Mar
Why I Even Started Making These Things
So last spring, April 2023 specifically, I was sitting on my couch watching some terrible reality show and realized all my makeup was just rattling around in my purse getting covered in like crumbs and receipts. Gross. I’d been crocheting for years but mostly just blankets and scarves, never anything with an actual zipper or structure, but I figured how hard could it be?
Turns out there’s a bunch of different ways to make a makeup bag and some are way easier than others. The basic zippered pouch is probably where you wanna start unless you’re already comfortable with sewing zippers into fabric, which I definitely wasn’t.
Basic Pattern Structure Options
There’s basically three types you’ll see everywhere:
- Flat rectangle that folds over with a zipper across the top
- Box-bottom style where you actually create a 3D base so it stands up
- Rounded tube shape that’s kinda like a pencil case
I started with the flat rectangle because I’m not an idiot and knew the box-bottom would require actual math. Used Red Heart Super Saver in that teal color, I think it was called Turqua but honestly their color names are ridiculous. The yarn was like $3 at Walmart so if I screwed it up, whatever.
What You Actually Need
Obviously yarn and a hook. For makeup bags I’d say go with a smaller hook than the yarn label suggests because you want a tight fabric that won’t let your lipstick fall through the gaps. If you’re using worsted weight, try a G or H hook instead of the recommended I or J.
You’re gonna need a zipper and this is where it gets annoying. Most craft stores have zippers but they’re either the wrong length or those weird continuous zippers by the yard that you have to cut and add your own pulls to. I ordered a pack of 20 zippers on Amazon, 9-inch ones in different colors, and that was honestly the smartest thing I did because then I could just make a bunch without running to the store every time.
Also you need a yarn needle for weaving in ends and actually attaching the zipper. Some people use sewing thread to attach zippers but I just use the same yarn, it’s bulkier but I don’t really care if it looks a little handmade, that’s the whole point right?
The Actual Process for a Basic Pouch
Start with a chain. For a 9-inch zipper I usually chain about 24 stitches with worsted weight yarn and a G hook. This gives you roughly 8 inches of width which works fine.
Then you just work back and forth in rows. Single crochet is the most durable, half double crochet works up faster but can be a little stretchy. I usually do single crochet in the back loops only because it creates this ribbed texture that looks more professional than just regular sc.
Keep going until your rectangle is about 12 inches long. This will fold in half to create a pouch that’s about 6 inches tall, minus a bit for the zipper seam.
The Zipper Problem That Made Me Want to Quit
Okay so the thing that really annoyed me was attaching the damn zipper. Every tutorial online makes it look so easy like “just whipstitch it on!” but they never mention that crocheted fabric is stretchy and zippers are NOT and if you’re not careful you end up with this puckered wavy mess.
What finally worked: I pinned the zipper to the fabric with like a million pins before I started sewing. And I mean PINNED it. Every half inch. My cat kept trying to steal the pins off the couch which was not helpful. Then I used a running stitch instead of whipstitch, going through both the zipper tape and the edge of the crochet, and I pulled it snug but not tight. Tight = puckering.
You attach the zipper to both top edges of your rectangle before you fold it and seam the sides. This was not intuitive to me at first, I thought you’d sew the sides first but then you can’t get the zipper in properly.
Making It Actually Functional
The first bag I made was cute but completely useless because it was too floppy. Everything just smushed to one side and the whole thing collapsed in my purse.
Solutions I’ve tried:
- Lining it with fabric – this works great but requires actually sewing fabric which I’m not great at
- Using a stiffer yarn like Lily Sugar’n Cream cotton – this helped a lot actually
- Doubling the yarn to make thicker fabric – makes it sturdier but also way bulkier
- Adding a cardboard insert in the bottom – works but the cardboard eventually gets gross
The cotton yarn thing was a game changer honestly. I made one in summer 2024 using Lily Sugar’n Cream in Hot Pink and it actually held its shape. Cotton is less stretchy than acrylic and it feels more substantial. Plus you can throw it in the washing machine when it inevitably gets makeup all over the inside.
Box Bottom Variation
If you want to get fancy, the box bottom actually isn’t that hard once you understand the concept. Instead of just seaming the sides of your rectangle straight up, you create corners.
Here’s what you do: after you’ve attached your zipper and folded your rectangle in half, seam up the sides like normal. Then at each bottom corner, you flatten the bag so the side seam lines up with the bottom fold, creating a triangle shape. Measure about an inch up from the point of the triangle and sew straight across perpendicular to the seam.
I know that sounds confusing. Basically you’re creating a little triangle at each corner that gets sewn shut, which makes the bottom of the bag rectangular instead of flat. This gives you actual depth so the bag stands up and holds more stuff.
First time I tried this was probably winter 2023 and I measured wrong and ended up with this weirdly tall skinny bag that looked more like a wine bottle holder than a makeup bag but whatever, I used it for my crochet hooks.
Yarn Choices That Actually Matter
I’ve tried a bunch of different yarns for these and here’s what I’ve learned:
Red Heart Super Saver: Cheap, comes in every color, works fine but can be a little squeaky and stiff. The bags hold up well though, I’ve been using one for over a year and it’s still perfect.
Lily Sugar’n Cream: My favorite for bags honestly. It’s cotton so it breathes better than acrylic, doesn’t get that weird smell, and you can bleach it if you get foundation stains on it. Comes in smaller balls though so you might need two for a bigger bag.
Caron Simply Soft: Too soft and stretchy for bags in my opinion. I made one and it just became this saggy mess after a week of use.
