Tidy up the bag drawer with this teardrop-shaped bag holder. You push bags in through the wide top and pull them out one at a time from a small slot near the bottom. Deep teal and cream give it a fresh coastal look, and four rows of cream scallops make it nice enough to hang where people can see it.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. It is written for worsted-weight cotton, which is sturdy, holds its shape, and is easy to wash. The finished holder is about 9 in (22.9 cm) wide at its widest point and about 16.5 in (41.9 cm) long when laid flat. The handle loop rises about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) above the rim, so the total hanging height is about 21 in (53.3 cm).
Here is how it is built. You start with a flat single-crochet circle for the base, then increase gently to curve it into a rounded bottom. For a few rows you work back and forth instead of in the round, which leaves a gap for the dispensing slot. After that, the body is worked in rounds of solid double crochet, open mesh, and cream shells. Decreases shape the teardrop, and the rim is finished with single crochet. The strap is worked straight up from one side of the rim and joined to the other side. A final edging round tidies the rim and strap, and a cream edging frames the slot.
Everything is one piece. There are no motifs to join.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 9 in (22.9 cm) wide × 16.5 in (41.9 cm) long, laid flat
- Hanging height with handle: about 21 in (53.3 cm)
- Skill level: Easy-Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Medium / worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 (the handle is worked straight from the body)
- Layout: worked in the round from the bottom up, with 5 turned rows for the slot
- Base diameter: 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Size before edging: 9 in (22.9 cm) × 16.25 in (41.3 cm)
- Edging depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) at the rim; 0.5 in (1.3 cm) to 0.75 in (1.9 cm) around the slot
- Finished slot: about 3 in (7.6 cm) × 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Acrylic also works, but it stretches more, and a heavy load of bags will slowly pull it longer.
- Color A, deep teal: 150 g, about 285 m (312 yd)
- Color B, cream: 50 g, about 95 m (104 yd)
These amounts include roughly a 20% margin for your gauge swatch and tension differences.
Tools:
– 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
– 4 stitch markers
– Tapestry needle
– Scissors
– Measuring tape
– A rolled towel for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- inc – 2 sc in the same stitch
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together (one decrease)
- dc2tog – double crochet 2 together (one decrease)
- rep – repeat
- RS – right side
Special stitch: Shell. Work 5 dc into the same stitch.
Notes:
– In dc rounds, the starting ch 3 counts as the first dc.
– In sc rounds, the starting ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
– Join every round with a sl st to the first stitch unless the pattern says otherwise.
Gauge and Checkpoints
- Single crochet: 16 sts × 16 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Double crochet: 16 sts × 8 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Shell pattern: one 6-stitch repeat = 1.5 in (3.8 cm)
Before you start the holder, test your gauge by working the base (Rnds 1–8). It should measure 4 in (10.2 cm) across. If it is bigger, switch to a 4.5 mm hook. If it is smaller, switch to a 5.5 mm hook.
The checkpoints below are measured with the piece flattened. “Height” means the distance up from the fold at the edge of the base.
- After Rnd 14: 9 in (22.9 cm) wide; wall height 1.5 in (3.8 cm)
- After Rnd 21: height 4.75 in (12.1 cm)
- After Rnd 26: height 7.5 in (19.1 cm)
- After Rnd 31: height 10.25 in (26.0 cm); width 7.5 in (19.1 cm)
- After Rnd 36: height 13.25 in (33.7 cm); width 6 in (15.2 cm)
- After Rnd 40: height 14.25 in (36.2 cm); rim width 5.25 in (13.3 cm)
If the width is right but the height is short, your dc are probably too short. Pull up a slightly taller loop and keep the same hook. If the width is off by more than 0.5 in (1.3 cm), change hook size rather than adding or removing stitches. The shell bands only work out if the stitch counts stay multiples of 6.
Base (Color A)
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 1, 6 sc into the ring. Join. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in next st, inc in next st; rep around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, inc; rep around. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sts, inc; rep around. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in next 4 sts, inc; rep around. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in next 5 sts, inc; rep around. (42 sts)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc in next 6 sts, inc; rep around. (48 sts)
Checkpoint: the base should lie flat and measure 4 in (10.2 cm) across.
Rounded Bottom (Color A)
These rounds add fewer stitches than the base did, so the edge starts to curve upward.
Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in next 7 sts, inc; rep around. (54 sts)
Rnd 10: Ch 1, sc in each st around. (54 sts)
Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc in next 8 sts, inc; rep around. (60 sts)
Rnd 12: Ch 1, sc in each st around. (60 sts)
Rnd 13: Ch 1, sc in next 9 sts, inc; rep around. (66 sts)
Rnd 14: Ch 1, sc in next 10 sts, inc; rep around. (72 sts)
Lower Body and Dispensing Slot (Color A)
Rnd 15: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join to the top of the ch 3. (72 sts)
Row 16: Ch 3, dc in next 55 sts. Leave the last 16 sts unworked. (56 sts)
Rows 17–20: Ch 3, turn, dc in next 55 sts. (56 sts each row)
At the end of Row 20, ch 16. Without turning, sl st to the top of the ch 3 at the start of Row 20. This ch 16 closes the top of the slot. The opening is 16 sts wide (4 in / 10.2 cm) and 5 dc rows tall (2.5 in / 6.4 cm).
Rnd 21: Ch 1. Sc in the same st as the join and in the next 55 dc, then sc in each of the 16 ch. Join. (72 sts: 56 + 16)
The center of the slot marks the front of the holder.
Shell and Mesh Body
Rnd 22 (Color B): Join B with a sc in any st. Sk 2 sts, Shell in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st; rep around, ending with sk 2 sts. Join to the first sc. Fasten off B. (12 shells + 12 sc = 72 sts)
Rnd 23 (Color A, transition): Join A with a sc in the center (3rd) dc of any shell. Ch 2, tr in next sc, ch 2, sc in center dc of next shell; rep around. End with ch 2, tr in the last sc, ch 2, and join. (12 sc + 12 tr + 48 ch = 72 sts)
Rnd 24: Ch 3, dc in each ch and each st around. Work into the chains themselves, not around them, so the count stays exact. (72 sts)
Rnd 25 (mesh): Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), sk next st. Dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st; rep around. Join to the 3rd ch of the ch 4. (36 dc + 36 ch-1 sps = 72)
Rnd 26: Ch 3, dc in each ch-1 sp and each dc around. (72 sts)
Rnd 27 (B): Rep Rnd 22. (12 shells = 72 sts)
Rnd 28 (A): Rep Rnd 23. (72 sts)
Rnd 29 (decrease): Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog. Dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog; rep 10 more times. (60 sts)
Rnd 30 (mesh): Work as Rnd 25. (30 dc + 30 ch-1 sps = 60)
Rnd 31: Ch 3, dc in each sp and st around. (60 sts)
Rnd 32 (B): Shell round as Rnd 22. (10 shells + 10 sc = 60 sts)
Rnd 33 (A): Transition round as Rnd 23. (10 sc + 10 tr + 40 ch = 60 sts)
Rnd 34 (decrease): Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog. Dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog; rep 10 more times. (48 sts)
Rnd 35 (B): Shell round. (8 shells + 8 sc = 48 sts)
Rnd 36 (A): Transition round. (8 sc + 8 tr + 32 ch = 48 sts)
Rim (Color A)
Rnd 37: Ch 1, sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog; rep around. (42 sts)
Rnds 38–40: Ch 1, sc in each st around. (42 sts)
Do not fasten off yet.
Handle (Color A)
Flatten the holder so the slot is centered on the front. Mark the two side folds of the rim.
- On the right side, place markers on the 2 sts on either side of the fold, so 4 sts are marked.
- Do the same on the left side.
- You should now have 17 unmarked sts across the front and 17 across the back. (4 + 17 + 4 + 17 = 42)
Row 1: Sl st across to the first of the 4 right-side marked sts. Sc in each of the 4 marked sts. (4 sts)
Rows 2–48: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (4 sts each row)
Checkpoint: the strap should measure 12 in (30.5 cm) long and 1 in (2.5 cm) wide.
Make sure the strap is not twisted. Hold the last row against the 4 marked sts on the left side. Sl st through both layers in each pair of stitches (4 sl sts). Fasten off.
Border
The border is the cream edging around the slot plus a teal edging round on the rim and handle.
Border gauge: use the single crochet gauge, 16 sts = 4 in (10.2 cm). Along the sides of rows:
– A sc row is about as tall as a sc is wide, so work 1 sc into the end of each sc row.
– A dc row is as tall as 2 sc, so work 2 sc into the end of each dc row.
