Welcome to Grandma’s Crafts! I’m so happy you are here today. There is something extra sweet about wrapping a little Christmas gift in something handmade, especially when the wrapping becomes part of the gift too.
These little crochet drawstring bags are perfect for candy, small toys, gift cards, jewelry, ornaments, or any of those tiny surprises we love tucking under the Christmas tree.
Today I’m sharing three different Christmas gift bag ideas using the same simple bag shape.
You can make a Christmas Tree Gift Bag, a Reindeer Gift Bag, or keep the bag completely simple and decorate it with any Christmas appliqué you already love.
The finished bags are small, quick projects, and they are also a lovely way to use leftover yarn from other Christmas makes.
Approximately:
4.5 inches wide x 5 inches tall
The exact size may vary slightly depending on your yarn, hook, and tension.
Easy to Intermediate
The basic bag is beginner friendly. The Christmas tree and reindeer versions include simple color changes.
For each bag you will need:
For the Christmas Tree Bag:
For the Reindeer Bag:
For the Basic Christmas Bag:
US crochet terminology is used throughout this pattern.
The bags are made from two rectangular panels.
The front panel can include a Christmas design, while the back panel is worked completely in the main color.
After the two panels are joined, a simple eyelet border is worked around the top for the drawstrings.
Chain 1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch.
Each panel has 24 stitches.
When changing colors, work the final yarn over of the previous single crochet with the new color.
For the colorwork sections, carry the main color loosely behind the contrasting stitches. Avoid pulling the carried yarn too tightly or the panel may pucker.
This little tree bag is such a classic Christmas project. You can leave the tree simple or decorate it afterward with tiny embroidered ornaments.
For this version:
With MC:
Ch 25.
Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across.
24 sc
Ch 1 and turn.
Sc in each st across.
24 sc
Ch 1 and turn after each row.
Now begin the Christmas tree.
11 sc MC, 2 sc G, 11 sc MC.
24 sts
10 sc MC, 4 sc G, 10 sc MC.
9 sc MC, 6 sc G, 9 sc MC.
8 sc MC, 8 sc G, 8 sc MC.
7 sc MC, 10 sc G, 7 sc MC.
9 sc MC, 6 sc G, 9 sc MC.
This slight narrowing begins the second section of the tree.
7 sc MC, 10 sc G, 7 sc MC.
6 sc MC, 12 sc G, 6 sc MC.
5 sc MC, 14 sc G, 5 sc MC.
Fasten off green.
10 sc MC, 4 sc B, 10 sc MC.
10 sc MC, 4 sc B, 10 sc MC.
Fasten off brown.
Using MC, sc in each st across.
24 sc
Fasten off.
With MC:
Ch 25.
Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across.
24 sc
Ch 1, turn.
Sc in each st across.
24 sc
Fasten off.
Before assembling the bag, you can add little decorations to the tree.
Use small amounts of contrasting yarn to make tiny straight stitches or French knots across the green section.
Try:
You can also embroider a small yellow star above the top of the tree.
Keep the decorations simple. A few tiny pops of color are usually enough.
Place the front and back panels together with the right sides facing outward.
Using MC, join the panels along:
You can whip stitch them together with a yarn needle or use slip stitches with your crochet hook.
Leave the top open.
Join MC at one side seam along the top opening.
Each panel has 24 stitches, giving you approximately:
48 sts around the opening
Ch 1.
Sc evenly around the entire opening.
Join with sl st to first sc.
48 sc
Ch 1.
Sc in next 3 sts, ch 1, sk 1 st.
Repeat around.
Join with sl st.
You should have 12 eyelets.
Ch 1.
Sc in each sc and each ch-1 space around.
Join with sl st.
48 sc
Fasten off.
Make two cords.
For each cord:
Ch 80.
Fasten off, leaving a small tail.
Thread the first cord through the eyelets all the way around the bag, beginning and ending on one side.
Thread the second cord through the same eyelets, beginning and ending on the opposite side.
Tie the ends of each cord together.
Pull both cords at the same time to close the bag.
Your Christmas Tree Gift Bag is finished!
The reindeer version uses the same little bag shape, but this time we crochet a simple reindeer face directly into the front panel.
A red nose at the end gives it that unmistakable Christmas look.
You will need:
With MC:
Ch 25.
Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across.
24 sc
Ch 1, turn.
Sc in each st across.
24 sc
Now begin the reindeer.
5 sc MC, 2 sc T, 2 sc MC, 6 sc T, 2 sc MC, 2 sc T, 5 sc MC.
24 sts
The small sections on each side will form the top of the ears.
6 sc MC, 12 sc T, 6 sc MC.
5 sc MC, 14 sc T, 5 sc MC.
5 sc MC, 14 sc T, 5 sc MC.
5 sc MC, 14 sc T, 5 sc MC.
5 sc MC, 14 sc T, 5 sc MC.
6 sc MC, 12 sc T, 6 sc MC.
