A cream crocheted clutch with red flowers and yellow centers displayed on a beige linen background.

Scarlet Star Bloom Plastic Bag Holder Crochet Pattern

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This hanging bag holder looks good enough to leave on show. It’s a cream mesh tube decorated with red star-flower appliqués that have golden centers. You push bags in at the top and pull them out one at a time through a snug ribbed cuff at the bottom.

The colors are warm and simple: cream, scarlet red and golden mustard. Each motif has eight cream petals in front of eight red points, so it reads as a cross between a poinsettia and a daisy. The style suits a farmhouse kitchen, and it also works as a seasonal decoration.

The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is 8 in (20.3 cm) wide when flat (16 in / 40.6 cm around) and about 17.6 in (44.7 cm) tall, not counting the strap.

Construction is straightforward. You crochet the mesh tube in joined rounds from the top down, then add the red top rim, the red bottom band and the ribbed cuff. Next you make six star motifs and one strap. Finally you sew the motifs onto the mesh in two staggered rings and attach the strap inside the rim.

Finished Size and Construction

  • Finished size: 8 in (20.3 cm) wide flat × 17.6 in (44.7 cm) tall
  • Circumference: 16 in (40.6 cm)
  • Skill level: Intermediate
  • Terminology: US
  • Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
  • Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7)
  • Number of pieces: 8 (1 tube, 6 motifs, 1 strap)
  • Layout: 2 rings of 3 motifs, with the lower ring shifted half a repeat
  • Motif size: 4.5 in (11.4 cm) from point to point
  • Tube size before border: 16 in (40.6 cm) around × 14 in (35.6 cm) tall
  • Border depth: top rim 1 in (2.5 cm); bottom red band 0.6 in (1.5 cm) plus cuff 2 in (5.1 cm)

Materials

Use a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend, about 170 m per 100 g. Cotton keeps the stitches crisp, holds the motif points sharp and stands up to kitchen use. Acrylic also works, but the tube will be a little stretchier.

  • Cream: 150 g (255 m) for the mesh tube, cuff, strap and motif petals
  • Red: 80 g (136 m) for the rim, bottom band and outer motif petals
  • Golden mustard: 15 g (26 m) for the motif centers

All quantities include a margin of about 15%.

Tools:
– 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook
– Tapestry needle
– Stitch markers (at least 4)
– Rust-proof pins
– Measuring tape
– Blocking mat
– A 2-liter bottle or a firmly rolled towel about 5 in (12.7 cm) across, for shaping the tube
– Scissors

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch – chain
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • sc – single crochet
  • hdc – half double crochet
  • dc – double crochet
  • tr – treble crochet
  • sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
  • FPdc – front post double crochet
  • BPdc – back post double crochet
  • sp(s) – space(s)
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • Rnd – round

Standing sc: Start with a slip knot on the hook. Insert the hook into the stitch or space, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.

FPdc / BPdc: Work a dc around the post of the stitch, inserting the hook from front to back to front (FPdc) or from back to front to back (BPdc).

Gauge and Checkpoints

Make one complete motif before you start anything else. It is the quickest way to check your tension.

  • Solid sc gauge: 18 sts and 20 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm)
  • Net gauge: 6 ch-3 sps and 9 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm)

Motif checkpoints:
– After Rnd 1: 1.25 in (3.2 cm) across
– After Rnd 2: 2.75 in (7.0 cm) from petal tip to petal tip
– After Rnd 4: 4.25 in (10.8 cm) from point to point
– After Rnd 5: 4.5 in (11.4 cm)

Tube checkpoints:
– After Rnd 10: 4.2 in (10.7 cm) tall
– After Rnd 20: 8.6 in (21.8 cm) tall
– After Rnd 32: 14 in (35.6 cm) tall
– At every checkpoint the tube should measure 8 in (20.3 cm) flat.

If your work is too big, go down half a hook size. If it’s too small, go up half a size. Change the hook rather than the stitch counts, because the border math depends on those counts.

A crocheted flower with red petals, white inner petals, and a golden yellow center on a cream-colored mesh background.

Star Bloom Motif (make 6)

Rnd 1 (gold): Make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 15 dc in the ring, then join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3. (16 dc) Pull the ring closed and fasten off.

Rnd 2 (cream): Make a standing sc in any dc. Work (hdc, dc, ch 2, dc, hdc) in the next st. Sc in the next st, then (hdc, dc, ch 2, dc, hdc) in the next st. Repeat from * 6 more times and join to the first sc. (8 petals: 8 sc, 16 hdc, 16 dc, 8 ch-2 sps) Fasten off.

