The Teal Tide Bag Holder keeps your stash of plastic grocery bags in one tidy, good-looking place. You push bags in at the top and pull them out one at a time through a small hole near the bottom. It hangs from a hook or a cabinet knob on its own strap.
The design uses two colors: a deep teal for the solid sections and a light gray for the lacy bands. Dense teal single crochet chevrons alternate with open gray mesh chevrons, so you can see the bags through the lace. A solid teal cuff finishes the top, and a firm edge outlines the dispensing hole.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished body measures 8 in (20.3 cm) wide when flat and 16 in (40.6 cm) tall. The strap loop adds about 6 in (15.2 cm), so the total hanging height is about 22 in (55.9 cm).
Construction is a single piece. You crochet an oval base, then work the body upward in joined rounds. The dispensing hole is built into the lower body. Chevron stripes run up the body, a leveling round squares off the top, and the rim cuff and strap finish it.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 8 in (20.3 cm) wide flat × 16 in (40.6 cm) tall body; about 22 in (55.9 cm) total with strap
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 (base, body, cuff and strap worked as one; strap end sewn down)
- Layout: Oval base → solid bottom with hole → 3 gray lace bands alternating with teal bands → leveling round → cuff
- Piece size: Base 6.5 in × 3 in (16.5 × 7.6 cm); circumference 16 in (40.6 cm)
- Size before border: 8 in (20.3 cm) wide × 13.5 in (34.3 cm) tall
- Border depth: Rim cuff 2.5 in (6.4 cm)
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds its shape when the holder is full and does not stretch out like acrylic. Avoid fuzzy yarns, because they hide the chevron texture.
- Color A, Deep Teal: 170 g / 265 m
- Color B, Light Gray: 60 g / 95 m
These quantities include a margin of about 15–20% for your gauge swatch and tension differences.
Tools:
– 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
– 4 stitch markers
– Tapestry needle
– Scissors
– Measuring tape
– Rustproof pins and a spray bottle for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- beg – beginning
- BLO – back loop only
Special stitches:
– sc3tog (single crochet 3 together): [Insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop] 3 times, yarn over, pull through all 4 loops. This forms a valley in a teal chevron.
– dc3tog (double crochet 3 together): [Yarn over, insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 3 times, yarn over, pull through all 4 loops. This forms a valley in a gray chevron.
Counting rule: In every chevron round, each ch-1 sp counts as one stitch. Work into a ch-1 sp the same way you would work into a stitch.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm). In the lace pattern, 4 rnds = 2 in (5.1 cm).
Before you start, make a swatch: ch 21, then work 20 rows of sc (20 sts). It should measure 5 in (12.7 cm) square. Then crochet the base and treat it as your test piece.
Checkpoints:
1. After base Rnd 6: 6.5 in × 3 in (16.5 × 7.6 cm), 64 sts.
2. After Body Rnd 12: The solid bottom is 3 in (7.6 cm) tall, and the tube is 8 in (20.3 cm) wide when flattened.
3. After each gray band: 2 in (5.1 cm) tall. After each teal band: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall.
4. After Rnd 41: The body is 13.5 in (34.3 cm) tall.
5. Finished: 16 in (40.6 cm) tall body; strap 14 in (35.6 cm) long.
Too big? If the base is wider than 6.75 in (17.1 cm) or the flat tube is wider than 8.5 in (21.6 cm), go down to a 4.5 mm hook. Too small? If the tube is narrower than 7.5 in (19.1 cm), go up to a 5.5 mm hook. Don’t change the stitch counts, because the chevron needs exactly 64 stitches.
Base
Use Color A. Join each round with a sl st to the first sc. The ch-1 at the start of a round does not count as a stitch.
Rnd 1: Ch 17. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 14 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Rotate and work along the other side of the chain: sc in next 14 ch, 2 sc in last ch (the same ch as the first sc). Join. (34 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 14, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next 14, 2 sc in each of last 2 sts. Join. (40 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 14, (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) 3 times, sc in next 14, (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) 2 times. Join. (46 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 14, (sc in next 2, 2 sc in next) 3 times, sc in next 14, (sc in next 2, 2 sc in next) 2 times. Join. (52 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in first 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 14, (sc in next 3, 2 sc in next) 3 times, sc in next 14, (sc in next 3, 2 sc in next) 2 times. Join. (58 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in first 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 14, (sc in next 4, 2 sc in next) 3 times, sc in next 14, (sc in next 4, 2 sc in next) 2 times. Join. (64 sts)
Each round adds 6 stitches, all at the two curved ends, so the base lies flat. Stitches 7–20 of Rnd 6 form the straight front edge.
