This plastic bag holder is a tall, slim tube covered in deep waffle stitch. Raised post stitches form a tidy grid of square cells on the outside. You stuff used grocery bags in through the open top, pull them out one at a time through an arched opening near the bottom of the front, and hang the whole thing from a wall knob by its strap.
The sample is worked in a warm caramel tan cotton. A dusty denim blue version uses exactly the same pattern and amounts, so pick whichever color suits your kitchen. The style is rustic farmhouse, and the texture looks the same from every angle.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder measures 7.2 in (18.3 cm) wide when flat and 16.75 in (42.5 cm) tall, not counting the strap. With the strap pulled up to a point, it hangs about 20.75 in (52.7 cm) tall.
Construction is simple. You start with a chain and work single crochet along both sides of it to close the bottom. Then you work up in waffle-stitch rounds, switching to turned rows for a few rows to leave the dispenser opening, then back to rounds. Two single crochet rounds finish the top, a trim round neatens the opening, and a single crochet strap is worked onto the top edge.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 7.2 in (18.3 cm) wide flat x 16.75 in (42.5 cm) tall
- Circumference: 14.4 in (36.6 cm)
- Skill level: Intermediate (front and back post stitches, working in the round and in rows)
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1, a single tube with the strap worked directly onto it
- Layout: One holder; no joining
- Piece size: 54 stitches around, 39 rounds/rows tall
- Size before border: 7.2 in (18.3 cm) x 16.25 in (41.3 cm) after Rnd 37
- Border depth: 0.5 in (1.3 cm) top edge, plus a one-round trim around the opening
- Dispenser opening: 3.2 in (8.1 cm) wide x 2.7 in (6.9 cm) tall before trim
- Strap: 1 in (2.5 cm) wide x about 11 in (27.9 cm) long
Materials
Use a smooth, firm worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds the waffle grid crisply and won’t stretch out under the weight of the bags. Avoid fuzzy or very soft acrylic, which blurs the cells.
- Caramel tan (main color): 220 g, about 385 m (421 yd)
- Optional dusty blue version: swap in the same 220 g, about 385 m (421 yd)
Waffle stitch uses a lot of yarn because every post stitch wraps around the stitch below it. These quantities include a margin of about 15 percent.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- 4 locking stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Blocking mat and pins, plus a spray bottle
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- FPdc – front post double crochet
- BPdc – back post double crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
- rep – repeat
Special stitches
- FPdc: Yarn over, insert the hook from front to back to front around the post of the stitch indicated, yarn over and pull up a loop, then (yarn over, pull through 2 loops) twice.
- BPdc: Same as FPdc, but insert the hook from back to front to back around the post. On WS rows this pushes the post toward the RS, so the grid stays on the outside.
Waffle Round A (54 sts): *FPdc around next st, dc in next 2 sts; rep from * around. = 18 FPdc + 36 dc.
Waffle Round B (54 sts): *dc in next st, FPdc around next 2 sts; rep from * around. = 18 dc + 36 FPdc.
The ch-2 at the start of each round or row does not count as a stitch.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 15 sts and 9 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in waffle pattern. Single crochet: 16 sts and 18 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm).
Test first: Ch 17. Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across (15 dc). Then alternate RS rows of FPdc around next st, dc in next 2 sts and WS rows of BPdc around next 2 sts, dc in next st, beginning each row with ch 2 and turn. After 9 rows, your swatch should be 4 in (10.2 cm) square.
Checkpoints (laid flat):
- After Rnd 1: base about 6.75–7.25 in (17.1–18.4 cm) long
- After Rnd 4: width 7.2 in (18.3 cm), height 1.6 in (4.1 cm)
- After Row 10: height 4.25 in (10.8 cm)
- After Rnd 20: height 8.7 in (22.1 cm)
- After Rnd 37: height 16.25 in (41.3 cm)
- After Rnd 39: height 16.75 in (42.5 cm)
If your work is too big, go down half a hook size. If it is too small, go up half a hook size. Don’t add or remove stitches, because the waffle repeat needs a multiple of 3. Height can be adjusted by adding or removing rounds in pairs (one A, one B) between Rnds 12 and 37.
Pattern
Base
Rnd 1: Ch 28. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (27 sc). Rotate the work and, working in the free loops on the other side of the foundation, sc in each of the same 27 chs (27 sc). Join with a sl st to the first sc. (54 sc)
The first 27 sc are the front of the holder and the last 27 are the back. The foundation chain becomes a closed, flat bottom seam.
Sl st in each of the next 18 sc. You are now at sc 19 on the front. This moves the start of the round so the opening will sit at the center of the front. The sl sts disappear into the bottom edge.
Rnd 2: Ch 2, dc in next sc (sc 20) and in each sc around, working into the sc beneath the sl sts. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (54 dc)
Lower Body
Rnd 3: Ch 2, work Waffle Round A. Join. (54: 18 FPdc + 36 dc)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, work Waffle Round B. Join. (54: 18 dc + 36 FPdc)
Checkpoint: 7.2 in (18.3 cm) wide flat and 1.6 in (4.1 cm) tall.
Dispenser Opening (Worked in Rows)
The last 12 sts of the round sit at the center of the front, with 7 front sts to one side of them and 8 to the other. Those 12 sts stay unworked for six rows.
Row 5 (RS): Ch 2, FPdc around next st, dc in next 2 sts; rep from * 13 more times. Leave the remaining 12 sts unworked. Turn. (42: 14 FPdc + 28 dc)*
Row 6 (WS): Ch 2, BPdc around next 2 sts, dc in next st; rep from * across. Turn. (42: 28 BPdc + 14 dc)*
Rows 7 and 9 (RS): Rep Row 5. (42 each)
Rows 8 and 10 (WS): Rep Row 6. (42 each)
You finish Row 10 at the edge of the opening where Row 5 began.
