Looking for a quick little holiday project you can whip up in no time? This cute mini pouch is super fun to make and even better to give! It’s fast, festive, and perfect for adding that homemade touch to your gifts—or just to brighten up your own holiday space.
The holidays are right around the corner, and what better way to make your gifts extra special than with a handmade touch? I’m so happy to share my Jolly Mini Gift Bag—a free festive crochet pouch pattern that’s quick, fun, and perfect for holiday gifting.
This easy-to-follow free festive crochet pouch pattern works up quickly—perfect for last-minute holiday gifting! I added a strand of gold thread to the contrast yarn for a touch of sparkle, and I love how it turned out.
The pattern involves some simple color changes, and if you’re new to tapestry crochet, don’t worry—I’ll guide you step-by-step. You’ll be able to create a handmade, thoughtful mini gift bag that’s full of Christmas charm in no time!
Related: Free Crochet Patterns For Christmas Gifts and Decorations.
Keep reading to find the free pattern, or if you prefer a printable add-free PDF, you can find it on Etsy, Ravelry, and my online store!
Christmas Gift Bag Collection
- 🎁 Merry Mini Gift Bag Pattern
- 🎅 Jolly Mini Gift Bag Pattern
- 🎄 Christmas Tree Mini Gift Bag Pattern
- 🦌 Reindeer Mini Gift Bag Pattern
- ❄️ Snowflake Mini Gift Bag Pattern
- 🌟 Noel Mini Gift Bag Pattern
Before we start this Free Festive Crochet Pouch Pattern
Free Festive Crochet Pouch Pattern: Start Here
Recommended Yarn:
Note: I used two strands of a superfine #1 weight yarn held together (Loops & Threads Woollike Simili Lane, which was unfortunately discontinued). You can use any #2 sport weight yarn instead. I also added a gold thread (Yarn Bee Bejeweled Sequin Gold yarn) with the contrast yarn for a little extra sparkle.
- Loops & Thread Woolike Yarn, #1 superfine weight yarn (double strand). Colors shown: Olive: Yarn A and Beige: Yarn B
- Yarn Bee Bejeweled Sequin Gold: Hold together with Yarn B
Yardage: About 271 yds total
Yarn Substitution
Crochet Hook: 3 mm
Gauge: 4”square = 19 Rows x 20 ST
Finished measurements: H= 5 ½ ” / W= 4 ½”
Abbreviations
- CH: Chain
- ST: Stitch
- SLST: Slip stitch
- SC: Single crochet
- DC: Double Crochet
- BLO: Back loop only
- FLO: Front loop only
- YO: Yarn over
- Rnd: Round
- Rep: Repeat
Pattern notes
- This pattern is written in US terms.
- Skill level is Easy.
- Keep your tension even.
Special Stitches
- Single crochet in the back loop only (SC BLO): Insert your hook only into the back loop of the stitch from the previous row, rather than both loops as you would in a regular single crochet stitch.
- Single crochet in the front loop only (SC FLO): Insert your hook only into the front loop of the stitch from the previous row, rather than both loops as you would in a regular single crochet stitch.
- Picot Stitch: CH 3, SL ST in 3rd CH from the hook.
Color changing in tapestry crochet
Before you begin this project, you’ll need to be familiar with :
- Color changing: This tutorial will guide you through the basic techniques. Read through the instructions below thoroughly and practice if needed. Watch this tutorial for extra help.
- Reading a chart: Watch how to read a tapestry graph.
1- Incorporating The Contrast Yarn
- Insert your hook into the back loop only of the first single crochet.
- Place the contrast yarn over the hook.
- Yarn over with your working yarn and pull up a loop.
- Yarn over again and pull through both loops on the hook.
- Continue crocheting with your main yarn as usual.
- Carry the contrast yarn behind your stitches by crocheting over it.
- Keep carrying the contrast yarn even if it’s not needed right away.
2- How to Change Colors
- When the pattern or chart tells you it’s time to switch to Yarn B, start your last stitch with Yarn A as usual.
- Insert your hook into the stitch and pull up a loop with Yarn A.
- Now, yarn over with Yarn B instead of Yarn A.
- Pull through both loops on the hook to finish the stitch with Yarn B.
- From this point on, crochet with Yarn B.
- Keep carrying Yarn A behind your stitches by crocheting over it.
Jolly Mini Gift Bag Pattern
In this free festive crochet pouch pattern, I’ll share all the materials you need and provide step-by-step instructions to crochet the Jolly Gift Bag. If you prefer a printable, ad-free PDF, the premium version is available for purchase in all my shops linked below.
Prefer A Printable PDF?
Treat yourself to the ad-free, beautifully formatted version of this design for a small fee!
crochet Your Jolly Mini Gift bag
Step 1- Crochet the Pouch
- I added gold thread to Yarn B.
- Crochet the bag in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker to mark the end of each round, moving it up as you go.
- If you prefer, you can join each round with SL ST and CH1 instead of working in a spiral.
Rnd 1: With yarn A, chain 24 to make a foundation chain. 2 SC in 2nd CH from hook, SC in next 21 ST, 3 SC in the last CH. Continue crocheting along the back, unused loops of the foundation chain, SC in the next 21 ST, SC in the last CH already holding 2 SC. Place a stitch marker here and move it up each row. (48) ST around. From now on, crochet continuously in SC BLO.
Rnd 2: Add yarn B (+ gold thread) here (carry it until you need to use it in the 4th ST). SC BLO in each ST around, change colors according to the chart.
Rnd 3- 20: SC BLO in each ST around. Apply color changes as indicated on the chart. At the end of Rnd 20, cut yarn A. (48)
- Start from the bottom right.
- All squares are SC BLO.
Rnd 21: Yarn B. SC FLO (in front loops only) in each ST around.
Rnd 22: Yarn B.*SC BLO in next ST, 2 SC BLO in next ST,* rep *to* around. (72)
Rnd 23-24: Yarn B. SC BLO in each ST around. (72)
Rnd 25: Yarn B. Crochet in both loops. SL ST in the next ST, Picot ST, skip a ST,* rep *to* around. Finish with SL ST in the last ST. Fasten off.
Step 2- Crochet the drawstring
With yarn B (+gold thread), chain 80, secure both ends with a couple of knots, then cut your yarn. With the crochet hook, thread the drawstring through Rnd 21, two stitches at a time.
Weave in all ends, and you are all done!
I offer full support to help you with any questions or challenges you might have. Feel free to drop your comments in the section below or join our Facebook group, where I, along with my wonderful testers and community members, will be more than happy to assist you!
