Last updated: June 7, 2026
If you’re looking for a small project that’s fast, practical, and endlessly giftable, a crochet soap saver is your answer. These little mesh bags hold a bar of soap and double as a gentle scrubby in the bath or shower – and once you make one, you’ll want to make a dozen.
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This free crochet soap saver pattern is beginner-friendly, a great way to use up leftover cotton yarn, and can be finished in under an hour.
In this post, I’ll show you everything you need to make one, including the materials, full written pattern, care instructions, and a few ideas for gifting or selling them at craft fairs. 😊
You can follow the free pattern right here on the blog below. If you’d rather work from a PDF, the ad-free premium version includes step-by-step photos and full instructions and is available in my Etsy and Ravelry stores. 😊
Free Crochet Soap Saver Pattern
Difficulty
Easy / Advanced Beginner
Finished size
Approximately 3.5″ wide × 5″ tall (9 cm × 13 cm)
Gauge
Gauge: 12 stitches × 7 rows in pattern, counting all stitches (including chain stitches) = 2″ × 2″ (5 cm × 5 cm). 😊
Materials
- Yarn: Worsted-weight #4 cotton yarn, approximately 40 yards. For the white and beige samples, I used Knit Picks Vividie, a 100% mercerised cotton yarn, in the colours Swan and Linen.
- Other yarn options: Dishie, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton
- Hook: 5mm (H/8) crochet hook
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Optional: a bar of soap for sizing reference
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- Ch = chain
- St = stitch
- Sl st = slip stitch
- Sc = single crochet
- Sk = skip
- Ch2-sp = chain 2 space
Crochet Soap Saver Pattern Notes
- To make the soap saver larger or smaller, adjust the starting chain for the width and work more or fewer rounds for the height.
- The soap saver is worked from the bottom up, beginning with rows and then continuing in spiral rounds after Row 3.
- A video demonstration showing how to make the soap saver is also available here.
Pattern Instructions
Ch 12 or any even number of chains.
Row 1: Sc in second Ch and each Ch across the row. (11)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first St and each St across the row. (11)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first St, ch 2, sk 1 St, sc in next St; repeat across. Ch 2, rotate to work on the opposite side of the project, along the foundation chain. Sc in first Ch, ch 2, sk 1 Ch, sc in next Ch; repeat across. Sl st to first sc to join.
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in first St, ch 2, sc in first ch-2 sp. Ch 2, sc in next ch-2 sp; repeat around. Continue working in a spiral, placing a sc, ch 2 in each ch-2 sp, until the soap saver measures 5 inches in height, or for a total of 18 spiral rounds.
Drawstring
We will be working slip stitches on the inside of the soap saver, straight down to the fourth round from the top, where the drawstring will be placed.
Ch 2. Slip stitch into the first sc directly below, skipping one round. Ch 2 again and slip stitch into the next sc directly below, skipping the next round. You should now be at Round 4 from the top.
Ch 50 to create the drawstring. Cut the yarn, leaving a tail long enough to weave in. Remove the hook from the loop and pull the yarn tail through to fasten off.
Thread the yarn tail onto a yarn needle and weave the drawstring by going in and out of each ch-2 sp around the fifth round from the top.
When you reach the starting point, secure the other end of the drawstring to the inside of the soap saver with a few knots and weave in the end.
Weave in any remaining yarn ends, and your soap saver is ready to use!
A crochet soap saver is one of those rare projects that’s genuinely useful, fast to make, eco-friendly, and a joy to give away. Whether you’re making one for yourself, stocking up for a craft show, or building a handmade gift set, this little bag delivers a lot for so little yarn and time.
If you’re wondering, what is a crochet soap saver?
A crochet soap saver (also called a soap bag, soap pouch, or soap sack) is a small crocheted bag that holds a bar of soap. You slip your bar of soap inside, pull the drawstring or hang it from a loop, and use it directly in the shower or bath.
Simple! But why would you use one?
- Your soap lasts longer. Instead of tossing out those little leftover pieces, you can pop them into the soap saver and use them right to the end.
- It exfoliates. The textured fabric provides a gentle scrub while you wash, leaving your skin feeling nice and refreshed.
- It keeps things neat. No more chasing small bars of soap around the shower or trying to balance them on the edge of the soap dish.
- It’s eco-friendly. Made from cotton yarn, these soap savers are reusable, washable, and a simple way to reduce waste in your daily routine. 😊
How to Use Your Soap Saver
Slip a bar of soap in through the open top. The bag stretches to fit standard-size bars easily. Use the drawstring to hang it in the shower between uses – this keeps it dry and mould-free. When it needs washing, remove the soap and toss the bag in the washing machine. Lay flat or hang to dry (cotton may shrink slightly in the dryer).
Care Instructions
To keep your crochet soap saver looking its best, rinse it after each use with the soap still inside to remove any remaining suds, then hang it somewhere well-ventilated in the shower to air dry.
When it needs a refresh, remove the soap and machine-wash the pouch in cold or warm water. Lay flat or hang to dry. Because it’s made from 100% cotton, it can be washed along with your towels or other household linens. 😊
Crochet Soap Saver Pouch as Gifts & Craft Fair Items
These are one of my favourite quick projects because they’re practical, use very little yarn, and can be finished in under an hour.
They also make wonderful little gifts and are popular items at craft fairs because they’re affordable, useful, and easy for people to pick up and use right away.
If you’re planning to make them for gifts or to sell, here are a few tips: 😊
- Bundle them. A set of three in coordinating colours, paired with a bar of handmade soap, makes a lovely gift and looks beautiful at markets.
- Add a tag. A simple label such as “Reusable Cotton Soap Saver” or “Eco-Friendly & Washable” helps people instantly understand what it is and how to use it.
- Use seasonal colours. Soft pastels for spring, bright colours for summer, and warm earthy shades for autumn can help your displays stand out throughout the year.
- Price them fairly. Take into account your materials, time, and overhead costs. Have a look at similar items in your local area or online to get an idea of current prices, and try not to undervalue your work. Handmade items take skill and time to create, and your pricing should reflect that. 😊
Frequently Asked Questions
100% cotton is the best choice. It’s absorbent, washable, eco-friendly, and gentle on skin. Worsted weight cotton (like Lily Sugar’n Cream) works up quickly and holds its shape well. Avoid acrylic – it doesn’t absorb water well and can irritate sensitive skin.
Technically, yes. But it’s not recommended. Acrylic is hydrophobic (it repels water rather than absorbing it), which defeats the purpose of the scrubby texture. It’s also less eco-friendly and less pleasant to use on the skin.
Remove the soap bar and rinse the bag thoroughly. Machine wash on warm or cold, gentle cycle. Lay flat to dry or hang — avoid the dryer if you want to preserve the shape and size, as cotton can shrink.
A long time! With regular washing and proper drying, a cotton soap saver can last many months to over a year. Replace it when the stitches start to loosen or it no longer holds its shape.
Yes – more so than a soap dish or plastic loofah. The hanging loop lets the bag dry fully between uses, which prevents mildew. Washing weekly keeps it fresh. Cotton is also naturally breathable, which helps.
Absolutely! Soap savers are popular items for craft fairs, markets, and handmade gift sets. They use very little yarn, work up quickly, and are something most people can see themselves using right away. They’re also a great option for anyone looking to reduce waste and swap disposable bathroom products for reusable alternatives. 😊