Keep It Simple: A Little Less Waste, A Little More Purpose

Introducing the Keep It Simple Bag Holder from Common Threads

Keep what you need. Reuse what you have. Simplify your home.

We’ve all been there—that collection of plastic grocery bags stuffed into a kitchen drawer, tucked beneath the sink, or overflowing from a cabinet. We save them because we know they’ll come in handy again, but finding a practical and attractive way to store them is another story!

That’s what inspired The Keep It Simple Bag Holder, the first addition to my new Keep It Simple Collection under Common Threads.

Made with durable cotton yarn and a beautiful openwork shell stitch, this handy holder keeps plastic bags organized and ready for another use. The elastic opening at the bottom makes it easy to pull out a bag, while the drawstring at the top allows for easy refilling.

Beautifully Useful. Naturally Sustainable.

The Keep It Simple Collection celebrates thoughtful homemaking through practical, reusable kitchen and home essentials. From dishcloths and scrubbies to storage solutions, each design reflects my belief that the things we make should be both beautiful and useful.

Proverbs 31:27 reminds us:

“She watches over the affairs of her household.”

To me, that includes being mindful of our resources, reducing unnecessary waste, and finding creative ways to use what we already have.

Sustainable living doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it begins with one small change—or one handmade project.

Make Your Own Keep It Simple Bag Holder

This beginner-friendly-to-intermediate project uses approximately 188 yards of worsted-weight cotton yarn, a 4 mm crochet hook, and an elastic hair tie. The repeating shell stitch creates a lovely texture that’s as decorative as it is practical.

The free pattern follows below, so you can make one for your own home or as a thoughtful handmade gift.

Materials

Dishie Cotton yarn (or similar 100% cotton, worsted weight) — approximately 188 yards
Size G/4 mm crochet hook
Elastic hair tie
Stitch marker
Bead
Tapestry needle

Abbreviations

Ch = Chain
SC = Single crochet
DC = Double crochet
Sl St = Slip stitch
INC = Increase
SK = Skip
St(s) = Stitch(es)
PM = place marker

Pattern Instructions

Starting at the bottom, attach yarn around the elastic hair tie by pulling up a loop.

Round 1: Ch 2, make 48 DC around the hair tie. Join to top of first DC. (48 DC)

Round 2: Ch 2, do not turn. DC in the same stitch as join (place marker/PM), and in each of the next 6 stitches, 2 DC in next stitch (INC made); *DC in each of the next 7 sts, 2 DC in next st (INC made)*. Repeat from * to * around. Join to top of first DC. (54 DC)

Round 3: Ch 1, turn, make a SC in first stitch (not same as join), PM, Ch 3, SK 3 sts, make a SC in each of the next 3 sts, Ch 3. Repeat from * to * around, SK 3 sts, make a SC in 2 remaining sts. Join to top of first SC. (54)

Round 4: Ch 1, turn, make a SC in same stitch as join, PM, make 5 DC in next chain space. SK next st, make a SC in next, SK next st, make 5 DC in next chain space. Repeat from * to * around. SK final st, join to top of first SC. (54)

Round 5: Sl St in next 3 sts. Ch 1, turn, make a SC in first stitch (not same as join), PM, Ch 3, SK 3 sts, make a SC in next 3 sts, Ch 3. Repeat from * to * around, SK 3 sts, make a SC in 2 remaining sts. Join to top of first SC. (54)

Rounds 6–33: Alternate Rounds 4 and 5. (54)

Round 34: Ch 1, turn, make a SC in first 2 sts, make 3 SC in Ch-3 space, make a SC in next 3 sts. Repeat from * to * around. Join to top of first SC.

Round 35: Ch 1, turn, make a SC in all sts around. Fasten off securely and weave in all ends.