Every kitchen has that one drawer stuffed with plastic bags. The Sage Pod Mesh Plastic Bag Holder gives them a tidy home on the wall. You push bags in through the top and pull them out, one at a time, from the small opening at the bottom.
The design is a soft teardrop “pod” in an open diamond net. A solid single-crochet band frames the top rim, a smaller solid band forms the bottom dispensing hole, and a sturdy strap folds into a hanging loop. It looks lovely in a muted sage green, and just as good in a warm terracotta. Make one of each if you like to sort bags by size.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder measures about 8 in (20.3 cm) wide at its widest point when laid flat and 15 in (38.1 cm) long, plus a 3 in (7.6 cm) hanging loop. That gives a total hanging length of about 18 in (45.7 cm).
Construction is simple and seamless. You start at the bottom with a solid band and work the net upward in rounds. Longer chain loops widen the body and shorter ones taper the top. You finish with a solid rim band and a strap that you fold and sew into a loop. There is only one short seam.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 8 in (20.3 cm) wide flat x 15 in (38.1 cm) long, plus 3 in (7.6 cm) 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 (worked in one piece, in the round)
- Layout: Single bag shape, worked bottom-up
- Bottom band: 32 sc around, 4.6 in (11.7 cm) wide flat, 1 in (2.5 cm) tall
- Body: 16 net loops around, 8 in (20.3 cm) wide flat at the widest point
- Size before top band: about 13.75 in (34.9 cm) long
- Top band (border) depth: 1.25 in (3.2 cm), 40 sc around
Materials
Yarn: Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds the diamond shape well and does not stretch out under the weight of the bags. Avoid fuzzy or very splitty yarns, which hide the net pattern.
- Main color (sage green or terracotta): 100 g, about 180 m (197 yd)
These quantities include a comfortable margin. The holder itself uses about 85 g.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- 1 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
- sc2tog: single crochet 2 together
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd: round
- ( ) x times: repeat the steps inside the parentheses the stated number of times
Special technique: net loop. A net loop is a chain of the stated length (ch 4, ch 5, ch 6, or ch 7), followed by 1 sc worked into the next loop’s space, not into a chain. Each sc sits at the middle of the loop below, which creates the diamond pattern.
Moving to the loop center: Each net round begins with a few sl sts along the first loop so the new round starts at its center. Each round gives the exact number.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge matters for the fit of the bags and for the overall shape. Use your bottom band as a test piece before you commit to the full holder.
- Solid sc gauge: 14 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Net gauge (ch-7 loops): 1 loop (sc to sc) = 1 in (2.5 cm) wide; 2 rnds = 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall, measured lightly stretched
Test first: Work Rnds 1–4 (the bottom band) and flatten it. It should measure 4.6 in (11.7 cm) across and 1 in (2.5 cm) tall.
- Too big: go down to a 4.5 mm hook.
- Too small: go up to a 5.5 mm hook.
Checkpoints, measured flat:
- After Rnd 4: 4.6 in (11.7 cm) wide, 1 in (2.5 cm) tall
- After Rnd 7: about 2.5 in (6.4 cm) total length
- After Rnd 20: 8 in (20.3 cm) wide, about 12.25 in (31.1 cm) total length
- After Rnd 23: about 13.75 in (34.9 cm) total length
- After Rnd 28: 15 in (38.1 cm) total length
The net is very stretchy. Measure width with the piece gently opened, not pulled.
Bottom Band
The bottom band forms the small dispensing hole. Work it in joined rounds and do not turn.
Foundation: Ch 32. Join with a sl st into the first ch to form a ring. Make sure the chain is not twisted.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, join with sl st to first sc. (32 sc)
Rnds 2–4: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (32 sc)
If the join is hard to see, place a marker in the first sc of each round.
Checkpoint: 4.6 in (11.7 cm) wide flat, 1 in (2.5 cm) tall.
Net Body
The body keeps 16 loops all the way up. Only the loop length changes: longer loops widen the pod, and shorter loops taper it.
Rnd 5 (setup): Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 4, skip next st, (sc in next st, ch 4, skip next st) 15 times, join with sl st to first sc. (16 sc, 16 ch-4 loops)
This round uses all 32 stitches: 16 have an sc worked into them and 16 are skipped.
Rnd 6: Sl st in next 2 ch, ch 1, sc in same ch-4 sp, (ch 5, sc in next ch-4 sp) 15 times, ch 5, join with sl st to first sc. (16 ch-5 loops)
Rnd 7: Sl st in next 3 ch, ch 1, sc in same ch-5 sp, (ch 6, sc in next ch-5 sp) 15 times, ch 6, join with sl st to first sc. (16 ch-6 loops)
Checkpoint: about 2.5 in (6.4 cm) total length. The base should flare out like the bottom of a pod.
Rnd 8: Sl st in next 3 ch, ch 1, sc in same ch-6 sp, (ch 7, sc in next ch-6 sp) 15 times, ch 7, join with sl st to first sc. (16 ch-7 loops)
Rnds 9–20: Sl st in next 4 ch, ch 1, sc in same ch-7 sp, (ch 7, sc in next ch-7 sp) 15 times, ch 7, join with sl st to first sc. (16 ch-7 loops each round)
Rnds 8–20 give 13 rounds of ch-7 loops in total. This is the straight, widest part of the body.
Checkpoint: 8 in (20.3 cm) wide flat, about 12.25 in (31.1 cm) total length.
