Simple Crocheted Chanukah Gelt Bags Pattern

Our family Chanukah celebration on the first night of Chanukah always includes gelt pouches of some kind, either sewn or crocheted by yours truly! This year I had a bunch of yarn left over after crocheting a bunch of items for a new baby in the family, so I decided to crochet gelt pouches and succeeded in using up every last bit of yarn, because I crocheted 8 like the ones shown here, two chunkier ones using a different pattern that I'll share soon, and three chunky bear pouches (will also share soon) Whew, it was quite the undertaking I wlll admit, and still have to finish two of the bear pouches to set aside for next year (?) but really enjoyed crocheting once again. There is nothing like a handmade gift, and my pouches always contain chocolate money, small dreidels and some fun prizes like super balls, tiny flashlights and this year, tiny writing pads. With four more nights of Chanukah still left, you can certainly whip up a few of these pouches, so lets get to it!

Simple Crocheted Chanukah Gelt Pouch Pattern

You'll Need: yarn of your preference, I used Jeans Plus by YarnArt, with a 5mm/H hook, together with Dolce Baby by Yarn Art for the velvety grey sections, and t-shirt yarn or ribbon for tie, plus fun wooden beads, I love the geometric beads I used

Gauge and yarn used is up to you, just use hook size recommended on sleeve with your yarn. And of course, this is a fabulous stash buster to use up all kinds of odds and ends of yarn! To vary size of pouch you can play around with a base chain that is either larger or smaller than 17 chains, or simply vary the yarn weight using the same pattern.

Crochet a chain of 17 stitches.

Round 1: Single crochet into single loop of 16 stitches, then continue around to other side of chain and crochet into back loop of chain, slip stitch into first sc

Round 2: Chain 2 (or 3, depending on your preference) and DC into every sc from previous row. Join to first DC (not chain) with a slip stitch.

Round 3: Chain 1, sc around and join to first stitch with a slip stitch

Round 4: Repeat round 3

Round 5: Chain 2, and DC into every sc from previous row. Join to first DC with a slip stitch

Round 6 to 17: (or according to what works for you) Continue with pattern of 2 rows SC followed by a row of DC. Row 17 is the row I used to insert the drawstring.

Round 18 and 19: SC around. You can also opt to omit Row 19, see what works for you, with chunky yarn no need for Row 19, with more delicate yarn and smaller pouch I think you might need it.

Round 20: Picot stitch trim as follows: sc 3, chain three, slip stitch in 3rd sc to form loop, continue around, and fit in last loop however possible with stitch count.

To finish: weave in tie by weaving in between every two DC stitches, Tie a bow, cut tie to desired length and then add beads to ends

Make a bunch to use for gifts any time, or whip them up during the year to have on hand for Chanukah!

NOTE: When finishing each round and starting the next round, you can opt to make first stitch directly after the ch1 or ch2, or skip that first stitch and start in the next stitch. If you opt to skip a stitch you will see the end of the round making an indent on the diagonal as you go up the pouch, but the edges of the pouch will look neater from the front, so this is my personal preference. This could be avoided altogether by crocheting in the round, which I'll try and leave a link to project here when it happens!

This is a great pattern to customize with rows of different stiches or experiment with embroidery or applique, enjoy!

Related posts:

Crocheted Chunky Gift Bag With Free Pattern Is Perfect For Chanukah! Jewish Paper Quilling: A Chanukah Menorah Simple Crochet Projects For Hanukkah! Plastic Canvas Hanukkah Crafts To Make During Hanukkah! “Ugly” Holiday Sweater Craft Is Cute As Can Be! Painted Cereal Box Dreidels For Chanukah Crafting Cute Striped Dreidel Craft With Color Theory! A Last Minute Chanukah Crafting Lifesaver, Right About Now! The Origami Dove Is A NEW SYMBOL For Chanukah! Felted Wool Mug Cozies For Chanukah! DIY Hanukkah Menorah Digital Craft Chanukah Dreidel Craft With Drinking Straws Drinking Straw Hanukkah Menorah Craft A Fun Crochet Meets Plastic Basket For Spring Origami Dove For Chanukah