The Blush Blossom Bag Holder is a teardrop-shaped mesh dispenser for plastic grocery bags. You stuff bags in through the wide top and pull them out one at a time through a small rimmed opening at the bottom. A strap handle at the top hangs it from a wall hook, a door hook, or the inside of a pantry door.
The body is worked in a soft peach cotton. Ten small five-petal flowers in rust are sewn across the mesh, and a matching rust edge finishes the dispenser opening. Because the mesh is open, you can see how many bags are left, and the flowers give it a warm, cottage-kitchen look that is nicer to leave out than a plain bag holder.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished body is about 9.6 in (24.4 cm) wide at its widest point when laid flat and about 14.7 in (37.3 cm) tall. With the strap handle, it hangs about 18.7 in (47.5 cm) long.
The body is made in one seamless piece. You start at the bottom opening with a chain ring and switch to a chain-4 mesh worked in joined rounds. Mesh increases and decreases shape the teardrop, and a solid single crochet band and strap handle finish the top. The flowers are made separately and sewn on, and the rust opening edge is added last.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 9.6 in (24.4 cm) wide flat at the widest point, 14.7 in (37.3 cm) tall body, 18.7 in (47.5 cm) total hanging length
- Skill level: Easy / Advanced Beginner
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 body (worked in one piece with its handle) plus 10 small flower appliqués
- Layout: One hanging piece, with the flowers scattered in three staggered tiers
- Piece size (body): 9.6 in x 14.7 in (24.4 cm x 37.3 cm) flat
- Size before border: 14.3 in (36.3 cm) tall
- Border depth: 2 rounds of sc at the bottom opening, about 0.4 in (1.0 cm)
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds the mesh shape, resists stretching under the weight of the bags, and washes well. Very fuzzy or very stretchy acrylics make the mesh sag and the loops blur together, so avoid them.
- Color A (peach): 150 g, about 270 m
- Color B (rust): 30 g, about 54 m
These quantities include a margin of about 15 percent, so there is enough for a gauge check and some re-working.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- 1 locking stitch marker
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Rust-proof pins and a spray bottle 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
- sp(s): space(s)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd(s): round(s)
- rep: repeat
Special stitches:
- Mesh: sc in the next ch-4 sp, ch 4. Makes 1 new ch-4 sp.
- Mesh inc: (sc, ch 4, sc, ch 4) all in the next ch-4 sp. Makes 2 new ch-4 sps from 1.
- Mesh dec: insert the hook in the next ch-4 sp and pull up a loop, insert the hook in the following ch-4 sp and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops (sc2tog across 2 sps), ch 4. Makes 1 new ch-4 sp from 2.
Mesh round join: after the last ch 4 of a mesh round, sl st in the first sc, then sl st in the next 2 ch to reach the middle of the first sp. Begin the next round with ch 1 and sc in that same sp.
Gauge and Checkpoints
- Solid sc: 16 sts and 18 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Chain-4 mesh: 5 ch-4 sps and 5 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm), measured lightly stretched
Each ch-4 sp is about 0.8 in (2.0 cm) wide, and each mesh round is about 0.8 in (2.0 cm) tall.
There is no separate swatch to make. The first rounds of the body act as your test piece, so check these measurements as you go:
- After Rnd 1: the ring measures 8 in (20.3 cm) around, about 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across.
- After Rnd 3: the body measures 9.6 in (24.4 cm) across when flattened.
- After Rnd 12: the body is about 9 in (22.9 cm) tall from the bottom edge.
- After Rnd 17: the body is about 13 in (33.0 cm) tall and 6.4 in (16.3 cm) across flat.
- After Rnd 23: the body is about 14.3 in (36.3 cm) tall, and the top band is 6 in (15.2 cm) across flat.
If your piece is too big: go down one hook size, or work ch 3 instead of ch 4 in the mesh. If it is too small: go up one hook size. Always recheck the solid sc gauge as well, because the bottom ring and the top band must fit the mesh.
Body
The body is worked from the bottom opening up, in joined rounds with the right side always facing. Don’t turn unless the pattern says to.