Rnd 21: Sl st in next 4 ch, ch 1, sc in same ch-7 sp, (ch 6, sc in next ch-7 sp) 15 times, ch 6, join with sl st to first sc. (16 ch-6 loops)
Rnd 22: Sl st in next 3 ch, ch 1, sc in same ch-6 sp, (ch 5, sc in next ch-6 sp) 15 times, ch 5, join with sl st to first sc. (16 ch-5 loops)
Rnd 23: Sl st in next 3 ch, ch 1, sc in same ch-5 sp, (ch 4, sc in next ch-5 sp) 15 times, ch 4, join with sl st to first sc. (16 sc, 16 ch-4 loops)
Checkpoint: about 13.75 in (34.9 cm) total length. The top should now curve inward.
Border: Top Rim Band and Hanging Loop
The top band works as the border of the holder. It firms up the opening and gives the strap a solid base.
Border gauge: 14 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), the same as the bottom band. When the holder is flattened, each side of the rim has 20 sc.
Rnd 24 (conversion): Ch 1, sc in same st as join, 1 sc in next ch-4 sp, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next ch-4 sp, (sc in next sc, 1 sc in next ch-4 sp, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next ch-4 sp) 7 times, join with sl st to first sc. (40 sc)
The count breaks down like this: 16 sc worked one into each existing sc, plus 24 sc placed in the loops (8 loops x 1 sc + 8 loops x 2 sc), for 40 sc.
Rnds 25–28: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (40 sc; 20 sc per flattened side)
Why the math works: At 14 sc per 4 in (10.2 cm), 40 sc gives a circumference of about 11.4 in (29.0 cm), or 5.7 in (14.5 cm) across when flat. That is narrower than the 8 in (20.3 cm) body, so the top gently pulls in. It is also wider than the 4.6 in (11.7 cm) bottom band, so bags go in easily and come out one at a time. Rnds 24–28 add 5 rnds x 0.25 in (0.6 cm) = 1.25 in (3.2 cm), bringing the total length to 15 in (38.1 cm).
Checkpoint: 15 in (38.1 cm) total length.
Hanging strap: Do not fasten off. Flatten the holder so the join sits at one folded edge. Sl st in next 7 sts to reach the center of that side, then work back and forth in rows over the next 6 sts.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in next 6 sts, turn. (6 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. (4 sc)
Rows 3–26: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (4 sc)
That is 24 rows at 0.25 in (0.6 cm) each, about 6 in (15.2 cm). The full strap is about 6.5 in (16.5 cm) long.
Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. Fold the strap toward the inside of the holder and sew the last row to the base of Row 3, on the inside of the rim. This forms a loop about 3 in (7.6 cm) tall. The loop carries the full weight of the bags, so whipstitch through both layers twice.
Weave in the starting tail at the bottom band and any remaining ends.
Final Blocking
Cotton net blocks easily and holds its shape once dry.
- Lightly mist the whole holder with water until it is damp but not dripping.
- Stuff it with a rolled towel or a few plastic bags to fill out the pod shape.
- Gently open the diamonds so they sit evenly, with the sc points lined up in diagonal lines.
- Smooth the top and bottom bands flat and even, and pin the hanging loop into a neat arch.
- Check the width: 8 in (20.3 cm) flat at the widest part.
- Check the length: 15 in (38.1 cm) from the bottom edge to the top rim.
- Let it dry completely before you remove the stuffing.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The bottom band has 32 sc and is 4.6 in (11.7 cm) wide flat.
- Every net round has exactly 16 loops.
- Loop lengths follow 4, 5, 6, 7 (x 13 rounds), 6, 5, 4.
- The top band has 40 sc, 20 per flattened side.
- Total length is 15 in (38.1 cm), plus a 3 in (7.6 cm) loop.
- The strap is sewn securely with no loose stitches.
- All ends are woven in at the solid bands, where they cannot slip out.
- The diamonds look even all around, and no round is twisted.
Troubleshooting
The holder twists in a spiral. Your foundation ring was probably twisted. Before Rnd 1, check that all chains face the same way.
I have 15 or 17 loops in a round. Count the loops at the end of each round. A missing or extra loop usually comes from the round start. Work the first sc in the same space where your sl sts ended.
The net looks lacy at the bottom but tight at the top. Your chain tension may be changing as you go. Count chains carefully and keep them relaxed and even.
Bags fall out of the bottom. The bottom band is too loose. Work it with a hook one size smaller, or add one more sc round.
Bags are hard to pull out. The bottom band is too tight. Use a larger hook for Rnds 1–4.
The loop stretches over time. Work the strap with a hook one size smaller, or sew the folded end with a doubled strand of yarn.
The pod is too short. Add 2 more ch-7 rounds after Rnd 20. Each pair adds about 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
Care
Hand wash, or machine wash on a gentle cold cycle, then reshape and lay flat to dry. Avoid the dryer, which can shrink cotton and distort the net.
Final Notes
The whole holder follows one clear chain of measurements. The 32-sc bottom band is 4.6 in (11.7 cm) wide and 1 in (2.5 cm) tall. Sixteen net loops grow from ch 4 to ch 7, widening the pod to 8 in (20.3 cm), and 13 rounds of ch-7 loops carry it to about 12.25 in (31.1 cm). Three tapering rounds bring it to 13.75 in (34.9 cm), and the 40-sc top band adds 1.25 in (3.2 cm) for a finished length of 15 in (38.1 cm). A 3 in (7.6 cm) loop completes the holder.
Check each stage as you go and the shape will take care of itself. Make a sage one for the kitchen and a terracotta one for the laundry room, and that bag drawer will finally close.
Happy crocheting!