The Lavender Lattice Bag Holder is a tall, tubular grocery-bag dispenser with an open fan-and-arch lattice body. The top and bottom are finished with firm single crochet bands. A sturdy strap arches over the opening so you can hang it on a wall hook, and a chain drawstring cinches the bottom so you can pull bags out one at a time.
The sample photos show the same design in two colorways: soft lavender and pale butter yellow. Each holder is made in one solid color. The fan lattice is open enough to show the bags inside, which gives the piece a light, airy look in a kitchen or laundry room.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder measures 15 in (38.1 cm) around, about 7.5 in (19.1 cm) wide when laid flat, and 17 in (43.2 cm) tall from top rim to bottom edge, not counting the strap or drawstring ties.
Construction is simple. You chain a ring and work the top band downward in joined rounds, then switch to the fan-and-arch lattice, convert back to single crochet for the bottom band, and work an eyelet round for the drawstring. Last, you add a strap across the top and edge it.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 15 in (38.1 cm) circumference, 7.5 in (19.1 cm) flat width, 17 in (43.2 cm) tall
- Skill level: Easy to intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted weight (#4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 tubular body with an attached strap, plus 1 separate chain drawstring
- Layout: Single tube, worked top-down in joined rounds
- Body stitch count: 60 stitches per round in every solid round
- Strap size before border: 1 in (2.5 cm) wide, 10 in (25.4 cm) long
- Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on each long strap edge, making the strap 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds its shape when the holder is stuffed with bags and does not stretch much over time. Acrylic works too, but the lattice will relax more and the holder may grow slightly in length.
- Colorway A, Lavender: 120 g, about 228 m
- Colorway B, Butter Yellow: 120 g, about 228 m (only if you are making a second holder)
One holder uses about 95 g. The quantities above include a margin for your gauge check, the drawstring, and any frogging.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Rust-proof pins and a towel for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd – round
- beg – beginning
Special stitch:
- Shell: 5 dc worked into the same stitch or space. The center dc of a shell is its 3rd dc.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc worked in joined rounds. In the lattice, one arch round plus one shell round = 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall.
Instead of a flat swatch, test the top band of the holder first. It is worked in the same rounds as the rest of the body, so it gives you a true reading.
Checkpoint 1, after Rnd 6: The band should measure 15 in (38.1 cm) around and 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall. Laid flat, it should be 7.5 in (19.1 cm) wide.
Checkpoint 2, after Rnd 12: The lattice section should measure 4.5 in (11.4 cm) from the bottom of the top band.
Checkpoint 3, after Rnd 24: The holder should measure 15 in (38.1 cm) from the top rim.
Checkpoint 4, after Rnd 31: The full body should measure 17 in (43.2 cm) tall.
If your band is too big: go down one hook size, to 4.5 mm (US 7). If it is too small: go up to 5.5 mm (I-9). Do not change the stitch count, because the lattice repeat depends on exactly 60 stitches. If only the lattice height is off, you can add or remove one arch-and-shell pair, which changes the length by 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
Top Band
The top band is worked from the top rim downward. Join every round with a sl st to the first st and do not turn.
Foundation: Ch 60, sl st to the first ch to form a ring, taking care not to twist the chain.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, join with sl st to first sc. (60 sc)
Rnds 2–6: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (60 sc)
Place a marker in the first st of Rnd 6. You will attach the strap here later.
Check Checkpoint 1 now.
Fan Lattice Body
The lattice alternates two rounds. Shell rounds create the fans. Arch rounds bridge between the fan centers with ch-5 loops. The next shells go into those loops, so each row of fans sits offset from the row before. The open diamonds form between the arches and fans.
Rnd 7 (shell set-up round): Ch 1, sc in first st, sk 2 sts, shell in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st; repeat from * 8 more times, sk 2 sts, shell in next st, sk 2 sts, join with sl st to first sc. (10 shells and 10 sc = 60 sts)
Each repeat uses exactly 6 stitches of Rnd 6 (1 sc, 2 skipped, 1 shell stitch, 2 skipped), and 10 repeats use all 60 stitches.
Rnd 8 (arch round): Sl st in next 3 dc to reach the center dc of the first shell. Ch 1, sc in same dc, ch 5, sc in center dc of next shell; repeat from * 8 more times, ch 5, join with sl st to first sc. (10 sc and 10 ch-5 sps)
Rnd 9 (shell round): Sl st in first ch-5 sp. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 4 dc in same sp, sc in next sc, shell in next ch-5 sp; repeat from * 8 more times, sc in last sc (the first sc of Rnd 8), join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (10 shells and 10 sc = 60 sts)
Rnd 10 (arch round): Sl st in next 2 dc to reach the center dc of the first shell. Ch 1, sc in same dc, ch 5, sc in center dc of next shell; repeat from * 8 more times, ch 5, join with sl st to first sc. (10 sc and 10 ch-5 sps)
In Rnd 10 you only slip across 2 dc, because the beg ch-3 counts as the first dc of the shell.
Rnds 11–24: Repeat Rnds 9 and 10 seven more times. You will end with an arch round, Rnd 24. (10 sc and 10 ch-5 sps)
The lattice now has 9 shell rounds (Rnds 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23) and 9 arch rounds (Rnds 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24). At 1.5 in (3.8 cm) per pair, the lattice is 13.5 in (34.3 cm) tall.
Check Checkpoints 2 and 3. If you are short, add one more pair (Rnds 9 and 10) and plan for a holder that is 1.5 in (3.8 cm) longer.
