Rnds 14-15: Work as Rnds 8-9 (white stripe 2). (36 sts)
Checkpoint: 2.75 in (7.0 cm).
Rnds 16-19: Work as Rnds 10-13 (lattice band 3). (36 sc after Rnd 19)
Checkpoint: 3.5 in (8.9 cm).
Rnds 20-21: Work as Rnds 8-9 (white stripe 3). (36 sts)
Checkpoint: 4 in (10.2 cm). Three white stripes now separate three yellow sections. The fourth section comes next.
Section 4: Ruched Top and Drawstring Channel (Yellow)
Rnd 22 (flare): With yellow, ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 17 more times, join. (54 sc)*
This round adds 18 stitches. The top now measures 9 in (22.9 cm) around, which is 1.5 times the body. When the drawstring is pulled, this extra fabric becomes the ruching.
Rnd 23 (channel): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st, dc in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk next st; rep from * 16 more times, join to top of beg ch-3. (36 dc + 18 ch-1 sps = 54 sts)*
Each repeat covers 3 stitches, and 18 x 3 = 54. The 18 spaces form the drawstring channel. Because 18 is an even number, both drawstring ends will finish on the outside.
Checkpoint: 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall. Laid flat, the top is 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide before gathering.
Border
Border gauge: 6 sts per 1 in (2.5 cm), the same as the body.
Top Border (Yellow)
Rnd 24: Ch 1, sc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp around, join. (54 sc: 36 into dc + 18 into sps)
Rnd 25: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. Fasten off. (54 sc)
Why the math works: 54 sts at 6 sts per in = 9 in (22.9 cm). That is exactly the length of the flared round below, so the edge stays even before gathering. The border adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) of height. When you pull the drawstring, these 54 sts gather into a soft ruched header.
Bottom Opening Edge (Yellow)
Join yellow to any free loop of the foundation chain. Sl st loosely in each of the 18 free loops, join, and fasten off. (18 sl st)
Why the math works: 18 sts at 6 sts per in = 3 in (7.6 cm), which matches the foundation ring. A slip-stitch edge adds no measurable height. It firms up the opening without making it smaller.
Drawstring (White)
Ch until the chain measures 18 in (45.7 cm). Sl st in the back bump of each ch back along the chain. Fasten off and knot each end.
This length goes around the full 9 in (22.9 cm) top and leaves two 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tails to tie a bow.
Eyelet Rings (White, Make 2)
Ch 4 and sl st to form a ring. Ch 1, 8 sc in the ring, join. Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail. (8 sc) Each ring is about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) across.
Hanging Loop (White)
Ch until the chain measures 8 in (20.3 cm). Sl st in the back bump of each ch back along the chain. Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail at each end.
Assembly
- Flatten the pouch so the round joins are at center back. Counting from the beginning of the round, the two ch-1 spaces at center front are spaces 9 and 10.
- On the outside, center one eyelet ring over each of those two spaces. Line up the hole in each ring with its space, then whipstitch each ring down all the way around.
- Pass the drawstring through space 10 from outside to inside. Weave it in and out through spaces 11-18, then through spaces 1-9. That is 18 passes, so the cord comes back out through space 9 and its ring.
- Sew each end of the hanging loop to the inside of Rnd 24, one at each side fold. The loop should rise about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) above the top edge.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends on the inside, through solid sc rounds only.
- Spray the pouch with water until it is damp all the way through.
- Fill it with a rolled washcloth or a small balloon inflated to about 3 in (7.6 cm) across. This sets the rounded, bulbous shape.
- Ease the mesh loops by hand until each diamond opens evenly.
- Straighten the white stripes so they run level all the way around.
- Shape the gathered point by pressing the bottom opening into a neat circle about 1 in (2.5 cm) across.
- Let the pouch dry completely before you remove the filler. Then pull up the drawstring and tie a bow.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The body measures 3 in (7.6 cm) wide when flat.
- The height is 4.75 in (12.1 cm) open and 4.5 in (11.4 cm) closed.
- There are 4 yellow sections and 3 white ribbed stripes, all level.
- Every mesh round has 12 loops, and the diamonds are evenly offset.
- Rnds 7, 13 and 19 each have 36 sc.
- Rnds 22-25 each have 54 sts, and the channel has 18 spaces.
- Both drawstring ends come out through the eyelet rings at center front.
- The bottom opening is round and firm, 3 in (7.6 cm) around.
- The hanging loop is sewn on evenly at both sides.
- All ends are hidden in solid rounds.
Troubleshooting
The lattice band spirals or leans. You may have started Rnd 5 in the wrong loop. Always sl st into the next loop after the join, and count 12 sc.
The bottom point puckers too much. Rnd 2 is too tight. Work it with looser loops, or use a hook 0.25 mm larger for that round.
The white stripes flare. Your post stitches are too tall. Snug each yarn over before you complete each FPdc and BPdc.
The top won’t gather smoothly. The drawstring may be too thick, or it may skip a space. Weave it again through all 18 spaces.
The rings sit off-center. Remove them and pin them again with each hole directly over space 9 or space 10.
The pouch is too wide. Count Rnd 7 and Rnd 13 again. Extra stitches often come from working 3 sc into a loop instead of 2.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, then gently press out the water. Reshape the pouch over a rolled washcloth and lay it flat to dry.
Final Notes
Here is the measurement chain. 18 sts make a 3 in (7.6 cm) opening. Doubling to 36 sts gives a 6 in (15.2 cm) body that lies 3 in (7.6 cm) wide. Each lattice band has 12 repeats of 3 stitches and closes back to 36 sts. Each white stripe keeps 36 sts. The flare to 54 sts makes 9 in (22.9 cm) of fabric, and the 18-space channel gathers it into a ruched top.
Section by section, the body adds up to 4.5 in (11.4 cm). The top border brings it to 4.75 in (12.1 cm) open, and it gathers to 4.5 in (11.4 cm) closed. If your pouch matches each checkpoint along the way, it will match the finished size.
Happy crocheting!
