This hanging plastic bag holder pairs a creamy open mesh tube with a scattering of soft peach flowers. Each flower has a deep coral center and a few cream stamen stitches, so the blooms look warm and dimensional against the airy honeycomb background. Firm single crochet rims at the top and bottom frame the tube and keep it round.
The palette is three colors: cream for the body and strap, peach for the petals, and coral for the flower centers. The style is cottage-fresh and practical. Bags go in through the top and pull out through the open bottom, and the mesh lets you see how full the holder is.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished body measures 16 in (40.6 cm) around, about 5.1 in (13.0 cm) across, and 14 in (35.6 cm) tall. The hanging strap forms a loop that rises about 4 in (10.2 cm) above the top rim, so the total hanging height is about 18 in (45.7 cm).
Construction is simple. You work the body as one seamless tube from the bottom rim up: a solid band, then a chain-loop mesh, then a solid top rim. A short strap is worked in rows from the top rim and sewn to the opposite side. Twelve flowers are made separately and sewn onto the mesh in three staggered tiers.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished body size: 16 in (40.6 cm) around x 14 in (35.6 cm) tall
- Flat width (pressed flat): 8 in (20.3 cm)
- Total hanging height: about 18 in (45.7 cm), including the strap loop
- Skill level: Easy-intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (category 4) cotton
- Hook: 5 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 body with an integrated strap, plus 12 flower appliqués
- Layout: 3 tiers of 4 flowers, with the middle tier offset by half a repeat
- Flower size: 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across
- Body height before top rim: 13 in (33.0 cm)
- Rim depth (top and bottom): 1 in (2.5 cm) each
Materials
Choose a smooth mercerized or combed worsted cotton. Cotton holds the tube’s shape, does not stretch much under the weight of bags, and shows the mesh clearly. Acrylic also works, but it may sag over time.
- Cream: 100 g, about 190 m (208 yd), for the body, rims, strap and stamens
- Peach: 45 g, about 86 m (94 yd), for the petals
- Coral: 15 g, about 29 m (32 yd), for the flower centers
These amounts assume cotton with about 95 m per 50 g and include a margin of about 15 percent.
Tools:
- 5 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- 4 locking stitch markers
- Rustproof pins
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Spray bottle for blocking
- A rolled towel, or a bottle or tube 5 in (12.7 cm) wide, for shaping
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- MR – magic ring
Special stitch – ch-5 loop: Ch 5, then work the next sc as directed. In mesh rounds, each sc goes into the center of a ch-5 loop from the round below. This shifts the openings half a loop each round and creates the staggered honeycomb look.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Solid sc: 16 sts and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm).
Mesh: 4 mesh rnds = 3 in (7.6 cm), and 1 ch-5 loop repeat = 1 in (2.5 cm) wide.
Test one piece first. Make one complete flower before you start the body. It should measure 2.75 in (7.0 cm) from petal tip to petal tip. Then ch 64 and work the first 4 rounds of the body. This band doubles as your sc gauge swatch.
Checkpoints:
- After Rnd 4: 16 in (40.6 cm) around, 8 in (20.3 cm) flat width, 1 in (2.5 cm) tall
- After Rnd 12: 7 in (17.8 cm) tall
- After Rnd 20: 13 in (33.0 cm) tall
- After Rnd 24: 14 in (35.6 cm) tall
- Flower after Rnd 2: 1.25 in (3.2 cm) across
If your piece is too big, go down to a 4.5 mm hook. If it is too small, go up to a 5.5 mm hook. If only the mesh height is off, change the loop length instead of the hook: use ch 4 for shorter openings or ch 6 for taller ones, then recheck the height checkpoints.
Body
Work the body in joined rounds from the bottom up, without turning. Place a marker in the first stitch of each round.
Bottom Rim
Foundation: With cream, ch 64. Join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring, making sure the chain is not twisted.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, join with a sl st to the first sc. (64 sc)
Rnds 2–4: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (64 sc each rnd)
Place markers in sts 1, 17, 33 and 49. These quarter markers help you space the strap and flowers evenly later.
Mesh
Rnd 5 (setup mesh rnd): Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 5, sk 3, *sc in next st, ch 5, sk 3; repeat from * 14 more times, join with a sl st to the first sc. (16 sc + 16 ch-5 loops)
Check: 16 repeats x 4 sts covered (1 sc + 3 skipped) = 64 sts. Every stitch of Rnd 4 is used.
Rnd 6: Sl st in each of the next 3 ch to reach the center of the first loop, ch 1, sc in the same loop, ch 5, *sc in next ch-5 loop, ch 5; repeat from * 14 more times, join with a sl st to the first sc. (16 sc + 16 ch-5 loops)
Rnds 7–20: Repeat Rnd 6. (16 sc + 16 ch-5 loops each rnd)
You now have 16 mesh rounds (Rnds 5–20) measuring 12 in (30.5 cm). Each loop is anchored in the center of the loop below it, so the openings form rounded, staggered cells. Keep your chains relaxed and even so the mesh doesn’t pucker the tube.
Flowers (Make 12)
Rnd 1: With coral, make a MR, ch 1, work 10 sc in the ring, pull the ring closed, and join with a sl st to the first sc. (10 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join. (20 sc) Fasten off coral.
Rnd 3: Join peach in any st. Ch 1, sc in the same st, ch 3, sk 3, *sc in next st, ch 3, sk 3; repeat from * 3 more times, join with a sl st to the first sc. (5 sc + 5 ch-3 sps)
Check: 5 repeats x 4 sts = 20 sts.
