 sts)

Finishing:

1. Cut plastic canvas if desired and insert into bottom of bag.
2. Sew buttons to bag as shown in photo above, 2 on each side.
3. Use Clover Handy Thread Twister and Color B to create handles of desired length (instructions in package). Alternatively, chain handles to desired length with Color B. Knot and cut each end to create tiny tassels.
4. Slip ends of handles over buttons.

And that’s the Favorite Gift Bag! It’s in Christmas colors here, but you can mix it up and make gift bags for birthdays, other holidays – whatever you like! I hope you enjoy this free crochet pattern!

Oh and if you’re interested in the fantastic crochet book shown in the bag, click here! 😉 

Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2016, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. To print this pattern for personal use, please use the green Print Friendly button at the bottom of the pattern. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, or translate it to another language, please visit the About page for details. Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this pattern!