The weather has been great lately here in Nor Cal, and I’ve been working on several projects in my garden- some blog-worthy, some not- and working on some time-heavy knitting and crocheting projects. I was going to save this particular project for a later date, but since it’s such a quick project to do I thought I’d whip it up and post it now to give everyone something to look at while I work on getting my other stuff done!
Use this soap saver by placing your small, leftover pieces of soap inside instead of throwing them away, or use with a whole standard sized soap bar. (Soaps are made in all shapes and sizes nowadays, so what I mean by “standard” is the deodorant-type soaps you typically would buy at a grocery store.) I designed it to be a bit bigger than most other soap savers I’ve come across to fit a whole soap bar and be easier to scrub with. When you’re finished, you can hang it up to dry instead of leaving it in a wet soap dish, so no more soggy/melted soap!
Here’s the pattern for the washcloth pictured below: Simple Washcloth Free Crochet Pattern
Soap Saver Free Crochet Pattern
Finished Size: Approximately 5 1/2″ tall by 3 7/8″ wide when flat. It will stretch a bit when being used.
Materials: Medium weight cotton yarn, approximately 75 yards (Brand and color I used here is Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Cotton Yarn in Cool Breeze Ombre) where to buy
Crochet Hook K (6.50 mm)
Yarn
Needle
Scissors
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Gauge: 6 stitches = 2 inches. Gauge is not important for this pattern; I am providing this information for those who want to check their gauge.
Instructions: Start by chaining 12, or a chain as wide as you want your soap saver. If you do decide to do this, with each stitch you add or subtract to the foundation chain, add or subtract 2 stitches to the total stitch count.
Round 1: ch 1, sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across, then do the same on the other side of the chain (24 s).
Round 2 – 18: ch 1, sc in each sc around (24 s).
Edge: You can either leave as is or turn and sl st around as I did.
Draw String: Chain 80 or however long you want the string to be. Tie off and weave your string in and out of the stitch spaces in the top row below the bag opening. Knot the ends of the draw strings together.
Here is a partial breakdown of the pattern. The pictures show the pattern being worked from left to right because I am left handed. It can be worked either left to right or right to left and achieve the same results.
Foundation chain with sc on both sides.
Soap Saver about 1/2 of the way through.
To attach the draw string easily: after crocheting the chain, tie off and leave a bit of yarn hanging from one end, then use a yarn needle to weave it through the first row of stitches below the bag opening. Tie off securely and snip off the extra yarn when finished.
Finished! 🙂
Let me know what you think or if you have any questions in the comments section below!
Don’t forget to check out my other free crochet patterns!
Hi, from snowy Cape Ann, Gloucester, MA! I made these for our Christmas fair this year. Iam going to try your pattern . Instead of soap chips I’ll use a bar of soap for a bath scrubbie! thanks for a great pattern.
You’re welcome Carol! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the pattern and thank you for your feedback!
“Round 1: ch 1, sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across, then do the same on the other side of the chain (24 s).” Confused on getting started. Some more pictures would be great. chain 1 then single stitch at the second stitch.. I’m just confused on where the needle is going into on the “other side” and how it becomes a circle.
Did Michelle ever get back with you and explain Round 2? I am also extremely confused about Round 2 and how you get from ROUND 1 with chain twelve to a total of 24 stitches on Round 2. Even looking at the complete pattern, I don’t see where she joined it.
It seems to me, that it would just be easier {and definetly LESS confusing}, to begin with a “chain 24 (or whatever you need for a bar of soap to fit), then Join, OR chain 24 and continue the pattern and then Join. (But, I’m NOT a crochet whiz by any means…. probably WHY I’m so confused). ????
It seems that this pattern was meant to be Joined right after completing the starting chain because, in the “Directions”, each following step is designated as a ‘ROUND’ and not a ‘ROW’.
I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and any feedback on this.
Thanks so much! ????
Hi Mert; this is Michelle. I’m sorry you are having trouble understanding the pattern; let’s see if I can help.
The way you get from 12 stitches in the chain to 24 stitches in the first round is that you are working 12 stitches on each side of the chain. This forms the bottom of the soap saver bag.
Please see the example below:
x | x
x | x
x | x
x | x
x | x
x | x
x | x
x | x
x | x
x | x
x | x
x | x
The “|” in the example above are the 12 chain stitches; and the “x” are the 24 round stitches.
If you were to chain 24 and join as you suggested, you would have an opening at the bottom as well as the top of the bag. If you were to chain 24, then “continue with the pattern then join” you would have a flat piece joined on one side and not a bag that you can put soap in. That is the reason the next (and following) step is designated a “round” and not a “row”; because if they were rows it would be a flat piece and not a bag. It might make a nice small washcloth, but wouldn’t be much of a soap saver bag.
I hope these “directions” make more sense to you 🙂 Please let me know if they don’t.
Sc onto the other side of the chain.
What happens in Round 2? The suspense!
(Don’t know if it’s a browser issue, but for some reason there’s nothing after Round 1…)
Whoops- looks like part of the post was lost in the blog move. I restored the missing part so you’re good to go!
