Crochet Gift Bag: Christmas Tree Pouch Pattern

A Tree Shape That Still Works as a Bag

The lower wall remains nearly straight so a small box or wrapped treat fits inside. Four evenly spaced decrease rounds taper only the upper section. The ruffles sit on top of the wall, which means the bag does not lose capacity where the tier edges appear.

Materials You'll Need

• About 210 yd (192 m) worsted cotton (body), 100% cotton, in Forest green.
• About 45 yd (41 m) worsted cotton (base and cord), 100% cotton, in Deep cranberry.
• About 8 yd (7 m) worsted cotton (star), 100% cotton, in Warm gold.
• 4.0 mm (US G-6) crochet hook.
• Removable 6 in (15 cm) plastic canvas base insert, optional.
• Yarn needle.
• 5 stitch markers.
• Scissors.

Choose a cotton or cotton blend with enough body to stand. A limp single-ply yarn can be held together with a matching strand, but make a new gauge swatch before starting the base.

Gauge and Finished Measurements

• Skill level: Intermediate.
• Gauge: 16 sc and 18 rnds = 4 in (10 cm).
• Finished size: About 9 in (23 cm) tall and 6 in (15 cm) across the base.
• Working time: About 4 hours 30 minutes.

Check the base after Round 6. It should lie flat at 6 in (15 cm) across; a cupped base needs a larger hook, while ripples call for a smaller one.

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

Instructions use US crochet terms. Count at the end of every numbered row or round before moving on.

• mr: magic ring.
• ch: chain.
• sl st: slip stitch.
• sc: single crochet.
• hdc: half double crochet.
• dc: double crochet.
• inc: 2 stitches in the same stitch.
• dec: invisible single crochet decrease.
• BLO: back loop only.
• FLO: front loop only.
• sk: skip.
• sp: space.
• st(s): stitch(es).
• rnd(s): round(s).

Ruffle increase: Work 2 dc in every stitch across the strip to create an even flare.

Pattern Notes

• Work the bag body in a continuous spiral.
• Move the first-stitch marker after every round.
• Make the lower, middle and upper ruffles separately.

The three ruffle bands have different circumferences. Label them lower, middle and upper as soon as they are fastened off.

How to Crochet a Gift Bag with Tree Tiers

The body begins with 48 stitches, then narrows by four stitches at each decrease round. Mark the first stitch and place four extra markers 12 stitches apart; each decrease stays near one marker. This spreads the shaping around the bag instead of making one diagonal seam.

Each ruffle is a straight strip joined into a ring. Its second row doubles the stitch count, making a controlled flare that rests against the pouch.

Attaching the Ruffles and Drawstring

1. Sew the lower ruffle around Body Round 10 with its seam at the back.
2. Attach the middle ruffle around Body Round 15 and the upper ruffle around Body Round 20.
3. Thread the cranberry cord through the eyelet round, entering and leaving at the center front.
4. Sew one cord stop to each end and knot the yarn tails inside.
5. Center the gold star above the cord opening and sew every point down.

Fill the bag before tightening the cord. The top ruffle should frame the gathered opening rather than fold into it.

Keeping the Tree Pouch Upright

• Block the base flat before starting the walls.
• Place decreases at four marked points.
• Sew ruffle seams to the back of the bag.
• Use short stitches around the star points so they cannot lift.

Fillings for a Crochet Gift Bag Free Pattern

This crochet gift bag pattern holds wrapped sweets, a small candle or a rolled pair of socks. For reusable table favors, make the bag in cotton and replace tissue paper with a square of fabric. Do not place unwrapped food directly against yarn.

Care and Storage

Remove the contents and hand wash in cool water. Shape the base over an inverted bowl while drying, then press the ruffle edges outward with your fingers.