This grocery bag holder hangs on the wall. It’s a tall, soft tube with a knit-look ribbed texture and a cluster of layered peonies on the front. Push used plastic bags in through the wide top opening, then pull them out one at a time through the narrower bottom ring.
The body is dusty salmon pink. The two peonies have golden yellow centers, pale apricot inner petals, and coral peach outer petals. Three small peach buds with green bases, eight sage green leaves, and slip-stitched stems complete the design.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is 7 in (17.8 cm) wide when flattened and 16.3 in (41.4 cm) tall, not counting the hanging strap.
You work the body from the bottom up in continuous rounds: a narrow single crochet band, two increase rounds, a long section of waistcoat stitch, and then a single crochet top band. Reverse single crochet trims both openings. The strap and appliqués are made separately and sewn on.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 7 in (17.8 cm) wide flat x 16.3 in (41.4 cm) tall, not counting the strap
- Circumference: 14 in (35.6 cm) around the body; 10.5 in (26.7 cm) at the bottom opening
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) for the body and strap; 4.0 mm (G-6) for the appliqués
- Number of pieces: 1 finished holder (1 body tube, 1 strap, 2 peonies, 3 buds, 8 leaves, all sewn together)
- Layout: One vertical tube with the flowers grouped on the upper front
- Size before border: 7 in (17.8 cm) flat x 15.8 in (40.1 cm) tall
- Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) at each end
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton-acrylic blend. Cotton keeps the tube’s shape and won’t stretch out when the holder is full of bags. The amounts below assume about 85 m per 50 g.
- Color A, dusty salmon pink (body, strap): 240 g / 408 m
- Color B, pale apricot (inner petals): 15 g / 26 m
- Color C, coral peach (outer petals, buds): 30 g / 51 m
- Color D, golden yellow (flower centers): 5 g / 9 m
- Color E, sage green (leaves, bud bases, stems): 20 g / 34 m
All amounts include about a 10 percent margin for your gauge swatch and differences in tension.
Tools:
– 5.0 mm (H-8) and 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hooks
– 4 locking stitch markers
– Tapestry needle
– Scissors and straight pins
– Measuring tape
– Yarn scraps or fiberfill for the buds
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- MR – magic ring
- FLO / BLO – front loop only / back loop only
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- rev sc – reverse single crochet (crab stitch)
Special stitch: waistcoat stitch. Insert the hook through the center of the “V” of the next stitch below, between its two vertical legs (not under the top loops). Yarn over and pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through both loops. In rounds, the stitches stack into vertical columns that look like knit stockinette. This creates the ribbed texture.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sts and 20 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in waistcoat stitch with the 5.0 mm hook. The single crochet rounds in this pattern work to the same gauge.
Test first: Ch 24 and join into a ring without twisting. Work 2 rnds of sc, then 20 rnds of waistcoat stitch. The swatch tube should measure 6 in (15.2 cm) around, or 3 in (7.6 cm) flat.
Body checkpoints:
– After Rnd 4: 10.5 in (26.7 cm) around, 5.25 in (13.3 cm) flat, 0.8 in (2.0 cm) tall
– After Rnd 6: 14 in (35.6 cm) around, 7 in (17.8 cm) flat, 1.2 in (3.0 cm) tall
– After Rnd 26: 5.2 in (13.2 cm) tall
– After Rnd 76: 15.2 in (38.6 cm) tall
– After Rnd 79: 15.8 in (40.1 cm) tall
Too big? Go down to a 4.5 mm hook. Too small? Go up to a 5.5 mm (I-9) hook. Waistcoat stitch tightens easily, so keep your loops relaxed. Don’t change the stitch counts, because the trim and strap placement depend on them.
Body
Use Color A and the 5.0 mm hook. Work in continuous spiral rounds, and move a marker up to the first stitch of each round as you go.
Bottom band
Rnd 1: Ch 42 and sl st to the first ch to form a ring without twisting. Ch 1, then sc in each ch around. (42 sc)
Rnds 2–4: Sc in each st around. (42 sc)
The band is 0.8 in (2.0 cm) tall. It forms the narrow pull-through opening.
