This plastic bag holder hangs on a hook and keeps loose grocery bags in one tidy place. You push bags in at the top and pull them out one at a time through the round hole at the bottom. The body is covered in a lattice of long, soft strands that gather into small knots, so it looks a bit like macramé even though it is all crochet.
The sample is in dove gray, a neutral that suits stone, wood and painted kitchens. Cream works just as well for a warmer look. Both colorways use one solid color for the whole piece, so there are no color changes and very few ends to weave in.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is 8 in (20.3 cm) wide when laid flat and 15 1/4 in (38.7 cm) long from the dispensing hole to the rim. It hangs about 19 1/4 in (48.9 cm) including the strap loop.
The holder is worked in one piece from the bottom up. You start with a chain ring that becomes the dispensing hole, then increase gently to shape a rounded cap. Next come five tiers of gathered loops and a solid top band. A corded rim, an edging around the hole and a separate strap finish the piece.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 8 in (20.3 cm) wide flat × 15 1/4 in (38.7 cm) long; about 19 1/4 in (48.9 cm) hanging
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 body plus 1 strap (sewn on)
- Layout: One seamless tube worked in joined rounds
- Body circumference: 56 sts = 16 in (40.6 cm)
- Size before border: 15 in (38.1 cm) long
- Border depth: 1/4 in (0.6 cm) corded rim
Materials
Yarn: Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds the lattice shape well and doesn’t stretch out when the holder is full. Very fuzzy yarns hide the strands, so avoid them.
- Main color, Dove Gray: 110 g (about 187 m) of worsted yarn at about 170 m per 100 g
- Alternate colorway, Cream: same amount if you use cream instead
These amounts include a margin of about 25 percent. The long chain loops use more yarn than you might expect.
Tools:
– 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
– Stitch marker
– Tapestry needle
– Scissors
– Measuring tape
– Rust-proof pins and a blocking mat or folded towel
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- inc – 2 sc in the same stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- BLO – back loop only
- rnd – round
Special stitches
- Knot loop cluster (KLC): Sc in the stitch shown, then [ch 14, sl st in the same sc] 4 times. This makes 4 loops coming from one knot point. Number them 1 to 4 in the order you make them.
- Gather sc: Insert the hook through the tips of 4 loops at once (as stated in the pattern), yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.
- Crab stitch (reverse sc): Sc worked from left to right (right to left for left-handers). It makes a corded edge.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 14 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc worked in the round.
Make a small swatch first. Then work the cap and the first tier, and stop to measure before you go on. The tube is one piece, so it’s easier to catch a gauge problem early than to rip back tiers later.
Checkpoints:
– After Rnd 1: The ring should measure about 8 in (20.3 cm) around, which gives a hole about 2 1/2 in (6.4 cm) across.
– After Rnd 9: The cap should measure 16 in (40.6 cm) around (8 in / 20.3 cm flat) and 2 1/4 in (5.7 cm) tall.
– After the first tier (Rnds 10–11): The tier should measure 2 1/4 in (5.7 cm) tall.
– Before the border: The body should be 15 in (38.1 cm) long.
Too big? Go down a half size to 4.5 mm (7). If only the tiers are too tall, chain 12 instead of 14 in each loop.
Too small? Go up to 5.5 mm (I-9). If the tiers are too short, chain 16 for each loop.
Bottom Cap
Chain loosely. The foundation chain becomes the edge of the dispensing hole.
Foundation: Ch 28 and sl st to the first ch to form a ring. Make sure the chain isn’t twisted.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, then sl st to the first sc. (28 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in the next 6 sts, inc; repeat from * 4 times in total. Sl st to the first sc. (32 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in the next 7 sts, inc 4 times; sl st to join. (36 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in the next 8 sts, inc 4 times; join. (40 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in the next 9 sts, inc 4 times; join. (44 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in the next 10 sts, inc 4 times; join. (48 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in the next 11 sts, inc 4 times; join. (52 sts)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc in the next 12 sts, inc 4 times; join. (56 sts)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join. (56 sts)
A flat sc circle needs about 5–6 increases per round. Adding only 4 per round makes the cap cup upward into the tapered, rounded bottom you see on the finished holder.
Checkpoint: 56 sts, 16 in (40.6 cm) around, 2 1/4 in (5.7 cm) tall.
Lattice Tiers
Each tier is 2 rounds. Round A makes the knots, the loops and a short band of solid sc. Round B gathers the loops from neighboring knots into a new knot halfway between them. Because each new knot sits between the old ones, the diamonds of strands are staggered from tier to tier.
Tier 1
Rnd 10 (A): Ch 1, KLC in the next st, sc in each of the next 3 sts; repeat from * 14 times in total. Sl st to the first sc. (56 sc: 14 knot sc + 42 sc; plus 56 loops)
Let the loops hang to the outside of the tube as you work.
Rnd 11 (B): Gather sc through loops 3 and 4 of the first knot and loops 1 and 2 of the second knot, then ch 5. Gather sc through loops 3 and 4 of the next knot and loops 1 and 2 of the knot after it, ch 5; repeat from * around. The last gather uses loops 3 and 4 of the 14th knot and loops 1 and 2 of the first knot. Sl st to the first gather sc. (14 gather sc + 14 ch-5 sps)
Keep the loops flat and untwisted. Each ch-5 rests over the 3-sc band below it.
