How to Make a Chalk Bag for Rock Climbing

In the sports of rock climbing and bouldering, a chalk bag is a small tote sack that clips onto the climber's body. It contains climbing chalk (typically made of magnesium carbonate), which climbers apply to their hands to absorb moisture. A rock climber or boulderer relies on a chalk bag as an essential piece of climbing gear alongside climbing shoes, paracord rope, carabiners, and belay devices.

The key to using climbing chalk is to apply a thin layer evenly across your hands. Cover your entire palm and the webbing between your fingers. This is where most moisture comes from, and you want to absorb it at the source. Take care to only use a thin layer of chalk and blow off any excess. Too much chalk will cut down on friction.

The following materials are needed to bring a DIY chalk bag pattern to life.

1. 1. Stiff outer fabric: Canvas, corduroy, or denim work well. Use an 8"x14" strip for the main bag and a 6" diameter circular piece for the bottom.
2. 2. Inner fabric: A soft fleece lining works well for the inside of a handmade chalk bag. Consider using an old polar fleece vest. Use a 7"x13" strip for the main liner and a 5" diameter circular piece for the bottom.
3. 3. Old climbing webbing: Find two pieces of flat webbing that you can use for waist-belt loops.
4. 4. Thread cord: This will be used as a drawstring or cinch. Get at least 30 inches of cord to ensure you have enough.
5. 5. Large eyelets: These are also used for the cinch.
6. 6. Cord lock: A cord lock is sometimes called a stopper and found in most sporting goods stores. You only need one.
7. 7. Grommet: Grommets are available at hardware stores or home decor stores. Again, you only need one.
8. 8. Needle and thread or sewing machine: While it is possible to hand-stitch a climbing chalk bag, using a sewing machine will produce more reliable results.

Once you've assembled your materials, you are ready to follow this step-by-step chalk bag tutorial.

1. 1. Begin with the outer shell. Select your 8"x14" outer fabric strip of canvas, corduroy, denim, or another stiff material. Start by folding it in half with the right side (the side of the fabric you eventually want facing out) facing in. Sew the two 8" ends together, forming a tube.
2. 2. Attach the bottom. Select your 6" diameter bottom piece, and sew it onto the tube. Remember to keep the side of the fabric you’ll want facing inside facing out during this step.
3. 3. Reverse the tube and decide where you'll attach your cinch cord. It's now time to turn your tube inside out so the stitches you’ve made are on the inside and a clean seam is on the outside. Select a location for your cinch cord (typically near the top of the bag) and cut out a hole for the grommet the cinch cord will thread through. Make the hole slightly smaller than the grommet itself.
4. 4. Install the grommet. Once the grommet hole is cut, insert the grommet into the fabric and secure it.
5. 5. Work on the inner shell. Select your 7"x13" strip of fleece (or other soft material) for your inner liner. As you did with the outer shell, fold it in half with the soft, fuzzy side facing out, and sew the ends together to form a tube.
6. 6. Attach the bottom of the inner bag. Select your 5" diameter circle of fleece. Sew it to the bottom of your new tube, fuzzy side facing outward.
7. 7. Reverse the inner bag. Now turn your inner liner outward, same as you did with the outer shell, so the fuzzy side is facing in.
8. 8. Assemble the various pieces. Thread your cinch cord into the grommet you installed in your outer layer. The cinch cord should enter the bag from the outside, loop around the inside of the bag, and exit the grommet from inside the bag. Place the inner liner inside the bag so that the cord is between the inner and outer liner.
9. 9. Position the waist-belt loops. You need to be able to attach your chalk bag to your climbing belt for easy access on a crag. This is where the waist-belt loops come in. Fold a strip of webbing in half to form a loop. Tuck the ends of the webbing in between the liner and outer bag, leaving the loop exposed at the top of the bag.
10. 10. Sew the top of the liner and outer bag together. At this point, your inner fleece liner is within your outer bag. Your waist-belt loops are wedged between the layers, and your cinch cord is threaded through the grommet. Sew the top of the outer bag and liner together so that the waist-belt loops are securely attached. The cinch cord should be contained below the stitch line and able to move between the liner and outer bag.
11. 11. Thread your cinch cord into your cord lock. Threading your cinch cord into the cord lock will allow you to tighten the cords and keep the bag closed when you’re not using it. Leave a few inches of cord past the cord lock and tie the ends of the cord in a knot to keep it secure.
12. 12. Double stitch the waist-belt loops. Make sure the waist-belt loops are extra secure by sewing over them again.

Depending on your sewing skill level, you can find more intricate, free sewing patterns and free crochet patterns online. You can buy chalk balls at most outdoor stores. Climbing gyms may provide chalk buckets that you can use to fill your own chalk bags.

Climbing is a high-impact activity with an elevated risk of serious injury. Practice, proper guidance, and extensive safety precautions are essential when attempting a climbing pursuit. This article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional instruction or guidance.

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