Peach and purple crocheted ornaments with cream lace patterns and colored tissue, hanging from brass hooks on a textured wall.

Petal Lantern Plastic Bag Holder Crochet Pattern

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The Petal Lantern is a hanging plastic bag holder made from hexagon motifs. Each hexagon has a small cream six-petal flower in the center, an open lacy window around it, and a solid peach frame. You join the hexagons into a honeycomb tube and gather both ends. The finished piece is a rounded lantern: you stuff bags in at the top and pull them out at the bottom.

The sample uses peach as the main color and cream for the flowers. A lavender and cream version is worked exactly the same way; only the main color changes. The look is cottage-modern, with soft colors, open texture, a neat ribbed rim and a carry strap.

This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder measures about 28.5 in (72.4 cm) around at the widest point and about 14.25 in (36.2 cm) wide laid flat. It is about 21 in (53.3 cm) tall from rim to bottom opening, plus a 10 in (25.4 cm) strap.

Construction overview: make 24 hexagons and join them into a tube 6 hexagons around and 4 tiers tall. Then work a gathered band at the top and a tighter gathered band at the bottom. Finally, work the strap directly off the rim.

Finished Size and Construction

  • Finished size: 28.5 in (72.4 cm) circumference, 21 in (53.3 cm) tall
  • Skill level: Intermediate
  • Terminology: US crochet terms
  • Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
  • Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7)
  • Number of pieces: 24 hexagons, plus bands and strap worked directly on the tube
  • Layout: 6 hexagons around × 4 tiers, in an offset honeycomb
  • Piece size: 4.75 in (12.1 cm) flat to flat, 5.5 in (14.0 cm) point to point, 2.75 in (7.0 cm) per side
  • Size before border: 17.9 in (45.5 cm) tall peak to peak, 28.5 in (72.4 cm) around
  • Border depth: about 2 in (5.1 cm) at each end

Materials

Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend with about 110 m per 50 g. Cotton holds its shape when the holder is full and won’t stretch out under the weight of the bags.

  • Main color (MC), peach: 230 g, about 500 m
  • Contrast color (CC), cream: 30 g, about 65 m

For the lavender version, use 230 g (about 500 m) of lavender in place of the peach.

Tools:

  • 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook
  • Tapestry needle
  • 8 stitch markers
  • Scissors
  • Blocking mats and rustproof pins
  • Spray bottle

The quantities include a margin of about 15% for gauge swatches, joining and weaving in ends.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch: chain
  • sl st: slip stitch
  • sc: single crochet
  • hdc: half double crochet
  • dc: double crochet
  • sc2tog: single crochet 2 together
  • hdc2tog: half double crochet 2 together
  • dc2tog: double crochet 2 together
  • tr3tog: treble crochet 3 together
  • sp(s): space(s)
  • st(s): stitch(es)
  • rep: repeat
  • MC / CC: main color / contrast color

Special stitches:

  • Beginning cluster (beg-cl): Ch 2, *yo, insert hook in ring, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops; rep from * once more, yo, pull through all 3 loops.
  • Cluster (cl): *Yo, insert hook in ring, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops; rep from * 2 more times, yo, pull through all 4 loops.
  • tr3tog: *Yo twice, insert hook in next st, pull up a loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops) twice; rep from * 2 more times, yo, pull through all 4 loops.

Gauge and Checkpoints

Before you start the full project, make and block one complete hexagon. It must measure 4.75 in (12.1 cm) flat to flat and 5.5 in (14.0 cm) point to point.

Band gauge: 16 sc and 18 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm).

Checkpoints for one hexagon, measured flat to flat:

  • After Round 1: 1.5 in (3.8 cm)
  • After Round 2: 2.25 in (5.7 cm)
  • After Round 3: 3 in (7.6 cm)
  • After Round 4: 4.75 in (12.1 cm)

If your hexagon is too big, go down 0.5 mm in hook size. If it is too small, go up 0.5 mm. A difference of just 0.25 in (0.6 cm) per hexagon adds up to 1.5 in (3.8 cm) around the tube, so it is worth checking.

Close-up of a lavender crocheted textile with cream star flowers arranged in repeating geometric diamonds.

Hexagon Motif (Make 24)

Each side of the finished hexagon has 10 dc between the corner ch-2 spaces. The ch-2 corner spaces are not counted as stitches.

