The Harbor Lattice Plastic Bag Holder is a tall crochet tube that hangs from a hook. You stuff grocery bags in the top and pull them out one at a time from the bottom. The middle of the tube is an open lattice of vertical ribs and slim horizontal bars, so you can see the bags inside. The top and bottom are firm bands of single crochet.
The sample photos show the same holder in two colorways: a saturated cobalt blue and a soft cream. Each holder uses one color only. The style is clean and graphic, and it suits a kitchen, pantry, or laundry room.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished body measures 15 in (38.1 cm) tall and 9 in (22.9 cm) wide when laid flat, which is a circumference of 18 in (45.7 cm). With the hanging loop, the holder hangs about 18.5 in (47.0 cm) from hook to gathered base, plus the bow tails.
Construction is simple. You chain a ring and work the tube from the top down in joined rounds: a solid top band, an openwork lattice section, then a solid bottom band with an eyelet round. A top-rim edging and a narrow strap are worked straight onto the tube. A separate chain cord runs through the eyelets and ties in a bow to close the bottom.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 15 in (38.1 cm) tall x 9 in (22.9 cm) wide flat; 18 in (45.7 cm) circumference
- Hanging length: about 18.5 in (47.0 cm) including the loop
- Skill level: Easy
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 tubular body (with strap worked on) + 1 drawstring cord
- Layout: single tube, worked top down in joined rounds
- Body size before border: 14.5 in (36.8 cm) tall x 9 in (22.9 cm) flat
- Border depth: 0.5 in (1.3 cm), top rim only
Materials
Choose a smooth, firm cotton or cotton-blend worsted yarn. Cotton holds the tube’s shape, doesn’t stretch much under the weight of bags, and washes well. Avoid fuzzy or very soft acrylic, because the lattice can sag.
Yarn (one holder, one color):
- Main color, cobalt blue or cream: 80 g, about 145 m (159 yd)
To make both colorways shown, buy 80 g (145 m) of cobalt blue and 80 g (145 m) of cream. These amounts include a margin of about 25% for your gauge swatch, tension differences, and the cord.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- 2 locking stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Spray bottle and pins for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- rev sc – reverse single crochet (crab stitch)
- sk – skip
- sp(s) – space(s)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
- Rnd – round
Reverse single crochet (rev sc): Work from left to right (right to left if you crochet left-handed). Insert the hook into the next stitch to the right, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through both loops on the hook. This makes a corded, twisted edge.
Chain bar: The ch-5 in each lattice round spans the window below it. You do not work into these chains on the next lattice round. They stack to form the horizontal bars.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Solid gauge: 16 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm), worked in joined rounds.
Lattice gauge: 1 dc rnd + 1 sc rnd = 0.75 in (1.9 cm) tall. One repeat (4 dc + ch 5) = 2.25 in (5.7 cm) wide.
The holder is one piece, so the first 6 rounds act as your test piece. Work them, then lay the tube flat and measure.
Checkpoints:
- After Rnd 6: flat width 9 in (22.9 cm); band height 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
- After Rnd 14 (4 lattice pairs): lattice height 3 in (7.6 cm).
- After Rnd 34: tube height 12 in (30.5 cm).
- After Rnd 43: body height 14.5 in (36.8 cm).
- After the border: total height 15 in (38.1 cm).
If your tube is too big: go down a hook size, to 4.5 mm (7). A flat width of more than 9.5 in (24.1 cm) means your tube will sag.
If your tube is too small: go up a hook size, to 5.5 mm (I-9). Less than 8.5 in (21.6 cm) flat makes it hard to stuff the bags in.
Don’t change the stitch count. The lattice repeat needs exactly 72 stitches.
Body
Top Band
Foundation: Ch 72. Check that the chain isn’t twisted, then sl st to the first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around; sl st to first sc. (72 sc)
Rnds 2–6: Ch 1, sc in each st around; sl st to first sc. (72 sc each round)
Lay the tube flat with the joining seam at the left fold. Stitches 1–36 are the front face and stitches 37–72 are the back face. Mark sts 18 and 54 with locking markers. You’ll need them later for the strap.