Thanks for the heads up (and I love your sense of humor)! 😉
Thank you! It’s a beautiful pattern.
Grand toddler kept untying and tried to eat yummy smelling soap so I loaded up the pouch and crocheted it closed leaving a loop to hang it up with. When it needed refilling simply untie the loop, fill and crochet closed again.
Thanks for sharing this tip Christine! 🙂
Hi, I know this is an older post, but I just came across it and think it’s adorable. I’m trying to crochet the soap holder and I’m a little unclear if you join to the first stitch at the end of each round with a slip stitch, or just continue along like a spiral?
Thank you!
Hi Mimi!
I’m happy you like the pattern! 🙂
When I wrote this pattern, I worked it as just continuing along like a spiral, and it came out even as you can see in the pics. Some people do not like to do it that way in the fears that it will come out uneven, so you can slip stich to join at the end of each row and then do a chain stitch before starting a new row to ensure that the end result comes out even.
So the short answer is: either way is fine! 🙂
Thanks so much Michelle for the soap saver pattern! I made one with the new “Scrubby” yarn for my hubby to use with his makeshift outside shower. Now the soap won’t slip and slide out of his hands.
You’re very welcome Debbi! I’m happy you’re enjoying the pattern! 🙂
I tried both of these patterns and they came out great. Thank you for sharing them.
You’re very welcome June! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed them! 🙂
I’m a bit confused and I hope you’re still able to answer.
How did you end up with two draw strings at the end? If I chain 80, I only have one long string.
Hi Karen! Once you finish the draw string, you weave it through the bag leaving both ends of the draw string sticking out. It looks like it’s two strings, but it’s just the one. I hope that helps! 🙂
I’m a soap maker and have customers requesting a soap saver bag for their bars as get too small to use. I’ve looked online and see cheap bags from China. I refuse to buy those. I love this pattern and want to make some to see how well they work. Thanks!!
You’re very welcome Darlene! I’m happy this pattern will work for your soap!
Clear directions and photos for this cute, easy project. I work for a faith based organization who provides supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The soap savers will provide a support for them as they bathe and shower themselves. This will also make for a fun project to engage volunteers. Thanks for the great idea!
Fantastic, fast and fun pattern!! Will make great stocking stuffers!!
Thanks it’s not easy finding a pattern done by a lefty. I am so left handed. Can’t wait to make these for my sons girlfriend for Christmas. Thanks
Is there any chance you would allow me to use your pattern for youtube as long as i link back to this page for the physical copy of the pattern?
Hi Rebecca! Sure, you can use it for a YouTube video. Please send me the link to the video when it’s live! 😃 And thanks for asking for permission beforehand.
Love this pattern – so simple and quick to make. Thank you.
Hi Michelle, I’ve made a few of these useful bags now and I’m giving a workshop with ideas for simple crochet items like dishcloths, makeup remover pads. Is it OK to summarise your pattern and include a link to this pattern in the handout?
Hi Nikki! Yes that’s fine – thank you for asking 🙂
Thank you so much! Do you perhaps know how to attach ‘massage’ stitches? I mean those bumps on top for when you scrub. I really love your pattern, it’ll make a great last minute gift.
Hi Kayla! I’m sorry but I’ve never tried adding massage stitches so I don’t know how to do them. I’m sure you can find a tutorial online or YouTube. I’m happy you like the pattern and I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help!
In end one it says ch one. Do ch one on every round?
Hi Elsie! Yes, you chain 1 in every round.
I just made one for my Mom for Mother’s Day, as well as a little face scrubbie. I am new to crochet and so happy with this easy pattern! Thank you!
You’re very welcome Jennifer! I’m happy you enjoyed the pattern! 🙂
Every time I make this crochet soap sack pattern the stitch count is always wrong. Normally, its plus or minus one. I am stubborn enough to keep making this until I get the count right. Grrr… its getting frustrating
It happens to me too Crystal, and not just on this pattern! 🙂 Keep at it – it’s worth it in the end!
Could you make a chart to go with the pattern? Also, are we able to sell products made from your patterns, if we say designed by?
Hi Sarah, I do plan on making charts for all my patterns eventually, but I’m very busy so it will not be happening anytime soon. You can sell products made from my patterns – the only thing you can’t do is sell the patterns themselves or try to pass the patterns off as your own. Thanks!
Do you chain one after each set of 24?
Hi Mary! You can if you want to. The pattern is very forgiving so it isn’t necessary, but I understand that some people want to make sure the rounds are perfectly even.
For me tooooo! I’m trying to figure out in round two if I chain one then don’t skip a stitch I end up with extra stitches after. How does that work?
Hi Beth! Please keep in mind that I did not write the pattern to chain one on every row. You can either not chain one and follow the pattern as I wrote it, or chain one and include the extra stitch in your row count.
Thank you! I was able to create something beautiful at my beginner’s skill level.
You’re very welcome Tammy! I’m happy you enjoyed the pattern!
thank you for sharing your pattern. will make for Christmas to grandchildren.
You’re very welcome Miriam! I’m happy you’re enjoying the pattern!