This bag holder is a tall, open tube of staggered fan shells with a solid band at the top, a hanging loop, and a drawstring at the bottom. You push plastic grocery bags in through the top and pull them out one at a time through the cinched bottom opening. It looks like a pinecone or lantern, and it hangs neatly from a cabinet knob or hook.
The sample is worked in a warm terracotta cotton. A soft peach version works just as well, and so would any solid, smooth color that shows off the shell texture. The style is classic kitchen crochet: lacy enough to see the bags inside, sturdy enough to hold a good stack of them.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder measures about 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide at its widest point when laid flat and 14.75 in (37.5 cm) tall without the loop. With the hanging loop it is about 17.75 in (45.1 cm) tall.
The body is one piece, worked bottom-up in joined rounds. You start with a chain ring at the bottom opening, then work 10 shell rounds that alternate with 9 lattice rounds. The shells stagger by half a repeat each time, and the size of the shells and the length of the chains change to shape the body. A solid single crochet band closes the top, and the hanging strap is worked straight off the band. A separate drawstring cord with two small ball ends is woven through the bottom round.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide flat at the widest point × 14.75 in (37.5 cm) tall, plus a 3 in (7.6 cm) loop
- Skill level: Easy intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 main piece (body, band, and loop worked as one), plus 1 drawstring cord with 2 ball ends
- Layout: Single tube worked in joined rounds from the bottom up
- Body size before band: 12.75 in (32.4 cm) tall
- Top band depth: 2 in (5.1 cm), 40 sc around
Materials
Use a smooth cotton or cotton blend in worsted weight. Cotton holds the shells crisply and doesn’t stretch much under the weight of the bags. Avoid fuzzy or very splitty yarn, because the shells lose their definition.
- Terracotta (main color): 150 g, about 230 m (252 yd)
- Alternate colorway: Use the same amount in a single color such as soft peach.
These amounts include a margin of about 15–20% for your gauge swatch and small differences in tension.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- 2 stitch markers
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Rust-proof pins and a rolled towel or cardboard tube for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
Special stitches:
- 5-dc shell: 5 dc in the same stitch.
- 7-dc shell: 7 dc in the same stitch.
- Center dc: The middle dc of a shell. This is the 3rd dc of a 5-dc shell and the 4th dc of a 7-dc shell.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc and 18 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc worked in rounds.
The shell rounds don’t have a standard stitch gauge, so use the height checkpoints below. Make a small sc swatch first and check it. If you have more than 16 sts per 4 in (10.2 cm), go up a hook size. If you have fewer, go down a hook size.
Checkpoints:
- After Rnd 1: The ring measures 8 in (20.3 cm) around.
- Each shell round: About 0.8 in (2.0 cm) tall.
- Each lattice round: About 0.5 in (1.3 cm) tall.
- After Rnd 9: About 5.5 in (14.0 cm) tall.
- After Rnd 13: About 8 in (20.3 cm) tall and about 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide flat, which is 13 in (33.0 cm) around.
- After Rnd 20: About 12.75 in (32.4 cm) tall.
- After Rnd 29: About 14.75 in (37.5 cm) tall. The band measures 10 in (25.4 cm) around, or 5 in (12.7 cm) flat.
If the body gets too wide, shorten the lattice chains by 1 ch on Rnds 9, 11, and 13. If it is too narrow, add 1 ch to those rounds. Don’t change the number of shells. The pattern depends on 8 repeats.
Body
Rounds are joined with a sl st. The beginning ch 1 never counts as a stitch. Place a marker at the start of the round. The join line becomes the back of the holder.
Foundation: Ch 32. Make sure the chain isn’t twisted, then sl st to the first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, sl st to the first sc. (32 sc) This round forms the bottom opening rim.
Rnd 2 (shell round, 5-dc): Ch 1, sc in the first sc, sk 1 sc, 5-dc shell in the next sc, sk 1 sc, sc in the next sc; repeat from * 6 more times, then sk 1 sc, 5-dc shell in the next sc, sk the last sc, sl st to the first sc. (8 shells and 8 sc = 48 sts)
Each repeat uses 4 sts of Rnd 1, and 8 × 4 = 32.
How the Lattice and Shell Rounds Work
Every lattice round is worked like this: sl st across to the center dc of the first shell (3 sl st for 5-dc shells, 4 sl st for 7-dc shells). Ch 1, sc in the same center dc, ch [L], dc in the next sc, ch [L], sc in the center dc of the next shell. Repeat from * 6 more times, then ch [L], dc in the last sc, ch [L], and sl st to the first sc.
Count: 8 sc + 8 dc + 16 ch-sps of [L] ch each.
Every shell round is worked like this: ch 1, sc in the first sc, sk the ch-sp, shell of [S] dc in the next dc, sk the ch-sp, sc in the next sc. Repeat from * 6 more times, then sk the ch-sp, shell in the next dc, sk the last ch-sp, and sl st to the first sc.
Count: 8 sc + 8 shells of [S] dc.
The dc in each lattice round sits on the sc between two shells, so every new shell lands halfway between the shells below it. That makes the staggered, scale-like pattern.
Round-by-Round Shaping
Rnd 3 (lattice, L = 2): 8 sc, 8 dc, 16 ch-2 sps. (16 sts + 32 ch = 48)
Rnd 4 (shell, S = 5): 8 sc, 8 shells of 5 dc. (48 sts)
Rnd 5 (lattice, L = 3): (16 sts + 48 ch = 64)
Rnd 6 (shell, S = 7): 8 sc, 8 shells of 7 dc. (64 sts)
Rnd 7 (lattice, L = 3): (64)
Rnd 8 (shell, S = 7): (64 sts)
Rnd 9 (lattice, L = 4): (16 sts + 64 ch = 80) Check the height: about 5.5 in (14.0 cm).