This keeps every edge flat. It won’t ruffle or pucker.
Slot Edging (Color B)
Rnd 1: With RS facing, join B in the first unworked st of Rnd 15 at the bottom of the slot. Work in this order:
– Sc in the same st and the next 15 sts along the bottom. (16)
– 2 sc in the end of each of Rows 16–20 up the side. (10)
– Sc into the bottom loop of each of the 16 ch across the top. (16)
– 2 sc in each row end down the other side. (10)
Join. (52 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1. Work in this order:
– Sc in the next 16 sts along the bottom.
– Sc in the next 10 sts up the side.
– Across the top: sk 1 st, 3 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st; rep 4 times in total. (16 sts)
– Sc in the next 10 sts down the side.
Join and fasten off. (40 sc + 12 dc = 52 sts)
Why the math works: each side measures 2.5 in (6.4 cm), which is 10 sc at 4 sc per inch. Each long edge has 16 sts, which matches the 16 sts skipped in Rnd 15 and the 16 ch. Each scallop repeat uses 4 sts, so 16 sts divide into exactly 4 scallops.
After edging, the slot is about 3 in (7.6 cm) × 1.25 in (3.2 cm). That is wide enough to grab a bag but small enough to hold the rest inside.
Rim and Handle Edging (Color A)
Rnd 1: Join A at the front rim, right next to the handle. Work in this order:
– Sc in each of the 17 front rim sts.
– 1 sc in each of the 48 row ends up and across one edge of the handle.
– Sc in each of the 17 back rim sts.
– 1 sc in each of the 48 row ends along the other edge of the handle.
Join and fasten off. (17 + 48 + 17 + 48 = 130 sts)
Why the math works: the 17 front and 17 back sts are exactly the rim stitches the handle didn’t use. Since 1 sc fits each sc row end, 48 rows gives 48 sts per edge.
The edging adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) to the rim. That brings the body to its final 16.5 in (41.9 cm) and the handle to 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends, running each tail within its own color band.
- Soak the holder in cool water for 10 minutes. Gently press the water out without wringing.
- Roll it in a towel to remove the extra water.
- Stuff the body loosely with a dry towel or plastic bags to shape it into a teardrop.
- Lay it flat and pat it to 9 in (22.9 cm) wide and 16.5 in (41.9 cm) long.
- Pin the slot open to 3 in (7.6 cm) × 1.25 in (3.2 cm), and gently open up each scallop.
- Hang the handle straight down so it dries 12 in (30.5 cm) long without twisting.
- Let it dry completely before you use it.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The base lies flat at 4 in (10.2 cm) across before the bottom curves up.
- Stitch counts are 72 / 60 / 48 / 42 at each section.
- There are 4 cream shell bands, with 12, 12, 10, and 8 shells.
- The mesh rounds have even holes, and no dc is missing.
- The slot is centered on the front, and the handle sits exactly at the side folds.
- The handle is untwisted and firmly joined.
- All ends are woven in securely.
Troubleshooting
Base cups early: your sc tension is too tight. Go up a hook size for Rnds 1–8.
Shell rounds don’t come out even: the stitch count from the round before is wrong. Recount; it must be a multiple of 6.
Slot edges gape: you worked fewer than 2 sc per dc row end. Redo the slot edging.
Rim ruffles: you skipped the Rnd 37 decreases. Go back and work them.
Handle stretches: cotton relaxes over time. Work it with a 4.5 mm hook, or line it with grosgrain ribbon.
Holder leans: the handle is off-center. Recount the 17 front and 17 back sts.
Care
Hand wash in cool water, or machine wash on a gentle cycle inside a mesh bag. Reshape and dry flat. Do not tumble dry, because the cotton will shrink and the scallops will distort.
Final Notes
Here is the measurement chain from start to finish:
– The 48-stitch base is 4 in (10.2 cm) across.
– The body grows to 72 sts, or 9 in (22.9 cm) flat.
– The slot is 4 in (10.2 cm) by 2.5 in (6.4 cm) before edging.
– The body tapers through 60 and 48 sts to a 42-st rim, 5.25 in (13.3 cm) flat.
– The 48-row strap is 12 in (30.5 cm) long.
– The edging brings the body to its final 16.5 in (41.9 cm).
If each checkpoint matches, the finished holder will too. Hang it near the door or sink, fill it from the top, and pull bags out from the bottom.
Happy crocheting!