Close the opening: Ch 12. Without twisting, join with a sl st to the first st of Row 10 on the far edge of the opening. Do not turn.
Checkpoint: 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall. The opening is 3.2 in (8.1 cm) wide and 2.7 in (6.9 cm) tall.
Upper Body
Rnd 11: Ch 2, dc in each of the 12 chs, working into one loop only and leaving the other loop free for the trim. Then FPdc around next st, dc in next 2 sts; rep from * 13 more times. Join. (54: 12 dc over the chain + 14 FPdc + 28 dc)*
The round now starts at the edge of the opening. The join seam runs next to a raised post column, where it hides well.
Rnd 12: Ch 2, work Waffle Round B. Join. (54: 18 dc + 36 FPdc)
The FPdc in Rnd 12 wrap around the dc over the chain, so the grid continues unbroken above the opening.
Rnds 13–37: Alternate Waffle Round A (odd rounds) and Waffle Round B (even rounds), joining each round. Rnd 37 is an A round. (54 sts in every round)
Checkpoint after Rnd 20: 8.7 in (22.1 cm). After Rnd 37: 16.25 in (41.3 cm).
Border
The border is made up of the top edge, the opening trim, and the strap. All three are single crochet at 16 sts = 4 in (10.2 cm).
Top Edge
Rnd 38 (trim): Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (54 sc worked 1 per st + 0 added = 54)
Rnd 39: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (54 sc) Fasten off.
Checkpoint: 16.75 in (42.5 cm) tall.
Why the math works: A single crochet is slightly narrower than a waffle stitch, so 54 sc gently pulls the rim in. That gives the top a firm, slightly snug edge that doesn’t flare. Each side of the flattened top holds 27 sc, which is 6.75 in (17.1 cm) at sc gauge, so the rim sits just inside the 7.2 in (18.3 cm) body width.
Opening Trim
With RS facing, join yarn at the lower right corner of the opening.
Rnd 1: Ch 1. Then work each side as follows:
- Bottom: 1 sc in each of the 12 unworked sts of Rnd 4 (12 sc)
- Left side: 2 sc in each of the 6 row-ends (12 sc)
- Top: 1 sc in each of the 12 free chain loops (12 sc)
- Right side: 2 sc in each of the 6 row-ends (12 sc)
Join. (48 sc: 4 sides x 12) Fasten off.
Why the math works: The bottom and top each have 12 sts, so 1 sc per st keeps them flat. A dc row is about as tall as two sc, so 2 sc per row-end matches 2.7 in (6.9 cm) of height without ruffling. There are no extra corner stitches, which lets the corners round off into the soft arch shape. After trimming, the opening measures about 2.7 in (6.9 cm) x 2.2 in (5.6 cm).
Hanging Strap
Flatten the holder with the opening centered on the front. Place a marker at each side fold of Rnd 39.
Row 1: With RS facing, join yarn in the 2nd st before one marker. Ch 1, sc in the same st and in each of the next 3 sts, so the 4 sts are centered on the fold. Turn. (4 sc)
Rows 2–50: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (4 sc)
The strap should measure about 11 in (27.9 cm). Check that it isn’t twisted. Hold the end of the strap against the 4 sts centered on the opposite fold, on the inside of the rim, and sl st through both layers in each of the 4 sts. Fasten off.
When it hangs, the strap rises to a point about 4 in (10.2 cm) above the rim.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends on the WS, following the post columns.
- Lay the holder flat, with the opening centered on the front and the folds along the sides.
- Pin it to 7.2 in (18.3 cm) wide x 16.75 in (42.5 cm) tall.
- Stuff a rolled towel inside to open up the cells, and shape the corners of the opening into a gentle arch.
- Mist the holder until it’s damp. Don’t soak it or press it, because flattening the posts kills the waffle texture.
- Pin the strap straight and let everything dry completely.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every round has 54 sts, and every opening row has 42.
- The grid columns run straight from the base to the rim.
- The opening is centered on the front and starts 1.6 in (4.1 cm) above the base.
- The bottom seam is closed with no gaps.
- The opening trim has 48 sc and lies flat.
- The top rim is 54 sc and doesn’t flare.
- The strap is attached exactly at the side folds and isn’t twisted.
- Size is 7.2 in (18.3 cm) x 16.75 in (42.5 cm).
Troubleshooting
- The grid is offset or diagonal: You probably started a round in the wrong place. Each A round must put an FPdc above the dc column from the B round below it. Count your repeats.
- The opening rows lean: You missed the turn or worked FPdc on a WS row. WS rows always use BPdc.
- The opening trim ruffles: Work 3 sc over every 2 row-ends on the sides instead of 2 sc per row-end.
- The top flares: Go down one hook size for Rnds 38–39.
- The holder is too wide: Your gauge is loose. Restart with a smaller hook rather than skipping stitches.
- The strap stretches: Use a stiffer cotton, or work it with a hook one size smaller.
Care
Hand wash in cool water, press out the water in a towel, and dry flat, reshaping the grid while it’s damp. Don’t tumble dry, because heat shrinks cotton unevenly.
Final Notes
Here is the measurement chain: 15 sts = 4 in (10.2 cm), so 54 sts around makes 14.4 in (36.6 cm), or 7.2 in (18.3 cm) flat. Thirty-six dc-height rounds at 9 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm) add 16 in (40.6 cm). With the base and the 0.5 in (1.3 cm) rim, the body is 16.75 in (42.5 cm) tall. The 12-st, 6-row opening gives 3.2 in x 2.7 in (8.1 cm x 6.9 cm), and the 50-row strap gives about 11 in (27.9 cm). If you hit each checkpoint, the holder will hang straight and dispense bags neatly.
Happy crocheting!