There is something undeniably magical about the holiday season, and few things capture that spirit quite like a handmade project that serves a purpose. The Layered Christmas Tree Crochet Drawstring Bag brings festive cheer to your holiday gatherings, offering a charming alternative to disposable gift wrap. Whether you are filling it with small treats for a children’s party or using it to hold cosmetics for a night out, this reusable bag is as practical as it is adorable. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the season while creating something you can use long after the decorations are put away.
Seasonal Styling Ideas
While the traditional evergreen palette is perfect for a classic Christmas aesthetic, this pattern is incredibly versatile. You can easily swap the Green yarn for a crisp white or a soft pink to create a winter wonderland vibe, or use a metallic gold yarn for the tiers to make a stunning party favor bag. The multi-colored mini pom-poms allow you to inject personality into the design; try matching the pom-poms to your home’s holiday theme or using them to spell out a tiny message on the ruffles. Because the bag is lightweight and features a sturdy twisted strap, it is also an excellent accessory for a holiday market or a cozy winter walk, adding a pop of handmade charm to any winter outfit.
Project Overview
This Layered Christmas Tree Crochet Drawstring Bag is a delightful amigurumi-style project that combines a sturdy drawstring pouch with tiered, ruffled evergreen sections. The design features a flat bottom trunk, a main body shaped with back-loop stitches to create attachment points, and three distinct tiers that form the tree shape. The project is finished with a candy cane shoulder strap, a unique star clasp to cinch the drawstrings, and festive pom-pom decorations. It is a project that balances structural shaping with decorative flair, making it a rewarding challenge for crocheters looking to expand their skills.
Materials
Before you begin, gather all five yarn colors, as the trunk, pouch, edging, stars, and twisted strap each utilize different parts of the palette. Staying close to the listed yarn weight is crucial to ensure the trunk, pouch, tiers, and clasp remain in proportion; using a heavier yarn may result in a stiffer eyelet edge and alter the bag’s balance.
- Yarn: Weight 2 Sport yarn.
- Green: Approximately 50 g
- Dark Brown: Approximately 15 g
- Yellow, White, and Red: Amounts not specified
- Crochet Hook: 2.50 mm US C-2
- Notions: Multi-colored craft mini pom-poms, stitch marker, tapestry needle
- Optional: Glue for attaching pom-poms (Note: Sewing provides a more secure attachment, while glue is quicker but may limit how confidently you can wash the finished bag)
Gauge and Finished Size
Specific gauge measurements and finished size dimensions are not provided in the source pattern. However, the pattern relies on reaching specific stitch counts at various stages to maintain the correct proportions of the tree tiers and pouch.
Abbreviations
- blo: back loop only
- ch: chain
- dc: double crochet
- inc: increase
- sc: single crochet
- sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together
- sl st: slip stitch
Pattern Notes
Exact stitch-by-stitch placement is not specified for the oval expansions, trunk decreases, body shaping, or tier increases. You should space the shaping consistently while reaching every listed target count. Please note that the written stitch sequence in Tree Body Round 1 results in 77 stitches, so the count has been corrected from 78 to 78. The five-point star construction is specified only as a target of up to 40 stitches, without a round-by-round point sequence. Additionally, separate drawstring cord instructions are not provided, though the star pieces are used to sandwich the drawstrings. The method for attaching the finished trunk to the bag pouch is also not specified.
Pattern Instructions
Tree Trunk
Using Dark Brown yarn, make a sturdy flat bottom.
- Round 1: Ch 13. Work down the foundation chain: 11 sc, 3 sc in the last ch; rotate to work across the opposite side: 10 sc, inc in the last ch. (26)
- Rounds 2-4: Expand the oval with corner increases until the piece reaches 44 stitches. (44)
- Round 5: Work 44 sc blo. (44) Working blo creates the bottom-edge crease.
- Rounds 6-10: Work double crochet decreases to shape the sturdy trunk. (25) Stuff lightly.
Tree Body
Using Green yarn, crochet the bag pouch.
- Round 1: Ch 39. Work down the chain: dc inc, 34 dc, 5 dc in the corner; work across the opposite side: 34 dc, dc inc. (77)
- Round 2: Expand the oval to 88 stitches. (88)
- Rounds 3-4: Work 88 dc even. (88)
- Rounds 5-16: Work blo throughout. Gradually decrease by 8 stitches every third round: Round 5 to 80 stitches, Round 8 to 72 stitches, Round 11 to 64 stitches, and Round 14 to 56 stitches. Work the remaining rounds even. (56)
- Round 17, Cinch Collar: Switch to White. Working blo, *5 sc, sc2tog; rep from * around. (48)
- Round 18, Drawstring Eyelets: Working blo, (ch 3, skip 1, sl st) 24 times. Fasten off.
Tier 1 Evergreen Ruffle
Work into the 80 unworked front loops of Tree Body Round 7.
- Rounds 1-3: Work dc increases across 3 rounds until the tier reaches 160 stitches. (160)
- Round 4: Switch to White and work 160 sc for the edging. (160)
Tier 2 Evergreen Ruffle
Work into the 64 unworked front loops of Tree Body Round 11.
