This grocery bag holder turns a pile of plastic bags into something you are happy to leave on the kitchen wall. It has a rounded, egg-like shape, an all-over textured V-stitch body, and a ring of eight puffy five-petal flowers around its widest part.
The sample is worked in a soft medium pink, and the same pattern looks just as cheerful in bright orange. Everything, including the flowers, uses one color, so the texture does the decorating. The pattern uses US crochet terms throughout.
The finished holder measures about 11.5 in (29.2 cm) tall without the loop, 24 in (61.0 cm) around at the widest, and about 7.6 in (19.3 cm) across when filled with bags. The hanging loop adds about 3 in (7.6 cm).
You work the body from the bottom up in one piece: a ribbed cuff for pulling bags out, a tapered single-crochet base, a straight V-stitch body, and a single-crochet rim with a slip-stitch edge. The hanging loop is worked straight off the rim. Eight flowers are made separately and sewn on as appliqués.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 11.5 in (29.2 cm) tall, 24 in (61.0 cm) widest circumference, about 7.6 in (19.3 cm) diameter when filled
- Skill level: Intermediate (post stitches, working in joined rounds)
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 5 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 body (with loop worked on) plus 8 flower appliqués
- Layout: one ring of 8 flowers spaced evenly around the body, centered 8 in (20.3 cm) above the bottom edge
- Flower size: 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across
- Size before rim: 10.5 in (26.7 cm) tall, 24 in (61.0 cm) around
- Rim depth: 1 in (2.5 cm)
- Bottom cuff: 1.75 in (4.4 cm) deep, 6 in (15.2 cm) around
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds the shape well, resists stretching under the weight of bags, and shows the V-stitch texture and the flower petals clearly. Avoid fuzzy or very drapey yarns. They blur the texture and let the bottom cuff sag.
- Pink (main color): 200 g, about 380 m (415 yd), based on a yarn with about 95 m per 50 g
- Optional orange version: the same 200 g, about 380 m (415 yd)
These quantities include a margin of roughly 15% for gauge differences and swatching. The body uses about 140 g, the eight flowers about 32 g, and the loop about 3 g.
Tools:
- 5 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- 2 stitch markers (one for the start of round, one for the loop position)
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Rust-proof pins
- A small towel or inflated balloon for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- inc – 2 sc in the same stitch
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- FPdc – front post double crochet
- BPdc – back post double crochet
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
Special stitch – V-stitch (V): work 2 dc into the same stitch or space. Each V counts as 2 stitches. In this pattern there is no chain between the two dc, which keeps the fabric dense enough to hold bags.
Gauge and Checkpoints
- Single crochet: 16 sts and 16 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- V-stitch pattern: 8 V (16 dc) and 8 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm)
Test one piece first by making one flower. It should measure 2.75 in (7.0 cm) from the tip of one petal to the far edge. If it does, your tension is close. Next, crochet the cuff and the first few base rounds and check them against the list below.
Checkpoints:
- After Round 4 (cuff): 6 in (15.2 cm) around, 1.75 in (4.4 cm) deep
- After Round 9: 15 in (38.1 cm) around
- After Round 15 (base complete): 24 in (61.0 cm) around, 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall
- After Round 27 (body complete): 10.5 in (26.7 cm) tall
- After Round 32 (rim complete): 21 in (53.3 cm) around the top, 11.5 in (29.2 cm) tall
If your piece is too big: go down one hook size (4.5 mm). If it is too small: go up one hook size (5.5 mm). Height matters less than circumference. If only your rounds are short, add one extra V round in the body rather than changing hooks.
Body
Join every round with a sl st to the first stitch. The starting ch never counts as a stitch. Place a marker in the first stitch of each round.
Bottom Cuff
Foundation: Ch 24 and join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring, taking care not to twist.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around. Join. (24 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, FPdc around next st, BPdc around next st; repeat from * 12 times. Join. (24 sts: 12 FPdc, 12 BPdc)
Rounds 3–4: Ch 2, FPdc around the next FPdc, BPdc around the next BPdc; repeat 12 times. Join. (24 sts)
The cuff is now 1.75 in (4.4 cm) deep and 6 in (15.2 cm) around. The vertical ribs grip the bags lightly so only one comes out at a time.
Tapered Base
Work these rounds into the tops of the post stitches. Alternating increase rounds with plain rounds gives the smooth, rounded egg taper.
Round 5: Ch 1, sc in next st, inc in next st; repeat 12 times. Join. (36 sts)
Round 6: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (36 sts)
Round 7: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, inc; repeat 12 times. Join. (48 sts)
Round 8: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 9: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sts, inc; repeat 12 times. Join. (60 sts)
Round 10: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (60 sts)
Round 11: Ch 1, sc in next 4 sts, inc; repeat 12 times. Join. (72 sts)
Round 12: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (72 sts)
Round 13: Ch 1, sc in next 5 sts, inc; repeat 12 times. Join. (84 sts)
Round 14: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (84 sts)
Round 15: Ch 1, sc in next 6 sts, inc; repeat 12 times. Join. (96 sts)
The base is 11 rounds deep, or 2.75 in (7.0 cm). The piece now measures 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall and 24 in (61.0 cm) around.
V-Stitch Body
Round 16 (setup): Ch 2, skip next st, V in next st; repeat 48 times. Join to the first dc. (48 V, 96 dc)
Round 17: Sl st in the next dc, ch 2, V in each sp between Vs around. Join to the first dc. (48 V, 96 dc)
Each new V sits in the gap between two Vs below, so the groups stagger like bricks. This creates the textured, scaled look in the photos.
