The Honeycomb Hive Bag Holder turns a kitchen chore into something you are happy to leave on the wall. It is a tall tube of mustard hexagons outlined in cream. The outlines join into a honeycomb grid that looks like a slice of beeswax.
You stuff loose plastic bags in at the top. You pull them out one at a time through a round, cream-rimmed opening near the bottom. A cream strap wraps around a wooden ring so the holder hangs from a single hook.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is about 15.4 in (39.1 cm) tall, not counting the strap. It measures 14.6 in (37.1 cm) around, or about 4.6 in (11.7 cm) across.
You make 33 small pieces: standard hexagons, half-hexagons for the top and bottom edges, and one opening hexagon. You join them into six vertical columns and then into a tube. A cream band, a closed round base and a hanging strap finish it.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 15.4 in (39.1 cm) tall × 14.6 in (37.1 cm) circumference, about 4.6 in (11.7 cm) diameter
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 26 standard hexagons, 6 half-hexagons, 1 opening hexagon (33 total)
- Layout: 6 columns around the tube. Every other column is shifted down by half a hexagon.
- Piece size: hexagon 2.75 in (7.0 cm) flat-to-flat, 3.25 in (8.3 cm) point-to-point, sides about 1.6 in (4.1 cm)
- Size before border: joined tube 13.75 in (34.9 cm) tall × 14.6 in (37.1 cm) around
- Border depth: top band 1.2 in (3.0 cm); bottom rim 0.4 in (1.0 cm) plus a flat base
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted cotton. It shows the stitch holes clearly, holds the tube’s shape and doesn’t stretch under the weight of the bags.
- Mustard (Color A): 200 g, about 340 m (372 yd)
- Cream (Color B): 150 g, about 255 m (279 yd)
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- 4.5 mm (7) hook (optional, for adjusting the opening hexagon)
- Wooden ring, 2 in (5.1 cm) diameter
- Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors
- Blocking mats and rust-proof pins
These quantities include a margin of about 25% for swatching, joining and weaving in ends.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd – round
- RS – right side
- MR – magic ring
Special stitch – Corner: (sc, ch 2, sc) worked into the same ch-2 space.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Sc gauge: 5 sc and 5 rnds = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Make one standard hexagon first. Every other measurement depends on it.
- After Rnd 1: about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) across
- After Rnd 3: about 2.25 in (5.7 cm) flat-to-flat
- After Rnd 4: 2.75 in (7.0 cm) flat-to-flat, 3.25 in (8.3 cm) point-to-point
If your hexagon is too big, switch to a 4.5 mm hook. If every hexagon is 0.25 in (0.6 cm) too wide, the tube gains about 1.3 in (3.3 cm) around. If every hexagon is 0.25 in too tall, the tube gains 1.25 in (3.2 cm) in height.
If your hexagon is too small, switch to a 5.5 mm hook. Don’t add rounds. Extra rounds change the stitches per side, and the pieces will no longer match.
Standard Hexagon (make 26)
Work in rounds with RS facing. Don’t turn.
Rnd 1 (Color A): MR, ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc in ring, sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, dc in next st, ch 2, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 2; rep from * 4 more times, sl st to top of ch-3. (18 dc: 3 dc per side, 6 ch-2 corner sps)*
The ch-2 corners make the small holes that ring the center.
Rnd 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 2 dc, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 dc, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * 4 more times, sl st to top of ch-3. Fasten off. (30 dc: 5 dc per side, 6 ch-2 corner sps)*
Rnd 4 (Color B): Join B in any ch-2 sp. Ch 1, Corner in same sp, sc in next 5 dc, Corner in next ch-2 sp; rep from * 4 more times, sc in next 5 dc, sl st to first sc. Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail. (42 sc: 7 sc per side, 6 ch-2 corner sps)*
The 7 sc per side are 1 corner sc + 5 sc + 1 corner sc. The ch-2 spaces are not counted.
Half-Hexagon (make 6)
Each half-hexagon is a hexagon cut in half from point to point. It has one straight edge and three hexagon sides. Work it in rows.
