Crochet Fish Bag Holder – Free Plastic Bag Dispenser Pattern

A playful crochet fish bag holder: an animal plastic bag dispenser with side fins, a forked tail and big cream eyes. Make four in orange, turquoise, coral and yellow.

Animal bag holders are one of the most-searched crochet trends right now, and this crochet fish bag holder is a cheerful one to start with. The body is a simple tube of single crochet that shapes out and back in, with colour stripes, two side fins, a forked tail and big cream eyes. Bags go in through the mouth at the top and come out at the bottom, so it works as a real fish plastic bag holder, not just decor.

The full free pattern is below. The printable PDF is linked on this page.

Pattern at a glance

• Skill level: Beginner
• Time: an evening per fish
• Finished size: a 42-stitch body at its widest, 27 rounds
• Hook: 4.0 mm (G)
• Terms: US crochet terms

Materials

• Medium-weight cotton yarn in bright colors (for example orange, turquoise, coral and yellow) plus cream for stripes and eyes
• Black yarn for pupils and mouth
• 4.0 mm (G) crochet hook
• Yarn needle, scissors and stitch markers

Gauge

About 18 dc x 10 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in). For a wider fish, add to the starting chain in multiples of 6. If your swatch is small, go up a hook size.

Step 1: Shape out the body (Rounds 1-7)

• Round 1: Ch 24 and join with a sl st into a ring, without twisting. [24]
• Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join. [24]
• Round 3: Ch 1, *3 sc, inc* 6 times. [30]
• Round 4: Ch 1, sc around. [30]
• Round 5: Ch 1, *4 sc, inc* 6 times. [36]
• Round 6: Ch 1, sc around. [36]
• Round 7: Ch 1, *5 sc, inc* 6 times. [42]

Step 2: Color rounds (Rounds 8-20)

• Rounds 8-20: Ch 1, sc around in each round. [42]

Change colors in these rounds to give each fish its own look, for example cream stripes across an orange or turquoise body. Carry the unused color up the inside of the body to avoid lots of ends.

Step 3: Shape in and make the bag exit (Rounds 21-27)

• Round 21: Ch 1, *5 sc, dec* 6 times. [36]
• Round 22: Ch 1, sc around. [36]
• Round 23: Ch 1, *4 sc, dec* 6 times. [30]
• Round 24: Ch 1, sc around. [30]
• Round 25: Ch 1, *3 sc, dec* 6 times. [24]
• Round 26: Ch 1, sc around. [24]
• Round 27: Ch 1, sc in the back loop only around to define the lower dispensing opening. Keep it relaxed. [24]

Step 4: Side fins (make 2)

• Row 1: Ch 7. Sc in the 2nd chain from the hook, hdc in the next 2 ch, dc in the next 3 ch.
• Row 2: Ch 2, turn. Dc in 3 sts, hdc in 2, sc in the last. Fasten off with a sewing tail.

Sew the fins to opposite sides of the body at about Rounds 12-17, keeping them symmetrical.

Step 5: Forked tail (make 2 lobes)

• Row 1: Ch 13. Sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and across. [12]
• Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Dec, sc 8, dec. Fasten off with a sewing tail. [10]

Make a second lobe the same way. Sew the narrow ends of both lobes together and attach them to the back of the lower body, keeping the bag exit clear.

Step 6: Eyes and face

• Eye Round 1: Ch 2, work 6 sc in the 2nd chain from the hook; join. [6]
• Eye Round 2: Inc in every stitch around. [12]

Use cream eyes with black centers and sew them near the upper front. Embroider a mouth line, spots and fin details to give every fish its own personality. Practice the embroidery on scrap yarn first.

Step 7: Top opening and hanging loop

1. Leave the 24-stitch starting ring open. Sc around the top edge to reinforce it, but do not close it.
2. Join yarn at the upper back edge, ch 35 and sl st into the opposite back edge.
3. Work 35 sc over the chain and fasten off securely.
4. Weave in all ends and check that the fins, eyes and tail are firmly attached.

Load folded bags through the top opening, dispense them through the lower opening and hang the fish on a sturdy peg.

Care

Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, or by hand with a mild detergent. Press the water out gently, lay flat on a towel and reshape while damp.

Make it yours

• Stripes or gradients
• Glittering bead eyes (for adult use only)
• Seasonal colors
• Embroidered names for gifts

Make it a quick Christmas gift

Crochet bag holders are some of the most useful quick crochet Christmas gifts: cheap to make from cotton you already own, finished in an evening or two, and actually used every day. They make a great crochet housewarming gift too, and sell well at Christmas craft markets. Tuck a few folded bags inside before you wrap it so it is ready to hang.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a good first amigurumi-style project?

Yes. It is all sc with simple increases and decreases, and the body is a tube, so there is no stuffing or tiny pieces.

Can kids help make it?

Older kids can crochet the fins and eyes. Skip bead eyes if the fish will be handled by young children.

How do you put plastic bags in a bag holder?

Fold or loosely roll each bag, push it in through the top opening and keep adding bags on top. Pull the first one out through the bottom opening: as you take one, the next drops down, so they come out one at a time.

Download the free printable PDF: Crochet Fish Grocery Bag Holder – Free Pattern (4 Colors)