Body: Solid Bottom and Dispensing Hole
Continue with Color A. Do not increase.
Body Rnds 1–4: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (64 sts) The sides turn upward.
Body Rnd 5 (hole round): Ch 1, sc in first 8 sts, ch 10, skip next 10 sts, sc in last 46 sts. Join. (8 sc + 10 ch + 46 sc = 64 sts) The hole sits over stitches 9–18, centered on the front.
Body Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in each sc and in each ch. Join. (64 sts)
Body Rnds 7–8: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (64 sts)
Body Rnd 9 (first chevron round): Ch 1, 3 sc in first st, sc in next 6, sc3tog, sc in next 6, 3 sc in next st; rep from * 2 more times, sc in next 6, sc3tog, sc in next 6. Join to first sc. (64 sts: 4 repeats of 16)*
Body Rnds 10–12 (teal chevron): Sl st in next st (the center of the first peak). Ch 1, 3 sc in same st, sc in next 6, sc3tog, sc in next 6, 3 sc in next st; rep from * 2 more times, sc in next 6, sc3tog, sc in next 6. Join. (64 sts)*
The sl st moves the start of the round to the center peak stitch, so peaks stack over peaks and valleys over valleys. Each repeat uses 16 stitches (1 + 6 + 3 + 6) and makes 16 stitches (3 + 6 + 1 + 6), so the count stays at 64. Fasten off Color A.
Body: Chevron Stripes
Gray lace round (first round of each gray band): Join Color B with a sl st in the center sc of the first peak, which is the 2nd st of the previous round. Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), dc in same st. [Ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st] 3 times, dc3tog, [dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st] 3 times, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next st; rep from * 2 more times, [ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st] 3 times, dc3tog, [dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st] 3 times. Join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (64 sts: 4 repeats of 3 + 6 + 1 + 6)*
Gray repeat round (rest of each gray band): Sl st in next ch-1 sp (the peak center). Ch 4, dc in same sp, then work as in the gray lace round from * to the end. Join. (64 sts) The new dc stitches land in the previous round’s ch-1 spaces, which makes the open diamond mesh.
Teal chevron round (first round of each teal band): Join Color A with a sl st in the peak-center ch-1 sp. Ch 1, 3 sc in same sp, sc in next 6, sc3tog, sc in next 6, 3 sc in next st; rep from * 2 more times, sc in next 6, sc3tog, sc in next 6. Join. (64 sts)*
Teal repeat round: Work as Body Rnd 10. (64 sts)
Follow this sequence:
- Rnds 13–16: Color B, 1 gray lace round + 3 gray repeat rounds. Fasten off.
- Rnds 17–22: Color A, 1 teal chevron round + 5 teal repeat rounds. Fasten off.
- Rnds 23–26: Color B, as Rnds 13–16. Fasten off.
- Rnds 27–32: Color A, as Rnds 17–22. Fasten off.
- Rnds 33–36: Color B, as Rnds 13–16. Fasten off.
- Rnds 37–40: Color A, 1 teal chevron round + 3 teal repeat rounds. Do not fasten off.
Rnd 41 (leveling round): Sl st in next st (the peak center). Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next st, hdc in next 2, dc in next 2, tr in next 5, dc in next 2, hdc in next 2, sc in next st, sc in next st, sc in next st, hdc in next 2, dc in next 2, tr in next 5, dc in next 2, hdc in next 2, sc in next st; rep from * 2 more times. Join. (64 sts: 4 × [1 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 5 + 2 + 2 + 1])*
The short stitches sit on the peaks and the tallest ones sit in the valleys, with the middle tr over each sc3tog. This fills the zigzag and gives a straight top edge. The body should now measure 13.5 in (34.3 cm) tall.