Round 1 (CC): Make a magic ring. Beg-cl in ring, ch 3, *cl in ring, ch 3; rep from * 4 more times. Sl st to top of beg-cl. Pull the ring closed. Fasten off. (6 clusters, 6 ch-3 sps)

The six clusters form the pointed flower petals.

Round 2 (MC): Join MC with a sl st in the top of any cluster. Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 6, *sc in top of next cl, ch 6; rep from * 4 more times. Sl st to first sc. (6 sc, 6 ch-6 sps)

The ch-6 arcs pass well outside the petals, which leaves the open window around the flower.

Round 3: Sl st into first ch-6 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-6 sp; rep from * 4 more times. Sl st to top of ch-3. (36 dc, 6 ch-2 corner sps; 6 dc per side)

Each corner sits at the middle of an arc. The sc from Round 2 are skipped and end up hidden behind the dc.

Round 4: Sl st in next 2 dc and into the corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *dc in each of next 6 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp; rep from * 4 more times, dc in each of last 6 dc. Sl st to top of ch-3. (60 dc, 6 ch-2 corner sps; 10 dc per side)

Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail. Weave in the CC tails now. You can use the MC tail for joining.

Make All Pieces

  • Hexagons with MC frame and CC flower: 24
  • MC per hexagon: about 12.5 m
  • CC per hexagon: about 2.2 m

Block all 24 hexagons to 4.75 in (12.1 cm) flat to flat before joining. Place the hexagons point up.

Layout (A = hexagon; each tier wraps into a ring of 6):

Tier 1 (top):     A   A   A   A   A   A
Tier 2:             A   A   A   A   A   A
Tier 3:           A   A   A   A   A   A
Tier 4 (bottom):    A   A   A   A   A   A

Each tier is shifted half a hexagon from the tier above. When the tube is closed, the last hexagon in each tier sits next to the first one.

Joining

Method: Whipstitch with MC through the back loops only, with right sides facing up. This gives a flat seam, and the front loops form a neat line on the right side.

Stitch-to-stitch logic: Every joined side has 12 matching positions: 1 corner ch-2 sp, 10 dc, 1 corner ch-2 sp. Match them one to one. Never skip a position or work into one twice, or the honeycomb will twist.

Order:

  1. Tier 1: Join 6 hexagons side by side along their vertical sides to make a strip. Then join the last hexagon to the first to make a ring. (6 seams)
  2. Tier 2: Each tier 2 hexagon fits point first into the notch below two tier 1 hexagons. Join its upper-left side to the lower-right side of one, and its upper-right side to the lower-left side of the other. Then join the vertical sides between neighboring tier 2 hexagons. (12 + 6 seams)
  3. Tiers 3 and 4: Rep Step 2 for each tier.

Total: 60 seams, each with 12 positions.

Tension: Pull each stitch snug enough to close the gap, but not so tight that the seam puckers. The seam should lie as flat as the hexagon itself.

Size checkpoint: After Tier 1, the ring measures 28.5 in (72.4 cm) around. After Tier 2, the tube is about 9.6 in (24.4 cm) tall peak to peak. After Tier 4, it is about 17.9 in (45.5 cm) tall peak to peak.

Border (Top and Bottom Bands)

Border gauge: 16 sc and 18 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm).

Each zigzag edge has 6 hexagon sections. One section is 1 peak, 2 sides of 10 dc each, and 1 valley. The valley is the point where two hexagons meet, with one corner ch-2 sp from each.

Top Band

Round 1: With the right side facing, join MC in the peak ch-2 sp of any tier 1 hexagon. Ch 1, *sc in peak sp, sc in each of next 10 dc, sc2tog (first leg in the corner sp of this hexagon, second leg in the corner sp of the next hexagon), sc in each of next 10 dc; rep from * 5 more times. Sl st to first sc. (22 sc per section × 6 = 132 sc)

Round 2 (leveling round): Ch 1, *sc in peak st and next 3 sts, hdc2tog, dc2tog twice, tr3tog (centered on the valley st), dc2tog twice, hdc2tog, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * 5 more times. Sl st to first sc. (14 sts per section × 6 = 84 sts)

Each repeat of this round uses 22 sts: 4 + 2 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 2 + 3 = 22. The tall stitches fill the valleys and the short stitches sit on the peaks, so the edge comes out level.

