This plastic bag holder hangs on a hook and keeps a bundle of grocery bags tidy. You push bags in at the top and pull them out one at a time from the bottom. The body is a warm terracotta rust with tall vertical ribs that look like knitting. Cream edging frames both openings, and a matching cream strap forms the hanging loop.
It is a calm, modern piece that suits a kitchen, pantry or laundry nook. The rust and cream combination looks good against light walls, wood shelves and green plants.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder measures about 14 in (35.6 cm) tall without the loop and 7.5 in (19.1 cm) wide when flattened. The loop adds about 4 in (10.2 cm) of hanging height.
The holder is worked in one piece, from the bottom up, in joined rounds. You start with a chain ring that becomes the bottom opening, increase in rib pattern to the widest point, work straight, then decrease toward the top. Cream edging is worked around both openings. Last, a short strap is crocheted and sewn inside the back rim.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 14 in (35.6 cm) tall without the loop; 7.5 in (19.1 cm) wide when flattened at the widest point
- Skill level: Intermediate (post stitches and simple shaping)
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (medium #4)
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 body plus 1 small strap
- Layout: Single standalone piece, no joining
- Body height before edging: 12.5 in (31.8 cm), 25 rounds
- Widest circumference: 60 sts = 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Top opening: 36 sts = 9 in (22.9 cm) around, about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) across when flat
- Bottom opening: 24 sts = 6 in (15.2 cm) around, about 3 in (7.6 cm) across when flat
- Edging depth: 0.75 in (1.9 cm) at each opening
Materials
Yarn: Use a smooth worsted weight yarn with good stitch definition. Cotton, a cotton blend or soft acrylic all work. Avoid fuzzy yarns, because they hide the ribs. The amounts below assume about 180 m per 100 g.
- Rust/terracotta (body): 110 g, about 198 m
- Cream (edging and strap): 20 g, about 36 m
These quantities include a margin of roughly 20% for gauge differences and swatching.
Tools:
– 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
– Tapestry needle
– 4 locking stitch markers
– Measuring tape
– Scissors
– Small towel or a bundle of plastic bags for blocking
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)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- rev sc – reverse single crochet (crab stitch): sc worked from left to right (right-handed)
Special stitches:
- Rib-inc (rib increase, worked over 2 sts): (FPdc, BPdc) around the post of the next st, then (FPdc, BPdc) around the post of the following st. This uses 2 sts and makes 4, so it adds 2 sts.
- FPdc2tog: Yarn over, insert the hook from front to back to front around the post of the next st, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops; repeat once more around the following st, then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
- BPdc2tog: Work like FPdc2tog, but insert the hook from back to front to back around each post.
- Rib-dec (rib decrease, worked over 4 sts): FPdc2tog over the next 2 sts, then BPdc2tog over the next 2 sts. This uses 4 sts and makes 2, so it removes 2 sts.
Round notes: Begin each round with ch 2, which does not count as a stitch. Work the first stitch into the same st as the join. Join each round with a sl st to the top of the first st. The joins form a slight seam line, which becomes the center back.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge in rib pattern: 16 sts and 8 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm). Each rnd is 0.5 in (1.3 cm) tall, and every 4 sts measure 1 in (2.5 cm) around.
Gauge for the cream edging: 16 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm). Each sc rnd is 0.25 in (0.6 cm) tall.
Test the piece first. Instead of a separate swatch, work Rnds 1 to 7 and measure. The early rounds are your gauge test. If the numbers are off, rip back and change your hook before going further.
Checkpoints:
| After | Sts | Circumference | Height from foundation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rnd 1 | 24 | 6 in (15.2 cm) | 0.5 in (1.3 cm) |
| Rnd 3 | 36 | 9 in (22.9 cm) | 1.5 in (3.8 cm) |
| Rnd 5 | 48 | 12 in (30.5 cm) | 2.5 in (6.4 cm) |
| Rnd 7 | 60 | 15 in (38.1 cm) | 3.5 in (8.9 cm) |
| Rnd 19 | 60 | 15 in (38.1 cm) | 9.5 in (24.1 cm) |
| Rnd 22 | 48 | 12 in (30.5 cm) | 11 in (27.9 cm) |
| Rnd 25 | 36 | 9 in (22.9 cm) | 12.5 in (31.8 cm) |
If the piece is too big (Rnd 7 is more than 15.5 in / 39.4 cm around), go down to a 4.5 mm hook.