Rnd 3 (red): Make a standing sc in the sc between any two petals. Ch 3, work (sc, ch 2, sc) in the next petal-tip ch-2 sp, ch 3, then sc in the next between-petal sc. Repeat from * around. On the last repeat, replace the final sc with a sl st to the first sc. (24 sc: 16 at tips and 8 between petals; 8 ch-2 sps; 16 ch-3 sps)

The ch-3 spans leave the small open gaps between the cream and red layers.

Rnd 4 (red, pointed petals): Don’t turn. Work (sc, hdc, dc) in the next ch-3 sp. Skip the sc and work (dc, tr, ch 2, tr, dc) in the tip ch-2 sp. Skip the sc and work (dc, hdc, sc) in the next ch-3 sp. Sl st in the next between-petal sc. Repeat from * 7 more times. The last sl st lands on the starting sc.

(8 points of 10 sts each = 80 sts, plus 8 ch-2 sps and 8 sl sts)

Each red point is centered directly behind a cream petal tip.

Rnd 5 (red, outline): Ch 1. Sc in the next 5 sts, work (sc, ch 2, sc) in the tip ch-2 sp, sc in the next 5 sts, then skip the sl st. Repeat from * around and join to the first sc. (8 × 12 sc = 96 sc, plus 8 ch-2 sps)

Skipping the sl st forms a sharp V-notch between the points. Fasten off and leave a 24 in (61.0 cm) tail for sewing.

Mesh Tube

Foundation (cream): Ch 72 and join with a sl st to form a ring, making sure the chain isn’t twisted.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch and join. (72 sc)

Rnd 2 (net set-up): Ch 1, sc in the first st. Ch 3, skip 2 sts, sc in the next st. Repeat from * 22 more times. Ch 3, skip the last 2 sts and join to the first sc. (24 ch-3 sps) The math is 72 ÷ 3 = 24.

Rnd 3: Sl st into the next ch-3 sp, ch 1 and sc in the same sp. Ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp. Repeat from * 22 more times, ch 3 and join. (24 ch-3 sps)

Rnds 4–32: Repeat Rnd 3. Each round has 24 ch-3 sps. Because each sc sits in the middle of the space below it, the openings stagger into a diamond or hexagon net.

The joins will drift slightly. Place a marker in the first sc of each round so you can find the start. The tube should now measure 14 in (35.6 cm) tall and 16 in (40.6 cm) around.

Make All Pieces

  • Gold: 6 motif centers (Rnd 1)
  • Cream: 1 tube, 6 motif petal rounds (Rnd 2) and 1 strap
  • Red: 6 outer petal sections (Rnds 3–5), plus the rim and bottom band

Strap (cream): Ch 4. Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the next 2 ch. (3 sc) Rows 2–60: ch 1, turn, sc in each st. (3 sc)

The strap measures 12 in (30.5 cm) long and 0.7 in (1.8 cm) wide.

Layout grid: The 24 net spaces are numbered from the round marker. “M” is a motif center and “·” is plain mesh. The upper ring sits 3.5 in (8.9 cm) below the top of the tube and the lower ring sits 9.5 in (24.1 cm) below it.

Net sp:     1 . . . 5 . . . 9 . . . 13 . . . 17 . . . 21 . . .
Upper ring: M · · · · · · · M · · · ·  · · · M  · · · ·  · · ·
Lower ring: · · · · M · · · · · · · 13=M · · · ·  · · · 21=M · ·

Upper centers: sps 1, 9 and 17. Lower centers: sps 5, 13 and 21. The lower ring is shifted 4 sps, which is half of the 8-sp repeat.

Joining

Method: Sew each motif on as an appliqué, using its red tail and a whipstitch.

  1. Slide the tube over the bottle or rolled towel so the mesh is evenly open.
  2. Pin each motif in place. In the upper ring, motifs run from 1.25 in (3.2 cm) to 5.75 in (14.6 cm) below the top edge. In the lower ring, they run from 7.25 in (18.4 cm) to 11.75 in (29.8 cm). The rings are 6 in (15.2 cm) apart, center to center. Motifs in the same ring are 5⅓ in (13.5 cm) apart center to center, which leaves a gap of about 0.8 in (2.0 cm) between neighboring points.
  3. Stitch-to-stitch logic: work 1 whipstitch through the back loop of each Rnd 5 sc, then catch the nearest mesh chain or sc behind it. At each ch-2 tip, make 2 stitches to anchor the point to a mesh sc. Take 1 stitch at each V-notch.
  4. Each motif gets 96 outline stitches, 8 tip anchors and 8 notch stitches.

Tension: Pull each stitch just snug. If the mesh puckers, the tube will narrow.

Size checkpoint: After sewing, the tube should still measure 16 in (40.6 cm) around and 8 in (20.3 cm) flat.

