This bag holder keeps plastic grocery bags in one place. It is a long, open tube with a solid band at the top, a light V-stitch lattice down the body, and a bottom that is pulled closed with a cord and tied in a bow. You push bags in through the top and pull them out one at a time from the bottom.
The sample pair is coral and turquoise, but each holder uses one color. Bright cotton shows off the lattice well, and the white bags show through the triangular holes for a clean, graphic look.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished tube is 5 in (12.7 cm) wide when flattened, 10 in (25.4 cm) around and 14.5 in (36.8 cm) long, not counting the hanging loop or the bow.
The tube is worked in one piece with no seams. You start at the bottom with a chain ring and work a single crochet band with one eyelet round. Then you work V-stitch lattice rounds and finish with a solid top band. Two short cords make the hanging loop and the drawstring.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 5 in (12.7 cm) wide flattened x 14.5 in (36.8 cm) long
- Circumference: 10 in (25.4 cm)
- Skill level: Easy
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted weight (#4) cotton
- Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 tube + 2 cords (hanging loop and drawstring)
- Layout: Single tube, worked bottom-up in joined rounds
- Piece size: 40 stitches around; 36 rounds tall
- Size before border (bottom band + lattice): 12.75 in (32.4 cm) long
- Border (top band) depth: 1.75 in (4.4 cm), 7 rounds
Materials
Choose a smooth, sturdy worsted weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton keeps its shape when the tube is full and does not stretch under the weight of the bags. Acrylic also works, but the lattice will be softer and may stretch longer.
Yarn (for one holder):
- Main color (coral or turquoise): 75 g, about 115 m (125 yd)
For the matching pair shown, get 75 g, about 115 m (125 yd), of each color. These amounts include about 15% extra for your gauge check and for small differences in tension.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (US H-8) crochet hook
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Rustproof pins and a spray bottle for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
- beg – beginning
- rnd(s) – round(s)
Special stitch – V-stitch (V-st): (dc, ch 2, dc) all in the same stitch or space.
Beginning V-stitch (beg V-st): Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), dc in the same stitch or space.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Single crochet gauge: 16 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm), so each sc round is 0.25 in (0.6 cm) tall.
Lattice gauge: 1 V-st repeat = 1 in (2.5 cm) wide; 2 lattice rnds = 1 in (2.5 cm) tall.
Check your gauge on the first 7 rounds of the bottom band. That small ring is your swatch, so if it measures right, just keep going.
Checkpoints:
- After Rnd 7: the ring lies flat at 5 in (12.7 cm) wide and the band is 1.75 in (4.4 cm) tall.
- After Rnd 17 (10 lattice rnds): total length is 6.75 in (17.1 cm).
- After Rnd 29: total length is 12.75 in (32.4 cm).
- After Rnd 36: total length is 14.5 in (36.8 cm).
If your ring is too big (wider than 5.25 in / 13.3 cm flattened), go down one hook size. If it is too small (narrower than 4.75 in / 12.1 cm), go up one hook size. Do not change the stitch count, because the 40 sts must divide into 10 lattice repeats.
If your lattice rounds are taller than expected, work fewer of them and stop when the piece is 12.75 in (32.4 cm) long. Always finish on a full round.
Bottom Band
Ch 40 and sl st to the first ch to form a ring. Make sure the chain is not twisted.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, sl st to first sc. (40 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (40 sc)
Rnd 3 (eyelet round): Ch 1, *sc in each of next 2 sts, ch 2, skip next 2 sts; rep from * 9 more times, sl st to first sc. (20 sc + 10 ch-2 sps)
These 10 ch-2 spaces are the eyelets for the drawstring. They sit 0.5 in (1.3 cm) above the bottom edge.
Rnd 4 (conversion round): Ch 1, sc in each sc and 2 sc in each ch-2 sp around, sl st to first sc. (20 sc worked 1-per-stitch + 20 sc worked into the 10 spaces = 40 sc)
Rnds 5–7: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (40 sc)
Checkpoint: the band is 1.75 in (4.4 cm) tall and 5 in (12.7 cm) wide flattened.
Lattice Body
Each lattice round has 10 V-stitches. From the second lattice round on, each V-stitch goes into a ch-1 space between two V-stitches of the round below. This staggers them and makes the rows of triangular holes.
Rnd 8 (lattice set-up): Beg V-st in the same st as the join, *ch 1, skip next 3 sts, V-st in next st; rep from * 8 more times, ch 1, skip last 3 sts, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-5. (10 V-sts + 10 ch-1 sps)
Check: each repeat uses 4 sts (1 for the V-st + 3 skipped), and 10 x 4 = 40 sts, so you end exactly where you started.
Rnd 9: Sl st in next ch-2 sp, sl st in next dc, sl st in next ch-1 sp, beg V-st in the same ch-1 sp, *ch 1, skip the next V-st, V-st in next ch-1 sp; rep from * 8 more times, ch 1, skip the last V-st, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-5. (10 V-sts + 10 ch-1 sps)
Rnds 10–29: Rep Rnd 9. (10 V-sts + 10 ch-1 sps in each round)
That makes 22 lattice rounds in total (Rnds 8–29), measuring 11 in (27.9 cm).
