Plastic grocery bags tend to take over a kitchen drawer. This hanging bag holder gives them a tidy home: you stuff used bags in through the wide top and pull them out one at a time through the narrow opening at the bottom.
The holder is a soft lavender tube with mustard yellow granny cluster stripes. It has a solid single crochet rim at the top, a short solid band around the bottom opening, and a sturdy hanging strap. The open granny texture lets you see how many bags are left, and the solid bands keep both openings firm.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is 8 in (20.3 cm) wide when flat and 15.75 in (40.0 cm) tall without the strap. The strap rises about 3 in (7.6 cm) above the rim.
You make it as one seamless piece, from the bottom up, in joined rounds. Start with a 32-stitch band around the opening the bags come out of, then increase to 64 stitches. Work 20 rounds of granny clusters with mustard stripes, switch back to single crochet for the rim, and finish with a strap attached to the back of the rim. There is no sewing and no joining of separate pieces.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 8 in (20.3 cm) wide flat x 15.75 in (40.0 cm) tall
- Circumference: 16 in (40.6 cm) around the body, 8 in (20.3 cm) around the bottom opening
- Skill level: Easy
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted weight (#4)
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1
- Layout: One seamless tube worked bottom-up in joined rounds, with a strap added at the end
- Piece size: 8 x 15.75 in (20.3 x 40.0 cm)
- Size before border (after the last granny round): 8 x 14.25 in (20.3 x 36.2 cm)
- Border (top rim) depth: 1.5 in (3.8 cm), which is 6 rounds of single crochet
Materials
Use a smooth worsted weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds its shape when the holder is full of bags, and it washes well. Acrylic also works, but it stretches more under weight, so the holder may get a little longer over time.
- Color A, lavender: 120 g (approx. 216 m / 236 yd)
- Color B, mustard yellow: 40 g (approx. 72 m / 79 yd)
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- 2 stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- Rust-proof pins
- Spray bottle
- A rolled towel for blocking
These amounts include a margin of about 20 percent to cover your gauge check, the tails from color changes, and small differences in tension.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- rep – repeat
- beg – beginning
- inc – 2 sc in the same st
- PM – place marker
Special stitch – Cluster group (CL): 3 dc worked into the same stitch or space. In the first CL of a round, the beg ch 3 counts as the first dc, so you work ch 3 and then 2 dc.
Gauge and Checkpoints
- Single crochet in the round: 16 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Granny clusters: 4 CL groups, each with its ch-1 sp = 4 in (10.2 cm); 4 granny rnds = 2.5 in (6.4 cm)
Because this is a single piece, the first part of the holder is your test piece. Work Rnds 1–7 and the first 4 granny rounds, then lay the tube flat and measure. If your gauge matches, keep going. If it doesn’t, pull it out and change your hook size. Taking it out at this stage costs much less time than finding a baggy tube at the rim.
Always measure flat width across the folded tube, and smooth it out without stretching. Flat width is half the circumference, so 8 in (20.3 cm) flat means 16 in (40.6 cm) around.
Checkpoints:
- After Rnd 4: 4 in (10.2 cm) wide flat, 1 in (2.5 cm) tall
- After Rnd 7: 8 in (20.3 cm) wide flat, 1.75 in (4.4 cm) tall
- After Rnd 17: 8 in (20.3 cm) tall
- After Rnd 27: 14.25 in (36.2 cm) tall
- After Rnd 33: 15.75 in (40.0 cm) tall
If it’s too big: Go down 0.5 mm in hook size. Loose granny rounds are the most common reason a holder looks baggy.
If it’s too small: Go up 0.5 mm in hook size. A tight bottom band also makes the bags harder to pull out.
Pattern
Join every round with a sl st to the first st. The beg ch 1 does not count as a stitch. The beg ch 3 counts as a dc. Do not turn between rounds.
Bottom Band (Color A)
Rnd 1: Ch 32 and join with a sl st to the first ch to make a ring, taking care not to twist the chain. Ch 1, then sc in each ch around. (32 sc)
Rnds 2–4: Ch 1, sc in each st around. (32 sc)
The band is now 1 in (2.5 cm) tall and 4 in (10.2 cm) wide when flat. This is the opening the bags come out of.
Base Shaping (Color A)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, *sc in next st, inc in next st; rep from * 16 times. (48 sc)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st; rep from * 16 times. (64 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in each st around. (64 sc)
These three rounds add 0.75 in (1.9 cm) of height and give the bottom its gentle taper. The piece should now be 8 in (20.3 cm) wide when flat.
Granny Body
Rnd 8 (conversion round, Color A): Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in the same st as the join, ch 1, skip next 3 sts, *3 dc in next st, ch 1, skip next 3 sts; rep from * 14 more times. Join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch 3.
Count: You work 16 CL into 16 of the 64 sc and skip the other 48 sc. That gives 48 dc + 16 ch = 64 sts, which is 16 CL and 16 ch-1 sps. Each repeat uses 4 sc (1 worked into, 3 skipped), and 16 x 4 = 64.
Rnd 9 (Color A): Sl st in next 2 dc and into the ch-1 sp. Ch 3, 2 dc in the same sp, ch 1, *CL in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; rep from * 14 more times. Join. (16 CL, 16 ch-1 sps) Fasten off Color A.
Rnd 10 (Color B): Join Color B in any ch-1 sp. Ch 3, 2 dc in the same sp, ch 1, *CL in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; rep from * 14 more times. Join. (16 CL, 16 ch-1 sps) Fasten off.