Rounds 18–27: Repeat Round 17 ten more times. (48 V, 96 dc in every round)
You now have 12 V rounds, 6 in (15.2 cm) tall. The body measures 10.5 in (26.7 cm) tall and is still 24 in (61.0 cm) around. The sides stay straight here. The rounded shape comes from the base taper and the slight pull-in at the rim.
Top Rim and Bottom Cuff Finishing
The rim does the job a border would do on a flat piece: it firms up the edge and sets the final top size.
Rim gauge: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), 4 rounds = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Round 28 (decrease/conversion round): Ch 1, sc in each of the next 6 dc, sc2tog over the next 2 dc; repeat 12 times. Join. (72 sc worked one per dc + 12 sc2tog = 84 sts)
Rounds 29–31: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (84 sts)
Round 32: Sl st loosely in each st around. Join. (84 sl sts)
The slip stitches give a crisp, chain-like top edge that will not stretch.
Why the math works: The body has 96 sts. Each of the 12 repeats uses 8 dc (6 single sc plus 2 in the sc2tog) and makes 7 stitches. That means 12 × 8 = 96 stitches are used and 12 × 7 = 84 are made. At 4 sts per inch, 84 sts give a 21 in (53.3 cm) opening. This is slightly narrower than the 24 in (61.0 cm) body, which rounds the shoulders. Laid flat, the rim has 42 sts on each side.
Hanging Loop
Do not fasten off after Round 32. Place a marker here to mark the center back.
Row 1: Ch 24, skip the next 3 rim sts, sl st in the 4th st.
Row 2: Turn, sc in each ch back to the start. (24 sc) Sl st in the rim stitch where the chain began. Fasten off and weave in.
The loop is about 6 in (15.2 cm) long, so it stands about 3 in (7.6 cm) tall when hung.
Bottom cuff tail: Use the starting tail to close the tiny gap at the foundation join, then weave it into the ribbing.
Flower Appliqués (Make 8)
Round 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 1, 15 sc in the ring. Pull the ring snug, leaving a small round center. Join. (15 sts)
The center should measure about 1 in (2.5 cm) across.
Round 2: Sl st in next sc, (hdc, 2 dc) in next sc, (2 dc, hdc) in next sc; repeat 5 times. Join to the first sl st. (5 petals of 6 sts each + 5 sl sts = 35 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail for sewing. Each flower measures 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across.
Each petal spans two stitches of Round 1, which makes it rounded and puffy. The slip stitches between petals pinch them apart into five distinct lobes.
Attaching the Flowers
The body has 48 V groups, and 48 divided by 8 flowers puts one flower over every 6th V.
- With the loop at center back, find Round 22 (the 7th V round), 8 in (20.3 cm) above the bottom edge.
- Pin one flower centered over the V directly below the loop on Round 22.
- Count 6 Vs along Round 22 and pin the next flower. Continue until all 8 are pinned.
- Check the spacing. The centers should be 3 in (7.6 cm) apart, with a small gap between neighboring petals.
- Using the tail, sew a few stitches through the center ring, then tack each of the 5 sl sts between the petals to the body. Leave the petal edges free so they stay raised.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all remaining ends on the inside.
- Mist the holder lightly with water, or dampen it and squeeze it out in a towel. Do not wring.
- Stuff the body with a rolled towel or an inflated balloon until it is 24 in (61.0 cm) around at the flower band.
- Shape the base into a smooth taper and roll the cuff ribbing between your fingers to straighten the ribs.
- Pat each flower flat against the body and open the petals evenly.
- Pin the rim into a round opening, about 21 in (53.3 cm) around.
- Let it dry completely before removing the stuffing.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Cuff is 6 in (15.2 cm) around with 12 clear vertical ribs
- Base has a smooth taper, with no flat ledge or ruffle
- Every V round has exactly 48 V
- V groups stagger evenly, with no seam line running up the side
- Total height is 11.5 in (29.2 cm) without the loop
- Rim has 84 sts and lies round, not wavy
- Loop is centered at the back and firmly anchored
- All 8 flowers sit on the same round, 3 in (7.6 cm) apart
- Petal tips are raised and no sewing stitches show on the front
- All ends are woven in securely on the inside
Troubleshooting
The base flares out like a plate. Your sc tension is loose. Go down a hook size for Rounds 5–15 only.
The V rounds lean or spiral. This is normal with joined rounds. Keep the sl st into the next dc at the start of every round, and block firmly.
Wrong number of Vs. Usually a V was worked into the middle of a V instead of between two Vs. Count spaces, not stitches, and place a marker every 12 Vs.
The rim ruffles. You skipped some sc2tog repeats or your sl sts are too loose. Recount to 84 sts.
Bags fall out of the bottom. The cuff is too loose. Remake Rounds 1–4 with a hook one size smaller, keeping all 24 sts, then switch back to the 5 mm hook for Round 5.
Flowers cup or curl. Block them flat before sewing, and tack all 5 sl sts so each petal is anchored.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, press out the extra water, and dry flat on a towel, reshaping the body while it is damp. Do not tumble dry, which can shrink cotton and flatten the flowers.
Final Notes
Here is how the measurements build: 24 sts make a 6 in (15.2 cm) cuff, and the base grows to 96 sts and 24 in (61.0 cm). Twelve V rounds bring the height to 10.5 in (26.7 cm). The 84-stitch rim finishes the holder at 11.5 in (29.2 cm) tall with a 21 in (53.3 cm) opening. Eight 2.75 in (7.0 cm) flowers spaced every 6 Vs complete the band. Check your gauge early and count your Vs, and the shape will come out right.
Happy crocheting!