Checkpoint: Tier 1 is 2 1/4 in (5.7 cm) tall, and every loop is pulled into exactly one gather. Count the 14 gathers before you continue.
Tiers 2–5
Rnd 12 (A): Ch 1, KLC in the next gather sc, 3 sc in the next ch-5 sp; repeat from * 14 times. Sl st to the first sc. (56 sc: 14 knot sc + 42 sc; plus 56 loops)
Rnd 13 (B): Work as Rnd 11. (14 gather sc + 14 ch-5 sps)
Rnds 14–19: Repeat Rnds 12–13 three more times, for 5 tiers in total.
Checkpoint: Five tiers measure 11 1/4 in (28.6 cm). The body from the hole to the last gather round is 13 1/2 in (34.3 cm).
Top Band
Rnd 20 (conversion): Ch 1, sc in the next gather sc, 3 sc in the next ch-5 sp; repeat from * around and join. (14 sc worked 1 per gather + 42 sc worked 3 per sp = 56 sts)
Rnds 21–25: Ch 1, sc in each st around and join. (56 sts)
Checkpoint: The band is 1 1/2 in (3.8 cm) deep. The body measures 15 in (38.1 cm) from the hole to the rim and 8 in (20.3 cm) wide when flat. Don’t fasten off.
Border
The border is the corded rim at the top plus a matching edging around the dispensing hole. Use the same hook and the main gauge of 14 sts = 4 in (10.2 cm). Lay the tube flat with the beginning of the round at one side fold. Each flat side then has 28 sts at the rim and 14 sts at the hole.
Rim Rnd 26: Ch 1. Working from left to right, crab stitch in each st around and sl st to join. (56 sts: 28 front + 28 back) Fasten off.
Hole edging: With the cap facing you, join the yarn in any free loop of the foundation chain. Ch 1 and crab stitch in each free loop around, then join. (28 sts: 14 front + 14 back) Fasten off.
Why the math works: Each border round places exactly 1 stitch in each existing stitch. The rim stays at 16 in (40.6 cm) and the hole stays at 8 in (20.3 cm) around, so neither edge ruffles or pulls in. The rim adds 1/4 in (0.6 cm), so the body goes from 15 in (38.1 cm) to 15 1/4 in (38.7 cm).
Strap
Foundation: Ch 6.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across, then turn. (5 sts)
Rows 2–40: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st across, then turn. (5 sts)
The strap measures 10 in (25.4 cm) long and about 1 3/8 in (3.5 cm) wide. The back-loop rows give it a ridged, corded look. Fasten off and leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. Make a second tail by joining a 12 in (30.5 cm) strand at the starting end.
Attach: Flatten the body so the beginning of the round sits at the side fold. Center one strap end on the inside of the front at sts 12–16 of the rim. Center the other end on the inside of the back at sts 40–44. Overlap each end 3/4 in (1.9 cm) below the rim. Whipstitch through both layers, going around twice for strength. When the holder hangs, the strap forms an arch about 4 in (10.2 cm) high.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends, then soak the holder in cool water for 10 minutes.
- Gently press out the water. Don’t wring it.
- Roll the holder in a towel to remove more moisture.
- Stuff the tube loosely with a dry towel or plastic bags so it becomes a rounded cylinder 8 in (20.3 cm) wide flat.
- Straighten each tier so the loops lie flat and untwisted and the knots sit in level rows.
- Pin the rim and the hole edging into smooth circles.
- Lay the strap straight, then let everything dry completely before hanging.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Hole is about 2 1/2 in (6.4 cm) across with an even crab-stitch edge
- Cap curves smoothly with no ripples
- 14 knots in every knot round, and each tier is 2 1/4 in (5.7 cm) tall
- Every loop is caught in exactly one gather, with none skipped or doubled
- Top band has 56 sts, 1 1/2 in (3.8 cm) deep
- Body measures 15 1/4 in (38.7 cm) long and 8 in (20.3 cm) flat
- Strap ends are centered on opposite sides and sewn securely
- All ends are woven in on the inside
Troubleshooting
Cap ruffles: Your increases may be drifting, or your tension is loose. Recount to 4 increases per round and try a smaller hook.
Loops are uneven: Chain at a steady tension and pull each sl st snug. Count the chains on a few loops; 14 is easy to lose track of.
Gathers lean to one side: You may have used loops 1–2 where you needed 3–4. Each gather should always take the second pair of one knot and the first pair of the next knot.
Tube is too narrow: Check that you work exactly 3 sc in each ch-5 sp. Two sc per space shrinks the tube quickly.
Strap stretches: Use cotton yarn, add a second line of whipstitches, or work the strap with a hook one size smaller.
Care
Hand wash cool or machine wash on a gentle cycle in a laundry bag. Reshape while damp and lay flat to dry.
Final Notes
Check your measurements at each stage. The 28-chain ring sets a 2 1/2 in (6.4 cm) hole. The cap grows to 56 sts, or 16 in (40.6 cm) around. Five tiers of 2 1/4 in (5.7 cm) add up to 11 1/4 in (28.6 cm). The 1 1/2 in (3.8 cm) top band brings the body to 15 in (38.1 cm), and the corded rim finishes it at 15 1/4 in (38.7 cm). If each of these numbers matches, your holder will hang neatly and hand out one bag at a time.
Happy crocheting!