- Rounds 1-3: Work dc increases across 3 rounds until the tier reaches 128 stitches. (128)
- Round 4: Switch to White and edge the tier in sc. (128)
Tier 3 Evergreen Ruffle
Work into the 56 unworked front loops of Tree Body Round 15.
- Rounds 1-3: Work dc increases across 3 rounds until the tier reaches 112 stitches. (112)
- Round 4: Switch to White and edge the tier in sc. (112)
Drawstring, Star Cinch and Shoulder Strap
Step 1: Golden Star Clasp, make 2
Work a five-point star up to 40 stitches. Sandwich the drawstrings between the two stars. (40) Align the points before joining the pieces so the clasp remains balanced around the cords.
Step 2: Candy Cane Shoulder Strap
Crochet two separate 105 cm chains, one in Red and one in White. Twist the chains together into a spiral and anchor them firmly inside the bag at Tree Body Round 12.
Assembly
Step 1: Scatter multi-colored mini pom-poms across the tiered evergreen ruffles and glue or sew them in place.
Tips
- Mark the start of each round: Place your stitch marker in the first stitch and move it every round. This matters most during the oval shaping and the body decreases, where a shifted starting point can make the shaping drift.
- Check every target count: Count at the end of each shaping round, especially when the pouch reaches 80, 72, 64, and 56 stitches. Correcting one missed decrease immediately is much easier than finding it after the tiers are attached.
- Keep the front loops free: When a body round says blo, make sure your hook enters only the back loop. The unworked front loops are the attachment line for the evergreen tiers, so accidentally catching both loops removes a place to work later.
- Test the twisted strap before anchoring: Twisting the two chains shortens their relaxed length. Hold the finished spiral against the bag before securing it inside Round 12, then add or remove chain stitches equally from both colors if needed.
Ways to Adapt Your Christmas Tree Bag
You can try a firmer sport yarn, such as cotton, to give the pouch and trunk more structure, though the long twisted strap may feel denser. Alternatively, a soft acrylic can make the tiers and strap more flexible, but the trunk may need especially careful light stuffing so it doesn’t lose its shape. The two chains for the strap don’t have to remain 105 cm if you need a different fit; adjust both by the same number of chains and remember that twisting reduces the final relaxed length. You can also skip the shoulder strap entirely when you’d rather use the project as a small drawstring pouch, which does not affect the body, tiers, collar, or star clasp. Finally, securing the decorations with thread by sewing each pom-pom to the ruffles takes longer but gives a firmer attachment and fewer care restrictions.
Fixing Counts, Tiers and Twisted Straps
If the first body count doesn’t match, note that Tree Body Round 1 contains 77 stitches when each written group is counted. Start Round 2 from that count and add the required shaping to reach the listed 88-stitch target. If there aren’t enough loops for a tier, check that the corresponding body round was worked blo. Tier 1 uses the front loops of Round 7, Tier 2 uses Round 11, and Tier 3 uses Round 15. If both loops were caught in a few places, carefully work into the remaining strand without splitting it. If the strap keeps untwisting, maintain the twist while anchoring both chains firmly inside Tree Body Round 12.
Caring for Your Bag
Because this project features multiple components and potential adhesives, care depends on your finishing choices. Sewing the pom-poms is more secure and easier to reconcile with gentle washing. If you used glue, be aware that it may stiffen small areas or require spot cleaning. Always test the relaxed twisted strap against the bag before anchoring it to ensure the length is correct, as the spiral will be shorter once twisted.
FAQs
Why are so many body rounds worked blo?
The back-loop stitches reserve the front loops for attaching the three evergreen tiers. Those open loops create clear working lines at Rounds 7, 11, and 15. If you crochet through both loops instead, you’ll lose the intended attachment point and may have to work around stitch posts, which is harder to keep even.
How many rounds are worked in each evergreen tier?
Each tier has three increase rounds followed by one White sc edging round. The target counts are 160 stitches for Tier 1, 128 for Tier 2, and 112 for Tier 3. Reaching those counts before the edging keeps each final sc round aligned with the tier beneath it.
Can I shorten the candy cane shoulder strap?
Yes, shorten both chains by the same amount before twisting them together. The listed chains are each 105 cm, but the spiral will be shorter once twisted. Test the relaxed twisted strap against the bag before anchoring it inside Round 12 so you can correct the length without undoing the attachment.
Should I sew or glue the mini pom-poms?
Either method works, but sewing is more secure and easier to reconcile with gentle washing. Glue is faster and avoids extra stitching through the ruffles, though the adhesive may stiffen small areas or require spot cleaning. Whichever method you choose, attach the pom-poms only after the tiers are complete.
Why are two star pieces needed for the clasp?
Two pieces form the star clasp around the drawstrings. The cords are sandwiched between matching five-point stars, giving the cinch a front and back rather than leaving exposed cord attachment points. Align the points before joining the pieces so the clasp remains balanced around the cords.
For more festive inspiration, check out our Easy Beginner Crochet Christmas Tree Pattern or our Adorable Crochet Snowman collection.
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