Circle Leaf Plastic Bag Holder — Free Crochet Pattern

I have a confession. For years, I kept my plastic grocery bags stuffed inside one big plastic bag shoved under the sink. Which meant every time I needed one, I ended up pulling out six. I finally got so annoyed with it that I sat down one afternoon with a skein of Herrschners Cottage Cotton in Oyster Bay and just started designing a free crochet plastic-bag holder pattern. I didn’t expect to fall in love with it. But here we are.

The Circle Leaf Plastic Bag Holder uses the Circle Leaf Stitch for the entire body, and honestly, the texture alone is reason enough to make it. It looks way too pretty for something that holds grocery bags — and that’s exactly the point. Practical, pretty, and done in one skein.

Love the look of the Circle Leaf Stitch? Try the Circle Leaf Water Bottle Holder and the Circle Leaf Market Bag.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Crochet Supplies

Yarn

Herrschners Cottage Cotton
60% Cotton/ 40% Acrylic
207yds/100g

Shown in Oyster Bay and Stone Blue

Yarn Quantities

200 (225) yds
1-2 skeins

Yarn Substitutions

Village Yarn Craft Cotton — 100% Cotton, 115 yds/71g

Premier Home Cotton — 85% Recycled Cotton/15% Polyester, 131 yds/75g

Lily Sugar’n Cream — 100% Cotton, 120 yds/71g

WeCrochet Dishie — 100% Cotton, 190 yds/100g

Remember always to check the gauge and drape when substituting yarns.

Crochet Hook

Size US G (4.0mm) & G+/7 (4.5mm) Crochet Hooks or hook to obtain gauge.

Notions

Scissors
Yarn Needle
Removable Stitch Marker
Tape Measure
Elastic Hair Tie

Skill Level

Intermediate
For more information on crochet skill levels, visit: Crochet Skill Levels Explained: Beginner, Easy, Intermediate, and Experienced

Two Sizes

This pattern comes in two sizes, so you can pick the one that fits your space and your bag situation.

• Short: Width 6.5″ / Height 13″ — good for a moderate stash or tighter spaces like inside a cabinet door
• Long: Width 6.5″ / Height 17″ — better for heavy grocery bag collectors (you know who you are)

Both sizes use the same stitch pattern and construction. The only difference is the number of Circle Leaf Stitch rounds in the body. You can also adjust the length yourself at any time — just work more or fewer rounds of the stitch repeat.

Abbreviations

ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
Stsc – Stacked Single Crochet
St Cluster – stacked cluster
yo – yarn over

Special Stitches

The body of this holder is worked in the Circle Leaf Stitch, a textured stitch made up of Stacked Clusters that create the signature petal-like shapes. Each cluster is worked into a chain-3 space and then repeated, so once you get the rhythm of round 1, the whole body clicks into place quickly.

The Stacked Single Crochet (Stsc) is used at the start of the base rounds and the top trim. Instead of a turning chain, you work directly into the first stitch, then drop down into the vertical bar below — this creates a clean, seamless look at the start of each round.

Gauge

17 sts and 12 rows = 4″ by 4″ unblocked, in pattern repeat.

How to Crochet A Gauge Swatch

Working a gauge swatch will let you know if you will have the correct sizing for this pattern. It will also help you practice the stitches used in this project and improve your stitch work for a flawless look.
Are you struggling to match the gauge? Check out the blog post on What is Crochet Gauge and How To Fix It

From there, you work a few rounds of half-double-crochet increases to build out the structured base. Then the Circle Leaf Stitch body begins — round after round of clusters and single crochets that stack up into that gorgeous textured pattern. Work 18 rounds for the Short size, 21 for the Long.

The top trim finishes with a round of chain-5 spaces to open things up, then two rounds of hdc to create a sturdy rim. On the third round, you chain 14 stitches for the hanging loop (or as many as you prefer), then hdc all the way around to secure it. Weave in your ends, and it’s done.

For more fun home decor projects made with cotton yarn, check out the Petal Loop Trivet and the Wheat Stitch Dishtowel Holder.

Where to Hang Your Plastic Bag Holder

The crocheted loop at the top fits easily over any standard hook — no hardware required. Here are the most common spots people use:

• Inside a pantry door — the most classic spot, keeps bags out of sight but accessible
• Under the kitchen sink — works great if you have a small command hook on the inside of the cabinet door
• On the side of the refrigerator — magnetic hooks work well here if your fridge is magnetic
• In the laundry room — handy for reusing bags when you’re cleaning out the lint trap or handling small trash
• In the mudroom or garage — especially useful if you do a lot of errand running
• In the trunk of your car — stuff a few bags in and pull them out for impromptu grocery runs

For renters or anyone avoiding wall holes, a sturdy Command hook is the easiest solution. For a more permanent setup, a small screw-in cup hook holds up well over time. Suction cup hooks work on smooth surfaces like the inside of a cabinet door, though they may need occasional resetting.

How to Load and Use Your Bag Holder

Load your folded or loosely scrunched bags through the wider opening at the top, then pull them out one at a time from the stretchy elastic opening at the bottom. The first-in, last-out flow keeps things tidy and makes grabbing a bag effortless, even when your hands are full.

A note on overstuffing: try not to pack too many bags inside at once. Packing it too full will stretch out the elastic opening at the bottom over time, making it looser and less effective at holding bags in place. If you find yourself with more bags than it can comfortably hold, that’s your sign to either recycle some at your local grocery store drop-off or just make a second holder.

Caring for Your Bag Holder

To keep your holder looking its best, toss it in the washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle inside a mesh laundry bag to protect the stitches. Lay it flat to dry, gently reshaping the opening and body while damp. Avoid the dryer — heat can warp the shape and weaken the elastic at the base over time.