Checkpoint: 9 in (22.9 cm) wide flat, 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall.
Lattice Section
The lattice alternates a dc round (Rnd A) and an sc round (Rnd B). The dc stitches stack into 8 vertical ribs, each 4 stitches wide, about 1 in (2.5 cm). Each ch-5 makes a window about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) wide. The ch-5 of a B round sits right above the ch-5 of the A round below it. Together they make a slim, doubled, slightly twisted bar between windows.
Rnd 7 (Rnd A): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 3 sts, ch 5, sk next 5 sts, *dc in next 4 sts, ch 5, sk next 5 sts; rep from * 6 more times; sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (32 dc and 8 ch-5 sps; 32 + 40 ch = 72 stitches’ worth)
Rnd 8 (Rnd B): Ch 1, sc in same st and in next 3 dc, ch 5, *sc in next 4 dc, ch 5; rep from * 6 more times; sl st to first sc. (32 sc and 8 ch-5 sps)
Don’t work into the ch-5 spaces. Let each new ch-5 lie flat across the top of the chain below.
Rnd 9 (Rnd A): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 3 sc, ch 5, *dc in next 4 sc, ch 5; rep from * 6 more times; sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (32 dc and 8 ch-5 sps)
Rnds 10–34: Repeat Rnds 8 and 9 alternately. End with a Rnd B (Rnd 34). That makes 14 A rounds and 14 B rounds, with 32 sts and 8 ch-5 sps in each round.
Keep your beginning ch-3 and your joins lined up in the same rib each round, so the ribs stay vertical and don’t spiral.
Checkpoint: lattice height 10.5 in (26.7 cm); tube height 12 in (30.5 cm). Each column has 14 windows.
Bottom Band
Rnd 35 (conversion round): Ch 1, sc in each of next 4 sc, 5 sc in next ch-5 sp, *sc in next 4 sc, 5 sc in next ch-5 sp; rep from * 6 more times; sl st to first sc. (32 sc worked 1-per-stitch + 40 sc worked into spaces = 72 sc)
Work the 5 sc around the ch-5 of Rnd 34 only, so the last row of windows stays open.
Rnds 36–38: Ch 1, sc in each st around; sl st to first sc. (72 sc each round)
Rnd 39 (eyelet round): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next st, ch 2, sk next 2 sts, *dc in next 2 sts, ch 2, sk next 2 sts; rep from * 16 more times; sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (36 dc and 18 ch-2 sps; 36 + 36 ch = 72 stitches’ worth)
Rnd 40 (conversion round): Ch 1, sc in each of next 2 dc, 2 sc in next ch-2 sp, *sc in next 2 dc, 2 sc in next ch-2 sp; rep from * 16 more times; sl st to first sc. (36 sc worked 1-per-stitch + 36 sc worked into spaces = 72 sc)
Rnds 41–43: Ch 1, sc in each st around; sl st to first sc. (72 sc each round)
Fasten off and weave in the end.
Checkpoint: bottom band height 2.5 in (6.4 cm); body height 14.5 in (36.8 cm).
Drawstring Cord
Ch 121. Sl st in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and in the back bump of each ch across. (120 sl sts) Fasten off.
The cord should measure 30 in (76.2 cm). Tie an overhand knot about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) from each end, then trim the tails to 0.25 in (0.6 cm).
Start at the front-center eyelet. Weave the cord over and under through all 18 eyelets of Rnd 39. Because 18 is an even number, both ends come out on the front. Gather the bottom until the opening is about 1 in (2.5 cm) across, then tie a bow.
Border
The border is worked on the top rim only, into the free loops of the foundation chain. It uses the same gauge as the body: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm).
