Handmade crocheted mushroom ornament with burgundy cap, white spots, cream body, brown door, yellow windows, and flowers.

Happy Toadstool Plastic Bag Holder Crochet Pattern

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This cheerful mushroom keeps your plastic bags tidy and makes everyone smile. A burgundy dome cap with cream polka dots sits on a grinning cream face. Below the face, an open diamond net shows the bags inside, and a small brown door with leaves and flowers decorates the front.

To load bags, lift the hinged cap and stuff them in through the top. To take one out, pull it through the burgundy ribbed cuff at the bottom. The colors are cream, burgundy, golden yellow, dark brown, black, pink, white, and leaf green. The look is cottagecore kitchen whimsy. This pattern uses US crochet terms.

The finished holder is about 18 in (45.7 cm) tall including the loop and 10 in (25.4 cm) wide across the cap.

You make the body from the top down in joined rounds: a solid face band, then the mesh, then a base that gets narrower. The cap is a stuffed shell closed with a flat lining. You sew the small appliqués on last. The bottom cuff and the cap brim are in the Border section. Make them before final assembly.

Finished Size and Construction

  • Finished size: about 18 in (45.7 cm) tall including loop; 10 in (25.4 cm) wide across the cap
  • Skill level: Intermediate
  • Terminology: US
  • Yarn weight: worsted (#4) cotton or cotton blend
  • Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6)
  • Number of pieces: 1 holder, made of a body, cap shell, cap lining, hanging loop, and appliqués
  • Layout: one hanging item; no grid or joined motifs
  • Body size before border: about 11.25 in (28.6 cm) tall
  • Body size after border: about 13.5 in (34.3 cm) tall; about 9 in (22.9 cm) wide at the fullest point when filled
  • Border depth: cuff about 2.25 in (5.7 cm); cap brim about 0.75 in (1.9 cm)

Materials

Use a smooth worsted-weight cotton. Cotton holds its shape when the net is full of bags and gives crisp stitches for the face. Acrylic also works, but the mesh will stretch more.

  • Cream: 160 g (about 290 m), for the body, lining, and dots
  • Burgundy: 110 g (about 200 m), for the cap, cuff, and loop
  • Dark brown: 15 g (about 27 m)
  • Golden yellow: 10 g (about 18 m)
  • Leaf green: 8 g (about 14 m)
  • Black: 8 g (about 14 m)
  • Pink: 8 g (about 14 m)
  • White: 5 g (about 9 m)

These amounts include about 15% extra.

Tools: 4.0 mm (G-6) hook, tapestry needle, stitch markers, a small handful of fiberfill, pins, scissors, and a measuring tape.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch: chain
  • sl st: slip stitch
  • sc: single crochet
  • hdc: half double crochet
  • dc: double crochet
  • dec (sc2tog): single crochet 2 together
  • FPdc / BPdc: front post / back post double crochet
  • rev sc: reverse single crochet (crab stitch)
  • sp: space
  • st(s): stitch(es)
  • MR: magic ring

Special stitch: mesh sc. Put the hook under the whole chain-space at its center, not into a single chain, and work a normal sc. This holds each diamond at its point.

Gauge and Checkpoints

Gauge: 16 sc and 18 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm).

Make a test piece first. Start with the cap lining (16 rounds, 96 sts). Lay it flat. It should measure about 7.75 in (19.7 cm) across. If it’s bigger, use a hook 0.5 mm smaller. If it’s smaller, use a hook 0.5 mm bigger. Keep the lining, because you’ll use it in the cap.

Checkpoints:

  • Body Rnd 1 (64 sts): 16 in (40.6 cm) around
  • Face band done (72 sts): 18 in (45.7 cm) around and 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall
  • Mesh done: about 10 in (25.4 cm) total body height
  • Base done: about 11.25 in (28.6 cm) total height

If the face band comes out too big, the cap won’t cover it well. Fix your gauge. Don’t change the number of increases.

Smiling crocheted character with cream textured face, pink cheeks, burgundy hat, and adorable cottage door detail below.

Body

Work in joined rounds with the right side facing you, and don’t turn. Each sc round starts with ch 1, which doesn’t count as a stitch. Join each round with a sl st to the first st.

Face Band (Cream)

Rnd 1: Ch 64 and join into a ring, making sure the chain isn’t twisted. Ch 1, sc in each ch. (64)

Rnds 2–5: Sc in each st. (64)

Rnd 6: [Sc 15, 2 sc in next] 4 times. (68)

Rnds 7–10: Sc in each st. (68)

Rnd 11: [Sc 16, 2 sc in next] 4 times. (72)

Rnds 12–16: Sc in each st. (72)

Check: 18 in (45.7 cm) around and 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall. Put a marker at the start of the round. This spot is the center back and the hinge line.