Increase rounds
Rnd 5: Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * 6 more times. (42 sts worked + 7 increases = 49 sc)
Rnd 6: Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * 6 more times. (49 sts worked + 7 increases = 56 sc)
These two rounds create the gentle flare between the bottom ring and the main tube.
Ribbed tube
Rnds 7–76: Work waistcoat stitch in each st around. (56 sts per round, 70 rounds)
Keep exactly 56 sts in every round. The columns should line up vertically. If they start to lean a lot, check that your hook is going through the center of each V and not between stitches. The piece should now measure 15.2 in (38.6 cm) tall.
Top band
Rnds 77–79: Sc in each st around, through both top loops. (56 sc)
Sl st in the next st to smooth the step at the end of the spiral, then fasten off. Place one marker at st 1 and another at st 29. These mark the two sides of the tube and where the strap will go.
The body now measures 7 in (17.8 cm) flat x 15.8 in (40.1 cm) tall.
Strap
Use Color A and the 5.0 mm hook. Work in rows.
Row 1: Ch 5. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. Turn. (4 sc)
Rows 2–50: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (4 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. The strap measures 1 in (2.5 cm) wide x 10 in (25.4 cm) long.
Peony (Make 2)
Use the 4.0 mm hook. Work in joined rounds, joining each round with a sl st to its first st. The layers come from alternating front and back loops: petal rounds go into the front loops, and base rounds go into the back loops behind them.
Rnd 1 (Color D): MR, ch 1, 10 sc in the ring. Pull tight and join. (10 sc) Fasten off D.
Rnd 2 (Color B): Join B in the BLO of any st. Ch 1, then working in BLO, 2 sc in each st around. (20 sc) The yellow front loops stay visible as a ring in the center.
Rnd 3 (Color B, inner petals): Working in the FLO of Rnd 2: sc in next st, (hdc, 2 dc) in next st, (2 dc, hdc) in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * 4 more times. (5 petals of 8 sts each = 40 sts)
Rnd 4 (Color B): Working in the unused BLO of Rnd 2, behind the petals: sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * 9 more times. (20 sts worked + 10 increases = 30 sc) Fasten off B.
Rnd 5 (Color C, middle petals): Join C. Working in the FLO of Rnd 4: sc in next st, (hdc, 2 dc) in next st, 3 dc in next st, (2 dc, hdc) in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * 5 more times. (6 petals of 11 sts each = 66 sts)
Rnd 6 (Color C): Working in the unused BLO of Rnd 4: sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * 9 more times. (30 sts worked + 10 increases = 40 sc)
Rnd 7 (Color C, outer petals): Working in the FLO of Rnd 6: sc in next st, (hdc, 2 dc) in next st, (dc, tr, dc) in next st, (2 dc, hdc) in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * 7 more times. (8 petals of 11 sts each = 88 sts)
Rnd 8 (Color C, backing): Working in the unused BLO of Rnd 6: sc in each st around. (40 sc) Fasten off, leaving a 20 in (50.8 cm) tail for sewing.
Checkpoint: The flat base is about 2 in (5.1 cm) across after Rnd 4. The finished peony measures 4 in (10.2 cm) from petal tip to petal tip. Cup the inner petals upward with your fingers so the three layers stand apart.
Buds (Make 3)
Use the 4.0 mm hook. Work in continuous rounds.
Rnd 1 (Color C): MR, 6 sc in the ring. (6 sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (12 sc) Change to Color E.
Rnd 4 (Color E): Sc in each st around. (12 sc) Stuff lightly.
Rnd 5: Sc2tog 6 times. (6 sts) Close the opening and fasten off, leaving a long tail. Each bud is 1 in (2.5 cm) long, peach on top with a green base.
Leaves (Make 8)
Use Color E and the 4.0 mm hook.
Ch 9. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch. Rotate and work along the other side of the chain: sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch (the same ch as the first sc). For the pointed tip, ch 2 and sl st in the 2nd ch from the hook. Sl st in the first sc. (17 sts plus tip)
Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. Each leaf is 2 in (5.1 cm) long.
