The Lemon Fan Lace Grocery Bag Holder gathers your loose plastic bags into one neat piece that hangs on a knob. The body is open lace made of staggered fans that swell out like a lemon and then taper to a solid collar. You push bags in at the top and pull them out of a drawstring opening at the bottom.
The sample is butter yellow. The same pattern also looks fresh in sage green, so you can make one in each color for a farmhouse kitchen. The fan lace feels vintage, but the solid band and collar keep the shape firm and practical.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is about 15 in (38.1 cm) long without the loop and about 8 in (20.3 cm) wide at its widest point when laid flat. The hanging loop adds about 4 in (10.2 cm).
You work the holder bottom-up in joined rounds, all in one piece. First you make a solid drawstring band. Then you work 19 rounds of fan lace, changing the fan size to shape the body. Next comes a solid collar, and finally a strap worked straight off the collar. A separate chain cord laces through the bottom band.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 15 in (38.1 cm) long × 8 in (20.3 cm) wide, flat
- Skill level: Easy-intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 body (strap worked on), plus 1 drawstring cord
- Layout: Single tube, worked bottom to top in joined rounds
- Bottom band: 48 sts, 12 in (30.5 cm) around, 6 in (15.2 cm) flat
- Size before collar: 13.25 in (33.7 cm) long
- Collar depth: 1.75 in (4.4 cm); 40 sts, 10 in (25.4 cm) around
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton. Cotton holds the lace shape, does not stretch out under the weight of the bags, and survives the washing machine. Avoid splitty or fuzzy yarns, because the fans will lose their definition.
- Main color (Butter Yellow or Sage Green): 100 g, about 170 m (186 yd)
These quantities include a margin of about 15% for your gauge swatch and the drawstring.
Tools:
– 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
– Locking stitch marker
– Tapestry needle
– Scissors
– Measuring tape
– Rust-proof pins and a rolled towel for blocking
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(s) – space(s)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
Special stitches:
- V-st: (dc, ch 3, dc) in the same stitch. In Rounds 20 and 22 only, the V-st is (dc, ch 2, dc).
- Fan: the stated number of dc worked into one V-st space.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc × 18 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc worked in the round.
Before you start, make a swatch: chain 20 and work 18 rows of sc. Then work the first 4 rounds of the holder and check them against the measurements below.
Checkpoints:
– After Round 4: the band is 6 in (15.2 cm) wide flat and 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall.
– After Round 13: the piece is about 7 in (17.8 cm) from the start and 8 in (20.3 cm) wide flat.
– After Round 23: the piece is 13.25 in (33.7 cm) long.
– After Round 30: the piece is 15 in (38.1 cm) long and the collar is 5 in (12.7 cm) wide flat.
If your piece is too big, go down to a 4.5 mm (7) hook. If it is too small, go up to a 5.5 mm (I-9) hook. Lace stretches more than solid fabric, so judge by the band measurement, not by the fans.
Pattern
Bottom Band
Ch 48 and join with a sl st to the first ch. Be careful not to twist the chain. Place a marker in the first stitch of each round.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, join to first sc. (48 sts)
Round 2 (eyelet round): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st around, join to top of ch-3. (48 sts)
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (48 sts)
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (48 sts)
The band is now 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall. Later you will weave the drawstring between the dc posts of Round 2.
Fan Lace Body
Each lace round has 8 repeats. Fan rounds put a fan into each V-st space and an sc between the fans. Link rounds put an sc on each fan’s center dc and a V-st on each sc. This alternation is what staggers the fans like bricks.
Round 5 (set-up fan round): Ch 1, *sc in next st, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts; rep from * 8 times total, join to first sc. (8 fans of 5 dc + 8 sc = 48 sts)
Each repeat uses 6 band stitches, and 8 × 6 = 48, so the round fits the band exactly.
Round 6 (link): Sl st in next 3 dc to reach the center dc. Ch 1, sc in same st. *Ch 2, V-st in next sc, ch 2, sc in center dc of next fan; rep from * 8 times total, but end the last rep with ch 2 and join to the first sc instead of making a new sc. (8 V-sts, 8 sc, 16 ch-2 arms)
Round 7 (fan): Sl st in each of next 2 ch, sl st in next dc, then sl st into the V-st sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc) and work 6 dc in the same sp. Sc in next sc. *7 dc in next V-st sp, sc in next sc; rep from * 7 more times, then join to top of ch-3. (8 fans of 7 dc + 8 sc = 64 sts)
Round 8 (link): Sl st in next 3 dc to reach the center dc. Ch 1, sc in same st. *Ch 3, V-st in next sc, ch 3, sc in center dc of next fan; rep from * 8 times total, ending the last rep with a join. (8 V-sts, 8 sc, 16 ch-3 arms)
Round 9 (fan): Sl st in each of next 3 ch, sl st in next dc, then sl st into the V-st sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc) and work 8 dc in the same sp. Sc in next sc. *9 dc in next V-st sp, sc in next sc; rep from * 7 more times, then join. (8 fans of 9 dc + 8 sc = 80 sts)
Round 10 (link): Sl st in next 4 dc to reach the center dc. Ch 1, sc in same st. *Ch 4, V-st in next sc, ch 4, sc in center dc of next fan; rep from * 8 times total, ending with a join. (8 V-sts, 8 sc, 16 ch-4 arms)
Round 11 (fan): Sl st in each of next 4 ch, sl st in next dc, then sl st into the V-st sp. Work as Round 9. (80 sts)
Rounds 12–15: Rep Rounds 10–11 twice. After Round 15 you have 80 sts.
