The Garden Lattice Bag Holder turns a pile of plastic grocery bags into a tidy, pretty wall piece. You stuff bags in through the scalloped top and pull them out one at a time from the small ring at the bottom. It hangs neatly beside a pantry door, inside a cabinet, or next to the back entrance.
The design sets a deep teal background against a cream diamond lattice. Each diamond holds a raised cream flower made from four puff stitches. The top ends in a cream band and soft shell scallops, and a teal cord loop hangs the holder from any hook or knob. The style is cottage-kitchen with a folk-art feel. It also looks lovely in dark brown with blush pink.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder measures 6 in (15.2 cm) wide laid flat and 14 in (35.6 cm) tall. The hanging loop rises about 4 in (10.2 cm) above the rim.
You work it bottom-up in one piece. You start with a cream ring, then work a plain teal cone that increases to full width. Next comes the tapestry crochet lattice body, then the top edging, the bottom rim, and a separate cord that you sew on.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 6 in (15.2 cm) wide flat x 14 in (35.6 cm) tall, plus loop
- Skill level: Intermediate (tapestry crochet and puff stitches)
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Number of pieces: 1 body + 1 cord
- Layout: a single tube, worked in continuous spiral rounds
- Body size: 48 sts around = 12 in (30.5 cm) circumference
- Size before border: 12.75 in (32.4 cm) tall
- Border depth: 1.25 in (3.2 cm) at the top (cream band plus shells)
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted cotton. Cotton keeps the lattice crisp and holds up to daily handling. Acrylic also works, but the tube will be softer and may stretch more once it is full of bags.
- Teal (Color A): 80 g, about 130 m (142 yd)
- Cream (Color B): 50 g, about 80 m (87 yd)
- 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook
- 1 stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
These quantities include a margin of about 15 percent for swatching and tails. Tapestry crochet uses more yarn than plain single crochet because you carry one color inside the other. For the alternate colorway, swap teal for dark brown and cream for blush pink in the same amounts.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- inc – 2 sc in the same stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- A – teal; B – cream
- T# – work # sc in teal; C# – work # sc in cream
Puff (pf): With cream, (yarn over, insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop to sc height) 3 times, yarn over, draw through all 7 loops. Counts as 1 st. If it sinks, push it to the outside of the tube.
Tapestry color change: On the last sc before a color change, work the final yarn over with the new color. Carry the unused color along the top of the round and work over it, so it is hidden inside the stitches.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in tapestry sc, worked in the round.
Before starting the holder, make a small test tube. Ch 32, join, and work 16 rnds of plain sc while carrying a second strand. Lay it flat. It should measure 4 in (10.2 cm) across and 4 in (10.2 cm) tall.
If your swatch is too big, go down a hook size. If it is too small, go up a size. Tapestry fabric needs to be firm so the carried yarn stays hidden, so err on the tighter side.
Checkpoints:
- After Rnd 2: the ring is 3 in (7.6 cm) wide flat.
- After Rnd 14: the piece is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall and 6 in (15.2 cm) wide flat.
- After Rnd 50: the piece is 12.5 in (31.8 cm) tall.
- After Rnd 51: the piece is 12.75 in (32.4 cm) tall.
- Finished: the piece is 14 in (35.6 cm) tall.
Measure at every checkpoint. Catching a problem early saves you from ripping back a whole lattice repeat.
Bottom Ring and Cone
Work in continuous spiral rounds and do not join unless the pattern says to. Place a marker in the first st of each round and move it up as you go.
Foundation: With B, ch 24. Sl st to the first ch to form a ring, taking care not to twist the chain.
Rnd 1 (B): Ch 1, sc in each ch around. (24 sts)
Rnd 2 (B): Sc in each st around, changing to A on the last st. (24 sts)
The ring is now 6 in (15.2 cm) around and 3 in (7.6 cm) wide flat. Cut B, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail.
Rnd 3 (A): Sc 5, inc 4 times. (28 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (28 sts)
Rnd 5: Sc 6, inc 4 times. (32 sts)
Rnd 6: Sc around. (32 sts)
Rnd 7: Sc 3, inc, sc 7, inc 3 times, sc 4. (36 sts)
Rnd 8: Sc around. (36 sts)
Rnd 9: Sc 8, inc 4 times. (40 sts)
Rnd 10: Sc around. (40 sts)
Rnd 11: Sc 5, inc, sc 9, inc 3 times, sc 4. (44 sts)
Rnd 12: Sc around. (44 sts)
Rnd 13: Sc 10, inc 4 times. (48 sts)
Rnd 14: Sc around. On the last st, start carrying a new strand of B. (48 sts)
Rnds 7 and 11 shift the increases sideways so the cone stays round instead of forming four corners. Checkpoint: the piece is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall.
Lattice Body
The lattice repeat is 12 sts wide and 12 rnds tall. Each round works the 12-st repeat 4 times, for 48 sts. Carry the unused color the whole way.
The diagonal lines move over one stitch each round. They cross in the middle of each repeat on Lattice Rnds 5–6 and at the edges of each repeat on Lattice Rnds 11–12. The puffs sit in the diamonds that are not crossing at that height, so every diamond gets one 2×2 flower.
Pattern rounds (work each instruction 4 times around):
- Lattice Rnd 1: T1, C1, T8, C1, T1.
- Lattice Rnd 2: T2, C1, T6, C1, T2.
- Lattice Rnd 3: T3, C1, T4, C1, T3.
- Lattice Rnd 4: T4, C1, T2, C1, T4.
- Lattice Rnd 5: pf, T4, C2, T4, pf.
