This two-tier bag holder turns a messy pile of plastic grocery bags into something tidy for your kitchen. Two lacy pockets hang one above the other, joined by slim straps, with a hanging loop on top. You stuff bags in at the top and pull them out one at a time through a small opening at the bottom.
The sample is made in a single warm coral cotton. The texture comes from offset fan stitches. Each round of five-double-crochet fans sits between the fans of the round below, which leaves neat V-shaped windows. A solid single-crochet base, an eyelet rim and a tapered bottom give each pocket a clean, structured finish.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder measures about 26.5 in (67.3 cm) from the top of the handle to the lower dispenser. Each pocket is about 4.8 in (12.2 cm) across and 8.75 in (22.2 cm) tall.
Each pocket is worked from the bottom up as a tube in joined rounds. You then add the rim and close the bottom onto the foundation chain. The two straps and the handle are worked flat in rows and sewn in place.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: about 26.5 in (67.3 cm) long hanging, 4.8 in (12.2 cm) wide
- Skill level: Intermediate (joined rounds, fan stitch, decreases)
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted / Medium (#4) cotton
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 5 (2 pockets, 2 connecting straps, 1 handle)
- Layout: vertical, two tiers
- Pocket size: 15 in (38.1 cm) around, 8.75 in (22.2 cm) tall overall
- Pocket body before rim: 6 in (15.2 cm) tall after Round 12
- Rim (border) depth: 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
- Strap size: 0.75 in x 8 in (1.9 cm x 20.3 cm)
- Handle size: 0.75 in x 16 in (1.9 cm x 40.6 cm)
Materials
Yarn: Use a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds its shape under the weight of the bags, and a tightly plied yarn shows the fans best.
- Coral: about 150 g (approx. 275 m / 300 yd)
Each pocket uses about 55 g, and the straps and handle together use about 20 g. The total above includes extra for a gauge check and differences in tension.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- 3 stitch markers
- Measuring tape
- Straight pins
- A jar, bottle or rolled towel about 4.8 in (12.2 cm) across, for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sc2tog: single crochet 2 together
- sk: skip
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rep: repeat
Special stitch (Fan): Work 5 dc in the same stitch. The 3rd dc is the center of the fan.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc and 16 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in single crochet.
Fan gauge: 2 fan repeats (12 sts) = 3 in (7.6 cm) around; 9 fan rounds = 5.25 in (13.3 cm) tall.
Make one full pocket first. It works as your gauge swatch, and its measurements set the length of everything else.
Checkpoints for one pocket:
- After Round 3: 15 in (38.1 cm) around and 0.75 in (1.9 cm) tall.
- After Round 12: 6 in (15.2 cm) tall.
- After Round 16: 7.25 in (18.4 cm) tall.
- After closing the bottom: 8.75 in (22.2 cm) tall, with an opening 4.5 in (11.4 cm) around, or about 1.4 in (3.6 cm) across.
If your pocket is too big, switch to a 4.5 mm hook. If it is too small, switch to a 5.5 mm hook. Keep the stitch counts the same: the fans need a multiple of 6, and the rim and bottom need 60.
Pocket (Make 2)
Work in joined rounds with the right side facing you. Don’t turn.
Foundation: Ch 60. Join with a sl st to the first ch, taking care not to twist the chain.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, sl st to first sc. (60 sc)
Rounds 2–3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (60 sc)
Round 4 (Fan Round A): Ch 1, sc in first st, sk 2 sts, Fan in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st; rep from * 8 more times, sk 2 sts, Fan in next st, sk 2 sts, sl st to first sc. (10 fans and 10 sc = 60 sts)
Round 5 (Fan Round B): Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same st as join (half fan), sk 2 dc, sc in center dc of next fan, sk 2 dc, Fan in next sc; rep from * 8 more times, sk 2 dc, sc in center dc of last fan, sk 2 dc, 2 dc in same st as beginning ch-3, sl st to top of ch-3. (9 full fans + 1 fan split across the join = 10 fans and 10 sc = 60 sts)
The top of the beginning ch-3 is now the center of the split fan.
