This hanging plastic bag holder is a tall crochet tube in warm cocoa brown, decorated with three golden sunflowers and three olive-green leaves. You push bags in through the wide top and pull them out one at a time through a small opening at the bottom, which is stiffened with a plastic ring. A slim golden-yellow strap hangs it from a wall peg or hook.
The colors are cozy and rustic: cocoa brown for the body, mustard-gold petals, dark chocolate flower centers and soft olive leaves. The sunflowers sit on the front and wrap slightly around the left side, so the holder looks good from the front and from an angle.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished body is 6 in (15.2 cm) wide when laid flat and 13.5 in (34.3 cm) tall, with a 12 in (30.5 cm) circumference. The bottom opening is built around a 3 in (7.6 cm) plastic ring.
Construction is simple. First you single crochet around the plastic ring. Then you work the tube upward in joined rounds, increasing to full width. The sunflowers and leaves are made separately and sewn on. Last, you add the top border and the strap.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 6 in (15.2 cm) flat width x 13.5 in (34.3 cm) tall, not counting the strap loop
- Skill level: Easy-intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Number of pieces: 1 tube body with strap, 3 sunflowers (1 large, 2 medium), 3 leaves
- Layout: Flowers and leaves grouped on the front, wrapping slightly onto the left side
- Body size before border: 6 in (15.2 cm) x 13 in (33.0 cm)
- Top border depth: 0.5 in (1.3 cm)
- Large sunflower: 4.5 in (11.4 cm) across
- Medium sunflowers: 3 in (7.6 cm) across
- Leaves: about 2.25 in (5.7 cm) long
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds its shape, doesn’t stretch much under the weight of the bags, and shows the petal stitches clearly. The amounts below assume a yarn with about 170 m per 100 g.
- Cocoa brown (body): 80 g, about 136 m
- Golden yellow (petals and strap): 25 g, about 43 m
- Dark brown (flower centers): 10 g, about 17 m
- Olive green (leaves): 10 g, about 17 m
These amounts include an extra 15-20 percent to cover gauge swatching and differences in tension.
Tools:
- 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook
- 1 plastic ring, 3 in (7.6 cm) across (a craft ring, or a ring cut from a sturdy lid)
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Sewing pins
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- A rolled towel to slide inside the body while you sew
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- inc – 2 sc in the same stitch
- MR – magic ring
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sk – skip
- rnd(s) – round(s)
Special stitch – Sc over ring: Put the hook through the center of the plastic ring, yarn over, and pull up a loop on the outside of the ring. Yarn over again and pull through both loops. The yarn wraps all the way around the ring.
Special stitch – Pointed petal: Chain the number given. Then work back along the chain, starting in the 2nd ch from the hook and using taller stitches as you go. The shortest stitch is at the tip, so the petal narrows to a point.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc x 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm), worked in joined rounds.
Make a test section first. Work Rnd 1 around the ring and Rnds 2-8 of the body, then stop and measure. This short section tells you everything you need to know.
- After Rnd 1: 36 sc cover the ring completely, with no gaps and no ruffling.
- After Rnd 8: The piece is 2 in (5.1 cm) tall and 6 in (15.2 cm) wide when flattened.
- After Rnd 32: The body is 8 in (20.3 cm) tall.
- After Rnd 52: The body is 13 in (33.0 cm) tall.
- After the border: The body is 13.5 in (34.3 cm) tall and still 6 in (15.2 cm) wide.
If your piece is too big (wider than 6.5 in / 16.5 cm when flat), use a hook one size smaller. If it is too small (narrower than 5.5 in / 14.0 cm when flat), use a hook one size larger. To change the height, add or remove plain rounds between Rnds 6 and 52. Every 4 rounds adds or removes 1 in (2.5 cm).
Body
The body is worked from the bottom up in joined rounds with cocoa brown. At the end of each round, sl st to the first sc and ch 1 (the ch 1 does not count as a stitch). Keep the joins lined up in a straight line; this line is the center back.
