This plastic bag holder is a long, open-mesh tube in soft sage green. Three cream pineapples run down the front in a single column. Each pineapple has a latticed body full of little windows and a fan of five pointed leaves on top. A cream rim finishes the top opening, a cream ring lip shapes the bag-exit hole at the bottom, and a green strap arches over the top so it hangs from a wall hook.
The look is fresh and a little retro, like a summer kitchen. Green and cream look clean against a pale wall, and the mesh lets you see the bags inside without looking messy. You can also swap the colors and work a cream tube with green pineapples.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is 20 in (50.8 cm) long along the side and 6 in (15.2 cm) wide laid flat, with a 12 in (30.5 cm) circumference. The strap arches about 4 in (10.2 cm) above the rim.
Construction is simple. You work the tube in the round from the bottom up: a short solid green base, twenty rounds of chain mesh, and a solid green band at the top. Then you add the cream borders at both ends and work the strap. Last, you make three small pineapple appliqués in rows and sew them onto the front.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 20 in (50.8 cm) long x 6 in (15.2 cm) wide, laid flat
- Circumference: 12 in (30.5 cm)
- Skill level: Easy-intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 tube body with an attached strap, plus 3 sewn-on pineapple appliqués
- Layout: pineapples stacked in one vertical column, centered on the front face
- Pineapple size: 2.5 in (6.4 cm) wide x 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall, including the crown
- Body length before border: 18.5 in (47.0 cm)
- Border depth: 0.75 in (1.9 cm) at each end
Materials
Choose a smooth, worsted-weight 100% cotton. Cotton holds its shape, doesn’t stretch much under the weight of the bags, and washes well. Avoid acrylic for the body because it sags as the mesh fills up.
- Sage green (Color A): 100 g, about 155 m (170 yd) — base, mesh, top band, strap
- Cream (Color B): 50 g, about 78 m (85 yd) — pineapples, top rim, bottom ring
Quantities include a safety margin of about 20%, so you won’t run short if your tension is a little loose.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- 4 locking stitch markers
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Rust-proof pins and a blocking surface
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch — chain
- sl st — slip stitch
- sc — single crochet
- hdc — half double crochet
- dc — double crochet
- sc2tog — single crochet 2 together
- sk — skip
- sp — space
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- rnd(s) — round(s)
- RS / WS — right side / wrong side
Special stitches:
- Small leaf: ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch (3 sts along the chain).
- Medium leaf: ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch (4 sts).
- Tall leaf: ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch (5 sts).
Gauge and Checkpoints
Solid gauge: 16 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm), so 4 sc and 4 rnds = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Mesh gauge: 12 ch-5 loops around = 12 in (30.5 cm) circumference, and 5 mesh rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm).
Test one piece first. Make one pineapple appliqué before you start the tube. It uses the same yarn and hook, and it should measure 2.5 in (6.4 cm) at its widest row and 3 in (7.6 cm) tall before the crown. If it matches, your tube will too.
Checkpoints for the body:
- After Rnd 5: 12 in (30.5 cm) around, 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall
- After Rnd 15: 9.25 in (23.5 cm) tall
- After Rnd 25: 17.25 in (43.8 cm) tall
- After Rnd 30: 18.5 in (47.0 cm) tall
- After borders: 20 in (50.8 cm) tall
Measure mesh rounds gently stretched lengthwise, the way they hang when full.
If your piece is too big, go down one hook size, to 4.5 mm (US 7). If it’s too small, go up to 5.5 mm (I-9). Don’t change stitch counts, because the strap position, the borders and the appliqué placement all depend on 48 stitches around.
Tube Body
With Color A, ch 32, and sl st in the first ch to form a ring, taking care not to twist the chain.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, sl st in first sc to join. (32 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (32 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 8 times, join. (40 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 8 times, join. (48 sc)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (48 sc)
Checkpoint: the base is 12 in (30.5 cm) around and 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall. It flares a little from the starting ring, which gives the bottom its tapered shape.
