Crochet Advent Calendar Pattern: 24 Mini Drawstring Pouches (PDF)

This crochet advent calendar pattern shows you how to make 24 mini drawstring pouches, numbered 1 to 24, for a reusable Christmas countdown. Fill each little gift bag with a treat, hang them on peg rails or a garland, and open one every day in December. The pouches are worked in chunky yarn, so each one takes about an hour.

Crochet Advent Calendar Pattern at a Glance

What You Will Make

Twenty-four small, sturdy pouches with a drawstring top, a hanging loop and a number tag. Each pouch is about 9 cm wide and 11.5 cm tall, big enough for wrapped chocolates, a tea bag, a little note or a small toy.

The pattern has 4 pouch styles: Classic (smooth single crochet), Knit-Look (the knit stitch, which looks like knitting), Ridge (back loop only) and Popcorn (plump bobbles). The colour plan uses 6 colours, so every one of the 24 pouches is different.

Why Crochet an Advent Calendar?

• It comes back every year. Unlike a cardboard calendar, you fill it again every December.
• Small projects, quick wins. One pouch takes about an hour, so you can see your progress every evening.
• Perfect for leftover yarn. Use scraps for test pouches and crochet tags.
• A beautiful handmade gift. Fill it and give it to a family with children, a friend or yourself.

How to Make a Crochet Advent Calendar: The Steps

The full instructions are in the PDF, with a photo guide, stitch diagrams and charts. Here is the overall order of the project:

1. Gather your supplies: chunky cotton yarn in 6 colours, a 5.5 mm and a 6 mm hook, a tapestry needle, a stitch marker and 24 number tags.
2. Crochet the flat oval base, the same for every pouch, then work up in continuous rounds in your chosen style.
3. Make the eyelet round near the top for the drawstring.
4. Add the drawstring, hanging loop and number tag.
5. Repeat 24 times, following the colour plan.
6. Hang the pouches on 3 peg rails with 8 pegs each, or on a twine garland, and fill them.

Tips for a Neat Advent Calendar

• Make a test pouch first and check it measures about 9 cm wide. This is your gauge check.
• Use the same hook and tension for all 24 pouches so the calendar looks even.
• Choose cotton or a cotton blend. It holds its shape when the pouches are filled. Our best yarn for crochet bags guide explains why.
• Count to 20 at the end of every round. Every round of every pouch has 20 stitches.
• Keep fillings small and light so the drawstring closes easily.

When to Start Your Advent Calendar

Start in October or early November. At about an hour per pouch, 24 pouches fit into a few weeks of relaxed evenings, and you will be ready to hang it on 1 December. For more holiday projects, see our crochet Christmas gift ideas.

🎁 Filling idea: mix sweet treats with little notes like “make hot chocolate together” or “watch a Christmas film tonight”.

Crochet Advent Calendar Pattern: FAQ