With the tube flat and the seam at the left fold, each face has 36 stitches, and 36 + 36 = 72. That is the same count as the foundation, so the rim lies flat with no ruffling or pulling. There are no corners to add, because the tube is round.
Border Rnd 1: Join yarn in the free loop of the first foundation ch at the seam. Ch 1, sc in each free loop around; sl st to first sc. (72 sc: 36 per flattened face)
Border Rnd 2: Ch 1, rev sc in each st around; sl st to first rev sc. (72 rev sc: 36 per flattened face) Fasten off.
The border adds 0.5 in (1.3 cm), which brings the body to 15 in (38.1 cm).
Hanging Strap
The strap is 2 sc wide, about 0.5 in (1.3 cm). It runs from front center to back center. When the tube hangs, the strap rises into a narrow loop.
Row 1: Join yarn in the front marked stitch (st 18) on Border Rnd 2. Ch 1, sc in st 18 and st 19. Turn. (2 sc)
Rows 2–32: Ch 1, sc in each of 2 sts. Turn. (2 sc each row)
The strap measures 8 in (20.3 cm). Line up the end of the strap with sts 54 and 55 on the back face. Sl st through both layers in each of the 2 stitches. Fasten off and weave the end into the strap.
Sts 18 and 54 are exactly 36 stitches apart, so the strap is centered on both faces and the holder hangs straight. The loop rises about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) above the rim.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends along the solid bands. Don’t weave them into the chain bars.
- Remove the drawstring.
- Lightly mist the whole tube with water until it is damp but not soaked.
- Roll a towel and slide it into the tube. This gives a 5.7 in (14.5 cm) diameter form.
- Pull the ribs straight and vertical. Ease each chain bar so it lies horizontal.
- Lay the tube flat. Pin it to 9 in (22.9 cm) wide and 15 in (38.1 cm) tall.
- Pin the strap flat at 8 in (20.3 cm).
- Let it dry completely, then remove the towel and pins.
- Thread the drawstring back in and tie the bow.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every round has 72 stitches’ worth: sc, dc, and chains included.
- There are 8 straight ribs of 4 stitches and 14 windows per column.
- No ch-5 bar was accidentally worked into.
- Rnd 35 left the last windows open.
- There are 18 evenly spaced eyelets in Rnd 39.
- The top rim lies flat after the rev sc round.
- The strap is centered on sts 18–19 and 54–55.
- Flat width is 9 in (22.9 cm) and body height is 15 in (38.1 cm).
- The cord is 30 in (76.2 cm) with knotted ends.
Troubleshooting
Ribs spiral around the tube. Join each round into the top of the beginning chain or the first sc, and start the next round in that same stitch. Count each rib before closing the round.
Windows close up or look uneven. You probably worked into a ch-5 sp. Undo the round and let the chain float.
Tube flares at the lattice. Chains that are too loose widen the tube. Make each ch-5 the same width as 5 sc, about 1.25 in (3.2 cm).
Tube pulls in at the lattice. Tight chains shrink the circumference. Loosen them, or chain with the next hook size up.
Top rim ruffles. You worked extra stitches. Border Rnd 1 needs exactly 72 sc.
Bags fall out of the bottom. Pull the drawstring tighter, to an opening of about 1 in (2.5 cm).
Strap stretches. Use firmer tension, or work the strap with a 4.5 mm (7) hook.
Care
Hand wash or machine wash cool on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag. Reshape while damp and lay flat to dry with the drawstring removed.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short. Keep 72 stitches in every round and the tube stays 9 in (22.9 cm) wide flat. The 6-round top band is 1.5 in (3.8 cm), 14 lattice pairs add 10.5 in (26.7 cm), the bottom band adds 2.5 in (6.4 cm), and the border adds 0.5 in (1.3 cm), for a 15 in (38.1 cm) holder. An 8 in (20.3 cm) strap hangs it, and a 30 in (76.2 cm) cord closes the bottom. Check your width after Rnd 6 and your height after Rnd 34, and the rest will follow.
Happy crocheting!