Round 6 (Fan Round A): Ch 1, sc in same st as join, sk 2 dc, Fan in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in center dc of next fan; rep from * 8 more times, sk 2 dc, Fan in last sc, sk 2 dc, sl st to first sc. (10 fans and 10 sc = 60 sts)
Each fan now sits on the sc between two fans below, which opens the V-shaped gaps.
Rounds 7–12: Rep Rounds 5 and 6 three more times. (10 fans and 10 sc = 60 sts each round)
You now have 9 fan rounds, ending with a Round A. Check: 6 in (15.2 cm) tall.
Round 13 (Leveling Round): Ch 3 (counts as dc), sc in each of next 5 dc, dc in next sc; rep from * 8 more times, sc in each of last 5 dc, sl st to top of ch-3.
Count: 60 sts worked one into each existing st + 0 added = 60 sts (10 dc and 50 sc). The taller dc fill the dips between fans so the rim starts level. Don’t fasten off; go straight on to the rim.
Make All Pieces
Pockets: Make 2 in Coral, each with the rim and bottom below.
Straps (Make 2), in Coral:
Row 1: Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (3 sc)
Rows 2–32: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (3 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. Each strap measures 0.75 in x 8 in (1.9 cm x 20.3 cm).
Handle (Make 1), in Coral:
Row 1: Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (3 sc)
Rows 2–64: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (3 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. The handle measures 0.75 in x 16 in (1.9 cm x 40.6 cm).
Layout (top to bottom):
/---- HANDLE ----\
| |
[ UPPER POCKET ]
[ (strap) (strap) ]
\___ dispenser ___/
| |
STRAP STRAP
| |
[ LOWER POCKET ]
\___ dispenser ___/
Rim and Dispenser Edge (Border)
The rim uses the same gauge as the body: 4 sc per 1 in (2.5 cm), and each sc round adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm). When the pocket is flattened, each side holds exactly 30 sts.
Round 14 (Eyelet Round): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next st, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts; rep from * 13 more times, sl st to top of ch-3. (30 dc and 15 ch-2 sps; 15 dc per flattened side)
Round 15: Ch 1, sc in each dc and 2 sc in each ch-2 sp, sl st to first sc.
Count: 30 sc worked one into each dc + 30 sc worked into the 15 ch-2 sps = 60 sc (30 per side).
Round 16: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (60 sc) Fasten off and weave in. Check: 7.25 in (18.4 cm) tall.
Why the math works: 60 divides evenly by 6 (10 fan repeats), by 4 (15 eyelet repeats of 2 dc + 2 ch) and by 10 (6 decrease repeats below). Every section starts and ends on 60 sts, so the fabric doesn’t drift or ruffle.
Closing the Bottom: Turn the pocket upside down and work into the free loops of the foundation chain.
Round B1: Join yarn in any free loop, ch 1, sc in each free loop around, sl st to first sc. (60 sc)
Round B2: Ch 1, sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog; rep from * 5 more times, sl st to first sc. (54 sc)
Round B3: Ch 1, sc in next 7 sts, sc2tog; rep 6 times total, sl st to first sc. (48 sc)
Round B4: Ch 1, sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog; rep 6 times total, sl st to first sc. (42 sc)
Round B5: Ch 1, sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog; rep 6 times total, sl st to first sc. (36 sc)
Round B6: Ch 1, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog; rep 6 times total, sl st to first sc. (30 sc)
Round B7: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog; rep 6 times total, sl st to first sc. (24 sc)
Round B8: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep 6 times total, sl st to first sc. (18 sc)
Round B9: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (18 sc)
Fasten off and weave in. The opening is 4.5 in (11.4 cm) around. The tapered bottom adds about 1.5 in (3.8 cm), so the pocket is 8.75 in (22.2 cm) tall in total.