Bottom Band and Eyelet Round
Rnd 25 (conversion round): Ch 1, sc in first sc, 5 sc in next ch-5 sp, sc in next sc; repeat from * 8 more times, 5 sc in last ch-5 sp, join. (10 sc worked 1-per-sc + 50 sc worked into the 10 ch-5 sps = 60 sc)
Rnds 26–28: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (60 sc)
Rnd 29 (eyelet round): Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), sk next st, dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st; repeat from * 28 more times, join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (30 dc and 30 ch-1 sps = 60 sts)
Rnd 30: Ch 1, sc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp around, join. (30 sc in dc + 30 sc in ch-1 sps = 60 sc)
Rnd 31: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (60 sc)
Fasten off and weave in the end. The bottom band is 2 in (5.1 cm) deep: six sc rounds at 0.25 in (0.6 cm) each and one eyelet round about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) tall.
Check Checkpoint 4.
Drawstring
Chain: Leaving a 4 in (10.2 cm) tail, ch 100, about 25 in (63.5 cm). Fasten off, leaving a 4 in (10.2 cm) tail.
Starting at the front of the holder, weave the chain over and under through the 30 ch-1 sps of Rnd 29, so both ends come out of neighboring spaces at the front. Tie an overhand knot near each end of the chain to stop fraying, and trim the tails to 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
Strap
Turn the holder so the top rim faces you. The strap is worked in rows on 4 sts of Rnd 6 and attached to the opposite side.
Row 1: With the right side facing, join yarn in the marked st of Rnd 6. Ch 1, sc in same st and in next 3 sts, turn. (4 sc)
Rows 2–40: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (4 sc)
The strap should measure 10 in (25.4 cm) from the rim. Do not fasten off.
Attach: Find the 31st st of Rnd 6. It sits directly opposite the marker, because the two points are 30 stitches apart (60 ÷ 2). Without twisting the strap, hold Row 40 against sts 31–34 on the inside of the rim. Sl st through both layers 4 times, joining one strap st to one rim st. Fasten off.
Border: Strap Edging
Border gauge: 1 sc per row end. At 16 sc and 16 rnds per 4 in (10.2 cm), one row and one stitch both measure 0.25 in (0.6 cm). That means 1 sc per row lies flat without ruffling or pulling.
Edge A: With the right side facing, join yarn at the rim beside sc 1 of Row 1. Ch 1, work 1 sc in the end of each row along one long edge of the strap, ending at the rim beside Row 40. Fasten off. (40 sc)
Edge B: Join yarn at the rim on the opposite side of Row 40 and work 1 sc in each row end back to Row 1. Fasten off. (40 sc)
Why the math works: The strap has 40 rows, so each edge gets 40 sc. Each edge is 10 in (25.4 cm) long, and 40 sc at 4 sc per inch also equals 10 in (25.4 cm). The edging adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) to each side, bringing the strap from 1 in (2.5 cm) to 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide. That extra width keeps the strap from twisting and makes it easier to grip.
Weave in all ends securely, especially at the strap joins, which carry the weight of the bags.
Final Blocking
- Lightly dampen the holder with a spray bottle or soak it briefly in cool water. Gently squeeze out the extra water; do not wring.
- Roll a towel into a cylinder about 4.8 in (12.2 cm) across and slide the holder over it.
- Smooth the top and bottom bands straight. Ease each shell open so the fans spread evenly and the diamonds look the same size.
- Measure: 15 in (38.1 cm) around and 17 in (43.2 cm) tall. Gently pat into place if needed.
- Pin the strap flat on the towel so its edges dry straight.
- Let it dry completely before loading it with bags and tying the drawstring.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every solid round has 60 sts.
- Every shell round has 10 shells and 10 sc.
- Every arch round has 10 ch-5 loops.
- The fans alternate position from one shell round to the next.
- The top band is 1.5 in (3.8 cm) deep and the bottom band is 2 in (5.1 cm) deep.
- The strap is attached at two exactly opposite points and is not twisted.
- Both strap edges have 40 sc.
- The drawstring passes through all 30 eyelets and cinches to an opening about 2 in (5.1 cm) across.
- All ends are woven in and secured.
Troubleshooting
The fans stack straight up instead of alternating. You worked shells into the sc instead of the ch-5 spaces. Shells always go into the arches.
I have 9 or 11 shells. Recount the previous round. Rnd 7 must start with exactly 60 sts, and each arch round must have exactly 10 loops.
The lattice pulls in and looks narrow. Your ch-5 loops are too tight. Chain more loosely, or go up a hook size only for the lattice rounds.
The bottom band flares. Your conversion round may have too many stitches. Recount Rnd 25: it should have exactly 60 sc.
The strap stretches over time. Use cotton rather than acrylic, and work the strap rows firmly.
Bags fall out of the bottom. Pull the drawstring tighter and tie it with a double knot or a bow.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, then reshape and dry over a rolled towel. Avoid the dryer, which can shrink cotton and distort the lattice.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is simple. Sixty stitches give you 15 in (38.1 cm) around. The top band adds 1.5 in (3.8 cm), nine arch-and-shell pairs add 13.5 in (34.3 cm), and the bottom band adds 2 in (5.1 cm), for a total of 17 in (43.2 cm). The 40-row strap is 10 in (25.4 cm) long, and its 40-sc edges keep it flat at 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide.
Make one in lavender and one in butter yellow, and hang them side by side for a tidy, cheerful corner.
Happy crocheting!