The Garden Fan Bag Holder is a long, airy tube that keeps grocery bags tidy. You pull them out one at a time from the bottom. Solid single crochet bands frame a lace center of stacked fans, each tucked under its own chain arch, so the bags show through like a soft white lining.
The sample is worked in a buttery yellow cotton, and the same pattern is shown in sage green. Use one color per holder. A smooth, matte cotton gives the crisp stitch definition you see in the photos and holds up well in a kitchen.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. Laid flat, the body measures 6 in (15.2 cm) wide, which is 12 in (30.5 cm) around. It is 17.75 in (45.1 cm) long before cinching. The hanging loop adds about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) above the top edge.
The body is one seamless tube worked from the top down: a single crochet top band, 16 lace rounds, then a bottom band with an eyelet round. You sew a short slip-stitch strap inside the top band, weave a drawstring with popcorn ends through the eyelets, and tie it in a bow.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 6 in (15.2 cm) wide flat x 17.75 in (45.1 cm) long, plus a 3.5 in (8.9 cm) hanging loop
- Skill level: Easy to Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted / Medium (#4) cotton
- Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Number of pieces: 1 tubular body, plus 1 hanging strap and 1 drawstring
- Layout: Worked in joined rounds from the top edge down, with no seams
- Piece size: 48 stitches around = 12 in (30.5 cm) circumference
- Size before border: 6 in (15.2 cm) x 15.5 in (39.4 cm) after the top band and lace
- Border depth: Bottom band is 2.25 in (5.7 cm); the top edge finishing round adds no measurable height
Materials
Choose a 100% cotton or a cotton blend in worsted weight. Cotton stretches very little under the weight of the bags and stands up to frequent washing. Avoid splitty yarns, because each fan puts seven stitches into a single chain.
- Colorway A – Butter Yellow: 60 g / 110 m (120 yd)
- Colorway B – Sage Green: 60 g / 110 m (120 yd)
Each holder uses one color only. One holder needs about 60 g / 110 m (120 yd) for the body, strap, and drawstring together.
Tools:
- 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Rolled towel or a cardboard tube for blocking
These yarn amounts include a margin of about 25% for swatching and gauge differences.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sk – skip
- sp(s) – space(s)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- beg – beginning
Special stitches:
- Fan: 7 dc worked into the same stitch or chain.
- Popcorn end (PC): Ch 3, work 5 dc in the 3rd ch from the hook, then remove the hook from the loop. Insert the hook from front to back through the top of the first dc, pick up the dropped loop, and pull it through. This makes a small, firm bead.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc x 18 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm), worked in joined rounds.
The top band doubles as your gauge swatch. After 7 rounds of 48 sc, lay the tube flat without stretching it and measure straight across. Measure in the middle of the band, not at the foundation chain, which can pull in slightly. Every later measurement depends on this one.
Checkpoints:
- After Top Band Rnd 7: 6 in (15.2 cm) wide flat and about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall.
- After Lace Rnd 4: about 5 in (12.7 cm) total length.
- After Lace Rnd 8: about 8.5 in (21.6 cm) total length.
- Each fan round plus arch round adds 1.75 in (4.4 cm).
- After Lace Rnd 16: 15.5 in (39.4 cm) total length.
- After the bottom band: 17.75 in (45.1 cm) total length.
Too big? If the band is wider than 6.25 in (15.9 cm) flat, switch to a 4.0 mm (US G-6) hook.
Too small? If the band is narrower than 5.75 in (14.6 cm) flat, switch to a 5.0 mm (US H-8) hook.
Keep the stitch count the same and change only the hook. The lace repeat needs exactly 48 stitches.
Top Band
Ch 48. Sl st to the first ch to form a ring, making sure the chain is not twisted.
Rnd 1: Ch 1 (does not count as a st here and throughout), sc in each ch around, sl st to first sc. (48 sc)
Rnds 2–7: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (48 sc)
Place a marker in the first sc of Rnd 7. The band should measure 6 in (15.2 cm) wide flat.
Lace Section
The lace is a 12-stitch repeat worked 4 times around. Each fan round puts one 7-dc fan in every repeat. Each arch round places a ch-7 arch over every fan. Every new fan is worked into the center chain of the arch below it, so the fans stack in 4 straight columns, 2 on each flat side.
Lace Rnd 1 (fan round): Ch 3 (counts as dc), 6 dc in same st as join, ch 5, sk 5 sts, sc in next st, ch 5, sk 5 sts, *7 dc in next st, ch 5, sk 5 sts, sc in next st, ch 5, sk 5 sts; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (4 fans of 7 dc, 4 sc, 8 ch-5 sps)
To check the math: each repeat uses 1 fan st + 5 skipped + 1 sc st + 5 skipped = 12 sts, and 12 x 4 = 48.
Lace Rnd 2 (arch round): Sl st in each of next 6 dc and in first 2 ch of next ch-5 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, ch 3, sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 7, *sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 3, sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 7; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st to first sc. (8 sc, 4 ch-3 sps, 4 ch-7 arches)
Each ch-7 arch passes over one fan, and each ch-3 sp sits over the sc between two fans.
Lace Rnd 3 (fan round): Sl st in each of next 3 ch, in next sc, and in first 4 ch of next ch-7 arch (8 sl sts). Your hook is now in the center ch of the arch. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 6 dc in same ch, ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, *7 dc in 4th ch of next ch-7 arch, ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (4 fans of 7 dc, 4 sc, 8 ch-5 sps)
Lace Rnds 4–15: Repeat Lace Rnds 2–3 six more times.
