This holder turns a messy pile of grocery bags into something you will actually want on your kitchen wall. It is a tall teal tube, with cream five-petal flowers and olive leaves climbing up the front on a winding vine.
The palette is calm and natural: teal for the body, cream for the petals, mustard yellow for the flower centers, and olive green for the leaves and vines. The look is cottage-style, and the texture is firm enough to hold its shape when stuffed with bags.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is 5 in (12.7 cm) wide when laid flat and 16 in (40.6 cm) long, not counting the hanging strap. The strap loop adds about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) above the top edge.
Construction is simple. You crochet the body bottom-up in joined rounds of single crochet, starting with a narrow cuff. Next you add a short border at each opening and crochet a flat strap. Finally, you make the flowers and leaves separately, sew them on, and slip stitch the vines directly onto the surface.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 5 in (12.7 cm) wide flat x 16 in (40.6 cm) long, plus strap
- Skill level: Easy-Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Number of pieces: 1 body tube, 1 strap, 4 flowers, 10 leaves, all assembled into one holder
- Layout: vertical tube; all appliqués on the front face only
- Body circumference: 40 sts = 10 in (25.4 cm), so 5 in (12.7 cm) flat
- Size before border: 5 in x 15 in (12.7 cm x 38.1 cm)
- Border depth: 0.5 in (1.3 cm) at the top and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) at the bottom
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted cotton or cotton blend. Cotton keeps the tube firm and holds the flower shape well. Avoid fuzzy acrylics, because plastic bags catch on loose fibers.
- Teal (main color): 85 g / 170 m
- Cream (petals): 15 g / 30 m
- Mustard yellow (flower centers): 5 g / 10 m
- Olive green (leaves and vines): 20 g / 40 m
Tools:
- 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- 4 locking stitch markers
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Pins for placing appliqués
- Blocking mat and spray bottle
All quantities include a margin of about 15 to 20 percent for gauge differences and swatching.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- rev sc – reverse single crochet (crab stitch)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- MR – magic ring
- BLO – back loop only
- rnd(s) – round(s)
Special stitch – Reverse single crochet (rev sc): Working from left to right (right-handers), insert the hook into the next stitch to the right, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through both loops. This creates a twisted, corded edge.
Special technique – Surface slip stitch: Hold the yarn behind the work. Insert the hook from front to back through the fabric, pull up a loop, then insert the hook one stitch further along the vine line, pull up a loop, and draw it through the loop on the hook. Repeat to “draw” a chain line on the surface.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in joined rounds. That means 4 sts and 4 rnds per inch (2.5 cm).
Test one piece first. The cuff (Rnds 1–4) is your gauge test, so work it, then measure before you continue.
Checkpoints:
- After Rnd 4: cuff is 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide flat and 1 in (2.5 cm) tall.
- After Rnd 5: tube is 5 in (12.7 cm) wide flat.
- After Rnd 20: total height is 5 in (12.7 cm).
- After Rnd 40: total height is 10 in (25.4 cm).
- After Rnd 60: total height is 15 in (38.1 cm).
- After borders: total height is 16 in (40.6 cm).
If your cuff is too big: go down to a 4.0 mm (US G-6) hook and restart. If it is too small: go up to a 5.0 mm (US H-8) hook. Do not change the stitch counts, because the flower layout depends on 40 sts around.
Body Tube
Work in joined rounds. Join each round with a sl st to the first sc, then ch 1. The ch 1 does not count as a stitch. Place a marker in the first st of each round.
With teal:
Rnd 1: Ch 36, join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring, taking care not to twist. Ch 1, sc in each ch around, join. (36 sc)
Rnds 2–4: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (36 sc)
This is the bottom cuff. It is 9 in (22.9 cm) around, so it stays slightly narrower than the body and grips the bags.
Rnd 5 (conversion round): Ch 1, [sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st] 4 times, join. (36 + 4 = 40 sc)
Rnds 6–60: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (40 sc)
That is 55 plain rounds. Do not fasten off. Continue straight into the top border.
Measure: the tube should be 5 in (12.7 cm) wide flat and 15 in (38.1 cm) tall.
Orientation: Lay the tube flat with the join line on the right-hand fold. Stitches 1–20 form the front face and stitches 21–40 form the back. All appliqués go on the front.
Flowers (Make 4)
Rnd 1: With mustard, MR, 5 sc in ring, join. Pull the ring closed. (5 sc) Fasten off mustard.
Rnd 2: Join cream in any st. Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join. (10 sc)
The center now measures about 0.75 in (1.9 cm) across.
Rnd 3 (petal round): [Sl st in next st, (hdc, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, hdc) in next st] 5 times, join with a sl st to the first sl st. (5 petals; each petal has 6 sts plus a ch-1 tip)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail for sewing.
Each flower is about 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across. The ch 1 gives each rounded petal a soft point, just like the petals in the photo.
Leaves (Make 10)
With olive:
Ch 8.
Side 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch. (6 sts)
Tip: 3 sc in last ch. (3 sts)
Side 2: Rotate and work into the free loops of the foundation chain: sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch. (6 sts)
Join with a sl st to the first sc. (15 sts total) Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail.
Each leaf is about 2 in (5.1 cm) long and 0.75 in (1.9 cm) wide. If you like, use the tail to backstitch a center vein down the middle before sewing on.