Mesh Net (Cream)

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 5, skip 2. Sc in next st, ch 5, skip 2; repeat from * 22 more times. Sl st to first sc. (24 sc, 24 ch-5 sps)

Rnd 2: Sl st across the first 3 ch to reach the center of the first sp. Ch 1, mesh sc in the same sp. Ch 5, mesh sc in next sp; repeat from * 22 more times. Ch 5, sl st to first sc. (24 ch-5 sps)

Work Rnds 3–10 like Rnd 2, changing only the chain length. Each time, sl st across half the chain to reach the center of the sp.

  • Rnds 3–4: ch 6 (24 ch-6 sps)
  • Rnds 5–7: ch 7 (24 ch-7 sps)
  • Rnds 8–9: ch 6 (24 ch-6 sps)
  • Rnd 10: ch 5 (24 ch-5 sps)

The longer chains in the middle make the bulb swell out, and the shorter chains pull it back in. There are always 24 diamonds, so the net stays even.

Base (Cream)

Rnd 1 (conversion): Ch 1. Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next ch-5 sp; repeat around. That’s 24 sc worked 1 per existing sc + 48 sc worked into the sps. (72)

Rnd 2: [Sc 7, dec] 8 times. (64)

Rnd 3: [Sc 6, dec] 8 times. (56)

Rnd 4: [Sc 5, dec] 8 times. (48)

Rnd 5: [Sc 4, dec] 8 times. (40)

Rnd 6: [Sc 8, dec] 4 times. (36)

Fasten off. Check: about 11.25 in (28.6 cm) total height.

Cap

Cap Lining (Cream)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)

Rnds 2–16: Add 6 sts evenly in each round: [sc X, 2 sc in next] 6 times, where X goes up by 1 each round. Each round’s total is 6 × the round number. For example, Rnd 2 has 12, Rnd 12 has 72, and Rnd 16 has 96. (96)

Fasten off and leave a 24 in (61.0 cm) tail.

Cap Shell (Burgundy)

Rnds 1–12: Work the same as the lining. (72)

Rnd 13: [Sc 5, 2 sc in next] 12 times. (84)

Rnd 14: Sc in each st. (84)

Rnd 15: [Sc 6, 2 sc in next] 12 times. (96)

Rnds 16–21: Sc in each st. (96)

Rnd 22 (closing): Hold the lining against the shell with wrong sides together. Ch 1, then sc through both layers in each st. When you’re about two-thirds of the way around, add a light handful of fiberfill, then finish the round. (96)

Don’t fasten off. The brim continues in the Border section.

Hanging Loop (Burgundy)

Row 1: Ch 25, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (24)

Rows 2–4: Ch 1, sc in each st. Turn. (24)

Fasten off. Bring the two short ends together. Wrap burgundy yarn 6 times around both layers, 1 in (2.5 cm) above the ends, to make a neck. Sew the ends flat to the center of the cap top, over Rnds 1–3. The loop stands about 2 in (5.1 cm) tall.

Appliqués

Leave a long tail on every piece for sewing.

Polka dots (cream): make 5 large and 4 small.

  • Large dots: 6 sc in MR; then 2 sc in each st (12); then [sc 1, 2 sc in next] 6 times (18); then [sc 2, 2 sc in next] 6 times (24). About 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across.
  • Small dots: work only the first 3 rounds (18). About 1.25 in (3.2 cm) across.

Cap windows (make 2): With golden yellow, work the first 3 rounds of a large dot (18). Change to dark brown: [sc 2, 2 sc in next] 6 times (24). About 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across. Backstitch a brown cross over the yellow center.

Eyes (make 2): With black, 6 sc in MR. Change to cream: 2 sc in each st (12). Change to black: sl st loosely in each st (12). Add a white French knot to each pupil as a highlight.

Cheeks (make 2): With pink, 6 sc in MR, then 2 sc in each st (12).

Mouth: With black, work in rows.

  • Row 1: 6 sc in MR, pull the ring closed, turn. (6)
  • Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st, turn. (12)
  • Row 3: Ch 1, [sc 1, 2 sc in next] 6 times, turn. (18)
  • Row 4: Ch 1, [sc 2, 2 sc in next] 6 times. (24)

This makes a D shape about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) wide along the flat edge.

Teeth (make 2): With white, ch 3. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in the next ch (2). Work 2 more rows of 2 sc.

Tongue: With pink, ch 4. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next, 4 dc in last ch. Then work along the other side of the chain: hdc, sc (8). Embroider a short line down the center so it looks like a heart.

Door: With dark brown, ch 8.

  • Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (7)
  • Rows 2–9: Ch 1, sc across. (7)
  • Row 10: Ch 1, dec, sc 3, dec. (5)
  • Row 11: Ch 1, dec, sc 1, dec. (3)
  • Edging: Sc evenly around the whole door.

The door is about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) wide and 2.4 in (6.1 cm) tall. For its window, use golden yellow: 6 sc in MR, then 2 sc in each st (12). Backstitch a brown cross over it. Add a yellow French knot for the knob.

Leaves (make 6): With leaf green, ch 7. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc, dc, dc, hdc, 3 sc in last ch. Then work along the other side of the chain: hdc, dc, dc, hdc, sc. Sl st to join (13). Each leaf is about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long.