Rnd 4 (petals): *In next ch-3 sp work (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc), sl st in next sc; repeat from * 4 more times. (5 petals of 7 sts each = 35 sts + 5 sl sts) Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail for sewing.
Stamens: With cream and a tapestry needle, embroider 5 straight stitches from the center of the coral MR out to the edge of Rnd 1. Make each one about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) long and point one toward each petal. Weave in the cream ends on the back.
Each finished flower measures 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across. The coral center fills the middle 1.25 in (3.2 cm), and the petals cup slightly forward.
Border (Top Rim and Strap)
The top rim is worked like the bottom rim, so both ends match. It uses the same sc gauge: 16 sts = 4 in (10.2 cm).
Rnd 21 (conversion rnd): Ch 1, *sc in next sc, 3 sc in next ch-5 loop; repeat from * 15 more times, join. (16 sc worked 1-per-existing sc + 48 sc worked into loops = 64 sc)
Rnds 22–24: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (64 sc each rnd) Do not fasten off.
Place markers in sts 1, 17, 33 and 49 of Rnd 24. Each quarter holds 16 sts and measures 4 in (10.2 cm).
Why the math works: The bottom rim starts with 64 sts. Rnd 5 uses those 64 sts as 16 groups of 4. Rnd 21 rebuilds 4 sts per group (1 sc in the sc + 3 sc in the loop), which gives 16 x 4 = 64 sts. The top rim therefore has the same count and circumference as the bottom rim, so the tube stays straight instead of flaring or narrowing.
Strap
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in sts 1, 2 and 3 of Rnd 24. (3 sc)
Rows 2–40: Ch 1, turn, sc in each of the 3 sts. (3 sc each row)
The strap is 0.75 in (1.9 cm) wide and 10 in (25.4 cm) long. Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Sew the last row of the strap to sts 33, 34 and 35 of Rnd 24. This is directly opposite the starting point, 64 / 2 = 32 sts away. Sew through both loops on the inside and outside of the rim, and go over the seam twice for strength.
Strap edging (optional, recommended): Join cream at one end of the strap and sl st evenly along each long edge, 1 sl st per row end (40 sl sts per side). This keeps the strap from stretching.
Attaching the Flowers
Lay the tube flat with the strap ends at the folds. Measure each tier from the bottom edge of the body.
- Tier 1: flower centers 3 in (7.6 cm) up, over mesh loops 1, 5, 9 and 13 of the round at that height
- Tier 2: flower centers 7 in (17.8 cm) up, over loops 3, 7, 11 and 15 (shifted 2 loops, or 2 in / 5.1 cm, to stagger the tiers)
- Tier 3: flower centers 11 in (27.9 cm) up, over loops 1, 5, 9 and 13
This gives 4 flowers per tier, spaced 4 in (10.2 cm) apart around the 16 in (40.6 cm) circumference, with 4 in (10.2 cm) between tier centers. Since each flower is 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across, about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) of open mesh stays visible between neighbors.
Pin all 12 flowers first and check the spacing from every side. Then sew each flower on with its peach tail. Tack the back of Rnd 3 (the 5 sc anchor points) to the mesh strands, and add one stitch under the tip of each petal. Don’t pull tight, or the mesh will lose its round shape.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all remaining ends along the inside of the rims or through the mesh chains.
- Slide the holder over a rolled towel or a 5 in (12.7 cm) wide bottle so the tube is round.
- Mist evenly with water until damp but not soaked.
- Smooth the mesh so all openings are the same size and the rims sit straight.
- Shape each flower with your fingers, cupping the petals slightly and flattening the coral centers.
- Check that the body is 14 in (35.6 cm) tall and 16 in (40.6 cm) around.
- Lay the strap flat and pin it to 10 in (25.4 cm) long.
- Let it dry completely before hanging.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Both rims have 64 sts and measure 16 in (40.6 cm) around.
- All 16 mesh rounds have 16 ch-5 loops, with no twisted or doubled loops.
- The body is 14 in (35.6 cm) tall.
- The tube is not twisted, and the foundation join runs in a straight line.
- All 12 flowers have 5 petals and 35 petal sts.
- The flowers sit in 3 tiers of 4, with the middle tier offset.
- The strap ends are directly opposite each other and securely sewn.
- The bottom opening is fully open and bags pull out easily.
- No loose ends show on the outside.
Troubleshooting
The mesh flares wider than the rims. Your chains are looser than your sc. Use ch 4 instead of ch 5, or chain more firmly.
The mesh pulls in and puckers. Your chains are too tight. Relax your tension or try ch 6, then recheck the height checkpoints.
The round starts drift to one side. This is normal when you sl st over to the center of each loop. Keep the join line at the back of the holder.
The flowers curl up. Mist them and press them flat under a towel before sewing.
The Rnd 21 count is wrong. Recount the loops in Rnd 20. You need exactly 16 loops for 16 + 48 = 64 sts.
The strap stretches. Add the sl st edging, or work the strap with a 4.5 mm hook.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, gently press out the water, and dry over a bottle to keep the tube shape. Avoid the dryer, which can shrink cotton and distort the mesh.
Final Notes
The whole design rests on one chain of measurements. A 64-stitch foundation at 16 sts per 4 in (10.2 cm) gives a circumference of 16 in (40.6 cm). That ring divides into 16 mesh loops of 1 in (2.5 cm) each, and 16 mesh rounds rise 12 in (30.5 cm). Two 1 in (2.5 cm) rims bring the body to 14 in (35.6 cm). Twelve 2.75 in (7.0 cm) flowers fit 4 per tier in 3 tiers, and a 10 in (25.4 cm) strap makes the hanging loop. Check each measurement as you go, and the holder will come out round, straight and ready to fill.
Happy crocheting!