Rnd 11 (Color A): Join Color A in the ch-1 sp one space to the left of the previous round’s join. Work as Rnd 10. (16 CL, 16 ch-1 sps) Fasten off.
Rnds 12–24: Repeat Rnds 10 and 11, ending with a Rnd 10 repeat. Work even rounds in Color B and odd rounds in Color A. (16 CL, 16 ch-1 sps in every round)
You now have 8 mustard stripes, on Rnds 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24.
Rnds 25–27 (Color A): For Rnd 25, join Color A in a ch-1 sp and work as Rnd 10. For Rnds 26 and 27, don’t fasten off between rounds. Instead, sl st across to the next ch-1 sp and work as Rnd 9. (16 CL, 16 ch-1 sps)
Rnds 8–27 are 20 granny rounds, or 12.5 in (31.8 cm) of body. The holder is now 14.25 in (36.2 cm) tall and 8 in (20.3 cm) wide when flat.
Moving each join one space to the left stops the color-change seam from stacking up in one line. Weave in the Color B tails as you go, through clusters of the same color.
Top Rim and Hanging Strap (Border)
Border gauge: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), and 4 rnds = 1 in (2.5 cm). This is the same as your base gauge, which is why the rim lies smooth instead of ruffling or pulling in.
Rnd 28 (conversion round, Color A): Ch 1, sc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp around. Count: 48 sc (1 per dc) + 16 sc (1 per ch-1 sp) = 64 sc. With the holder flat, that is 32 sc on the front and 32 sc on the back.
Rnds 29–33: Ch 1, sc in each st around. (64 sc; 32 per flat side)
The rim is 6 rounds deep, or 1.5 in (3.8 cm). Don’t fasten off.
Why the math works: The granny body is 16 groups of 4 stitches each (3 dc + 1 ch), so it has 64 stitches. Rnd 28 turns each of those 64 stitches back into 1 sc. That gives the rim the same 64-stitch circumference as Rnd 7. At 16 sc per 4 in, that is 16 in (40.6 cm) around, or 8 in (20.3 cm) per flat side, which matches the body exactly.
Strap setup: Lay the holder flat with the joining seam at one folded side. On the back, count the 32 rim stitches from right to left. PM in st 10 and st 23. That leaves 9 sts free on each side of the strap (sts 1–9 and 24–32), so the strap is centered.
Strap Row 1: With Color A still on the hook, sl st along the top of Rnd 33 to the marked st 10. Ch 32, skip the next 12 rim sts, and sl st in st 23. Sl st in st 24. Turn. Sc in each ch. (32 sc) Sl st in st 10, then sl st in st 9. Turn.
Strap Row 2: Sc in each sc. (32 sc) Sl st in st 24 again. Fasten off.
The strap is 8 in (20.3 cm) long. Its ends are anchored 3.25 in (8.3 cm) apart, so it forms an arch about 3 in (7.6 cm) tall. Two rows of sc over a chain make it firm enough to carry a full load of bags.
Final Blocking
- Weave in any remaining tails, through stitches of the same color.
- Turn the holder right side out and lay it flat.
- Roll a towel so it fits snugly inside the body, and slide it in.
- Mist the holder evenly until it is damp but not soaked.
- Shape it to 8 in (20.3 cm) wide and 15.75 in (40.0 cm) tall. Pin the edges if needed.
- Gently straighten each granny round so the clusters line up in vertical columns.
- Shape the bottom band into a neat circle that measures 4 in (10.2 cm) across when flat.
- Lay the strap in a smooth, even arch.
- Let it dry completely, usually 12–24 hours, before you take out the towel.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The bottom band has 32 sc and measures 4 in (10.2 cm) flat.
- Rnds 7 and 28–33 each have 64 sc.
- Every granny round has 16 CL and 16 ch-1 sps.
- There are 8 mustard stripes, with solid lavender rounds above and below them.
- The body measures 8 in (20.3 cm) wide flat at every checkpoint.
- The total height is 15.75 in (40.0 cm).
- The strap is centered on the back, with 9 rim sts free on each side.
- All tails are woven in securely, and there are no loose ends inside.
Troubleshooting
The tube flares wider as it goes: The granny rounds are too loose. Use a smaller hook for the cluster rounds only, or work the ch-1 more tightly.
The tube narrows above the base: You probably skipped 4 sts instead of 3 in Rnd 8, or missed a cluster. Count 16 CL before going on.
The color-change seam leans or stacks: Move each new join one ch-1 sp to the left, as written.
The rim ruffles: Check Rnd 28. Work exactly 1 sc in each ch-1 sp, not 2.
The bags won’t come out easily: The bottom band is too tight. Rework Rnds 1–4 with a 5.5 mm hook, still using 32 sts.
The strap stretches: Work Row 2 more firmly, or add a third row of 32 sc.
Care
Hand wash, or machine wash on a gentle cold cycle, then reshape and dry flat. Don’t tumble dry, because heat can shrink cotton and blur the clusters.
Final Notes
The whole holder rests on one chain of measurements. The 32-sc band makes an opening 8 in (20.3 cm) around. Two increase rounds bring the stitch count to 64, for a circumference of 16 in (40.6 cm). Sixteen 4-stitch cluster groups fit those 64 sts exactly, and the rim turns them back into 64 sc. The height adds up as 1 in (2.5 cm) + 0.75 in (1.9 cm) + 12.5 in (31.8 cm) + 1.5 in (3.8 cm) = 15.75 in (40.0 cm). Check your gauge at Rnd 7 and again after four granny rounds, and the rest will follow.
For the second colorway, swap the colors: use mustard for the main body and lavender for the stripes. All stitch counts stay the same.
Happy crocheting!