Moroccan Grocery Bag Holder

Moroccan Grocery Bag Holder by Jennifer Renaud

Project Overview

The Moroccan Grocery Bag Holder is a practical crochet container designed to store and organize plastic grocery bags. This intermediate-level project combines functional storage with decorative appeal, featuring a structured design that measures 8 inches wide by 18.5 inches long when laid flat. The holder is sized to accommodate standard grocery bags while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for kitchen storage.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a specialized bag holder container crafted using crochet techniques. The finished piece serves as a storage solution for plastic grocery bags, featuring a button closure and elastic band system for securing bags inside. The design incorporates a Moroccan-inspired aesthetic, making it both functional and visually appealing for home organization.

Crochet Techniques Used

The Moroccan Grocery Bag Holder employs fundamental crochet construction methods suitable for an intermediate crocheter. The pattern utilizes standard crochet shaping techniques to create a structured container form. Back loop only (BLO) stitching is incorporated into the design, which creates distinctive textured ridges and adds visual interest to the finished piece. The project also includes closure techniques involving a button and elastic band system, demonstrating practical hardware integration into crochet projects.

Stitches Used

• Single Crochet (sc): The primary stitch used throughout the project, providing a tight, dense fabric suitable for a durable storage container
• Chain Stitch (ch): Used for foundation and structural elements
• Slip Stitch (sl st): Employed for joining rounds and finishing edges
• Back Loop Only (BLO): Applied selectively to create textured surface details and visual pattern variation

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn is specified for this project. The sample was created using Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton in two colors: Jade (main color requiring 320 yards across 2 balls) and White (contrasting color). Each ball contains 3.5 ounces, 100 grams, 186 yards, and 170 meters of 100% mercerized cotton. Comparable worsted weight cotton yarns may be substituted if desired.

Crochet Hook: A size G/6/4.00mm crochet hook is required for this project. Crocheters who work tightly may need to adjust to a larger hook size to achieve proper gauge and finished dimensions.

Additional Materials: The project requires a yarn needle for weaving in ends, a stitch marker or scrap yarn for tracking rounds, one button measuring between 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch in diameter, needle and thread for button attachment, and a standard-size hair elastic for the bag retention system.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 17 stitches plus 13 rows equals 3 inches when worked in single crochet. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the finished bag holder to reach its intended dimensions of 8 inches wide by 18.5 inches long. Crocheters who work tighter than average may need to increase their hook size to match the specified gauge.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for crocheters with foundational skills and experience working with basic stitches. While the stitches themselves are fundamental, the combination of techniques, shaping, and hardware integration requires moderate crochet experience to execute successfully.