Border
The border is one round of reverse single crochet at each opening, worked with Color A and the 5.0 mm hook.
Border gauge: Work 1 rev sc in each stitch, matching the body gauge of 4 sts per 1 in (2.5 cm). This adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) at each end without ruffling or tightening the edge.
Top edge: Join A at the st 1 marker on Rnd 79. Ch 1, then rev sc in each st around. Sl st to the first st. (56 rev sc, which is 28 per side when the tube is flattened at the markers)
Bottom edge: Turn the tube upside down. Join A in the foundation ring, lined up with the st 1 marker. Ch 1, then rev sc in each free loop of the foundation chain around. Sl st to the first st. (42 rev sc, which is 21 per side when flattened)
Why the math works: There is one border stitch per edge stitch, so the counts stay at 56 and 42. At 4 sts per inch, 56 sts = 14 in (35.6 cm) and 42 sts = 10.5 in (26.7 cm), which matches the body exactly. Total height is 15.8 in + 0.25 in + 0.25 in = 16.3 in (41.4 cm).
Assembly
Strap: Place one end of the strap inside the tube at the st 1 marker, overlapping the top band by 1 in (2.5 cm) over sts 1–4. Whipstitch it firmly in place. Attach the other end the same way at the st 29 marker, over sts 29–32, and check that the strap isn’t twisted. The visible loop is 8 in (20.3 cm) long.
Appliqués: Flatten the tube with the markers at the side folds, then pin everything before you sew.
- Upper peony: Center it 4.5 in (11.4 cm) below the top edge and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) right of center.
- Lower peony: Center it 9 in (22.9 cm) below the top edge and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) left of center.
- Buds: Place two to the left of the upper peony and one on the left between the two peonies.
- Leaves: Tuck two or three leaves under each peony, angled outward, and one at the base of each bud.
Sew each peony through its Rnd 8 backing only, so the petals stay free. Sew each leaf along its center and leave the tip loose. With Color E, surface sl st stems about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long, running from the buds and leaves toward the peonies. Keep one hand inside the tube while you sew so you only go through the front layer.
Final Blocking
- Lightly mist the body with water. Don’t soak it.
- Roll a towel to 14 in (35.6 cm) around and slide it into the tube.
- Pat the rib columns so they run straight up and down.
- Shape both bands into smooth rings.
- Cup the inner petals upward with your fingertips.
- Let the holder dry completely standing upright, then remove the towel.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Body is 7 in (17.8 cm) flat and 16.3 in (41.4 cm) tall
- Bottom opening is 10.5 in (26.7 cm) around
- Rib columns are straight, with 56 sts in every round
- Both trims lie flat
- Strap ends are secure, untwisted, and on opposite sides
- Both peonies show yellow centers and three distinct petal layers
- Appliqués are sewn through the front layer only
- All tails are woven in on the inside
Troubleshooting
The tube leans or spirals. This is normal in spiral rounds. Wet-block it over the rolled towel.
Waistcoat stitch is hard to work. Go up one hook size and pull each loop up a little taller.
Bags fall out on their own. The bottom band is too loose. Rework Rnds 1–4 with a 4.5 mm hook.
Petals look flat. Work Rnds 5 and 7 with a 4.5 mm hook.
The top edge ruffles. Count the trim stitches and make sure there are exactly 56.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, press the water out with a towel, and dry upright. Don’t tumble dry, because the layered petals can mat.
Final Notes
Each size depends on the one before it. A gauge of 16 sts = 4 in (10.2 cm) makes the 42-st band 10.5 in (26.7 cm) around. Two increase rounds bring the body to 56 sts, which is 14 in (35.6 cm) around and 7 in (17.8 cm) flat. After 79 rounds the body is 15.8 in (40.1 cm) tall, and the two 0.25 in (0.6 cm) trims bring it to 16.3 in (41.4 cm). If you hit each checkpoint, the holder will hang straight and dispense bags cleanly.
Happy crocheting!