Row 1 (Color A, RS): MR, ch 3 (counts as dc), 5 dc in ring. Pull the ring partly closed so it lies flat as a half-circle. Turn. (6 dc)
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in first st, dc in next st, ch 2, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 2, 2 dc in next st, dc in top of turning ch. Turn. (9 dc: 3 per side, 2 ch-2 sps)
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in first st, dc in next 2 dc, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 dc, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in top of turning ch. Fasten off. (15 dc: 5 per side, 2 ch-2 sps)
Row 4 (Color B, RS): Join B in first dc of Row 3. Ch 1, 2 sc in same st, sc in next 4 dc, Corner in ch-2 sp, sc in next 5 dc, Corner in ch-2 sp, sc in next 4 dc, 2 sc in last st. (21 sc: 7 per side)
Straight edge: Ch 2 and rotate the piece. Work 2 sc around each of the 3 row-end posts (6 sc). Work 1 sc into the center ring. Work 2 sc around each of the next 3 row-end posts (6 sc). Ch 2, sl st to first sc. Fasten off, leaving a tail. (34 sc: 21 along the hexagon sides + 13 along the straight edge, 4 ch-2 sps)
Checkpoint: The straight edge measures 3.25 in (8.3 cm), and the piece is 1.375 in (3.5 cm) tall.
Opening Hexagon (make 1)
This piece takes the place of one hexagon and forms the dispensing hole.
Rnd 1 (Color B): Ch 24 and sl st to the first ch to form a ring, without twisting. Ch 1, sc in each ch, sl st to first sc. (24 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc, sl st to first sc. Fasten off. (24 sc)
These two rounds make the thick cream rim around the hole.
Rnd 3 (Color A): Join A in any sc. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, dc in next 3 sc, ch 2, 2 dc in next sc, dc in next 3 sc, ch 2; rep from * 4 more times, sl st to top of ch-3. Fasten off. (30 dc: 24 worked 1-per-sc + 6 extra = 5 per side, 6 ch-2 sps)*
Rnd 4 (Color B): Work as Rnd 4 of the Standard Hexagon. (42 sc: 7 per side)
Checkpoint: The hole is about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across. The outer edge must match a standard hexagon at 2.75 in (7.0 cm) flat-to-flat. If the piece ruffles or comes out too large, rework Rnds 1–2 with the 4.5 mm hook.
Make All Pieces
- Standard hexagons: 26, using Color A for Rnds 1–3 and Color B for Rnd 4
- Half-hexagons: 6, using Color A for Rows 1–3 and Color B for Row 4 and the straight edge
- Opening hexagon: 1, using Color B for Rnds 1, 2 and 4 and Color A for Rnd 3
Lay the pieces out flat side up in six columns. In the grid, H is a standard hexagon, h is a half-hexagon and O is the opening hexagon. Columns 2, 4 and 6 sit half a hexagon lower than columns 1, 3 and 5.
Col: 1 2 3 4 5 6
H h H h H h
H H H H H H
H H H H H H
O H H H H H
H H H H H H
h h h
Columns 1, 3 and 5 each hold 5 full pieces: 5 × 2.75 = 13.75 in (34.9 cm). Columns 2, 4 and 6 each hold 1.375 + (4 × 2.75) + 1.375 = 13.75 in (34.9 cm). Turn each half-hexagon so its straight edge faces out, at the top or bottom of the tube.
Joining
Use Color B and a tapestry needle, with RS facing. Whipstitch through the back loops of the matching edge sc.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: Every hexagon side and every half-hexagon side has 7 sc. Match them 7 to 7, then corner sp to corner sp. Where three pieces meet, pass the needle once through all three corner spaces to close the gap.
- Join the pieces in each column, bottom flat side to top flat side.
- Join column 2 to column 1. The edge zigzags, so work one 7-sc side at a time and change direction at each corner.
- Add columns 3 through 6 the same way.
- Fold the strip into a tube and join column 6 to column 1.
Tension: Pull each stitch snug, just until the edges meet flat. If you pull too tight, the seams pucker and the tube gets shorter. If you sew too loosely, gaps open in the cream grid.
Checkpoint: The tube measures 13.75 in (34.9 cm) tall. Laid flat, it is 7.3 in (18.5 cm) wide, which is half of the 14.6 in (37.1 cm) circumference.