Rnd 1: Make a slip knot on the hook. Work 36 sc over the plastic ring. Slide the stitches together so they cover the ring evenly. Join. (36 sts)
Rnd 2: Sc in each st around. Join. (36 sts)
Rnd 2 sits on top of the ring stitches, so the work starts to rise as a short collar instead of lying flat.
Rnd 3: *Sc 5, inc; repeat from * 6 times. Join. (42 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. Join. (42 sts)
Rnd 5: *Sc 6, inc; repeat from * 6 times. Join. (48 sts)
The bottom now widens gradually from the ring to full width, giving the rounded lower edge.
Rnds 6-52: Sc in each st around. Join. (48 sts each round)
Put a marker in every 10th round to make counting easier. Check your measurements at Rnd 8 and again at Rnd 32.
After Rnd 52 the body is 13 in (33.0 cm) tall and 6 in (15.2 cm) wide when flat. Fasten off and leave the end hanging at center back. You will rejoin here for the border after the flowers and leaves are sewn on.
Sunflowers
Make 3 sunflowers: 1 large and 2 medium. When you fasten off the yellow, leave a long tail for sewing.
Large Sunflower (make 1)
With dark brown:
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. Join. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st. Join. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: *Sc 1, inc; repeat from * 6 times. Join. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: *Sc 2, inc; repeat from * 6 times. Join. (24 sts)
The center is now 2 in (5.1 cm) across. Fasten off the dark brown.
Rnd 5 (petal round): Join golden yellow in any st. *Ch 6. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, work sl st, sc, hdc, dc, tr (5 sts along the chain). Skip 1 st of Rnd 4 and sl st in the next st. Repeat from * 12 times; the last sl st goes into the st where you joined the yellow. (12 petals)
Each petal uses 2 sts of Rnd 4, and 24 ÷ 2 = 12, so the petals fit exactly. Each petal is about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) long, which makes the flower 4.5 in (11.4 cm) across. Fasten off and leave a 16 in (40.6 cm) tail.
Medium Sunflower (make 2)
With dark brown:
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. Join. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st. Join. (12 sts)
The center is 1 in (2.5 cm) across. Fasten off the dark brown.
Rnd 3 (petal round): Join golden yellow in any st. *Ch 5. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, work sl st, sc, hdc, dc (4 sts along the chain). Sl st in the next st of Rnd 2. Repeat from * 12 times; the last sl st goes into the st where you joined the yellow. (12 petals)
Each petal uses 1 st, so 12 sts give 12 petals. Each petal is about 1 in (2.5 cm) long, which makes the flower 3 in (7.6 cm) across. Fasten off and leave a 14 in (35.6 cm) tail.
Leaves
Make 3 leaves with olive green.
Ch 9. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, work sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc (7 sts). In the last ch, work (sc, ch 2, sc) to make the tip. Turn the piece and work along the other side of the starting chain: sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc (7 sts). Sl st to the first sc. (16 sts plus 1 ch-2 space at the tip)
Each leaf is about 2.25 in (5.7 cm) long and 1 in (2.5 cm) wide. Fasten off and leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Make All Pieces
Before you start putting the holder together, check that you have:
- Cocoa brown: 1 body
- Dark brown and golden yellow: 1 large sunflower and 2 medium sunflowers
- Olive green: 3 leaves
- Golden yellow: strap, which you will work onto the body later
Placement map (front of the body, top to bottom):
[ top edge ]
[Medium A] [Leaf 1] [Leaf 2]
[Medium A] [ Large sunflower ]
[Leaf 3 ] [ Large sunflower ]
[Medium B] [ Large sunflower ]
[Medium B]
[ bottom ring ]
- Medium A: Upper left. The top petals sit 1 in (2.5 cm) below the body’s top edge, and the flower wraps slightly around the left side.
- Large sunflower: Front, a little right of center. Its center sits 5 in (12.7 cm) below the top edge.
- Medium B: Lower left. The lowest petals sit 2 in (5.1 cm) above the bottom ring.
- Leaf 1: Between Medium A and the top of the large flower, with the tip pointing up and to the right.
- Leaf 2: Upper right edge, with the tip pointing up.
- Leaf 3: Left side, between the two medium flowers, with the tip angled toward the large flower.