Mesh Section
Rnd 6 (mesh setup): Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 5, sk next 3 sts, sc in next st; rep from * 10 more times, ch 2, sk last 3 sts, dc in first sc to join. (12 loops; the ch-2 and dc count as the 12th loop and leave your hook at its center)
Rnds 7–24: Ch 1, sc around the post of the joining dc, *ch 5, sc in next ch-5 loop; rep from * 10 more times, ch 2, dc in first sc to join. (12 loops)
Rnd 25: Ch 1, sc around the post of the joining dc, *ch 5, sc in next ch-5 loop; rep from * 10 more times, ch 5, sl st in first sc to join. (12 full ch-5 loops)
The start of the round moves half a loop each round. This is normal for chain mesh in the round, and the seam disappears into the net.
Checkpoint: Rnds 6–25 are 20 mesh rnds, so the mesh section is 16 in (40.6 cm) tall. The body measures 17.25 in (43.8 cm) at this point.
Top Band
Rnd 26 (conversion): Sl st in the first 2 ch of the next loop, ch 1, work 4 sc in each ch-5 loop around, join. (12 loops x 3 sc = 36, plus 1 extra sc per loop = 12; total 48 sc)
Rnds 27–30: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (48 sc)
Fasten off Color A. Checkpoint: the top band is 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall and 12 in (30.5 cm) around, matching the base. The body now measures 18.5 in (47.0 cm).
Pineapple Appliqué (Make 3)
Work in rows with Color B. Odd rows are RS. Ch 1 at the start of each row does not count as a stitch. Each ch-2 sp counts as 2 sts in the totals.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (7 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in next st; rep from * once more, turn. (3 sc + 2 ch-2 sps = 7; 2 windows)
Row 3 (growth): Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, 2 sc in next sc, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, 2 sc in last sc, turn. (7 worked 1-per-stitch + 3 extra = 10 sc)
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in next st; rep from * 2 more times, turn. (4 sc + 3 ch-2 sps = 10; 3 windows)
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each sc and 2 sc in each ch-2 sp across, turn. (10 sc)
Row 6: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, *ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * once more, turn. (6 sc + 2 ch-2 sps = 10; 2 windows, offset)
Row 7: Rep Row 5. (10 sc)
Row 8: Rep Row 4. (10; 3 windows)
Row 9: Rep Row 5. (10 sc)
Row 10 (shaping): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. (10 − 3 = 7 sc)
Row 11: Rep Row 2. (7; 2 windows)
Row 12: Ch 1, sc in each sc and 1 sc in each ch-2 sp across, turn. (7 − 2 = 5 sc)
Checkpoint: the body is 2.5 in (6.4 cm) at its widest and 3 in (7.6 cm) tall. The windows run 2-3-2-3-2, which gives the classic pineapple lattice.
Row 13 (crown, RS): Sl st in first st, small leaf, sl st in same st; sl st in next st, medium leaf, sl st in same st; sl st in next st, tall leaf, sl st in same st; sl st in next st, medium leaf, sl st in same st; sl st in next st, small leaf, sl st in same st. (5 leaves)
Fasten off, leaving a 20 in (50.8 cm) tail for sewing. The crown adds 1.25 in (3.2 cm), so each pineapple is 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall. Weave in the starting tail.
Border
Border gauge: same as the body, 4 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Top Rim
With RS facing, join Color B in any st of Rnd 30.
Rnds T1–T3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (48 sc each rnd)
Fasten off. The rim is 0.75 in (1.9 cm) deep. Three rounds of 48 sc match the band exactly, so the rim stays straight and doesn’t ruffle or pull in.
Bottom Ring
With RS facing, join Color B in the free loop of any foundation ch at the bottom.
