Upgrade your daily shower routine and eliminate slippery, wasted soap slivers with this easy crochet soap saver pouch! Worked in under 20 minutes using durable 100% cotton yarn, this textured drawstring bag doubles as a gentle exfoliating washcloth and a fast-drying hanging storage pouch for your favorite artisan bars.
If you love luxurious bar soaps or make your own cold-process herbal bars at home, you know the frustration of watching expensive soaps dissolve into mush on a soggy shower ledge. A crochet soap saver pouch completely solves this dilemma. The airy openwork mesh allows the soap to breathe, produce rich billowy lather effortlessly, and hang completely dry between uses—extending the lifespan of your soap bars by up to 50%.
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
- 20-Minute Lightning Project: Small, portable, and incredibly fast to complete—ideal for beginner crocheters seeking a quick, satisfying finish.
- Zero Waste & Stash-Buster: Requires only about 35 to 45 yards of worsted cotton yarn, making it the ultimate project for using up leftover scraps from dishcloths or market bags.
- Built-In Gentle Exfoliation: The natural textured ridges of the cotton stitches provide soft, invigorating skin stimulation without being scratchy or abrasive.
- Thoughtful Spa Gift: Pair a handmade soap pouch with an artisan botanical soap bar and a wooden bead cinch for a chic, eco-friendly gift basket favorite.
Materials & Tools Needed
- Yarn: Approx. 40 yards of 100% Worsted Weight (#4) Cotton Yarn. Recommended: Lily Sugar ‘n Cream, KnitPicks Dishie, or Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton in Ecru, Sage, or Linen. (Avoid synthetic acrylics as they do not absorb water or lather properly).
- Crochet Hook: US Size H-8 (5.0 mm) bamboo or aluminum crochet hook.
- Drawstring Accent: 1 or 2 raw unpainted round wooden beads (16mm or 20mm with large hole) for the cinch cord.
- Notions: Tapestry yarn needle, sharp craft scissors, and a flexible tape measure.
- Soap Bar: Standard bath soap bar (approx. 3.5 to 4.5 oz / 3.5 x 2.5 x 1 inches).
Crochet Abbreviations & Pattern Notes
Written in standard US Crochet Terminology.
- Ch: Chain
- Sc: Single Crochet
- Dc: Double Crochet
- Sl St: Slip Stitch
- Sk: Skip
- Sp: Space
- St(s): Stitch(es)
- Rnd: Round
Finished Dimensions: Approx. 3.75 inches wide by 5.25 inches tall unstretched. The cotton mesh naturally expands to accommodate both standard rectangle bars and oval artisan rounds.
Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions
1. Oval Foundation Base
Foundation: Ch 11.
Rnd 1 (Working around both sides of chain): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 8 chs. Work 3 sc into the last chain to turn the corner. Working along the opposite underside of the foundation chain: Sc in next 8 chs, work 2 sc in the beginning turning chain space. Join with a sl st to the first sc (22 sts).
Rnd 2: Ch 1 (does not count as st), sc in each st around. Sl st to first sc to join (22 sts).
2. Breathable Openwork Mesh Body
Rnd 3: Ch 4 (counts as first dc + ch 1), sk next st, *dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st; repeat from * around. Sl st into the 3rd ch of the starting ch-4 to join (11 dc, 11 ch-1 spaces = 22 sts).
Rnds 4 through 8: Sl st into the first ch-1 space. Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), *dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1; repeat from * around. Sl st into 3rd ch of starting ch-4 to join (11 dc, 11 ch-1 spaces).
Note: For oversized or double-thick artisan soap bars, add 1 or 2 additional mesh rounds here.
3. Top Eyelet Collar & Scalloped Rim
Rnd 9 (Eyelet Drawstring Round): Ch 1, work 1 sc in each dc and 1 sc in each ch-1 space around. Sl st to first sc to join (22 sts).
Rnd 10 (Decorative Edge): Ch 1, *sk 1 st, 3 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st; repeat from * around to create a subtle scalloped decorative crown. Sl st to beginning ch-1, fasten off, and weave in all yarn tails securely on the inside of the pouch.
4. Drawstring Hanging Cord
Leave a 4-inch tail, ch 45, and fasten off. Using your tapestry needle, thread the chain through the eyelet spaces of Rnd 9, alternating over and under the double crochet posts around the perimeter. Slide a round wooden bead onto both yarn tails, tie a secure double knot below the bead, and trim the fringe to 1 inch.
3 Clever Hacks to Make Your Soap Last Longer
1. Always Hang It High: Do not let the pouch rest on a flat ceramic bathtub rim or inside a wet shower niche. Use the wooden bead drawstring loop to hang the pouch from your shower head, curtain rod, or a suction hook so airflow circulates 360 degrees around the bar.
2. Collect and Rescue “Soap Scraps”: When store-bought or handcrafted soap bars get down to tiny, awkward slivers, never throw them away! Simply drop all remaining soap slivers into the crochet pouch. When wet, they consolidate together into a brand new, fully functional exfoliating soap ball.
3. Never Wring with Violence: After lathering in the shower, simply give the pouch a quick rinse under running water and a light squeeze between your flat palms. Twisting or wringing harshly will over-stretch the cotton fibers and break the soap bar prematurely.
Spa Styling & Gift Basket Ideas
- The Modern Farmhouse Ensuite: Hang a pair of soap pouches in alternating sage and oatmeal colors from brushed brass shower hardware alongside waffle-weave Turkish towels.
- Zero-Waste Teacher & Hostess Gift: Bundle the pouch with a hand-poured lavender essential oil soap bar, tied with natural jute twine and a personalized sprig of dried rosemary.
- Travel & Camping Companion: Keep a crochet pouch in your gym or dopp kit bag. It eliminates slimy plastic soap cases and dries cleanly while hanging on a backpack or towel hook.
Washing & Sanitizing Care
- Machine Washable: Because it is made of 100% natural cotton, you can toss the pouch (with soap removed) directly into your regular washing machine with warm water and towels every 2 to 3 weeks.
- Sanitizing: For a deep clean, soak the cotton pouch in a bowl of boiling water with a teaspoon of white vinegar for 10 minutes, then hang to air dry.
- Drying: Air drying is best to protect any raw wooden beads on the drawstring cord.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use acrylic yarn instead of cotton?
We strongly recommend avoiding acrylic yarn for bathroom accessories. Acrylic is made of plastic fibers that do not absorb moisture, resist lathering, and can become slimy or harbor mildew in humid shower environments. 100% natural cotton is always the best choice.
Will the wooden bead mold in the shower?
Raw unsealed hardwood beads dry quickly when hung in a well-ventilated bathroom. However, if your shower stays humid, you can rub a drop of mineral oil or beeswax onto the wooden bead, or replace it with a simple crochet cord knot.
How do I adjust this pattern for large rectangular soap blocks?
To make the pouch wider, add 2 or 4 chains to your initial foundation chain (e.g., Ch 13 or Ch 15). To make it taller, simply crochet 1 to 2 extra mesh repeat rounds before working the eyelet collar.
Pin This Pattern for Later
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