Joining
Whipstitch everything with the strap and handle tails. Work one stitch per row edge and one per strap stitch.
1. Mark positions. On each pocket, put markers at st 1 and st 31 of Round 1. These are 30 sts apart, on opposite sides.
2. Straps to upper pocket. Lay each strap on the outside of the upper pocket, centered over a marker, so the 3 strap sts cover 3 pocket sts (0.75 in / 1.9 cm). Overlap the top 8 strap rows, 2 in (5.1 cm), on the body just above the taper. Whipstitch all four edges.
3. Straps to lower pocket. Line the lower pocket’s markers up under the straps. Slide the bottom 6 rows of each strap, 1.5 in (3.8 cm), inside the lower rim and whipstitch all four edges.
This leaves 18 strap rows, or 4.5 in (11.4 cm), visible. The upper pocket’s 1.5 in (3.8 cm) taper hangs in that space, leaving a 3 in (7.6 cm) gap.
4. Handle. Slide 6 rows, 1.5 in (3.8 cm), of each handle end inside the upper rim, directly above the straps, and whipstitch all four edges. This leaves a 52-row loop, 13 in (33.0 cm) long, that rises about 6 in (15.2 cm).
Tension: Pull each stitch snug but not tight. If the seam puckers the pocket, loosen it. Go around each seam twice, because these seams carry the weight of the lower pocket and the bags.
Size checkpoint: Hung up, the holder should measure about 26.5 in (67.3 cm): 6 in + 8.75 in + 3 in + 8.75 in (15.2 + 22.2 + 7.6 + 22.2 cm).
Final Blocking
- Mist the holder well, or soak it briefly in cool water and gently squeeze out the extra water.
- Slide a jar or rolled towel about 4.8 in (12.2 cm) across into each pocket.
- Use your fingers to ease the fans open so all the gaps match.
- Pin each rim level and check the pocket is 7.25 in (18.4 cm) tall from Round 1 to the rim.
- Straighten the straps and handle to 0.75 in (1.9 cm) wide.
- Let it dry completely before you hang it.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Both pockets are 15 in (38.1 cm) around and 8.75 in (22.2 cm) tall.
- Every fan round has 10 fans and 10 sc.
- Round 13 is level.
- Each rim has 15 even eyelets.
- Each dispenser opening has 18 sc.
- Both straps have 32 rows; the handle has 64 rows.
- Straps are parallel and untwisted.
- All tails are woven in.
- The holder hangs straight at about 26.5 in (67.3 cm).
Troubleshooting
Twisted tube: The foundation chain twisted at the join. Rip back and rejoin with all the chain bumps on one side.
Fans don’t line up: Round B fans go into the sc of Round A, and Round B sc go into the center dc of each fan.
Wrong stitch count: A fan was probably missed near the split fan. Put a marker in the beginning ch-3.
Rim flares: Your dc are loose. Work Round 14 with a hook 0.5 mm smaller.
Opening too tight: Skip Round B8 and work Round B9 over 24 sts. The opening will then be 6 in (15.2 cm) around.
Holder hangs crooked: Re-sew the straps and handle so they sit exactly over st 1 and st 31.
Care
Hand wash in cool water and reshape over a jar to dry. Don’t use a hot dryer; it can shrink cotton and distort the fans.
Final Notes
Every measurement follows from the first. A gauge of 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm) makes the 60-stitch tube 15 in (38.1 cm) around. Nine fan rounds bring the body to 6 in (15.2 cm), and the rim takes it to 7.25 in (18.4 cm). The tapered bottom brings each pocket to 8.75 in (22.2 cm). Straps 8 in (20.3 cm) long leave a 3 in (7.6 cm) gap between the pockets, and with the 16 in (40.6 cm) handle the holder is about 26.5 in (67.3 cm) long. If you check each stage as you go, the holder will hang straight.
Happy crocheting!