Border
Border gauge: 5 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Top Band
The top edge of a full hexagon has 7 sc, and the straight edge of a half-hexagon has 13 sc. Where two columns meet, there are 2 ch-2 corner spaces, and you work 1 sc in each.
Rnd 1 (Color B): Join B where two columns meet. Ch 1, then work 1 sc in each top-edge sc and 1 sc in each ch-2 corner sp. Sl st to first sc. (72 sc: 3 hexagon tops × 7 = 21, plus 3 half-hexagon edges × 13 = 39, plus 6 column joins × 2 = 12)
Rnds 2–6: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, sl st to first sc. (72 sc) Don’t fasten off.
Why the math works: 72 sc ÷ 5 = 14.4 in (36.6 cm). That is just under the 14.6 in (37.1 cm) tube circumference, so the band pulls in slightly and keeps a firm, round opening. Six rounds at 5 rnds per inch give a band 1.2 in (3.0 cm) deep.
Hanging Strap
Place a marker at the center back, above column 4.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in the 5 sts centered on the marker. Turn. (5 sc)
Rows 2–16: Ch 1, sc in each sc. Turn. (5 sc)
The strap is 3.2 in (8.1 cm) long and 1 in (2.5 cm) wide. Pass it through the wooden ring and fold it to the inside of the band. Sew the last row to Rnd 4 of the band. About 1.5 in (3.8 cm) of loop shows above the edge.
Bottom Rim and Base
Rnd 1 (Color B): Work around the bottom edge exactly as for Top Band Rnd 1. (72 sc)
Rnd 2: Sc in each sc around. (72 sc) This makes a rim 0.4 in (1.0 cm) deep.
Rnd 3: Sc in next 10 sc, sc2tog; rep from * 5 more times. (66 sc)*
Rnds 4–13: Work each round as sc in next N sc, sc2tog 6 times. N is one less each round, from 9 down to 0. (60, 54, 48, 42, 36, 30, 24, 18, 12, 6 sc)
Fasten off. Thread the tail through the last 6 sts and pull them closed.
Why the math works: Decreasing 6 sts per round keeps the base flat. A flat circle of 72 sc at 5 sc per inch is about 4.6 in (11.7 cm) across, which matches the tube’s diameter.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends along the cream outlines, where they hide best.
- Spritz the holder with water until it is evenly damp but not soaked.
- Stuff it firmly with a rolled towel to the full 14.6 in (37.1 cm) circumference.
- Nudge the hexagons into shape so the cream lines run straight.
- Shape the top band into a round opening and the hole into a smooth circle.
- Leave it standing upright until it is completely dry.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every hexagon measures 2.75 in (7.0 cm) flat-to-flat.
- No gaps show where three pieces meet.
- The tube is 13.75 in (34.9 cm) tall before the border.
- Top Band Rnd 1 and Bottom Rnd 1 each have 72 sc.
- The band is 1.2 in (3.0 cm) deep and lies smoothly.
- The base lies flat without cupping or ruffling.
- The strap is sewn securely, with the ring centered at the back.
- The opening is round and about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across.
Troubleshooting
- Hexagons cup: Your dc is tight. Go up a hook size for Rnds 1–3.
- Hexagons ruffle: Your dc is loose. Go down a hook size.
- Columns don’t line up: Check that columns 2, 4 and 6 start with a half-hexagon.
- Gaps where pieces meet: Pass the needle through the three corner spaces one more time.
- Band flares: Work Rnds 2–6 with the 4.5 mm hook.
- Base cups: Add one plain round of 72 sc before you start decreasing.
- Bags slip out too easily: Add a third round of 24 sc to the rim of the opening hexagon.
Care
Hand wash in cool water, reshape while damp, and dry it flat or standing upright. Don’t tumble dry.
Final Notes
Every size in this pattern comes from one measurement. Each hexagon is 2.75 in (7.0 cm), so every column is 13.75 in (34.9 cm) tall and the tube is 14.6 in (37.1 cm) around. The top and bottom edges each take 72 sc, and the base decreases evenly from 72 to 6. The finished holder stands 15.4 in (39.1 cm) tall. If your first hexagon is the right size, the rest will fit.
Happy crocheting!