Shavasana Bag

This is a no-sew yoga mat bag with only two ends to weave in!

Note: I wrote this pattern a long time ago, and the first yoga mat bag was so ugly (in my opinion). You may have seen the ugly pictures on my old website (Hook Me Up! Crochet) or on Craftbits.

So I altered the pattern a bit, and made it with more attractive yarn for my sister’s Shavasana Bag. This is the slightly improved pattern, with much nicer pictures. Thanks to my sister Caroline for modeling her bag!

You will need:
Crochet hook, Size K (6.5 mm)
About two skeins of worsted weight yarn (you will probably not use it all, but I needed a bit more than a skein.)

Foundation Ring: ch 4, sl st to join.
Round 1: 8 dc into ring. sl st to join. (8)
Round 2: ch 3 (this counts as first dc), 2dc into each st from Round 1, sl st to join. (16)
Round 3: ch 3 (this counts as first dc again), 2 dc into each st from Round 2, sl st to join. (32)
Round 4: ch 3 (this counts as first dc, as always), 2 dc into first st, 1 dc into next st, *2dc into next st, 1 dc into next st [repeat from * all the way around ] sl st to join. (48)
Round 5: ch 3 (you know it’s your first dc), 2 dc into first st, 1 dc into each of next 3 sts, *2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each of next 3 sts [repeat from * all the way around] sl st to join (60)

At this point, you should have a circle that is slightly bigger than the end of your tightly-rolled-up yoga mat. (somewhere around 5″ in diameter). If it’s too small, continue increasing each round until your circle is the right size.

Round 6: ch 1. 1 sc in back loop only in each dc from the previous round. This will create a right angle and will add more structure to your bag.(60)
Round 7: ch 2 (this counts as your first hdc) 1 hdc into each sc from previous round. sl st to join. (60)

Repeat Round 7 until your tube is about 3″ shorter than your yoga mat’s width (the height when it is rolled up). The bag will stretch with the weight of your yoga mat inside it.

Note: I switched colors to make random-ish stripes, and I always crocheted over the ends so I wouldn’t have anything to weave in later. You can do that too, or just use one color for the whole thing.

Ribbed Drawstring Top:


Change yarns if you’d like a different color for the top. If you change yarns, crochet over the ends so you don’t have to weave them in later.
For the first round of your new color, dc in back loops only, to create another right angle and contribute to your bag’s structure and shape.
For a ribbed effect, alternate between fpdc and bpdc stitches, with one stitch in each dc from the previous row. Do NOT decrease.
After 5 rounds of fpdc and bpdc, finish off and weave in the end.
Weave a cord through the top row of fpdc and bpdc. This is your drawstring. (Two strands of worsted weight yarn chained together work quite well as a drawstring.)


Strap:

Foundation: Return to the bottom of your bag. Find the edge of your circle, and sl st along it for 15 stitches (stitching over the end so you don’t have to weave it in later), or enough to make a ridge about 3″ long. ch 1, turn.

Row 1: 1 sc in each sl st from previous row. ch 1, turn.
Row 2: 1 sc in each sc from previous row. ch 1, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until your strap is a good length (This will vary depending on your build and how you plan to carry your bag, but remember the strap will stretch with the weight of your yoga mat. My strap is the same length of the body of my bag.)

Attach the strap by sc-ing it to the place where the body of your bag ends and the top begins. Finish off. Weave in the end. (I also added a border to the strap by sc-ing around the edge.)

Extras:

You can add embellishments once your bag is finished. I cross stitched a little yogi in lotus pose onto the strap of mine, but you can do whatever suits your taste!

If you use this pattern to make a yoga mat bag, please post a link to your blog entry or your photo in the comments. I’d love to see it!

Contact me if you’re interested in using my patterns to create items to sell to raise money for charities. You may not sell items made from these patterns (even if you change them slightly) without my permission or for personal profit. Please refrain from republishing my patterns to other websites (including blogs), but feel free to link to this website!

Click here for my other patterns.

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40 Comments

  2. I love this pattern. I made a bag for myself and my yoga instructor loved it so much I’m making her one, too. Thank you

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    from this site, and your views are pleasant for new users.

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    It consists of fastidious material.

  5. I’m looking forward to making this yoga mat bag but I will use if for my foam roller and another roller I use for exercise. A great find. Thanks.

  6. Hi, there! I recently used your pattern to make a yoga mat bag for my friend’s birthday. It turned out great, and she loves it! I was grateful to find your relatively simple pattern, since I’m pretty new at crocheting so I can’t quite tackle anything too complicated or fancy yet. I found it extremely easy to follow, and like I said, it turned out wonderfully! Thanks for sharing the pattern! Here’s a link to my blog post about it if you’d like to see it:

    http://oneoopsatatime.blogspot.com/2013/03/yarnmaste.html

    Thanks again!
    Julia

  8. Thank you so much for the pattern. I just finished my first yoga mat bag. I made it for my best friend who teaches yoga. I don’t have a blog so I can’t post any photos. It came out great! I changed the main stitch to a dc/sc/dc/sc pattern and crocheted the strap lengthwise to give a contrast. It’s a perfect weekend project!!
    Thank you again,
    cheers,
    Carol

  9. Hai hai,

    I was looking for a yoga mat bag but cloudn’t find a nice one. Then I see this crochet pattern on your blog, and I love this cute bag.The pattern is organized and easy to follow. I’m going to take this pattern with me on my holiday and when I come back I wil have a lovely yoga bag. Can I translate the pattern in Dutch and place it on my blog whit a link to you please?You wil make a lot of dutchys happy.