Attaching the Appliqués
Slide a rolled towel inside the body so you never sew through both layers. Pin each piece in place using the map, then step back and check the front before you sew.
Sew each sunflower with its yellow tail. First, whip stitch around the outer edge of the dark brown center, catching one strand of the body with each stitch. Then tack each petal near its base, and again 0.5 in (1.3 cm) from the tip. This keeps the petals flat without losing their shape.
Sew each leaf with its green tail, using small running stitches down the middle, then tack the tip. Where a leaf meets a flower, tuck the leaf’s base slightly under the petals.
Keep your sewing tension loose. Tight stitches will pucker the body and pull it narrower than 6 in (15.2 cm). When you finish, flatten the body and measure again: it should still be 6 in (15.2 cm) wide.
Top Border and Strap
The top border keeps the rim firm so bags slide in easily. Work it at the same gauge as the body: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), so 48 sts = 12 in (30.5 cm) around.
Rejoin cocoa brown at the center back join of Rnd 52.
Border Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (48 sts: 24 across the front half, 24 across the back half)
Border Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (48 sts: 24 front, 24 back)
Border Rnd 3: Loosely sl st in each st around. (48 sl sts: 24 front, 24 back) Fasten off and weave in the end.
Why the math works: The body already has 48 sts, which is 12 in (30.5 cm) at this gauge. Working 1 st into each st keeps the rim exactly as wide as the tube, so it doesn’t flare out or pull in. The 2 sc rounds add 0.5 in (1.3 cm), so the height goes from 13 in (33.0 cm) to 13.5 in (34.3 cm). The sl st round gives a firm, neat edge but adds almost no height.
Strap: Flatten the body so the join line runs down the center back. Count 3 sts to the right of the join line and join golden yellow in that st. Ch 40, skip the next 5 sts of the rim, and sl st in the 6th st. Turn and work 1 sc in each ch (40 sc). Sl st in the st where you started. Fasten off and weave the ends in firmly on the inside.
The strap is about 10 in (25.4 cm) long and forms a loop about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall above the rim.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all remaining ends on the inside of the body.
- Lightly mist the body and the flowers and leaves with water.
- Slide a rolled towel inside the body, rolled to about 12 in (30.5 cm) around.
- Smooth the tube so the join line runs straight up the center back.
- Shape each petal with your fingers so the tips point outward.
- Press the leaves flat and straighten their tips.
- Stand the holder upright and let it dry completely on the towel roll.
- Remove the towel and measure. The holder should be 6 in (15.2 cm) wide and 13.5 in (34.3 cm) tall.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The plastic ring is fully covered, with no gaps.
- The body is 6 in (15.2 cm) wide when flat and 13.5 in (34.3 cm) tall.
- The join line runs straight up the back.
- Every sunflower has 12 petals.
- All flowers and leaves are sewn through the front layer only.
- Petal tips are tacked down and don’t curl.
- The strap is centered on the back and firmly attached at both ends.
- All ends are woven in on the inside.
Troubleshooting
Ring stitches ruffle or overlap: There are too many stitches for your ring. Work Rnd 1 with 34 sc, then work Rnd 2 as sc 16, inc twice to get back to 36 sts.
Gaps show the ring: Slide the stitches closer together, or add 1-2 sc in Rnd 1 and decrease them evenly in Rnd 2.
Tube twists or leans: Join every round, and make sure you don’t count the ch 1 as a stitch.
Body is too wide or too narrow: Check your gauge again at Rnd 8 and change hook size.
Petals curl: Block them flat and tack the tips when you sew.
Body puckers behind the flowers: Your sewing is too tight. Take out the stitches and sew again more loosely.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Dry flat or on a towel roll, and reshape the petals while they are damp.
Final Notes
Here is how the measurements connect. A gauge of 16 sc x 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) means 48 sts = 12 in (30.5 cm) around, or 6 in (15.2 cm) wide when flat. Fifty-two rounds give a body 13 in (33.0 cm) tall, and the 2-round border brings it to 13.5 in (34.3 cm). The 3 in (7.6 cm) ring keeps the bottom opening steady, and the sunflowers add bright color.
Happy crocheting!