Plastic Bag Holder and Dispenser: Free Crochet Pattern
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For the ninth installment of the 2021 Household Crochet Series we are whipping up a plastic grocery bag holder and dispenser. This is a fun, quick, free crochet pattern that is useful and pretty chic, too!

Plastic Bag Holder Pattern
In today’s world, I feel like repurposing/recycling is the least I can do. Up until now, I’ve had a grocery bag stuffed full of other grocery bags in the closet, which sure seems silly when I think about it. Why not crochet a bag holder or bag dispenser with scrap yarn and a few hour’s time?

Now when you get home from the store you can shove your plastic bags in the top – which is reinforced with a 4″ steel ring! – and pull one out from the bottom – which encompasses a hair elastic! – when you need a bag for another purpose later on.

While the concept of a grocery bag holder is not new, this is a fun new take on an old classic. This pattern uses the Arcade Stitch, which is a fun and gorgeous stitch that’s great for beginners, because it uses a combination of chain, single, and double crochet stitches.

See all of the other free crochet patterns in the 2021 Household Crochet Series and stay tuned! We’ve got three more months remaining!
Materials:
Dishie Cotton yarn (100% cotton, worsted weight)
-approx. 188 yards
Crochet hook in size G/4mm
Elastic Hair Tie
4″ Steel Ring (optional but really sets it off, I think!)

Pattern Notes:
Pattern written in US terms.
Start at the bottom and work your way up.
Bag dispenser is made in one piece.
Wanna save this for later?
If you need help reading a crochet pattern, make sure you head over here and check out this detailed post.
Pattern:
Starting at the bottom, attach yarn around hair tie by pulling up a loop.
Row 1: Ch-2, dc 48x around hair tie. Join to top of first dc. (48)
Row 2: Ch-2, do not turn, * dc in next 7 sts, 2dc in next st * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first dc. (54)
Row 3: Ch-1, turn, sc in first (not same as join), ch-3, * sk 3 sts, sc in each of the next 3 sts, ch-3 * repeat from * around, sk 3 sts, sc in 2 remaining sts. Join to top of first sc. (54)
Row 4: Ch-1, turn, sc in same as join, 5dc around next ch sp. * sk next st, sc in next, sk next st, 5dc around next ch sp * repeat between * * around. Sk final st, join to top of first sc. (54)
Row 5: sl st in next 3 sts. Ch 1, turn, sc in first (not same as join), ch-3, * sk 3 sts, sc in next 3 sts, ch-3 * repeat from * around, sk 3 sts, sc in 2 remaining sts. Join to top of first sc. (54)
Rows 6 – 45: alternate rows 4 & 5 (54)

Row 46: Ch-1, turn, sc in first 2 sts, * 3sc going around both chain and 4″ steel hoop, again going around the steel hoop sc in next 3 sts * repeat between * * around. Sc in last st. Ch-50, fasten off leaving a long enough tail to attach to opposite side. Sew securely and weave in all ends.
That’s it! You’re done and ready to store your plastic bags in style.
I hope this was a fun project for you, and that you’ll join me in the rest of the series as they are published on the second Friday of each month during 2021.
MORE HOUSEHOLD PATTERNS:
Crochet Pan Protectors Pattern (Small, Medium, Large, X-Large)
Llama Dusting Mitt: Free Crochet Pattern
Hanging Baskets: Free Crochet Pattern





Loved it so much, I made two ❤️
I can not get past a legal site to download a couple of your patterns? kris
So I got to row 4 how do you come out to 54 stitch at the end I come to 79. I want to make sure I understand it right sc in st. Then sk. St. 5dc in the next stitch. Then repeat can you help please
I made this plastic bag holder and I really love it! I was going to add it to Ravelry and credit your pattern, but couldn’t find it. Is this pattern on Ravelry? Thanks!
Does chain 2 count as a stitch? I’m excited to try one of your patterns! Thank you.
Hi Beth! No, the ch-2 does not count as a stitch.
I have been trying to make this bag holder and I count my stitches after each round. Round 1 I had the correct amount of stitches in my hair loop. I counted my stitches after round 2 and I had 87 the first time. Took the round out. Here I go. I am using a stitch marker, when that round was finished, I counted 78.
What am I doing wrong.
Hi Tonya! It sounds like you are doing way too many increases (2dc’s in the same stitch). For round 2, there are only 6 increases…one in every 8th stitch. So, you will dc in 7 sts, 2dc in next, dc in next 7 sts, 2dc in next, etc…I hope this helps!
Heya this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hi! I’ve been making a few of these for myself and others. How where are you hanging yours up?
Hi Dawn! I just hung mine on a nail in my pantry.
Could you tell me how I can download or print these patterns contact me suzieqt18@hotmail.com
Is it completely necessary to use cotton yarn? I don’t have much on hand however acrylic yarn… I have tons!!! Just curious. Thank you!!
Hi Sarah! You can use acrylic yarn, however it may stretch out over time.
I forgot to ask what stitch are you using if I wanted to make bigger are you using multiples of 3 ?
Hi! It is the Arcade stitch and is in multiples of 6. I hope this helps!
I wish you had a video of this cute pattern
I am excited to try this as I really like the look with the 4 inch ring at the top, do you have a key to you pattern and is there a video?
Thank you
Kay
Great design. I have a material shopping bag holder over here in England we have to pay to have a plastic bag from the shop so I turned my holder into a face cloth holder and hung it in the bathroom. Think I will be replacing it with your fresh crochet idea, thanks