6 sc MC, 12 sc T, 6 sc MC.
7 sc MC, 10 sc T, 7 sc MC.
8 sc MC, 8 sc T, 8 sc MC.
Fasten off T.
With MC:
Sc in each st across.
24 sc
Fasten off.
With MC:
Ch 25.
Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across.
24 sc
Ch 1, turn.
Sc in each st across.
24 sc
Fasten off.
It is much easier to add the face before sewing the bag together.
Using black yarn and a yarn needle, make two small eyes near the upper half of the brown face.
Try to keep them evenly spaced from the center.
A couple of small straight stitches are enough.
With red yarn:
Make a magic ring.
Work 6 sc into the magic ring.
Join with sl st to first sc.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Gently flatten the small circle and sew it to the center of the lower part of the reindeer face.
You can also embroider the nose directly onto the bag if you prefer.
Thread a yarn needle with dark brown yarn.
Beginning above each side of the reindeer head, embroider a simple branching antler shape.
Make one main vertical stitch with two or three smaller branches extending outward.
Repeat on the opposite side.
The antlers do not need to be perfectly identical. A slightly handmade look makes the little reindeer even cuter.
Place the front and back panels together.
Join the two sides and the bottom using slip stitches or a yarn needle.
Leave the top open.
Join MC at one side seam.
Ch 1.
Sc evenly around the top opening.
Join with sl st.
48 sc
Ch 1.
Sc in next 3 sts, ch 1, sk 1.
Repeat around.
Join with sl st.
Ch 1.
Sc in each sc and each ch-1 space around.
Join with sl st.
48 sc
Fasten off.
Make two cords.
For each cord:
Ch 80.
Fasten off.
Thread one cord through all the eyelets and tie the ends together on one side.
Thread the second cord through the eyelets in the opposite direction and tie the ends together on the other side.
Pull the two cords to close your little reindeer bag.
Sometimes simple really is best.
This version is made completely in one color, which gives you a blank little canvas for any Christmas decoration you want to add.
Try:
You can even make several identical bags and decorate each one differently.
Choose your favorite Christmas color.
Ch 25.
Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across.
24 sc
Ch 1, turn.
Sc in every st across.
24 sc
Fasten off.
Repeat the front panel exactly.
Ch 25.
Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across.
24 sc
Ch 1, turn.
Sc in every st across.
24 sc
Fasten off.
Before sewing the bag together, decide where you want your decoration.
Place the appliqué in the center of the front panel and pin it in place.
Then sew carefully around the outer edges using matching yarn.
One idea I especially love for this version is our Crochet Santa Claus Ornament.
Instead of using it as a hanging ornament, you can simply attach the little Santa to the front of the bag as an appliqué.
If you make the hanging loop, you can tuck it behind the Santa before sewing him onto the bag. You can also leave the loop off completely when you know you are making him specifically for the gift bag.
A red, cream, green, or even soft beige bag would look lovely with Santa on the front.
Place the two panels together.
Join along the first side, bottom, and second side.
Leave the top completely open.
Join yarn at one side seam.
Ch 1.
Sc evenly around the opening.
Join with sl st.
48 sc
Ch 1.
Sc in next 3 sts, ch 1, sk 1.
Repeat around.
Join with sl st.
Ch 1.
Sc in each sc and each ch-1 space around.
Join with sl st.
48 sc
Fasten off.
Make two cords.
For each:
Ch 80.
Fasten off.
Thread the first cord through all of the eyelets with both ends coming out on one side of the bag.
Thread the second cord in the opposite direction with both ends coming out on the other side.
Tie the ends together.
Pull both cords outward and your little Christmas pouch closes right up.
This is one of those patterns where changing the colors completely changes the personality of the project.
For a traditional Christmas look, try:
Red + White + Green
For something softer:
Cream + Sage + Dusty Red
For a more playful Christmas palette:
Pink + Red + White
Or keep everything neutral with:
Cream + Beige + Brown
You can also use the same bag pattern for all three designs so they look like a matching little Christmas collection.
These bags are perfect for smaller gifts such as:
They also make adorable little stocking stuffers.
And because the bag itself can be reused, it feels much nicer than wrapping something in paper that will immediately be thrown away.
Make your first bag completely before starting a whole batch.
That gives you a chance to check the finished size with your yarn and tension.
If you want a slightly wider bag, simply add stitches to the starting chain for both panels.
If you want it taller, add more plain rows before working the drawstring edge.
Just remember to make the front and back panels exactly the same size.
I really love patterns like this because once you understand the basic little bag, you can turn it into almost anything.
Make the tree version for one gift, the reindeer for another, and then use the plain version whenever you have a cute Christmas appliqué waiting for the perfect project.
You could even make a whole basket of them before Christmas and use them whenever you need a quick handmade gift package.
I hope these little Christmas bags bring a little extra handmade joy to your holiday season. Happy crocheting!
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