1970s Daisy Motif Drawstring Pouch: Free Crochet Pattern

1970s Daisy Motif Drawstring Pouch: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This little pouch is for anyone who loves a bit of retro charm and wants a quick, satisfying project that uses up odds and ends of worsted yarn. It is worked in one piece from a flat circular base into straight sides, then finished with a simple drawstring and five pastel daisy appliqués sewn around the body. The pastel yellow main color and pink, blue, and green petals give it that cheerful 1970s feel. It works up soft and sturdy in acrylic, holds its round shape nicely, and is just the right size for jewelry, stitch markers, or small treasures.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) acrylic yarn. MC (pastel yellow): 150 yd. CA (pastel pink): 20 yd. CB (pastel blue): 20 yd. CC (pastel green): 10 yd. CD (cream): 10 yd.
• Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook.
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.
• Finished size: Approximately 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter and 7 inches (18 cm) tall, excluding the drawstring.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops twice.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• inc – increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch.
• sk – skip: miss the next stitch without working into it.
• sp – space: the gap made by a chain.
• MR – magic ring: an adjustable loop you crochet into, then pull closed.
• st(s) – stitch(es).
• rnd – round: one full circle of stitches worked around.
• MC, CA, CB, CC, CD – main color and contrast colors A through D, as listed above.

Gauge

16 sc and 18 rnds = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. To check, crochet a small flat swatch in sc and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 16, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Work the base in continuous rounds without joining; place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you always know where the round begins.
• Keep your tension even on the base so it stays flat — if it starts to cup, your stitches are too tight, and if it ripples, they are too loose.
• The back-loop-only round creates a crisp ridge where the base meets the sides, so make sure you work into the back loop of every stitch, not the front.
• When you reach the hole round, keep the chain-1 spaces loose enough for the drawstring to slide through easily.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Base (MC)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts).

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts).

Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts).

Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54 sts).

Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] x6 (60 sts).

Rnd 11: [9 sc, inc] x6 (66 sts).

Rnd 12: [10 sc, inc] x6 (72 sts).

Rnd 13: [11 sc, inc] x6 (78 sts).

Rnd 14: [12 sc, inc] x6 (84 sts).

Rnd 15: [13 sc, inc] x6 (90 sts).

Rnd 16: [14 sc, inc] x6 (96 sts). Do not fasten off.

Body (MC)

Rnd 17: sc in the back loop only of each st around (96 sts).

Rnds 18–30: sc in both loops of each st around (96 sts).

Rnd 31: [sc, ch 1, sk 1] x48 (96 sts, counting the 48 sc and 48 ch-1 sps).

Rnd 32: sc in each sc and in each ch-1 sp around (96 sts).

Rnds 33–34: sc in each st around (96 sts). Fasten off.

Drawstring (MC)

Row 1: Ch 100.

Row 2: Sl st in each ch across (100 sts). Fasten off.

Daisy Petals (make 5, mixing CA, CB, and CC for the petals)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).

Rnd 2: [ch 2, dc, ch 2, sl st] in the same st, then [sl st, ch 2, dc, ch 2, sl st] in each st around (6 petals). Fasten off.

Daisy Centers (make 5, CD)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts). Sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew one cream center over the middle of each daisy. Arrange the five daisies evenly around the outside of the body between Rnds 18 and 30, then sew each one in place with matching or invisible thread. Weave in all ends on the wrong side. Thread the drawstring through the holes of Rnd 31, going in and out around the pouch, and tie the ends together. Block lightly by misting with water and shaping the pouch over a small round object or stuffing it gently with a cloth; let it dry completely before removing.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the pastel palette for bold 1970s colors like orange, mustard, and avocado for a stronger retro look.
• Make a longer drawstring and add small beads to the ends for a decorative finish.
• Use cotton yarn instead of acrylic for a sturdier pouch that holds its shape even better.