This week’s recycled bag is made with two different recycled materials. First plastic bags were used for the center Motif using pink and grey retail bags. Next an old recycled VHS tape was used for the black yarn in this project. I call this my diversified recycling craft idea. It uses several items that many of us having lying around and don’t know what to do with. If you didn’t already read my blog about how to use old VHS tape as yarn, just click on this link to get the full details on how it is done.

I am attempting to take recycling to a new crafting level and make extra eco-friendly products. I am experimenting using new materials and putting together different things to create new looks and ideas. I hope you enjoy this free pattern and challenge yourself to try a recycled craft project today! It is a lot of fun and very rewarding.

Free Recycled Round Crocheted Motif Bag Pattern

Materials: Plastic bags and VHS tape
Size: 9 inch round bag with 2-1/2 inch center Motif if using 3/4 to 1 inch strips of cut plastic bags. Strap 38 inches long when not tied.
Hook: N metal crochet hook used in this pattern.
Click on the read more link below for complete pattern.

Motif: (Make 2) Using pink plastic bag yarn (center color) Ch 4, Sl St to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 2, (counts as 1 Hdc) in ring work 2 Hdc,
Ch 1, 3 Hdc, Ch 1, 3 Hdc, Ch1, 3 Hdc
Ch 1, Sl St to top of Ch 2. (4 corners & 4 shells made)
Fasten off and weave ends under on back side of Motif.

Rnd 2: Using grey plastic bag yarn, attach in any Ch 1 corner space.
Ch 2, 2 Hdc, Ch1, 3 Hdc, all in the same ch 1 corner space.
*Sk next 3 Hdc, 3 Hdc, Ch 1, 3 Hdc, all in the next Ch 1 corner space.*
Repeat between * 2 more times, Sl St to top of the beginning Ch 2.
Fasten off and weave ends under on back side of Motif.

Rnd 3: Using black VHS tape, attach in any corner with a *Sl St.
Sc, Hdc, Dc, in next 3 stitches. (Dc should be done in center space of last round so this round is centered even.) Then Hdc, Sc and St Sl in corner space*.

(FYI: Just to clarify, you should have completed 7 stitches around one side of Motif — one Sl St in beginning corner, then Sc, Hdc, Dc, Hdc, Sc, and ending with Sl St in next corner.)

Repeat between * above 3 times across each side of Motif to made round.
Ending with the Sl St to top of 1st Sl St in corner.

Rnd 4: 2 Hdc in each stitch around. Work in continuous rounds marking the beginning of each round so you know where round ends.

Rnd 5-6: Hdc in each stitch around. (Tip: If your work is not lying flat, work an extra Hdc here and there so it lays flat.)

Rnd 7: *Hdc in next 5 stitches, 2 Hdc in next stitch*. Repeat between * until you reach end of round.

Rnd 8: *Hdc in next 4 stitches, 2 Hdc in next stitch*. Repeat between * until you reach the last 2 stitches of round. (Reminder: If your work is not lying flat, just add another Hdc here and there as needed.)
Sc in next stitch, end with Sl St into top of last stitch so the edge is even.
Finish off and weave in ends on the back side of first Motif only.

Make second Motif but don’t finish off at the end of round 8. Leave yarn tape attached.
With wrong sides together and weave them together by working 1 rnd of Sc around two-thirds (2/3) of bag. (You can leave the opening smaller if desired.) Don’t fasten off. Leave yarn attached to make strap handle.

Strap handle: Chain 84 and attach your yarn to opposite opening edge. (I use a Sl St to attach and then another Sl St into another stitch at opening edge to provide added strength for your handle.) Turn and work back up the chain by working a Sc around the chain until you get back to opposite end of strap handle. Adjust your Sc stitches around chain as needed to provide a smooth strap for your bag. The Sc’s slide a bit and this allows for you to adjust your stitches as needed. Finish off by attaching your yarn tape with a Sl St where strap began and weave ends under on inside of the bag. You may add a small Velcro dot inside purse for closure.

Option: This bag could be done completely in recycled plastic bags if you would rather not use VHS tape.

If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please contact me using my contact link at the top of the page.

Abbreviations:

Ch -Chain
Sc – Single Crochet
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
Rnd – Round

Click on photo to view larger size

This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy at My Recycled Bags [dot com] and may only be used for private individual use. No commercial sales or use is permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable with permission. ©2007

****Please do not copy my patterns on your blog site or post my patterns on Internet sites. I do not allow my patterns to be republished without expressed written permission. Posting of my patterns, without written permission is in violation of my copyrights and is content theft.