Crochet Plastic Bag Holder: A Hanging Grocery Bag Dispenser
A double crochet tube that hangs by a loop: stuff plastic grocery bags in the top and pull them out one at a time from the narrow, gathered bottom. A quick, useful kitchen make that tidies the cupboard.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Beginner
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) cotton or acrylic, about 200 yd
- Hook
- 5 mm (H-8)
- Time
- About 3 hours
- Finished size
- About 5 in across × 17 in long (13 × 43 cm)
You'll need
- Worsted (#4) yarn — about 200 yd
- 5 mm (H-8) hook
- 8 in (20 cm) of ¼-inch elastic (optional)
- Tapestry needle
In this post
A crochet plastic bag holder is a tube with a hanging loop at the top and a narrow, gathered opening at the bottom. You push grocery bags in through the top and pull them out one at a time from the bottom, like a tissue box. This one is a 56-stitch double crochet tube about 17 inches long, decreased at the bottom and finished with elastic so the opening grips.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
The tube
Ch 3 counts as the first dc. Join each round with a sl st to the top of the ch-3.
- Foundation: Ch 56 and join into a ring without twisting.
- Rnd 1: Ch 3, dc in each ch around. Join. (56)
- Rnds 2–30: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join. The tube should be about 16 in long. (56)
Bottom opening
- Rnd 31: Ch 3, (dc in the next 4, dc2tog) around, ending with dc. Count: (48)
- Rnd 32: Ch 3, (dc in the next 3, dc2tog) around. (40)
- Rnd 33: Ch 3, (dc in the next 2, dc2tog) around. (32)
- Rnd 34: Join the elastic into a ring. Ch 1 and sc around, working each sc over the elastic so it's enclosed. Fasten off. (32)
The decreases are easier to place evenly if you aim for 8 per round. Exact counts can vary by one or two — what matters is a 2½–3 in opening.
Top and hanging loop
- Top edge: Join yarn at the foundation chain. Sc in each ch around. (56)
- Loop: At one point on the top edge, ch 25 and sl st into the stitch directly opposite, across the opening. Sc back along the chain for a strong handle; the top stays open on both sides of it for refilling.
- Hang: Hang it from a hook, a cupboard door or the back of a door.
Variations
| Version | Change |
|---|---|
| Granny style | Replace dc rounds with (3-dc cluster, ch 1) rounds — faster and lacier |
| Striped | Change colour every 3 rounds to use scraps |
| Animal | Add ears and eyes at the top — an opossum or cat bag holder is a fun gift |
| Shorter | 20 rounds for a holder that fits under the sink |
More kitchen makes: dishcloths, pot holders and a towel topper.
Common questions
How does a crochet bag holder dispense one bag at a time?
The narrow, elastic bottom opening grips the bags. Push them in loosely at the top; the one at the bottom pulls out and the next drops into place.
How many plastic bags does it hold?
About 30–40 regular grocery bags, depending on how tightly you pack them.
Do I need elastic?
No. Without elastic, decrease one more round (to 24) and finish with sc. Elastic just keeps the opening snug as the yarn relaxes.
How many bags are hiding under your sink? 🛍️
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