- Lattice Rnd 6: pf, T4, C2, T4, pf.
- Lattice Rnd 7: T4, C1, T2, C1, T4.
- Lattice Rnd 8: T3, C1, T4, C1, T3.
- Lattice Rnd 9: T2, C1, T6, C1, T2.
- Lattice Rnd 10: T1, C1, T8, C1, T1.
- Lattice Rnd 11: C1, T4, pf, pf, T4, C1.
- Lattice Rnd 12: C1, T4, pf, pf, T4, C1.
Every lattice round adds up to 12 sts per repeat and 48 sts around.
On Lattice Rnds 5–6, the last pf of one repeat sits beside the first pf of the next. Two puffs across two rounds make one 2×2 flower. On Lattice Rnds 11–12, the two center puffs stacked over two rounds make the other flowers.
Rnds 15–50: Work Lattice Rnds 1–12 three times in total. (48 sts every round)
Checkpoint: the 36 lattice rnds measure 9 in (22.9 cm), and the piece is now 12.5 in (31.8 cm) tall.
Rnd 51 (A): Sc around, still carrying B. Change to B on the last st. (48 sts)
Cut A. The piece now measures 12.75 in (32.4 cm) tall. This is the size before the border.
Top Border and Bottom Rim
Border gauge: The border uses the same gauge as the body, 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). Lay the tube flat with the round start at one side fold. Each flat side then holds 24 sts.
Rnd 52 (B): Sc around. (48 sts: 24 per side)
Rnd 53 (B): Sc around. Sl st to the next st to end the spiral. (48 sts: 24 per side)
Rnd 54 (shells, B): Ch 1, sc in the same st, skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, skip 2 sts, sc in next st 7 times, skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, skip 2 sts, sl st to the first sc. (8 shells: 4 per side)
Why the math works: Each shell repeat uses 6 sts: 1 sc, 2 skipped, 1 shell st, and 2 skipped. With 48 sts, that gives 48 ÷ 6 = 8 shells, or 24 ÷ 6 = 4 per side, with no leftover stitches. The band adds 0.5 in (1.3 cm) and the shells add about 0.75 in (1.9 cm), for a 1.25 in (3.2 cm) border.
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Bottom rim: Turn the holder upside down. Join B in any foundation ch. Sl st loosely in each foundation ch around (24 sl sts: 12 per side). Join and fasten off. This gives the opening a firm, matching cream edge that keeps its round shape.
Hanging Cord
With A, ch 48. Sl st in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (47 sl sts)
The cord should measure about 12 in (30.5 cm). Fasten off, leaving 8 in (20.3 cm) tails.
Find the two side points at the top: the st where Rnd 53 ended, and the st 24 sts away from it. Tuck each cord end inside the tube at one side point, 1 in (2.5 cm) below the shell edge. Sew it firmly through Rnds 52–53 with the tail.
This leaves a 10 in (25.4 cm) loop that rises about 4 in (10.2 cm) above the rim. The overall hanging length is about 18 in (45.7 cm).
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends on the inside of the tube, through stitches of the matching color.
- Lightly mist the holder with water, or steam it from 1 in (2.5 cm) away. Do not press it with the iron.
- Slide a rolled towel inside to fill out the tube.
- Ease the lattice so the diagonal lines run straight and the diamonds sit evenly.
- Pinch each puff flower forward so all four petals stand up.
- Pin the shells into even, rounded scallops.
- Check that it is 6 in (15.2 cm) wide flat and 14 in (35.6 cm) tall.
- Let it dry completely before hanging.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The bottom ring is 3 in (7.6 cm) wide flat and lies round.
- The cone has no pointed corners.
- The body holds 48 sts on every lattice round.
- The diagonal lines are continuous through all 36 lattice rounds.
- Every diamond holds one 2×2 cream flower.
- No teal shows through cream areas, and no cream peeks through teal.
- The top has 8 even shells, 4 per side.
- The cord ends are secure and sit at opposite sides.
- The finished size is 6 in x 14 in (15.2 cm x 35.6 cm).
Troubleshooting
Lattice lines look jagged. Spiral rounds create a one-stitch jog where each round starts. Keep the marker at the side fold so the jog stays hidden.
Carried yarn shows through. Hold the carried strand slightly taut and work snugly over it. A smaller hook also helps.
Puffs disappear to the inside. Pull the loops up only to sc height, and push each puff outward as you finish it.
Tube is puckering. The carried strand is too tight. Stretch the work flat every few stitches to relax it.
Yarns keep twisting. Always pick up the new color from the same side. Untangle the balls at the end of every lattice repeat.
Holder is too wide. Your gauge is loose. Rework with a smaller hook. Being just 1 st per 4 in (10.2 cm) off adds about 0.8 in (2.0 cm) around.
Shells don’t fit evenly. Recount Rnd 53. It must be exactly 48 sts.
Care
Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry, reshaping it while damp. Cotton versions can go through a gentle machine wash inside a laundry bag.
Final Notes
Everything in this holder depends on one chain of measurements. A gauge of 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm) makes the 24-st ring 3 in (7.6 cm) wide flat. The cone grows to 48 sts, or 6 in (15.2 cm) wide flat, and reaches 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall.
The three 12-round lattice repeats add 9 in (22.9 cm). One teal round brings the piece to 12.75 in (32.4 cm). The cream band and 8 shells add 1.25 in (3.2 cm), for a finished height of 14 in (35.6 cm).
Check your swatch, count every round, and your holder will come out right. Then make a second one in brown and pink for a friend.
Happy crocheting!