Oatmeal Ribbed Soap Sack Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This Oatmeal Ribbed Soap Sack is a small, satisfying project made for anyone who loves simple, useful handmade things. Worked in undyed oatmeal cotton, it has a calm, natural look that fits beautifully in a linen closet or on the edge of a sink. The body is a plain single crochet tube, and the top finishes with a soft ribbed band and a slim cotton cord tied in a bow. It feels gentle and slightly scrubby in the hand, and it stretches easily to hold a standard bar of soap.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn, undyed oatmeal color, approximately 50 yards (46 m). A second small amount of the same cotton is used for the cord.
- Hook: 4 mm (G/6) crochet hook.
- Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a stitch marker (optional, for marking the first stitch of each round).
- Finished size: Approximately 3.5 inches (9 cm) wide by 5 inches (13 cm) tall, flat; it stretches to fit a standard bar of soap.
Abbreviations
- ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
- sl st – slip stitch: insert your hook, yarn over, and pull the yarn through both the stitch and the loop on your hook at once.
- sc – single crochet: insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through both loops.
- dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
- st(s) – stitch(es).
Gauge
16 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. To check it, crochet a small flat swatch in single crochet and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if your stitches are much larger or smaller than this.
Tips Before You Start
- When you join the starting chain into a ring, check that the chain is not twisted before you slip stitch — a twist here will stay in the finished sack.
- Count your 18 stitches at the end of each round. Because there are no increases or decreases, an accidental extra or missed stitch is easy to catch early.
- Keep your tension even and fairly firm so the single crochet body holds its shape and gently scrubs the soap.
- Work the ribbed rounds loosely enough that the cord can slide through the spaces of the final round without stretching the top out of shape.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Sack (Oatmeal)
Set-up: Ch 18. Join with sl st to first ch to form a ring, being careful not to twist.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, join with sl st to first sc (18 sts).
Rnds 2–24: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc (18 sts).
Do not fasten off.
Ribbed Top Edge
Rnd 25: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc (18 sts).
Rnd 26: Ch 1, [sc in next st, dc in next st] around, join with sl st to first sc (18 sts).
Rnd 27: Ch 1, [dc in next st, sc in next st] around, join with sl st to first sc (18 sts).
Rnds 28–30: Repeat Rnds 26–27, then Rnd 26 once more (18 sts).
Fasten off.
Cord (Cotton)
Row 1: Ch 60, sl st in each ch across (60 sl sts).
Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends with the tapestry needle. Thread the cord through the spaces of the last round, starting and ending at the same point, leaving the ends free to tie. Tie the ends in a bow at the top. Block the sack lightly by misting it with water and shaping it flat; let it dry completely before use.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Make a set in several natural shades — oatmeal, ecru, and soft grey — for a simple, coordinated gift.
- For a slightly scrubbier texture, work the body in half double crochet instead of single crochet, adjusting your stitch count to keep the same finished width.
- Swap the cotton cord for a narrow ribbon or a crocheted chain of a contrasting color to change the look of the top edge.