I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby: Actually pretty decent for bags, similar to Red Heart but softer. The color selection is good too.
You want something that has minimal stretch and good stitch definition. Avoid anything fuzzy or with a halo because you won’t be able to see your stitches clearly and attaching the zipper will be a nightmare.
Color Combinations Nobody Asked For But I’m Telling You Anyway
Solid colors are easiest obviously but stripes can look really cool. I did one with alternating rows of cream and navy and it looked like a French thing, very chic or whatever.
Granny stripe pattern works too if you want texture without doing anything complicated. Just dc, chain, skip, dc across the row.
I tried doing a tapestry crochet pattern once with a little geometric design and it was cute but carrying the second color made the fabric super thick and stiff, which actually worked well for a bag but used way more yarn than expected.
Sizing Reality Check
Most patterns online say they make a “medium” makeup bag but that’s meaningless. Here’s actual measurements that matter:
A 9-inch zipper makes a bag that’s about 8 inches wide and maybe 5-6 inches tall when finished. This holds your everyday stuff – foundation, a couple brushes, mascara, lipstick. Not huge but functional.
If you want to fit like full-size bottles of primer and setting spray and all that, you need at least a 12-inch zipper and you’re gonna be crocheting for a while because the rectangle needs to be proportionally bigger.
I made a tiny one with a 5-inch zipper once just for lipsticks and it’s honestly perfect for throwing in a clutch or small purse. That one worked up in like an hour.
The Lining Question
Do you need to line it? No. Does it make it nicer? Yeah probably.
I’ve made them both ways. Unlined is faster and honestly fine if you’re using cotton yarn and a tight gauge. Lined is more professional looking and protects the inside from makeup stains better.
To line it you basically make a fabric pouch the same size as your crocheted pouch, don’t attach it to the zipper, and then slip it inside and tack it down at the corners and maybe a few spots along the zipper edge. I use hot glue for this sometimes which is probably not the right way but it works and I’m not gonna hand-sew all that.
Quilting cotton works great for lining. Those fat quarters at the craft store are perfect, you can usually get two bag linings out of one.
Variations I’ve Actually Made
Drawstring version: If you really don’t want to deal with zippers, you can make a simple pouch and add a drawstring closure. Just leave the top open, fold over a couple inches for a casing, and thread cord through. It’s not as secure but fine for like… I don’t know, hair ties and bobby pins or whatever.
Snap closure: You can get magnetic snaps at the craft store and install them in the top of a foldover style bag. This is actually easier than zippers but not as secure. Stuff can fall out if your bag tips over.
Double zipper: I made one with two compartments separated by a divider and it has a zipper on each side. This was complicated and probably not worth it but it looks cool and I felt very accomplished.
Washing These Things
Acrylic yarn bags can go in the washing machine on gentle, cold water. I usually put them in a lingerie bag so the zipper doesn’t catch on stuff. Air dry because the dryer can melt zippers or at least make them wonky.
Cotton ones are even easier, I’ve washed them on normal cycle and they’re fine. They might shrink a tiny bit the first wash but not enough to matter.
Time Investment Reality
A basic bag with a 9-inch zipper takes me maybe 2-3 hours total now that I’ve made a bunch. First time took way longer because I kept messing up the zipper attachment and had to redo it twice.
If you’re adding a lining or doing a box bottom or any fancy colorwork, add another hour or two.
They make decent gifts if you’re into that, though I feel like handmade gifts are always weird because some people appreciate them and some people are just like “oh… thanks” and you can tell they’re never gonna use it.
What I’d Do Differently Now
I’d invest in better zippers from the start. Those cheap nylon coil zippers work fine but the metal ones look way nicer and feel more durable. You can get them on Etsy in fun colors.
I’d also probably just commit to lining all of them because the unlined ones do get makeup stains on the inside eventually and cotton yarn doesn’t always wash out perfectly, especially if you get like red lipstick or dark eyeshadow in there.
And I’d make them slightly bigger than I think I need because I always underestimate how much stuff I actually carry around.
Common Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To
Using too big of a hook and ending up with a loose fabric that stretched out immediately. Go smaller than you think.
Not blocking the rectangle before attaching the zipper, which meant my measurements were off and the zipper was too short. Block your work or at least measure it accurately while it’s lying flat.
Sewing the zipper on with the pull tab at the wrong end so when you fold the bag it’s upside down. Make sure you orient the zipper correctly before you start sewing.
Making the bag too shallow, like only 4 inches tall, which meant everything stuck out the top even when zipped. Go at least 5-6 inches in height.
Not weaving in ends securely so they worked loose after a few weeks of use and the seams started coming apart. Use a yarn needle and really work those ends in, maybe even tie a tiny knot before weaving.
Trying to use fuzzy yarn because it was pretty but you literally cannot see your stitches and the zipper gets caught on the fuzz. Just don’t.
Pattern Resources
I don’t really follow written patterns anymore but when I started I used a lot of YouTube tutorials. Search for “crochet zippered pouch tutorial” and you’ll find like hundreds of them. Some are better than others.
Bella Coco has a good basic one. TL Yarn Crafts has one with a box bottom that’s pretty clear. I watched probably six different videos before I actually started because I wanted to see different techniques.
Ravelry has free patterns too if you search for cosmetic bag or makeup pouch, though some of them are overly complicated with weird construction methods that don’t make sense to me.
Honestly once you understand the basic concept you don’t really need a pattern, just make a rectangle the size you want and figure out the zipper attachment through trial and error like I did.