Foundation: With A, ch 32 and join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring, taking care not to twist the chain.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, join with a sl st to the first sc. (32 sc)
If it helps you find the join, place a marker in the first st of each round.
Rnd 2 (conversion to mesh): Ch 1, sc in the first st, ch 4, skip the next st, sc in the next st, ch 4, skip the next st; rep from * 14 more times, then work the Mesh round join. (16 sc + 16 ch-4 sps)*
This round places 16 sc into every other one of the 32 sts and adds 16 ch-4 loops. The jump from a solid ring to longer mesh loops creates the rounded bottom of the teardrop.
Rnd 3 (increase): Ch 1, mesh inc in the next sp, mesh in the next sp; rep from * 8 times total, join. (24 ch-4 sps)*
The count works out like this: 8 mesh incs x 2 sps + 8 plain mesh x 1 sp = 24 sps.
Rnds 4–12: Ch 1, mesh in each sp around, join. (24 ch-4 sps in each rnd)
This is the widest part of the holder. Flattened, it measures 9.6 in (24.4 cm) across.
Rnd 13 (decrease): Ch 1, mesh in the next 4 sps, mesh dec over the next 2 sps; rep from * 4 times total, join. (20 ch-4 sps)*
Rnd 14: Ch 1, mesh in each sp around, join. (20 ch-4 sps)
The body now measures 8 in (20.3 cm) across flat.
Rnd 15 (decrease): Ch 1, mesh in the next 3 sps, mesh dec over the next 2 sps; rep from * 4 times total, join. (16 ch-4 sps)*
Rnds 16–17: Ch 1, mesh in each sp around, join. (16 ch-4 sps in each rnd)
On Rnd 17 only, finish with a sl st in the first sc. Don’t slip stitch over to the middle of the sp.
Rnd 18 (conversion to solid band): Ch 1, sc in the next sc, 2 sc in the next ch-4 sp; rep from * 16 times total, join with a sl st to the first sc. (16 sc worked 1 per existing sc + 32 sc worked into the spaces = 48 sc)*
Rnds 19–23: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (48 sc in each rnd)
The 48-sc band measures 12 in (30.5 cm) around. That is a close match to the 12.8 in (32.5 cm) circumference of the 16-sp mesh below it, so the band sits flat and firm without cinching or flaring. This sturdy rim keeps the top open for stuffing bags in.
Strap Handle
Do not fasten off after Rnd 23.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in the first 5 sts of Rnd 23, turn. (5 sc)
Rows 2–40: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (5 sc in each row)
The strap is 1.25 in (3.2 cm) wide and about 8.9 in (22.6 cm) long. Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
From the first st of the strap base, count 24 sts around the band. Sew the last row of the strap to sts 25–29 of Rnd 23, directly opposite the starting edge. That leaves 19 free band sts on each side between the strap ends. Whipstitch through both loops, and sew across twice for strength, because this seam carries the full weight of the bags.
Flowers (Make 10)
Each flower has a small peach center and five rounded rust petals, and measures about 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across.
Rnd 1: With A, make a magic ring, ch 1, 5 sc in the ring, pull the ring closed, join with a sl st to the first sc. (5 sc) Fasten off A.
Rnd 2: Join B in any st, ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join. (10 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st; rep from * 5 times total, join. (15 sc)*
Rnd 4 (petals): Sl st in the next st, (hdc, 3 dc, hdc) in the next st, sl st in the next st; rep from * 5 times total, join with a sl st to the first sl st. (5 petals; 35 sts: 5 petal sts + 2 sl sts per repeat)*
Each petal uses 3 sts of Rnd 3, so 5 petals x 3 sts = 15 sts, which matches the round exactly. The two sl sts between neighboring petals pull the edge in and separate the petals clearly. Fasten off B, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail for sewing.
Placing the flowers: Arrange them in three staggered tiers around the body:
- Tier 1: 4 flowers spaced evenly around Rnds 5–6
- Tier 2: 3 flowers around Rnds 8–9, set between the flowers below
- Tier 3: 3 flowers around Rnds 12–13, set between the flowers below
Sew each flower to the sc nodes of the mesh, stitching only through the back of Rnd 3 so the petals stay free and slightly raised. Keep the stitches snug but not tight so the mesh doesn’t pucker. Pin all ten flowers in place before you sew, and step back to check the spacing.