Lace Rnd 16: Repeat Lace Rnd 2. (8 sc, 4 ch-3 sps, 4 ch-7 arches)
You now have 8 tiers of fans, made in the odd rounds 1–15. The tube should measure 15.5 in (39.4 cm) from the top edge.
The start of each fan round moves a little to the side. That is expected, and the fans themselves stay in their columns.
Tip: Keep the ch-5 and ch-7 chains at the same tension as your sc. If the chains are tight, the lace pulls narrower than the bands. If they are loose, the lace sags under the weight of the bags.
Border (Bottom Band, Eyelets, and Top Edge)
Border gauge: Same as the body, 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). That makes 48 sc = 12 in (30.5 cm) around, or 24 sts per side when the tube lies flat.
Border Rnd 1 (conversion round): Ch 1, sc in first sc, 3 sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next sc, 7 sc in next ch-7 arch, *sc in next sc, 3 sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next sc, 7 sc in next ch-7 arch; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st to first sc.
Count: 8 sc worked one into each existing sc + 40 sc worked into the chain spaces (4 x 3 + 4 x 7) = 48 sc (24 per flat side).
Border Rnds 2–6: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (48 sc; 24 per flat side)
Border Rnd 7 (eyelet round): Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), sk next st, *dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st; repeat from * around, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (24 dc + 24 ch-1 sps = 48 sts; 12 eyelets per flat side)
Border Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc in each dc and each ch-1 sp around, sl st to first sc. (48 sc)
Border Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (48 sc) Fasten off.
Top Edge Round: Turn the tube so the foundation chain is at the top. Join yarn at the foundation join, sl st loosely in each foundation ch around, then sl st to the first sl st. (48 sl sts; 24 per flat side) Fasten off. This round firms up the rim so it doesn’t stretch where the strap pulls on it.
Why the math works: Every band round has 48 stitches, the same as the starting chain. The lace returns to exactly 48 because each repeat contributes 1 + 3 + 1 + 7 = 12 sc in the conversion round. The eyelet round keeps 48 by pairing each dc with a ch-1 space, which gives an even 24 eyelets for the drawstring.
Hanging Strap
Ch 45, or until the chain measures 10 in (25.4 cm). Sl st in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and in each back bump across. (44 sl sts) Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail.
Lay the body flat with the round joins along one fold. Sew one end of the strap inside the top band at the left fold and the other end at the right fold, overlapping the band by 1.25 in (3.2 cm) at each end. Stitch through both layers of the strap and the band twice so the loop carries the weight evenly. The loop rises about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) above the top edge.
Drawstring
Work a PC. Ch 100, or until the chain measures 22 in (55.9 cm) from the PC. Sl st in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and in each back bump across, stopping at the PC. (99 sl sts) Work a second PC at the end. Fasten off and weave in the tails.
Start at the center front of the bottom band, between two eyelets. Weave the drawstring in and out through all 24 eyelets so both ends come out at the center front. Pull until the bottom opening is about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across, then tie a bow.
Final Blocking
- Weave in every tail, and take out the drawstring if it is already threaded.
- Soak the holder in cool water for 10 minutes. Press the water out in a towel without wringing.
- Slide the tube over a rolled towel or cardboard tube that fits snugly without stretching it.
- Ease each fan open and smooth each arch into an even curve. Line up the fan columns so they run straight.
- Check the measurements: 6 in (15.2 cm) wide flat and 17.75 in (45.1 cm) long.
- Let it dry completely, then remove the form.
- Thread the drawstring back in and tie the bow.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every band round has 48 stitches.
- Each fan round has 4 fans of 7 dc, and each arch round has 4 ch-7 arches.
- 8 fan tiers stack in 4 straight columns.
- The bottom band has 24 evenly spaced eyelets.
- The strap is sewn securely at opposite folds, and the loop is not twisted.
- The drawstring passes through every eyelet, and both popcorn ends are firm.
- The finished size is 6 in (15.2 cm) x 17.75 in (45.1 cm).
Troubleshooting
The fans lean or drift sideways. Make sure each new fan goes into the 4th (center) ch of the ch-7 arch, not around the whole arch.
The lace is narrower than the bands. Your chains are too tight. Loosen the ch-5 and ch-7 chains, or work just those chains with a hook one size larger.
The lace flares wider than the bands. Your chains are too loose. Tighten them slightly, or use a smaller hook for the lace chains only.
The tube is twisted. The foundation ring was twisted when you joined it. You’ll have to start again.
There is a visible diagonal seam. Joined rounds lean slightly. Keep the joins on the fold at the back and line up the strap with them.
Bags fall out too fast. Pull the drawstring tighter so the opening is closer to 1 in (2.5 cm).
Bags are hard to pull out. Loosen the bow until the opening is about 2 in (5.1 cm).
The strap stretches. Sew it farther down into the band, overlapping by 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
Care
Machine wash cool on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag, then reshape and dry flat. Take the drawstring out first so the popcorn ends keep their shape.
Final Notes
The whole holder depends on one number: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). That gives 48 stitches = 12 in (30.5 cm) around and 6 in (15.2 cm) flat. The 7-round top band adds 1.5 in (3.8 cm). The 8 fan-and-arch pairs add 14 in (35.6 cm) at 1.75 in (4.4 cm) each. The bottom band adds 2.25 in (5.7 cm), for a total of 17.75 in (45.1 cm). If your width is right after the top band, the rest of the measurements should come out right too.
Happy crocheting!