Round 3: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog; rep from * 11 more times. Sl st to first sc. (72 sc)

Round 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog; rep from * 11 more times. Sl st to first sc. (60 sc)

Rounds 5–7: Ch 2 (does not count as a st), hdc in each st around. Sl st to first hdc. (60 hdc)

Round 8: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st to first sc. (60 sc) Do not fasten off.

The rim measures 15 in (38.1 cm) around, with an opening about 4.75 in (12.1 cm) across.

Strap

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in the same st as the join and in the next 3 sts. Turn. (4 sc)

Rows 2–45: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (4 sc)

The strap is 1 in (2.5 cm) wide and 10 in (25.4 cm) long. Starting from the first strap stitch, count around the rim and place markers in sts 31–34, directly opposite the strap. With wrong sides together, sl st Row 45 to these 4 sts. Fasten off.

Bottom Band

Rounds 1–4: Work as for Top Band Rounds 1–4, around the tier 4 edge. (132, 84, 72, then 60 sts)

Round 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog; rep from * 11 more times. Sl st to first sc. (48 sc)

Round 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * 11 more times. Sl st to first sc. (36 sc)

Round 7: Ch 1, *sc in next 7 sts, sc2tog; rep from * 3 more times. Sl st to first sc. (32 sc)

Rounds 8–9: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st to first sc. (32 sc)

Fasten off. The opening measures 8 in (20.3 cm) around. That is snug enough to hold a bag lightly so it doesn’t fall out.

Why the Math Works

The zigzag edge has 12 sides of 2.75 in (7.0 cm) each, for a total of 33 in (83.8 cm). Round 1 places 132 sc, and 132 ÷ 4 sc per inch = 33 in, so the first round lies flat. Round 2 levels the edge and starts the gathering. Rounds 3 and 4 remove 24 sts to reach a 15 in (38.1 cm) rim, which is just over half of the 28.5 in (72.4 cm) tube circumference. That difference creates the curved lantern shoulders.

Final Blocking

  1. Soak the finished holder in cool water and squeeze out the excess. Do not wring it.
  2. Roll it in a towel and press to remove more water.
  3. Stuff the body firmly with a rolled towel or plastic bags to open out the lantern shape.
  4. Check that every hexagon is 4.75 in (12.1 cm) flat to flat and that the seams run straight.
  5. Pin the strap flat on a mat.
  6. Let everything dry completely, then remove the stuffing.

Final Quality-Control Checklist

  • 24 hexagons, each with 60 dc and 10 dc per side
  • All 60 seams matched position to position
  • Top Band Round 1 has 132 sc and Round 8 has 60 sc
  • Bottom Band ends with 32 sc
  • Strap attached at exactly opposite points on the rim
  • Circumference about 28.5 in (72.4 cm)
  • Height about 21 in (53.3 cm), not counting the strap
  • All ends woven in for at least 2 in (5.1 cm)

Troubleshooting

Hexagons cup: Round 3 or 4 is too tight. Go up a hook size or loosen the corner chains.

Hexagons ruffle: Your dc are too loose. Go down a hook size.

The tube twists: A seam is off by a stitch. Unpick it, match the corners first, then match the 10 dc.

Gaps at the valleys: Make sure the sc2tog in Band Round 1 catches both corner spaces.

Top band flares: The tall stitches in Round 2 are too loose. Work them more firmly, or go down a hook size for the band only.

Bags fall through the bottom: Work one more decrease round: *sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog; rep from * 3 more times (28 sc).

Care

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, then dry it flat or stuffed. Do not tumble dry, because cotton can shrink.

Coral and purple crocheted hanging storage bags with cream floral openwork, displayed on brass hooks in a light, plant-filled home.

Final Notes

The measurement chain is simple. One hexagon at 4.75 in (12.1 cm) flat to flat gives a tube 28.5 in (72.4 cm) around. Four tiers give a height of 17.9 in (45.5 cm) peak to peak. The bands gather 132 sts down to a 60-st rim and a 32-st bottom opening, for a holder about 21 in (53.3 cm) tall. Check your first hexagon carefully and everything else follows from it.

Happy crocheting!

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