Hanging Strap
With teal:
Ch 6.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (5 sc)
Rows 2–44: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (5 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a 16 in (40.6 cm) tail.
The strap is 1.25 in (3.2 cm) wide and 11 in (27.9 cm) long.
Border
The border is one stitch per stitch, worked at the same gauge as the body: 4 sts per inch (2.5 cm), and each border round adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm). Two rounds at each end give 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
Top Border
Continue with teal from Rnd 60.
Rnd T1: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, join. (40 sc: 20 front + 20 back)
Rnd T2: Ch 1, rev sc in each st around, join. (40 rev sc: 20 front + 20 back)
Fasten off.
Bottom Border
Turn the tube upside down. Join teal in any free loop of the foundation chain at the right-hand fold.
Rnd B1: Ch 1, sc in each free loop around, join. (36 sc: 18 front + 18 back)
Rnd B2: Ch 1, rev sc in each st around, join. (36 rev sc: 18 front + 18 back)
Fasten off.
Why the math works: Each border round has exactly one stitch per existing stitch. The top stays at 40 sts (10 in / 25.4 cm around) and the bottom stays at 36 sts (9 in / 22.9 cm around). Nothing is added, so the openings lie flat and don’t flare. The BLO round at the top creates a neat ridge, and the rev sc gives both openings a firm, corded edge that resists stretching.
Measure: the total height is now 16 in (40.6 cm).
Assembly
Attach the Strap
Put the strap inside the top opening. Center one end over stitches 38–40 and 1–2 (the right-hand fold). Center the other end over stitches 18–22 (the left-hand fold). Overlap each end by 4 rows, or 1 in (2.5 cm), below the top edge. Whipstitch all around each overlap through both layers.
The visible loop is 9 in (22.9 cm) long and stands about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) above the rim.
Place the Flowers
Lay the tube flat, front up. Count rounds from the bottom cuff, and pin each flower center:
- Flower 1: Rnd 52, centered over sts 12–13 (right of center)
- Flower 2: Rnd 40, centered over sts 7–8 (left of center)
- Flower 3: Rnd 28, centered over sts 13–14 (right of center)
- Flower 4: Rnd 16, centered over sts 8–9 (left of center)
The centers are 12 rnds, or 3 in (7.6 cm), apart. That leaves about 0.75 in (1.9 cm) of teal between flowers.
Sew each flower down around the edge of Rnd 2 with small stitches, then tack each petal tip down. Keep a hand inside the tube while sewing so you don’t stitch the front to the back.
Work the Vines
With olive, work surface slip stitch on the front only. Start at Rnd 7 near the center and wind upward in gentle S-curves. Pass between the flowers, touching the left side of Flowers 1 and 3 and the right side of Flowers 2 and 4. End just below the top border at Rnd 59.
Add a short branch, 3 to 6 sts long, from the main vine to the base of each flower and to each leaf position. Keep the stitches loose enough that the fabric doesn’t pucker.
Sew the Leaves
Pin 2 or 3 leaves along the vine beside each flower, for 10 leaves total. Angle them in alternating directions. Sew around each edge, then tack the tip.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends inside the tube.
- Stuff the tube lightly with a rolled towel so it holds a round shape.
- Spray it evenly with water until damp, but not soaking.
- Shape the tube to 5 in (12.7 cm) flat width and 16 in (40.6 cm) length.
- Press the petals and leaves flat with your fingers, and open each petal tip.
- Lay the strap flat and straight.
- Let it dry completely, at least 24 hours, before hanging.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Body has 40 sts and the cuff has 36 sts.
- Width is 5 in (12.7 cm) flat and length is 16 in (40.6 cm).
- Both openings lie flat with no flaring.
- Strap is secure, with both ends overlapped 1 in (2.5 cm).
- Four flowers, each with 5 petals and a mustard center.
- Ten leaves, sewn flat with tips tacked.
- Vines are smooth with no puckering.
- No stitches pass through to the back layer.
- All ends are woven in securely.
Troubleshooting
Join seam is slanting: this is normal with joined rounds. Keep the seam on the right-hand fold, and always place the first sc in the same stitch as the joining sl st.
Tube is narrowing as you go: you may be skipping the last stitch. Count to 40 every 10 rounds.
Bottom opening is too loose: work Rnd B2 with a 4.0 mm (US G-6) hook.
Petals curl: block again, pinning each petal tip flat.
Vines pucker: pull them out and redo them with a hook one size larger, or with looser loops.
Bags slip out too easily: before Rnd B2, add one extra round: [sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog] 6 times (30 sc). Then work Rnd B2 as 30 rev sc.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and lay flat to dry. Reshape while damp, and avoid the dryer to protect the appliqués.
Final Notes
Here is the full measurement chain. Your 36-st cuff measures 4.5 in (11.4 cm) flat, and the 40-st body measures 5 in (12.7 cm) flat. Sixty rounds give 15 in (38.1 cm), and two 0.5 in (1.3 cm) borders bring the holder to 16 in (40.6 cm). The 11 in (27.9 cm) strap gives a 9 in (22.9 cm) hanging loop.
Check the gauge on the cuff and count your stitches often, and the flowers will land exactly where they should.
Happy crocheting!