Christmas Penguin Drawstring Gift Bag

Christmas Penguin Drawstring Gift Bag by Andrew Lucas

Project Overview

This is a beginner-level knitted drawstring gift bag designed by Andrew Lucas, perfect for festive holiday gifting. The finished bag measures approximately 10 centimeters and features a charming penguin-inspired color scheme with a decorative picot edge and striped body.

What Is Being Made

A small drawstring gift bag suitable for holding small presents or treats during the Christmas season. The bag combines festive red and green stripes with a black body section, creating a penguin-themed aesthetic that appeals to holiday crafters of all skill levels.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Casting on: Creating the initial 45 stitches on the needles to begin the project
• Picot edge: A decorative fold created using yarn round needle (yrn) and knit two together (k2tog) techniques to form a delicate, scalloped trim
• Color changes: Switching between red, green, and black double knitting wool to create horizontal stripes and color blocking
• Shaping the base: Decreasing stitches strategically using knit two together (k2tog) to form the bag's bottom
• Bind and tie finish: Threading the final stitches closed using a tapestry needle to secure the top of the bag

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch (gs): Knitting every row to create a textured, reversible fabric used for the striped sections and picot edge
• Stocking stitch (st st): Alternating knit and purl rows to create a smooth, classic fabric used for the main black body of the bag
• Knit (k): The fundamental stitch forming the foundation of all knitted fabric
• Purl (p): The reverse of the knit stitch, used in combination with knit stitches to create stocking stitch
• Yarn round needle (yrn): Creating new stitches and decorative eyelets for the picot edge detail
• Knit two together (k2tog): A decrease technique used to reduce stitch count and shape the bag's base
• Slip stitch (sl) and pass slip stitch over (psso): Advanced decrease techniques for shaping

Materials Required

This project uses 3.25mm knitting needles and double knitting wool in five colors: red, green, black, white, and yellow. Only oddments (small leftover quantities) of each color are needed, making this an excellent stash-busting project for crafters with yarn scraps. The small finished size means minimal yardage is required overall.

Construction Details

The bag begins with a red garter stitch foundation, followed by a decorative picot row that creates a finished edge. Alternating red and green garter stitch stripes build the upper portion of the bag, establishing the festive color palette. The main body transitions to black stocking stitch, providing contrast and the penguin-inspired appearance. Strategic decreases shape the base of the bag, reducing from 45 stitches to 36 and then to 27 stitches to create a gathered bottom. The final stitches are bound and tied using a tapestry needle, creating a secure closure for the drawstring opening.