Plastic bags have a way of taking over a kitchen drawer. This teardrop mesh holder gives them one tidy home. You stuff bags in through the top collar and pull them out one at a time through the small ring at the bottom.
The design uses a single deep emerald green. The open diamond net lets the white bags show through, so the holder looks light rather than bulky. A solid single crochet ring at the bottom, a solid collar at the top and a narrow folded strap for hanging give it a clean, finished look.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is about 8 in (20.3 cm) wide at its widest point laid flat and about 14 in (35.6 cm) tall from the bottom opening to the top rim. The hanging loop adds about 4 in (10.2 cm), for about 18 in (45.7 cm) overall.
You work it as one piece from the bottom up. Start with a flat single crochet ring, then work a mesh of chain loops in a continuous spiral. To build the belly, the loops get longer and more numerous. To shape the neck, they get shorter and fewer. A solid collar and a strap finish the top. The only sewing is the end of the strap.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: about 8 in (20.3 cm) wide x 14 in (35.6 cm) tall, plus a 4 in (10.2 cm) loop
- Skill level: Easy
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 5 mm (US H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1
- Layout: single piece worked in the round from the bottom ring up
- Piece size: bottom ring about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) across, opening about 2.6 in (6.6 cm)
- Size before border: about 12.75 in (32.4 cm) tall from the bottom opening to the end of the mesh
- Border depth: top collar about 1.25 in (3.2 cm), plus the hanging loop
Materials
Choose a smooth, firm worsted cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds the diamond shape well and won’t stretch out under a full load of bags. Avoid very soft or fuzzy acrylics, because the mesh can sag and the stitches are harder to read.
- Dark emerald green: 100 g, about 180 m
These quantities include a comfortable margin. The holder itself uses about 85-90 g.
Tools:
- 5 mm (US H-8) crochet hook
- 1 stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Spray bottle, plus a few plastic bags or a balloon for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp(s) – space(s)
- sk – skip
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- RS – right side
Special stitch – sc2sp (single crochet 2 spaces together): Insert the hook in the next ch-sp, yarn over and pull up a loop. Insert the hook in the following ch-sp, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. This counts as 1 anchor and gathers 2 loops into 1 point.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge matters most in the solid parts, because the ring and collar set the size of the two openings.
- Single crochet: 15 sts and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Mesh (ch-7 loops): 4 diamonds = 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide, and 4 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) tall, unstretched
- Round heights: each ch-7 round adds about 1 in (2.5 cm), each ch-5 or ch-6 round about 0.75 in (1.9 cm), and each ch-4 round about 0.5 in (1.3 cm)
Check your gauge on the bottom ring first. It’s the first part of the holder, so nothing is wasted.
Checkpoints:
- Bottom ring: about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) across, opening about 2.6 in (6.6 cm)
- After Mesh Rnd 3: about 2.25 in (5.7 cm) of mesh above the ring
- After Mesh Rnd 8: about 7.25 in (18.4 cm) of mesh
- After Mesh Rnd 12: about 10.25 in (26.0 cm) of mesh
- After Mesh Rnd 15: about 11.75 in (29.8 cm) of mesh
- After the collar: about 14 in (35.6 cm) total from the bottom opening
If your ring is larger than 4.5 in (11.4 cm), go down half a hook size. If it is smaller or feels stiff, go up half a size. Small differences in the mesh are fine. If the belly is much narrower than 8 in (20.3 cm), add one more ch-7 round. If it is much wider, work one fewer.
Bottom Ring
The ring is where the bags come out. It is worked flat and will cup slightly, which helps it curve into the body.
Ch 30 and sl st to the first ch to form a ring, taking care not to twist. The chain should measure about 8 in (20.3 cm) around.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, sl st to first sc. (30 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * 6 times total, sl st to first sc. (36 sts)*
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * 6 times total, sl st to first sc. (42 sts)*
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * 6 times total, sl st to first sc. (48 sts)*
Check the ring now. It should be about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) across with a 2.6 in (6.6 cm) opening. Do not fasten off.
Mesh Body
The mesh is worked in a continuous spiral. Each round starts from an anchor sc that already sits in the first loop of the previous round. Mark that anchor and move the marker up at the start of every round. The last sc of each round lands in the first loop of that same round and becomes the starting anchor of the next round.
Mesh Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, ch 5, sk 3 sts, sc in next st; repeat from * 10 more times, ch 5, sk last 3 sts. (12 ch-5 loops)*
Check: 12 anchors + (12 x 3 skipped sts) = 48 sts, so the round uses the whole ring.
Sc in the first ch-5 sp of Mesh Rnd 1 to start the spiral, and place the marker in this sc.
Mesh Rnd 2 (increase): Ch 5, sc in next sp, ch 5, sc in same sp, ch 5, sc in next sp; repeat from * 6 times total. (18 ch-5 loops)*
Each repeat uses 2 old loops and makes 3 new ones, so 6 x 3 = 18 loops.