If it is too small (Rnd 7 is less than 14.5 in / 36.8 cm around), go up to a 5.5 mm hook.
Measure circumference with the piece relaxed, not stretched. Ribbing pulls in naturally.
Body Pattern
Use rust yarn throughout the body.
Foundation and Rib Setup
Foundation: Ch 24. Join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring. Do not twist the chain. The ring should measure about 6 in (15.2 cm) around.
Rnd 1: Ch 2, dc in each ch around, join. (24 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, FPdc around next st, BPdc around next st; repeat from * around, join. (24 sts, 12 raised ribs)
From here on, “rib” means: FPdc around each FPdc and BPdc around each BPdc. The raised FPdc columns form the vertical ribs.
Increase Section
Rnd 3: Ch 2, FPdc, BPdc, rib-inc; repeat from * 5 more times, join. (36 sts)
Each repeat uses 4 sts and makes 6 sts. There are 6 repeats, and 6 × 6 = 36.
Rnd 4: Ch 2, rib around, join. (36 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, [FPdc, BPdc] 2 times, rib-inc; repeat from * 5 more times, join. (48 sts)
Each repeat uses 6 sts and makes 8 sts. There are 6 repeats, and 6 × 8 = 48.
Rnd 6: Ch 2, rib around, join. (48 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, [FPdc, BPdc] 3 times, rib-inc; repeat from * 5 more times, join. (60 sts, 30 raised ribs)
Each repeat uses 8 sts and makes 10 sts. There are 6 repeats, and 6 × 10 = 60.
Checkpoint: The piece should be 15 in (38.1 cm) around and 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall.
Straight Section
Rnds 8–19: Ch 2, rib around, join. (60 sts each round; 12 rnds)
This is the full lower belly of the teardrop. Flattened with the joins at center back, you should see 15 raised ribs across the front.
Checkpoint: Height is 9.5 in (24.1 cm), and width when flattened is 7.5 in (19.1 cm).
Decrease Section
Rnd 20: Ch 2, [FPdc, BPdc] 3 times, rib-dec; repeat from * 5 more times, join. (48 sts)
Each repeat uses 10 sts and makes 8 sts. There are 6 repeats, and 6 × 8 = 48.
Rnds 21–22: Ch 2, rib around, join. (48 sts each round)
Rnd 23: Ch 2, [FPdc, BPdc] 2 times, rib-dec; repeat from * 5 more times, join. (36 sts)
Each repeat uses 8 sts and makes 6 sts. There are 6 repeats, and 6 × 6 = 36.
Rnds 24–25: Ch 2, rib around, join. (36 sts each round)
Fasten off rust and weave in the end.
Checkpoint: The body is 12.5 in (31.8 cm) tall, and the top opening is 9 in (22.9 cm) around.
The quick increases at the bottom and slower decreases at the top create the teardrop shape. The fullest part sits low, and the top narrows gently.
Edging (Border)
Both openings get the same three-round cream edging. The rev sc round gives the beaded, rolled finish.
Border gauge: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), which is 4 sts per inch. This matches the body’s rib gauge, so working 1 sc per stitch keeps each opening exactly the size of the body round below it. The edging will not ruffle or pull in.
Flatten the body with the join seam at center back. Place a marker at each side fold to divide the opening into a front half and a back half.
Top Opening Edging
Rnd 1: Join cream with a sl st in any st near center back. Ch 1, sc in the top of each st around, join. (36 sc: 18 front, 18 back)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join. (36 sc: 18 front, 18 back)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, rev sc in each sc around, join. (36 rev sc: 18 front, 18 back)
Fasten off. The edging is 0.75 in (1.9 cm) deep (3 rnds × 0.25 in / 0.6 cm).
Bottom Opening Edging
Turn the body upside down. You will work into the free loops of the foundation chain, one sc per chain. Rnd 1 of the body used each chain once, so there are exactly 24 free loops.
Rnd 1: Join cream in any free loop near center back. Ch 1, sc in each free loop around, join. (24 sc: 12 front, 12 back)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join. (24 sc: 12 front, 12 back)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, rev sc in each sc around, join. (24 rev sc: 12 front, 12 back)
Fasten off. This edging is also 0.75 in (1.9 cm) deep.