Border: Bottom Opening Edge
The border is the rust trim around the dispenser opening. It is worked into the free loops of the foundation chain, so it matches Rnd 1 stitch for stitch.
Border gauge: the same as solid sc, 16 sts and 18 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm). Two rounds add about 0.4 in (1.0 cm) of depth.
Hold the body upside down with the foundation chain on top and the right side facing you.
Rnd 1: Join B in any free loop of the foundation chain, ch 1, sc in each free loop around, join. (32 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (32 sc)
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Why the math works: the foundation chain has 32 chains, and Rnd 1 of the border places exactly 1 sc in each one. The border therefore starts at 32 sts, with nothing added or skipped. Rnd 2 keeps the same 32 sts. The opening is a single circle at the same gauge as Rnd 1 of the body, so 32 sc is the count that lies flat: more stitches would ruffle, and fewer would pinch the opening. The rim keeps its 8 in (20.3 cm) circumference and about 2.5 in (6.4 cm) diameter. The double layer of sc gives it enough grip to hold the bags inside until you pull one out.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all remaining ends, running each tail through several sc nodes in two directions.
- Soak the holder in cool water, then gently squeeze the water out. Don’t wring it.
- Roll it in a towel and press to remove more moisture.
- Stuff the body loosely with a clean towel to form the teardrop shape.
- Lay it flat and shape it by hand: open the mesh evenly, smooth the top band, and round out the bottom.
- Check that the widest point measures 9.6 in (24.4 cm) across and the top band measures 6 in (15.2 cm) across.
- Press each flower flat and spread its five petals evenly. Pin the petals only if they curl.
- Let it dry completely, at least 24 hours, before hanging it.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Rnd 1 and both border rounds each have 32 sc.
- Rnd 2 has 16 sps, and Rnds 3–12 each have 24 ch-4 sps.
- Rnds 16–17 each have 16 ch-4 sps, and the band has 48 sc.
- The strap has 5 sc per row and 40 rows.
- The strap ends sit directly opposite each other, with 19 free sts on each side.
- All 10 flowers have 5 petals and a peach center.
- The flowers are spread evenly, and none sits directly above another.
- The bottom opening is round, and the rust rim lies flat.
- All ends are woven in securely.
Troubleshooting
The mesh twists into a spiral. Make sure every round ends with the join and the 2 sl sts to the middle of the first sp. Don’t skip the join and work in a continuous spiral.
The bottom looks pointed instead of rounded. Your ch-4 loops may be too tight. Go up a hook size for the mesh rounds only.
The top band ruffles. You may have worked 3 sc into some spaces. Recount Rnd 18; it should have 48 sc.
The top band pulls in. Work the band more loosely, or go up one hook size for Rnds 18–23.
The strap stretches too much. Cotton can stretch over time. Work the strap with a hook one size smaller to firm it up.
The petals cup or curl. Block the flowers flat. If they still curl, work each petal as (hdc, 2 dc, hdc) instead.
The bags fall out the bottom. Add a third round of 32 sc with B to firm up the rim.
Your flower count looks crowded. Leave out one flower in Tier 3 and space the rest evenly.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, gently reshape, and dry flat. Don’t tumble dry, because heat can shrink the cotton and distort the mesh.
Final Notes
The whole design depends on one measurement chain. A 32-sc ring makes an 8 in (20.3 cm) opening. Sixteen mesh sps flare it into a rounded bottom, and 24 sps give a widest point of 9.6 in (24.4 cm). Decreasing back to 16 sps sets up a 48-sc band that measures 12 in (30.5 cm) around. A 40-row strap of about 8.9 in (22.6 cm) forms the hanging loop. The ten flowers and the 32-sc rust rim finish the look.
Check your gauge on the first rounds and count your spaces at each checkpoint, and the rest will fall into place.
Happy crocheting!