Sew 1 in (2.5 cm) of each strap end inside the rim, one at rim st 1 and one at st 37, which are directly opposite each other. This leaves a 10 in (25.4 cm) loop that rises 5 in (12.7 cm) above the rim. Attach the strap after you’ve worked the rim.

Border

Border gauge: 18 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), the same as the solid sc gauge.

Top rim (red): Turn the tube so the foundation chain is at the top. Make a standing sc in the free loop of the first foundation ch.
– Rnd 1: Sc in each free loop around and join. (72 sc) That’s 1 sc per foundation ch.
– Rnds 2–5: Ch 1, sc in each st and join. (72 sc)

The rim measures 1 in (2.5 cm) deep. Fasten off.

Bottom band (red): Join the yarn at the last round of the net.
– Rnd 1 (conversion): Ch 1. Work 3 sc in each ch-3 sp and skip the net sc’s. (24 sps × 3 sc = 72 sc)
– Rnds 2–3: Sc in each st. (72 sc)

The band measures 0.6 in (1.5 cm). Fasten off.

Cuff (cream):
– Rnd 1 (decrease): Sc2tog around. (72 sts worked in pairs = 36 sts)
– Rnd 2: Ch 2 (doesn’t count as a st), hdc in each st and join. (36 hdc)
– Rnds 3–6: Ch 2 (doesn’t count). FPdc around the next st, BPdc around the next st. Repeat from * 17 more times and join. (18 ribs = 36 sts)

The cuff measures 2 in (5.1 cm) deep and about 4 in (10.2 cm) flat when relaxed.

Why the math works:
– The foundation has 72 ch, and the top rim puts 1 sc in each, so the rim matches the tube exactly.
– The net has 24 spaces, each 3 sts wide, so working 3 sc into each one gives back exactly 72. The bottom band therefore lies straight with no flare and no pull.
– Halving 72 to 36 gathers the bottom into the cuff.
– 36 is even, so the FPdc/BPdc ribbing repeats cleanly with no leftover stitch.

Final Blocking

  1. Pin each motif to 4.5 in (11.4 cm) before you sew it on. Mist it, open the points and let it dry.
  2. After joining, slide the tube over the bottle or towel. Don’t let the form stretch the tube past 16 in (40.6 cm) around.
  3. Mist or lightly steam the mesh and both rims. Don’t steam the ribbed cuff, so it keeps its grip.
  4. Ease the motif points flat with your fingers.
  5. Leave the tube on the form until it is fully dry.
  6. Weave in all remaining ends.

Final Quality-Control Checklist

  • The tube measures 8 in (20.3 cm) flat and 17.6 in (44.7 cm) tall.
  • Every net round has 24 ch-3 sps.
  • The rim and red band each have 72 sc.
  • The cuff has 36 sts, with ribs lined up in clean columns.
  • All six motifs measure 4.5 in (11.4 cm) and have 8 sharp points.
  • The red points line up behind the cream petal tips.
  • The lower ring is offset by 4 net sps.
  • The strap ends are directly opposite each other, and the loop hangs straight.
  • The mesh doesn’t pucker behind any motif.

Troubleshooting

  • The tube flares toward the bottom: your net rounds are getting looser. Ch 3 more firmly, or count again to make sure each round has exactly 24 sps.
  • The motif cups: Rnd 4 is too tight. Go up half a hook size for Rnds 4–5 only.
  • The motif ruffles: Rnd 4 is too loose, or Rnd 3 has extra chains. Check that each span is a ch-3.
  • The red points are off-center: Rnd 3 may have started at a tip instead of between petals. Start again at a between-petal sc.
  • The cuff is too loose to hold bags: work one more FPdc/BPdc round, or thread a cream chain through Rnd 2 and tie it.
  • The bottom band ripples: you worked more or fewer than 3 sc in some spaces. The count must be exactly 72.

Care

Hand wash in cool water, press out the excess water gently and dry the holder flat or over a bottle. Don’t tumble dry, because the heat can distort the mesh and the motif points.

A crocheted plastic bag holder with red flowers and cream lace hanging by a window beside a potted plant.

Final Notes

Here is the full measurement chain:
– Gauge: 18 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), which gives a 72-st foundation of 16 in (40.6 cm).
– Mesh: 24 net spaces keep that 16 in through 14 in (35.6 cm) of body.
– Rim and band: 72 sc each, matching the tube.
– Cuff: 36 sts, gathering the bottom to about 4 in (10.2 cm) flat.
– Motifs: six 4.5 in (11.4 cm) motifs fill two staggered rings around the tube.

If each checkpoint matches, the finished holder will be 8 in (20.3 cm) by 17.6 in (44.7 cm), matching the size given at the start.

Happy crocheting!

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