Border: Rim Cuff, Hole Edging and Strap
Border gauge: The same as the body: 16 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm).
Rim cuff (Color A):
Rnds 42–51: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (64 sts each round; 32 sts across each flattened side)
Rnd 52: Sl st in BLO of each st around. (64 sl sts) Fasten off.
Ten rounds at 4 rounds per inch make a 2.5 in (6.4 cm) cuff. The sl st round firms the edge, and the free front loops let the top roll slightly outward.
Dispensing hole edging (Color A):
Rnd 1: Join yarn at one end of the hole. Work 10 sc in the 10 skipped sts of Body Rnd 4, 1 sc in the side gap, 10 sc in the underside of the 10 chains, and 1 sc in the other side gap. Join. (22 sts: 10 + 1 + 10 + 1)
Rnd 2: Sl st in each st around. (22 sts) Fasten off.
The edging takes one stitch for every stitch on each long edge and one for each end, so it lies flat without puckering. The relaxed opening measures about 2.5 in × 1 in (6.4 × 2.5 cm).
Strap (Color A):
Flatten the bag so the hole is centered on the front, and place a marker at each side fold of Rnd 52. There are 32 stitches between the markers on each side.
Row 1: Join yarn 2 sts before one fold marker, through both loops of Rnd 51 under the sl sts. Sc in 5 sts, centered on the fold. (5 sts)
Rows 2–56: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. (5 sts)
The strap is 1.25 in (3.2 cm) wide and 14 in (35.6 cm) long. Fasten off, leaving a 16 in (40.6 cm) tail. Check that the strap isn’t twisted, then whipstitch Row 56 to the 5 stitches centered on the opposite fold.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends inside the teal sections, where they won’t show through the lace.
- Spray the holder evenly until it is damp, not soaking.
- Stuff it loosely with a rolled towel to open up the tube.
- Lay it flat and pat it to 8 in (20.3 cm) wide and 16 in (40.6 cm) tall.
- Pin each chevron peak and valley so the lace diamonds open evenly.
- Pin the strap straight at 14 in (35.6 cm).
- Let it dry completely, at least 24 hours, before removing the pins.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- [ ] The base is flat and measures 6.5 in × 3 in (16.5 × 7.6 cm).
- [ ] Every round from Body Rnd 1 to Rnd 52 has 64 stitches.
- [ ] The dispensing hole is centered on the front and edged with 22 stitches.
- [ ] Peaks line up vertically through all bands.
- [ ] There are three gray bands, each 2 in (5.1 cm) tall.
- [ ] The rim is level, and the cuff is 2.5 in (6.4 cm) deep.
- [ ] The strap is untwisted and attached at both side folds.
- [ ] All ends are secure and hidden.
Troubleshooting
- Base cups or ruffles: Check that each round has the correct count. Cupping usually means your tension is too tight, and ruffling means too loose.
- Chevrons drift sideways: You skipped the sl st into the peak center at the start of a round. Rip back to the round where the drift begins.
- Count is off in a lace round: Make sure you counted each ch-1 sp as a stitch.
- Lace is narrower than the teal: Loosen your tension on the dc rounds, or use a hook one size larger for the gray bands only.
- Hole is too tight for bags: Rework Body Rnd 5 with ch 12 over 12 skipped sts and sc in the last 44 sts. The count is still 64.
- Top edge is wavy: Rnd 41 is misaligned. Each middle tr must sit on an sc3tog.
Care
Hand wash in cool water, press out the excess water in a towel, and dry flat. Reshape the chevrons while the piece is damp.
Final Notes
The measurement chain runs like this. A 64-stitch oval base, 6.5 in × 3 in (16.5 × 7.6 cm), sets a 16 in (40.6 cm) circumference, which is 8 in (20.3 cm) flat. Then 3 in (7.6 cm) of solid bottom, three 2 in (5.1 cm) gray bands, two 1.5 in (3.8 cm) teal bands, a 1 in (2.5 cm) top chevron band and a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) leveling round bring the body to 13.5 in (34.3 cm). The 2.5 in (6.4 cm) cuff finishes it at 16 in (40.6 cm). Keep the 16-stitch repeat exact and every section will line up.
Happy crocheting!