Flowers (make 2): With golden yellow, 5 sc in MR. Change to white. In each st work (ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st), making 5 petals.

Assembly

Make the Border first, then put the holder together.

  1. Face: Center the face on the front of the band, opposite the back marker. Place the eyes 1 in (2.5 cm) below Rnd 1 and 1.5 in (3.8 cm) apart. Place the mouth under the eyes with the flat edge up. Tuck the teeth under the flat edge and put the tongue near the bottom of the curve. Put the cheeks beside the corners of the mouth. Embroider black eyebrows.
  2. Door: Pin the door over mesh Rnds 7–10, centered on the front. Sew its edge to every mesh bar it touches. Sew three leaves and one flower on each side, then backstitch green stems.
  3. Cap: Sew the dots to the shell. Sew one window to each side of the brim so it covers Rnds 21–23.
  4. Hinge: Set the cap on the rim. Using a doubled strand of yarn, whipstitch the lining to body Rnd 1 across 16 sts (4 in, 10.2 cm) at the center back, 8 sts on each side of the marker. Go over the hinge 3 times so it’s strong.

Border

The border is the burgundy cuff at the bottom of the body plus the cap brim. Use the same hook.

Border gauge: 32 sts of FPdc/BPdc ribbing measure about 7 in (17.8 cm) around when relaxed. The ribbing is meant to pull in.

Bottom Cuff (Burgundy)

Join burgundy to the last base round (36 sts). Mark 4 quarters of 9 sts each.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, [sc 7, dec] 4 times. (32; 8 per quarter)

Rnds 2–7: Ch 2 (doesn’t count as a stitch). [FPdc, BPdc] 16 times. (32; 8 per quarter)

Rnd 8: Ch 1, [sc 3, 2 sc in next] 8 times. (40; 10 per quarter)

Rnd 9: Rev sc in each st. (40; 10 per quarter)

Cap Brim (Burgundy, continuing from cap Rnd 22)

Mark 4 quarters of 24 sts each.

Rnd 23: [Sc 7, 2 sc in next] 12 times. (108; 27 per quarter)

Rnd 24: Sc in each st. (108; 27 per quarter)

Rnd 25: Rev sc in each st. (108; 27 per quarter)

Why the math works: Every border round is made of whole repeats. The 36 base sts make 4 repeats of 9, which gives 32. The 32 sts make 16 even rib pairs. Then 8 repeats of 4 gives 40. On the cap, 96 sts make 12 repeats of 8, which gives 108. Unstretched, the cuff measures 8 in (20.3 cm) around. That’s snug enough to hold the bags in but loose enough to pull one out. The brim is 27 in (68.6 cm) around, so it hangs over the 18 in (45.7 cm) face band.

Final Blocking

  1. Weave in all ends securely, especially at the hinge.
  2. Mist the whole holder lightly with water.
  3. Fill the body with crumpled bags or a towel so the bulb is round.
  4. Shape the cap dome with your hands and press the brim outward.
  5. Pin the door and leaves flat against the filled mesh.
  6. Let it dry completely, about 12 hours. Don’t iron the ribbing.
  7. Check that it’s about 18 in (45.7 cm) tall with the loop.

Final Quality-Control Checklist

  • The face band has 72 sts and measures 18 in (45.7 cm) around.
  • Every mesh round has 24 even diamonds.
  • The base ends with 36 sts, and the cuff ends with 40.
  • The shell and lining both have 96 sts at the closing round.
  • The brim has 108 sts.
  • The hinge covers 16 sts and is stitched 3 times.
  • The cap lifts easily and covers the rim when it’s closed.
  • Every appliqué is sewn down on all edges.

Troubleshooting

  • The mesh twists: Always put the mesh sc in the center of the sp.
  • The bulb looks flat: Use ch 8 in Rnds 5–7.
  • Bags fall out through the cuff: Work cuff Rnd 1 as [sc 4, dec] 6 times (30). Work the ribbing as [FPdc, BPdc] 15 times (30). Work Rnd 8 as [sc 2, 2 sc in next] 10 times (40).
  • The cap tips forward: Extend the hinge by 2 sts on each side.
  • The door puckers the net: Sew only where the bars cross, and don’t pull the yarn tight.
  • The lining is smaller than the shell: Recount your increases. Both pieces must have exactly 96 sts.

Care

Spot-clean with mild soap, or hand wash in cool water. Reshape the holder around a towel and let it dry flat.

Crocheted burgundy-capped mushroom house with cream polka dots and cute face, hanging in a modern home with potted plants.

Final Notes

Here is how the measurements build on each other. Gauge is 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). The rim is 64 sts = 16 in (40.6 cm), and the face band is 72 sts = 18 in (45.7 cm). The mesh has 24 diamonds, and the base goes down to 36 sts. The cuff pulls in to 32 sts and flares out to 40. The cap lining and shell each have 96 sts, and the brim has 108. If every count matches, the holder will be about 18 in (45.7 cm) tall and 10 in (25.4 cm) wide. For a storybook look, try a purple cap and cuff.

Happy crocheting!

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