Checkpoint: After Round 13 the holder is at its widest, 8 in (20.3 cm) flat.
Round 16 (link): Sl st in next 4 dc to reach the center dc, ch 1, sc in same st. Then work as Round 8, with ch-3 arms. (8 V-sts, 8 sc, 16 ch-3 arms)
Round 17 (fan): Work as Round 7, with 7-dc fans. (64 sts)
Round 18 (link): Work as Round 8. (8 V-sts, 8 sc, 16 ch-3 arms)
Round 19 (fan): Work as Round 7. (64 sts)
Round 20 (link): Sl st in next 3 dc to reach the center dc. Ch 1, sc in same st. *Ch 2, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next sc, ch 2, sc in center dc of next fan; rep from * 8 times total, ending with a join. (8 V-sts, 8 sc, 16 ch-2 arms)
Round 21 (fan): Sl st in each of next 2 ch, sl st in next dc, then sl st into the V-st sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 4 dc in the same sp, sc in next sc. *5 dc in next V-st sp, sc in next sc; rep from * 7 more times, then join. (8 fans of 5 dc + 8 sc = 48 sts)
Round 22 (link): Sl st in next 2 dc to reach the center dc. Ch 1, sc in same st, then work as Round 20. (8 V-sts, 8 sc, 16 ch-2 arms)
Round 23 (fan): Work as Round 21. (48 sts)
Checkpoint: The piece measures 13.25 in (33.7 cm) from the start.
Top Collar (Conversion Rounds)
Round 24 (conversion): Ch 1. Starting in the same st, *sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts; rep from * 8 times total, join.
That gives (32 sc worked 1-per-stitch) + (8 sc2tog covering 16 sts) = 40 sts.
Round 25: Ch 1, sc in each st, join. (40 sts)
Round 26: Ch 2 (does not count), hdc in each st, join to first hdc. (40 sts)
Round 27: Ch 1, sc in each st, join. (40 sts)
Round 28: Ch 2, hdc in each st, join. (40 sts)
Rounds 29–30: Ch 1, sc in each st, join. (40 sts)
Do not fasten off.
Border: Collar Edge, Hanging Loop, and Drawstring
Border gauge: the same 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), so each sc in the collar edge and the strap is 0.25 in (0.6 cm) wide.
Collar edge: The collar has 40 sts. Flattened, that is 20 sts per side, and 20 × 0.25 in = 5 in (12.7 cm). Because the edge count matches the collar exactly, nothing ruffles or puckers. The sc rounds already form a firm rim, so no separate edging round is needed.
Hanging loop: At the end of Round 30, ch 1 and sc in the next 4 sts, then turn. (4 sts)
Strap rows 2–36: Ch 1, sc in each of the 4 sts, turn. (4 sts each row)
The strap is 1 in (2.5 cm) wide (4 × 0.25 in) and 8 in (20.3 cm) long (36 rows at 18 rows per 4 in). Fold it back down and sl st the last row to the next 4 collar sts beside the base. Those 4 collar sts sit right next to where the strap started, so the strap uses 8 of the 40 collar sts in total. This leaves a 4 in (10.2 cm) loop. Fasten off.
Drawstring: Ch 100, then sl st in the back bump of each ch. Fasten off and tie an overhand knot at each end. The cord is about 24 in (61.0 cm) long. Starting at the center front, weave it over and under every 3 dc posts of Round 2. 48 ÷ 3 = 16 passes, so both ends come out together at the front. Pull to gather the opening to about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) and tie a bow.
Final Blocking
- Wet the holder in cool water, then press out the water. Do not wring it.
- Roll it in a towel to remove the extra moisture.
- Stuff it with a rolled towel or crumpled bags until it is 8 in (20.3 cm) wide flat.
- Lay it flat and pin each fan into a clean arch.
- Pin the strap straight so it is 1 in (2.5 cm) wide.
- Let it dry completely, then unpin.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every fan round has 8 fans and every link round has 8 V-sts.
- The fans are staggered, with no two stacked directly on top of each other.
- The body is 15 in (38.1 cm) long and 8 in (20.3 cm) wide.
- The collar has 40 sts and lies 5 in (12.7 cm) flat.
- The loop is secure and 4 in (10.2 cm) long.
- The drawstring slides freely and gathers to about 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
- All ends are woven in at least 2 in (5.1 cm).
Troubleshooting
- Fans line up instead of staggering: Check that each V-st went into the sc between fans, not into a fan center.
- Fan count is off: Count your fans before joining each round. Placing a marker in every second fan helps.
- The body leans or twists: You may have joined into the wrong stitch. Always join into the top of the beginning ch.
- The collar flares: Make sure Round 24 has all 8 sc2tog.
- The drawstring will not cinch: Weave it through dc posts, not between rounds.
- The bottom band is too stiff: Go up one hook size for Rounds 1–4 only.
Care
Machine wash on cold in a laundry bag and lay flat to dry. Re-shape the fans while damp.
Final Notes
Here is the measurement chain from bottom to top. The 48-st band measures 12 in (30.5 cm) around. It grows through 7-dc and 9-dc fans to a widest point of 8 in (20.3 cm) flat. The fans then step back down to 48 sts, and the 40-st collar measures 5 in (12.7 cm) across. In total, the holder is 15 in (38.1 cm) long, plus a 4 in (10.2 cm) loop. If your band matches, everything after it will match too.
Happy crocheting!