Rnd 10 (shell, S = 7): (64 sts)
Rnd 11 (lattice, L = 4): (80)
Rnd 12 (shell, S = 7): (64 sts)
Rnd 13 (lattice, L = 4): (80) This is the widest point: 6.5 in (16.5 cm) flat.
Rnd 14 (shell, S = 7): (64 sts)
Rnd 15 (lattice, L = 3): (64)
Rnd 16 (shell, S = 7): (64 sts)
Rnd 17 (lattice, L = 3): (64)
Rnd 18 (shell, S = 5): (48 sts)
Rnd 19 (lattice, L = 2): (48)
Rnd 20 (shell, S = 5): (48 sts) The body now measures about 12.75 in (32.4 cm).
You have 10 shell rounds (Rnds 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20) and 9 lattice rounds (Rnds 3 through 19, odd numbers). The 5-dc shells and shorter chains at both ends taper the tube, so it gets its rounded lantern shape without any separate increases.
Border: Top Band and Hanging Loop
The top band is the border of this piece. It’s solid, so the opening holds its shape and the bags don’t snag on the lace.
Border gauge: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). The 40 sts in each band round therefore measure 10 in (25.4 cm) around. Laid flat, that’s 20 sts across the front and 20 sts across the back, or 5 in (12.7 cm) on each side.
Rnd 21 (conversion round): Ch 1, sc in the sc, sc in each of the next 3 dc, sc2tog over the last 2 dc of the shell; repeat from * around, sl st to the first sc.
Count: 32 sts are worked 1 per stitch, and the other 16 sts are worked as 8 sc2tog. That gives 32 + 8 = 40 sc, or 5 sc per repeat.
Rnds 22–29: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to the first sc. (40 sc) Use firm, even tension. Rnds 21–29 make 9 rounds, which is 2 in (5.1 cm) at 18 rnds per 4 in (10.2 cm).
Why the math works: Each shell round in the top section has 48 sts. Rnd 21 reduces that to 40, so the band is 5 in (12.7 cm) flat while the body below it is wider. This gathers the top slightly, as in the finished holder.
Hanging strap: Don’t fasten off. Turn the work.
- Row 1: Ch 1, sc in the same st as the join and in each of the next 4 sts. (5 sc) Turn.
- Rows 2–32: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (5 sc) Turn.
The strap is 1.25 in (3.2 cm) wide and about 7.1 in (18.0 cm) long. Fasten off and leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Fold the strap down toward the inside of the band. Sew the last row flat to the inside of Rnds 26–29, directly below where the strap begins. This makes a loop about 3 in (7.6 cm) tall at the back edge, so the front of the opening stays clear for stuffing in bags.
Drawstring Cord and Ball Ends
Cord: Ch 90. Sl st in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (89 sl st) The cord is about 22 in (55.9 cm) long. Fasten off.
Ball ends (make 2):
- Rnd 1: Make a magic ring and work 6 sc in it. (6)
- Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st. (12)
- Rnd 3: Sc in each st. (12)
- Rnd 4: Sc2tog 6 times. (6)
Stuff the ball with the yarn tails, close the opening, and sew one ball to each end of the cord. Each ball is about 0.6 in (1.5 cm) across.
Threading: Start at the center front of Rnd 1. Weave the cord over 2 sc and under 2 sc all the way around, which is 16 segments in total, and bring both ends out at the center front. Pull the cord until the opening is about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across, then tie a bow.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends securely. Cotton ends work loose, so weave each tail in three directions.
- Soak the holder in cool water for 10 minutes, then gently press out the water. Don’t wring it.
- Roll a towel into a tube about 13 in (33.0 cm) around and slide the holder over it.
- Shape each shell so it fans open and the lattice holes are even.
- Check that the widest point is 6.5 in (16.5 cm) flat and that the band is 5 in (12.7 cm) flat.
- Pin the strap flat, then let everything dry completely.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- 8 shells in every shell round, with the shells staggered in each new round
- 10 shell rounds and 9 lattice rounds
- 40 sc in every band round
- The strap is 5 sc wide, with 32 rows, and is sewn securely inside the band
- The cord is threaded through Rnd 1, with both balls sewn on firmly
- The holder is about 14.75 in (37.5 cm) tall without the loop and 17.75 in (45.1 cm) tall with it
Troubleshooting
The shells are stacked instead of staggered. In each lattice round, check that the dc goes into the sc and the sc goes into the center dc.
The tube is twisting. You probably joined the foundation chain with a twist. Restart, and lay the chain flat before you join it.
The band ruffles. Your sc2tog decreases were missed. Recount Rnd 21: it should have 40 sc.
Bags fall out of the bottom. Pull the drawstring tighter, or weave it through Rnd 1 twice.
The strap stretches. Use a hook one size smaller for the strap, or sew a second row of stitches across the strap where it is attached.
Care
Machine wash cool on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag, then reshape it and lay it flat to dry. Untie the drawstring before washing.
Final Notes
Here is the measurement chain from start to finish:
- The 32-sc ring measures 8 in (20.3 cm) around.
- 10 shell rounds and 9 lattice rounds bring the body to 12.75 in (32.4 cm) tall, with the widest point 6.5 in (16.5 cm) flat.
- The 48 sts of the last shell round become a 40-sc band that is 5 in (12.7 cm) flat and 2 in (5.1 cm) deep.
- The total height is 14.75 in (37.5 cm), plus a 3 in (7.6 cm) loop.
Check each measurement as you reach it, and the holder will hang straight and hold its shape. Happy crocheting!