A granny square makeup bag is the project that finally answers the question every crocheter asks: what do I actually do with all these squares? Join a handful of classic squares, sew in a zipper, and you have a sturdy, cheerful little bag that holds your everyday makeup, your hooks, or your travel bits — and looks good doing it.
The navy, pale yellow and beige version in the photo is exactly why this bag is everywhere right now: it uses leftover yarn, it works up over a weekend, and if you can crochet a basic granny square, you already know 90% of it. Below you will find what you need, the tips that make the zipper easy, and three free patterns — each one a slightly different route to the same bag, so you can pick the one that matches your squares and your patience.
Quick Facts
- Skill level: Beginner to easy — basic granny squares plus simple sewing
- Typical finished size: about 9–10 inches wide × 6–7 inches tall (23–25 × 15–18 cm)
- Time: a relaxed weekend project
- Yarn: cotton DK or aran — cotton holds its shape and washes well
- Hook: 4–5 mm, matching your yarn
- Extras: a 9–10 inch zipper, and optional lining fabric
Why This Little Bag Works So Well
It eats scrap yarn. Each square takes only a few grams, so this is the perfect home for the half balls left over from bigger projects. Cotton makes it practical — no stretch, no sag, and it survives a wash when a foundation bottle leaks. And a simple lining turns it from a pouch into a real makeup bag: nothing pokes through the stitch holes, and spills wipe clean. The yellow gingham lining in the photo is not just pretty — it is doing a job.
What You Will Need
- Cotton yarn (DK or aran) in 2–3 colours — one dark, one light, one neutral is the formula in the photo
- 4–5 mm crochet hook
- A zipper the width of your bag (9–10 inches for the classic size)
- Optional but recommended: a piece of cotton or gingham fabric for the lining
- Yarn needle, scissors, sewing needle and thread (or a sewing machine) for the zipper and lining
- Stitch markers or clips — they make zipper sewing much calmer
Stitches Used (US Terms)
- ch — chain
- sl st — slip stitch
- sc — single crochet
- dc — double crochet
That is genuinely all of it. The bag itself is just the classic granny square — clusters of 3 dc separated by chains, with (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) corners — joined together and finished with a zipper.
3 Free Granny Square Makeup Bag Patterns to Choose From
Three lovely designers publish their versions free. Pick by how you like to work:
1. Granny Square Zipper Pouch — Crafted by Cat
The closest match to the bag in the photo. You crochet 8 granny squares (about 5 inches each), seam them together, fold, add a neat edging with decreases, and sew in a 10-inch zipper — finished pouch about 10 × 7 inches. Aran cotton and a 5 mm hook, with yarn amounts given per round, and a video to help with the lining. Get the free pattern at Crafted by Cat →
2. Tipsy Granny Zipper Pouch — Moogly
Love the granny look but not the joining? Moogly’s version fakes the squares with clever short rows in self-striping Red Heart All In One Granny Square yarn — no seaming marathon, and you can get about three pouches from one skein. Finished size about 9.5 × 6 inches, 6 mm hook, free on her blog with a video tutorial. Get the free pattern at Moogly →
3. Easy Granny Square Pouch for Beginners — All Things Crafts
The fastest first version: just two granny squares, sewn together on three sides, with a zipper on top and an optional felt lining. If you have never sewn a zipper into crochet before, start here — small, quick, and very forgiving. Get the free pattern at All Things Crafts →
Tips for a Bag That Looks (and Works) Like the Photo
- Block your squares to one size. Ten minutes of blocking is the difference between a neat bag and a wobbly one — every square must measure the same before joining.
- Sew the zipper in OPEN. Clip or pin it along the top edge first, and keep it unzipped while you sew so the pull never gets trapped in a corner.
- Add the lining. Cut it the same size as the joined squares, sew it into a little pouch, and stitch it in under the zipper. It stops brushes poking through and catches leaks.
- Choose cotton over acrylic for this one — it keeps crisp edges and washes without going fuzzy.
- Steal the colour formula: one deep colour (navy), one soft colour (pale yellow), one neutral (beige). It works with almost any three balls from your stash.
Make It Yours
Two small squares make a coin purse. One long row of squares becomes a pencil case. Add a wrist strap and it is a little clutch. Scale the squares up and you have a project bag for your next blanket. Once you have made one, the variations take care of themselves — most people end up making three: one for makeup, one for hooks, and one that mysteriously becomes a gift.
FAQ
How many granny squares do I need for a makeup bag?
It depends on the design: the simplest pouch uses just 2 squares, while the classic 10 × 7 inch bag in the photo style uses 8 squares of about 5 inches. Bigger squares mean fewer to make.
What is the best yarn for a crochet makeup bag?
Cotton, every time. It holds its shape, does not stretch out when the bag is full, and can be washed when makeup spills. DK or aran weight both work well.
Do I really need a lining?
Not strictly — but for makeup, yes, it is worth it. A lining stops small items poking through the stitch gaps and protects the yarn from spills. A plain cotton or gingham fabric is perfect.
Can a beginner sew a zipper into crochet?
Yes. Hand-sewing is actually easier than machine-sewing here: clip the zipper along the top edge, keep it open, and use small backstitches. The two-square pattern above is the gentlest place to learn it.
How do I wash a cotton crochet makeup bag?
Hand wash or a gentle machine cycle in a laundry bag, then dry flat. Cotton granny squares come out looking like new.
Save It & Keep Making
Making this bag later? Save it on Pinterest so you can find it again — and while you are here, you might also love our crochet water bottle holder for another useful everyday make. Prefer ad-free printable books? Browse the pattern books in our shop.
The free patterns linked above belong to their designers — Crafted by Cat, Moogly and All Things Crafts. Please visit their pages for the full instructions, and credit them when you share your finished bag.
By