    Greetings Ria

  10. Thanks so much for this pattern. I’ve posted a picture of my finished product on my website with a link to your website.

  11. I’ve used your pattern for myself (best I’ve found on the web!) and pointed your site to 2 friends. I’d say your pattern is a hit! Thanks!

  12. Hi,

    I love your pattern but am having trouble with the ribbed drawstring top. Do you alternate fpdc and bpdc within each round e.g. round 1, fpdc, bpdc, fpdc… or do 1 round of forward posts and then second round of back posts, 3rd rouund fwd posts etc? If you or anyone else could answer this it would save me undoing my work over until I find the solution.

    Thanks

    • It’s ok. Figured it out after experimenting on some old dc crochet rounds had spare! For anyone who is interested, alternate between fp and bp WITHIN each round, making sure the FPDC and BPDCs are in line with each outher in each round. I love the top of this bag and can’t wait to add it to my yoga bag, ready for my new class.

  13. would you mind if i use your pattern in youtube just for does that are still teaching themselves the crochet abbreviation i will give all the credit to you obviously just wanted to ask before doing it

  14. Hi, I want to make a yoga bag for myself, but I am still teaching myself the abbreviations and everything that goes along with teaching yourself. However, I follow instructions better by seeing it than reading it? Do you happen to have this on video or could make one on video?

    Sincerely,
    Krystle

  15. I JUST CAME ACROSS THIS PATTERN AND CANNOT WAIT TO MAKE IT FOR MY MAT. MY CURRENT BAG RIPPED – IT WAS ALMOST BRAND NEW WHEN IT RIPPED (SO CHEAP) SO AM EXCITED TO MAKE ONE FOR MY MAT. THIS IS REALLY CUTE. THANK YOU FOR SHARING.

  16. […] cheap and didn’t want to buy one, so I raided my yarn stash and go to stitching. I used the Shavasana Yoga Mat Bag pattern for the most part and varied my strap a […]

  18. Wow I love this pattern – will save this on my to do list as my grandchildren grow I am sure I will have at least one little yogi in the family. Thanks good job.

  19. I'll back again for sure, thanks for great article 😀

  20. Joyful Adobe:

    I absolutely LOVE this pattern 🙂 Can you post the pattern you used to add the cross stitched “little yogi in lotus pose” on the strap? I do yoga and I wanted to make myself a cute bag for my yoga mat when I go to class 😀

    Thanks!!!!!

  21. Hi! Thanks for this great pattern – I made this bag in green and pink, and now am working on a khaki/white one. So easy to follow, and this bag comes out really nice. I searched and searched patterns, and this one is definitely my favorite – excellent work! I’m going to make one as a holiday gift for my yoga teacher 🙂

  22. Thanks for the great pattern! I don’t actually do yoga, but this will make a wonderful bag to carry a camera tripod in while I’m riding my bike!

  23. Laura, please do go ahead and make them for alzheimer’s awareness! I hope they earn lots of money for the cause.

    Pat, I hope to see yours soon! Sorry I didn’t get back to you about the amount of yarn… the numbers were hurting my head. haha. It’s been so long since I made this yoga mat bag…

  24. Love the pattern. I used Lion Recycled Cotton, double strand as it seemed a bit thin. Of course, that made some modifications necessary, but it came out beautifully. If I can figure out how to upload a photo, I will.

  25. I was wanting to make these yoga mat bags to riase money for Alzheimer’s. Last year we did raise some money and I am looking to sell items in craft fairs to raise money/awareness for Alzheimers this year. My 55 year old brother in law has Early onset Alzheimer’s. Please let me know.
    Thanks!!

  26. I’d love to try this pattern, but am trying to figure out how much yarn. I’m thinking of using Lion recycled cotton, worsted weight, in 3.5 oz. skeins. I thought I’d do the top, bottom, drawstring, random stripes, and strap trim in a contrast color. How many skeins of the 2 colors do you think? Thanks!

  29. Hi there. I love this pattern. It is easy to follow and well organized. You did such a great job on your bag. I have started mine and have a question. My chain stitch seam is going diagonal up the back of the bag. Do you have any ideas to what I am doing wrong? Any input would be so appreciated. Thanks for your time.

  30. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your pattern! Namaste!

  32. I am just about finished with this bag for my Aunt. It is my first crocheted project that isn’t booties or baby hats!! It think it is turning out well. I’ll share a photo when I am finished!! ~Katie

  33. Thanks so much for this pattern-I can’t wait to get started.

  34. I was looking for a yoga mat crochet pattern to make as a gift, and not only is this such a cute bag, but the pattern is organized and easy for a beginner like me to uinderstand!

  35. Super, Danielle! I’d love to see it if you have a picture!

  36. This is great! My sister asked me to make a yoga mat bag for her. I went to Vermont for the week and crochet and crochet. The bag looks beautiful thanks to your pattern.

  38. WOW! I am sort of speechless right now. Even the strap is gorgeous!

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