Coral Stripe Tunisian Cinch Pack Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This Coral Stripe Tunisian Cinch Pack is a tube-shaped drawstring bag worked in Tunisian knit stitch, which gives it a dense, smooth, almost knitted fabric that holds its shape beautifully. Wide teal and coral stripes and a little coral pom appliqué give it a cozy mountain-cabin feel, while the doubled drawstring cord keeps everything secure and hands-free. It's a wonderful project for advanced beginners who have tried a little Tunisian crochet and want to make something genuinely useful. At about 8 in (20 cm) wide and 10 in (25 cm) tall, it's the perfect size for a phone, keys, wallet, and a few small essentials.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Bulky (weight 5) acrylic or cotton blend — teal: 120 yd; coral: 80 yd
- Tunisian hook: 6 mm (J/10) Tunisian crochet hook with a 24 in cable
- Regular hook: 6 mm (J/10) crochet hook for the top edging and drawstring cords
- Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, pom-pom maker or cardboard template (for a 1.5 in / 4 cm pom)
- Finished size: Approx. 8 in (20 cm) wide x 10 in (25 cm) tall, excluding the drawstring
Abbreviations
- ch — chain
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- sc — single crochet
- sl st — slip stitch
- Tks — Tunisian knit stitch (worked as a Tunisian simple stitch but with the hook inserted through the vertical bar from front to back, creating a knit-like look)
- RS — right side
- WS — wrong side
- beg — beginning
- rep — repeat
Gauge
14 sts x 12 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in Tunisian knit stitch. To check it, work a small swatch in Tks and measure a 4 in (10 cm) section in both directions — adjust your hook size if needed so the finished bag matches the measurements.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your Tunisian forward-pass loops loose enough to slide easily along the cable; tight loops make the return pass slow and the fabric stiff.
- Change colors on the return pass so the new color begins cleanly at the start of the next row — the stripe edges will look neat.
- Measure your stripes as you go rather than counting rows, since Tunisian row height can vary slightly with tension.
- Before seaming, double-check that the top 1 in (2.5 cm) of the short sides stays unseamed — that gap becomes the drawstring channel opening.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Bag Body (worked flat in Tunisian knit stitch, then seamed)
Row 1 (RS): With teal, ch 30, then Tks across (30 sts).
Row 2: Tks across (30 sts).
Rows 3–9: Rep Row 2 until piece measures 3 in (7.5 cm) from beg, ending on a RS row (30 sts). Change to coral.
Rows 10–15: Rep Row 2, working 2 in (5 cm) in coral (30 sts). Change to teal.
Rows 16–24: Rep Row 2, working 3 in (7.5 cm) in teal (30 sts). Change to coral.
Rows 25–30: Rep Row 2, working 2 in (5 cm) in coral (30 sts). Change to teal.
Rows 31–36: Rep Row 2, working 2 in (5 cm) in teal (30 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.
Seam Sides
With WS facing, whipstitch the short sides together to form a tube, leaving the top 1 in (2.5 cm) unseamed for the drawstring channel.
Top Edging (with regular hook)
Rnd 1: Join teal at the top edge, sc evenly around (approx 60 sc).
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around (60 sts). Fasten off.
Drawstring Channel
Fold the top 1 in (2.5 cm) to the WS and sew in place, leaving small openings at the sides for the cord.
Drawstring Cord (make 2, with regular hook)
Cord: With coral, ch 80. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (79 sl sts). Fasten off. Make a second cord the same way.
Thread both cords through the channel in opposite directions, then knot the ends together.
Pom Appliqué (with regular hook)
With coral, make a small pom-pom approx 1.5 in (4 cm) in diameter using a pom-pom maker or cardboard template. Attach securely to the front center of the bag.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends neatly on the wrong side. Gently block the bag lightly to measurements — mist with water, shape it into a tube, and let it dry flat. Once dry, give the drawstring a final tug to even out the channel and fluff the pom.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the stripe colors for any two shades you love — a mustard and cream combo gives a warm autumn look.
- Add a small fabric lining sewn inside before seaming for extra structure and to keep small items from poking through.
- Make a longer cord and wear the bag crossbody, or add a second pom to the back for a playful detail.