Because this is worked in a cotton-blend yarn, it washes really cleanly and comes back looking nearly new. If you notice the base getting a little loose with heavy use, that’s normal — just reshape it while it’s damp after washing, then let it air-dry fully before reloading.

Circle Leaf Plastic Bag FAQs

What yarn is best for a crochet plastic bag holder?
🧶 Cotton or a cotton-blend is the best choice for a crochet plastic bag holder. Cotton holds its structure well, doesn’t stretch out with repeated use the way acrylic does, and washes cleanly without pilling. This pattern uses Herrschners Cottage Cotton, a 60% Cotton/40% Acrylic blend that gives you the durability of cotton with just a little extra softness from the acrylic. If you want 100% cotton, WeCrochet Dishie and Lily Sugar’n Cream are both great options that work well with the Circle Leaf Stitch.

Is this pattern good for beginners?
🧶 This pattern is rated Intermediate, primarily due to the Circle Leaf Stitch. If you’re comfortable working in the round, joining rounds, and following a stitch repeat, you’ll be able to work through it — especially with the video tutorial. If you’re newer to crochet, it helps to work through the Circle Leaf Stitch tutorial first as a standalone skill before jumping into the full bag holder. Once the stitch pattern clicks, the body rounds go quickly.

Can I adjust the size of the bag holder?
🧶 Yes — the length is easy to adjust. The pattern comes in two sizes (Short at 13″ and Long at 17″), but you can work more or fewer rounds of the Circle Leaf Stitch body to achieve whatever length suits your space. The width stays the same at 6.5″ regardless of how many rounds you work, so the only variable you’re changing is the height. Just make sure you end on a complete stitch repeat before moving into the top trim.

What hook size do I need?
🧶 This pattern uses a G (4 mm) hook and a G+/7 (4.5 mm) hook. The larger hook is used for the main body to get the right drape and stretch in the Circle Leaf Stitch, while the smaller hook can optionally be used for the top trim rounds to make the rim a little sturdier.

How do I hang the bag holder without putting holes in the wall?
🧶 The easiest no-damage option is a Command hook — the standard size works perfectly for the crocheted hanging loop at the top. You can put these on the inside of a cabinet or pantry door, on the side of the refrigerator (if it’s smooth), or on a painted wall. Suction cup hooks are another option for smooth surfaces, such as the inside of cabinet doors, though they work best on completely dry surfaces. Over-the-door hooks are also worth considering if you want something you can move around without any adhesive.

Can I sell finished items made from this pattern?
🧶 Yes! Finished items made from this pattern may be sold on a small scale. Credit to Briana K Designs is always appreciated. The pattern itself — the PDF, the written instructions, and the photos — may not be copied, shared, or redistributed. If you have questions about licensing, you can find more details in the privacy policy linked below.

How do I keep the bottom opening from stretching out?
🧶 The base opening is worked around a hair tie, which gives it its stretch. To keep it working well over time, avoid overstuffing the holder — when it’s packed too full, every time you pull a bag out, you’re putting stress on the elastic. A good rule of thumb is to leave a little room at the top when you load it. If the opening does loosen with heavy use over time, washing it in cold water and reshaping it flat while damp can help it spring back a bit.

Pattern Notes

• This pattern substitutes a traditional chain 2 on the edges for a Stacked Single Crochet.
  A ch 1 at the beginning of a single crochet row is unnecessary.
• Using a stitch marker at the beginning (or end) of the round is recommended.
• Established Stitch Pattern: sc around the center of the St Cluster, then work a St Cluster.
• This Pattern Uses Standard US Terminology. I use affiliate links and follow GPSR Compliance: privacy & disclosure policy here

Video Tutorial for the Circle Leaf Plastic Bag Holder

The Ad-Free PDF can be purchased on Etsy or Ravelry.

Circle Leaf Plastic Bag Holder Written Crochet Pattern Instructions

Rnd 4:

Stsc in first, *hdc in 3rd loop; repeat from * around and join. | 66 sts

Circle Leaf Stitch Body

Rnd 1:

Sc in first, St Cluster, skip 5 sts, *sc in next, St Cluster, skip 5 sts; repeat from * around, join to the first st in the rnd with a sl st. | 11 St Clusters + 11 sc sts

Rnds 2-18 (21):

Sl st to the middle of the St Cluster (Tip: try working sl st on the back of the St Cluster), *sc around the center of the St Cluster, St Cluster; repeat from * around and join.

Tip: To adjust the length of the bag holder, work more or fewer rounds of the circle leaf stitch.

Plastic Bag Holder Trim & Hanging Loop

Rnd 1:

Sl st to the middle of the St Cluster, sc in first, ch 5, *sc around the center of the St Cluster, ch 5; repeat from * around and join. | 66 sts

Tip: If desired, go down a hook size for the remaining top trim to make the top more sturdy.

Rnd 2:

Stsc in the first, hdc in each st around and join | 66 sts

Rnd 3:

Ch 14, Stsc in the first st from the round below, hdc in each st around until you reach the chains. | 80 sts

Tip: Chain as many sts as you would like for the loop section.

Rnd 4:

Without joining, continue to hdc around the handle and all the way around. Join with a sl st and fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in all ends securely.

Now stuff it, hang it, and admire your handiwork. Who knew plastic bags could look this good?

More Crochet Patterns You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this one, here are a few more patterns from the blog:

Petal Loop Stitch Nesting Trays
Wheat Stitch Hotpad
Hello Sunshine Pillow Blanket
Soap Saver Sack
Extended HDC Washcloth

I hope this holder makes your kitchen a little more organized and a lot more cute. Post your finished makes with #brianakdesigns — I genuinely love seeing what colors you choose.

Cheers, and happy crocheting!