Mesh Rnd 3: Ch 6, sc in next sp; repeat from * 18 times. (18 ch-6 loops)*
Mesh Rnds 4-8: Ch 7, sc in next sp; repeat from * 18 times. (18 ch-7 loops each round)*
This is the belly. Laid flat, it should be about 8 in (20.3 cm) wide, or about 15.75 in (40.0 cm) around.
Mesh Rnds 9-10: Ch 6, sc in next sp; repeat from * 18 times. (18 ch-6 loops each round)*
Mesh Rnds 11-12: Ch 5, sc in next sp; repeat from * 18 times. (18 ch-5 loops each round)*
The shorter chains pull the body inward and start the teardrop taper without any decreases.
Mesh Rnd 13 (decrease): Ch 4, sc2sp over next 2 sps, ch 4, sc in next sp; repeat from * 6 times total. (12 ch-4 loops)*
Each repeat uses 3 old loops and makes 2 new ones, so 18 loops become 12.
Mesh Rnd 14: Ch 4, sc in next sp; repeat from * 12 times. (12 ch-4 loops)*
Mesh Rnd 15 (closing round): Ch 4, sc in next sp; repeat from * 11 times, ch 4, sl st in the marked starting anchor. (12 ch-4 loops, 12 anchors)*
Joining this round gives the collar an even starting line. Remove the marker.
Border: Top Collar and Hanging Loop
The collar is this piece’s border. It closes off the mesh with solid fabric and sets the size of the top opening.
Border gauge: 15 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), and 4 rnds = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Collar Rnd 1 (conversion): Ch 1, sc in same anchor as join, 2 sc in next ch-4 sp, sc in next anchor, 2 sc in next ch-4 sp; repeat from * 10 more times, sl st to first sc. (12 sc worked 1 per existing anchor + 24 sc added in the spaces = 36 sts)*
Collar Rnds 2-5: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (36 sts each round)
Laid flat, the collar has 18 sts per side (the fold points count as part of each side), so it is about 4.8 in (12.2 cm) wide and 9.6 in (24.4 cm) around.
Why the math works: 12 loops x 3 sc = 36 sc. At 15 sts per 4 in, that gives an opening wide enough for a hand to stuff in bags, while still holding the narrow teardrop neck. Five rounds at 4 rnds per inch give a collar depth of 1.25 in (3.2 cm).
Hanging strap: Do not fasten off. The join sits at the back of the holder.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, sc in same st as join and in next 3 sts, turn. (4 sts)
Rows 2-32: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (4 sts each row)
The strap is about 1 in (2.5 cm) wide and 8 in (20.3 cm) long. Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Fold the strap down toward the inside of the holder. Whipstitch Row 32 to the inside of the collar, directly behind the base of the strap. This gives a closed loop about 4 in (10.2 cm) tall. Weave in all ends.
Final Blocking
- Fill the holder firmly with plastic bags, or put a balloon inside and inflate it to about 15.75 in (40.0 cm) around at the belly.
- Shape the teardrop by hand. Even out the diamonds so each column of anchors runs straight up from the ring.
- Mist the whole piece lightly with water until it is damp but not soaked.
- Flatten the bottom ring with your fingers so it lies smooth and round.
- Hang it by the loop, or stand it upright, and let it dry completely.
- Remove the balloon, if you used one, and re-check the width and height.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Bottom ring has 48 sts and lies smooth, with a 2.6 in (6.6 cm) opening
- Mesh Rnd 1 has 12 loops; Rnds 2-12 have 18 loops; Rnds 13-15 have 12 loops
- Belly measures about 8 in (20.3 cm) wide when flat
- Collar has 36 sts in every round and is 1.25 in (3.2 cm) deep
- Strap is 4 sts wide, 32 rows long and securely sewn inside
- Total height is about 14 in (35.6 cm), plus the 4 in (10.2 cm) loop
- All ends are woven in on the inside
Troubleshooting
Diamonds lean or twist: That’s normal for a spiral. Light blocking straightens most of it. If the lean is strong, make sure you work every sc into the next loop and not into a chain.
Loop count is off: Count the anchors against the marker before you move on. Usually a loop was skipped or worked twice. Undo back to the marker.
Bags fall out of the bottom: The ring is too loose. Remake it with a smaller hook, or work Rnd 1 more tightly.
Bags won’t come out: The ring is too tight. Go up half a hook size for the ring only.
Collar ruffles: Your tension in Rnd 1 is loose. Work 1 sc in each sp plus 1 sc in each anchor (24 sts) for Rnd 1, then increase back to 36 in Rnd 2 if needed.
Strap stretches: Use a smaller hook for the strap, or work it as a double layer.
Care
Hand wash in cool water, press out the excess and dry it flat or hanging. Reshape it over bags while it’s still damp.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is simple. A 48-st ring 4.5 in (11.4 cm) across leads into 12 mesh loops. These grow to 18 loops and an 8 in (20.3 cm) wide belly, then narrow to 12 loops by 11.75 in (29.8 cm) of mesh. The 36-st collar brings the holder to 14 in (35.6 cm), and the 4 in (10.2 cm) loop takes it to about 18 in (45.7 cm) overall. If you check each stage against these numbers, your holder will hang neatly and dispense bags easily.
Happy crocheting!