Why the math works: The body is 12.5 in (31.8 cm) tall and each edging adds 0.75 in (1.9 cm), so the total height is 12.5 + 0.75 + 0.75 = 14 in (35.6 cm). Each edging keeps the stitch count of the body round it sits on: 36 at the top and 24 at the bottom. Both gauges are 4 sts per inch, so the openings stay at 9 in (22.9 cm) and 6 in (15.2 cm) around.
When the holder is full and hanging, the bottom opening flattens into the oval shown and tilts slightly forward.
Hanging Strap
With cream:
Foundation: Ch 41.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (40 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across. (40 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. The strap measures 10 in (25.4 cm) long and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide.
Attaching the strap:
- Find the center back of the top rim (the join seam). Count 6 sts to the left and 6 sts to the right, which is 1.5 in (3.8 cm) on each side, and mark both spots.
- The marked spots are 3 in (7.6 cm) apart. Overlap each strap end 0.75 in (1.9 cm) onto the inside of the rim at one marker.
- Whipstitch each end securely through all edging rounds and into the top rust round.
The remaining 8.5 in (21.6 cm) of strap forms a teardrop loop that rises about 4 in (10.2 cm) above the rim. Make sure the strap is not twisted.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all remaining ends on the inside, following the ribs so they stay hidden.
- Fill the holder with a rolled towel or a loose bundle of plastic bags until it takes the full teardrop shape.
- Lightly mist it with water, or steam it from 1 in (2.5 cm) away for cotton or acrylic. Never press the iron onto the fabric. Pressing flattens the ribs.
- Shape it with your hands: keep the ribs vertical, round out the lower belly and open up the top rim.
- Pinch the cream edgings so the rev sc rolls outward evenly.
- Lay the strap flat and straight.
- Let it dry completely while filled, about 12 to 24 hours.
- Check the size again: 14 in (35.6 cm) tall and 7.5 in (19.1 cm) wide when flattened.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- [ ] Body has 30 raised ribs around, 15 visible across the front
- [ ] Ribs run straight up without drifting
- [ ] Body height before edging is 12.5 in (31.8 cm)
- [ ] Top opening has 36 sts and measures 9 in (22.9 cm) around
- [ ] Bottom opening has 24 sts and measures 6 in (15.2 cm) around
- [ ] Both edgings lie flat with no ruffling or puckering
- [ ] Strap ends are 3 in (7.6 cm) apart, centered on the back seam
- [ ] Strap is untwisted and firmly sewn
- [ ] All ends are woven in on the inside
- [ ] Total height is 14 in (35.6 cm) plus the loop
Troubleshooting
Ribs spiral or lean. You may have counted the ch 2 as a stitch, or missed the first stitch after a join. Place a marker in the first FPdc of every round.
Ribs break or doubled ribs appear. You probably worked an FPdc around a BPdc. Check each repeat of the increase and decrease rounds against the stitch math.
Stitch count is off after Rnd 3, 5 or 7. Each rib-inc must use exactly 2 sts. Count the sts before every rib-inc.
Holes at the increases. Work the two stitches around one post snugly, and keep your yarn-overs even.
Top edging ruffles. You worked more than one sc into some stitches. Rip back and keep exactly 36.
Bottom opening is too tight for bags. The foundation chain was too tight. Redo it with a hook one size larger, or work the bottom edging Rnd 1 more loosely.
Strap stretches over time. Make Row 2 with a hook one size smaller. You can also add a third row of 40 sc for a sturdier strap.
Care
Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry, reshaping while damp. If the yarn label allows, machine wash on a gentle cycle in a laundry bag.
Final Notes
Here is the measurement chain from start to finish:
- A 24-st ring measures 6 in (15.2 cm).
- Three rib increase rounds take it to 60 sts at 15 in (38.1 cm) around.
- Twelve straight rounds bring the height to 9.5 in (24.1 cm).
- Two rib decrease rounds close the top to 36 sts at 9 in (22.9 cm).
- The body measures 12.5 in (31.8 cm) tall.
- Cream edgings of 0.75 in (1.9 cm) at each end bring the total to 14 in (35.6 cm).
- A 10 in (25.4 cm) strap gives a 4 in (10.2 cm) loop.
Check the gauge at Rnd 7, and the rest of the measurements will follow.
Happy crocheting!