The start of each round moves half a repeat around the tube. This is normal, and it keeps the joins from lining up into a visible seam.
Keep the ch-1 between V-stitches the same size as your other chains. If it is too tight, the lattice narrows into a waist. If it is too loose, the holes sag. Every few rounds, flatten the tube and compare the lattice width with the bottom band.
Checkpoint: total length is 12.75 in (32.4 cm), and the lattice lies 5 in (12.7 cm) wide flattened without pulling in.
Border: Top Band
The top band is the border of this piece. It turns the lattice back into a firm rim that keeps the opening round and holds the hanging loop.
Border gauge: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), the same as the bottom band.
Rnd 30 (conversion round): Ch 1, *sc in next dc, sc in next ch-2 sp, sc in next dc, sc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * around, starting with the dc at the join, sl st to first sc. (40 sts and spaces worked 1-per-stitch + 0 extra = 40 sc)
Each lattice repeat has 4 places to work into: 2 dc, 1 ch-2 sp and 1 ch-1 sp. 10 repeats x 4 = 40 sc.
Rnds 31–36: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (40 sc)
Fasten off and weave in the end.
Counts per side: When you flatten the tube, each side (front and back) has 20 sc. The stitches at the two folds are included in those 20 sc, so there are no extra corner stitches: 20 + 20 = 40.
Why the math works: 40 sc at 16 sc per 4 in (10.2 cm) gives 10 in (25.4 cm) around, or 5 in (12.7 cm) flattened. The bottom band, the lattice (10 repeats of 1 in / 2.5 cm) and the top band all use the same 40-stitch base, so the tube is the same width from top to bottom. The top band adds 7 rnds x 0.25 in = 1.75 in (4.4 cm), which takes the length from 12.75 in (32.4 cm) to 14.5 in (36.8 cm).
Cords
Each cord is one row of sc worked into the back bumps of a chain. This makes a firm, rounded cord.
Hanging loop: Ch 41. Sc in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and in each back bump across. (40 sc) Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. The cord is 10 in (25.4 cm) long.
Fold the cord into a loop. Place both ends inside the back of the top band, 2 in (5.1 cm) apart, so each end overlaps the band by 1.5 in (3.8 cm). Sew each end firmly through both layers. The loop stands about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) above the rim.
Drawstring: Ch 101. Sc in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and in each back bump across. (100 sc) Fasten off. The cord is 25 in (63.5 cm) long.
Tie a firm overhand knot 0.5 in (1.3 cm) from each end to make the small knobs. Trim the tails close and secure them with a few stitches.
Starting at the center front, weave the drawstring in and out through the 10 eyelets of Rnd 3, ending back at the center front. Pull it tight until the opening is about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) across, then tie a bow.
Final Blocking
- Untie the drawstring and remove it.
- Lay the tube flat on a towel or blocking mat.
- Mist it until damp but not soaked.
- Gently shape it to 5 in (12.7 cm) wide and 14.5 in (36.8 cm) long.
- Open each triangle in the lattice with your fingers so the V-stitches sit evenly.
- Pin the top and bottom bands straight.
- Let it dry completely, then flip it and let the other side dry.
- Thread the drawstring back through and tie the bow.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- 40 sc in every solid round, top and bottom.
- 10 evenly spaced eyelets, 0.5 in (1.3 cm) from the bottom edge.
- 10 V-sts in every lattice round, 22 lattice rounds in total.
- Flattened width is 5 in (12.7 cm) along the whole length.
- Total length is 14.5 in (36.8 cm).
- Hanging loop is sewn on firmly, with the ends hidden inside the band.
- Drawstring knots are tight, and the bow holds when you pull a bag out.
- All ends are woven in on the inside.
Troubleshooting
The ring twisted. Check the chain before you join the first round. If you find a twist later, you have to start again, because a twist can’t be fixed afterward.
The lattice is narrower than the bands. Your chains are too tight. Loosen the ch-1 between V-sts, or work ch 2 instead of ch 1 between them if needed.
The lattice flares wider than the bands. Your dc are loose. Use a hook one size smaller for the lattice rounds only.
My count is off on Rnd 30. Make sure you worked into all 4 places in each repeat: both dc, the ch-2 sp and the ch-1 sp.
The bottom opening is too wide. Pull the drawstring tighter. If bags still fall out, add one more round of sc below the eyelets on your next holder.
The holder keeps getting longer. Yarns that blend cotton with acrylic can stretch. Work 2 fewer lattice rounds to allow for it.
Care
Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry. Take out the drawstring before washing so it doesn’t tangle.
Final Notes
Every measurement in this pattern builds on the one before it. A 40-stitch base at 16 sc per 4 in (10.2 cm) gives a 10 in (25.4 cm) circumference and a 5 in (12.7 cm) flat width. The bottom band adds 1.75 in (4.4 cm), the 22 lattice rounds add 11 in (27.9 cm) and the top band adds 1.75 in (4.4 cm), for a total of 14.5 in (36.8 cm). Two sturdy single crochet cords finish it with a hanging loop and a knotted bow.
Make one in each favorite color and hang them side by side, like the pair shown.
Happy crocheting!