Rnd B1: Ch 1, sc in each foundation ch around, join. (32 sc)
Rnd B2 (trim): Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * 8 times, join. (32 − 8 = 24 sc)
Rnd B3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (24 sc)
Fasten off. The ring is 0.75 in (1.9 cm) deep. Dropping from 32 to 24 sts draws the edge inward into a firm lip. The opening is 6 in (15.2 cm) around, about 1.9 in (4.8 cm) across. That’s small enough to hold the bags in, but big enough to pull one out.
Strap
Lay the tube flat with the joining seam of the top rim on one side fold. Treat the first st of Rnd T3 as st 1. The side folds are then at st 1 and st 25, with 24 sts on each face.
With Color A, join in st 48.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in st 48, st 1 and st 2, turn. (3 sc)
Rows 2–36: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (3 sc)
The strap is 9 in (22.9 cm) long and 0.75 in (1.9 cm) wide. Without twisting it, place the last row over sts 24, 25 and 26 on the opposite fold. Sl st through each strap stitch and rim stitch together, then fasten off. The strap arches about 4 in (10.2 cm) above the rim.
Attaching the Pineapples
The face between the strap ends is the front. Pin the pineapples centered across its 6 in (15.2 cm) width, leaving 1.75 in (4.4 cm) of mesh on each side.
- Place the lowest pineapple 1 in (2.5 cm) above Rnd 6.
- Leave a 0.75 in (1.9 cm) gap between each crown tip and the next pineapple.
- The top crown ends 0.75 in (1.9 cm) below Rnd 26.
Check: 1 + 4.25 + 0.75 + 4.25 + 0.75 + 4.25 + 0.75 = 16 in (40.6 cm), the exact height of the mesh section.
Slide a piece of cardboard inside the tube so you only sew through the front layer. Whipstitch around each pineapple’s outer edge with its tail, catching a mesh strand or sc every 0.25 in (0.6 cm). Tack each leaf at its tip and base so it lies flat.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends inside the tube, through solid rounds where possible.
- Mist the whole holder lightly with water until it’s damp.
- Slide in a rolled towel about 12 in (30.5 cm) around to fill the tube.
- Lay it flat and smooth the mesh into even diamonds.
- Pin the leaves into a neat fan.
- Check that it measures 20 in (50.8 cm) long and 6 in (15.2 cm) wide.
- Let it dry completely before you take out the towel.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Base and top band each have 48 sc and measure 12 in (30.5 cm) around.
- There are 20 mesh rounds, each with 12 loops.
- The top rim lies flat and doesn’t ruffle.
- The bottom ring has 24 sts and a firm, round opening.
- All three pineapples have 2-3-2-3-2 windows and five leaves.
- The pineapples sit centered, evenly spaced and facing the same way.
- The strap is untwisted and attached at both side folds.
- No sewing stitches go through the back layer.
Troubleshooting
Mesh looks uneven. Keep every ch-5 the same length, and work the sc into the center of each loop.
Top band flares. You probably worked more than 4 sc in some loops. Recount Rnd 26 for 48.
Bottom opening is too loose. Work Rnd B3 with a 4.5 mm (US 7) hook, or add one more rnd of 24 sc.
Pineapple is crooked. Recount Row 10. It must be 7 sc so Row 11 fits 2 windows evenly.
Leaves curl. Pin them when blocking and tack the tips.
Strap stretches. Use firm tension, or line the strap with a matching ribbon on the inside.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and lay flat to dry. Reshape the mesh while it’s damp, and don’t tumble dry.
Final Notes
Here’s the measurement chain. A 48-stitch base is 12 in (30.5 cm) around. Twenty mesh rounds add 16 in (40.6 cm), and the solid bands bring the body to 18.5 in (47.0 cm). Two 0.75 in (1.9 cm) borders finish it at 20 in (50.8 cm). Three 4.25 in (10.8 cm) pineapples with their gaps fill the 16 in (40.6 cm) mesh section exactly. If the gauge swatch and each checkpoint match, the finished holder will match too.
Happy crocheting!