Crocheted Denim Rag Bag
This week I have been working on a new recycled idea. A crocheted rag bag using recycled denim. I had a few old denim shirts that I didn’t want to throw away so I decided that I needed to get the ole’ creative juices flowing and use them in a project. It turned out to be a really heavy duty bag. I didn’t trim or fold the strips so that’s why you see the fibers from the material. But I think it turned out cool with the fibers kinda sticking out as they do.
So… this is the result, a recycled denim rag bag!
I used one of the pockets from the shirt to create an inside pocket as shown below.
I hope you enjoy trying this week’s recycling craft idea and as always — here’s the free pattern.
Free Crocheted Recycled Denim Rag Bag Pattern
Bag measures 11 inches wide and 10” long.
Material: Two denim shirts cut into 3/4 inch strips (See notes below on different methods.)
For complete pattern click on read more link below.
Hook: Metal “N” hook
Chain 24
Round 1 Hdc in 2nd ch from hook in each chain stitch to end, work 3 Hdc around the corner. Work Hdc in each stitch down the back side of chain, ending with 2 Hdc at end of round. Do not join rnds.
Round 2 - 15 Hdc in each st around and do not join rnds, just continue working Hdc in each stitch in rounds until you have desired length (approx. 16 rnds.)
Mark center 8 stitches on each side of bag for handle opening.
Round 16 Hdc in each stitch to mark for handle opening. Ch 9, leave 8 stitches un-worked for handle, then Hdc in remaining stitches and across other side to mark for handle opening. Ch 9, leave 8 stitches un-worked for handle opening on other side of bag to match front side. Hdc in each stitch around until you reach side of bag. Do not join rnds.
Round 17 Hdc in each St around to handle. Work 10 Sc around the chain of handle, then Hdc around in each stitch until you reach handle on other side. Work 10 Sc around chain of handle, then Hdc around in each remaining stitches of round. Do not join rnds.
Round 18 Hdc in each St around to handle. Work one Sc in each St of handle, then Hdc in each St of purse to other side’s handle. Work one Sc in each St of handle, then work one Hdc in each St to remaining last 3 stitches at side. Sc, Sl St, and end with Sl St at end of round at side of bag. This should blend the edge so round ends with edge being even with last round.
Fasten off and weave ends under on inside of the bag.
Attach removed denim pocket to inside of bag by hand stitching down at top and side edges to secure the pocket.
Notes: Tips on creating fabric strips.
• Cut strips of fabric 3/4 inch wide in long continuous strips. If you cut in an oval pattern you will cut down on the number of splices you have to make to connect two strips together. For example, cut your strips up the long edge of the sleeve, then around the shoulder, back down around to cuff and then back around. This eliminates having so many splices in your project.
• Splice strips together by either hand or machine stitching the ends together.
• Another method that doesn’t require sewing the strips together is to make a small slit hole at the end of the two strips you need to splice together. The slit should be cut lengthwise only about ½ inch from the end of the strip and should only be big enough to allow the next strip to pass through it. Hold the two strips with the holes together then take the uncut end and lace it through two holes. Pull the strip completely through the holes and pull tight to make the splice as small as possible.
If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.
Abbreviations:
Ch - Chain
Hdc - Half Double Crochet
Sc - Single Crochet
Sl St - Slip Stitch
Sk - Skip
Rnd - Round
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 acceptab
Filed under: Crocheted Bags, Denim Crafts on March 21st, 2007
This is really great! I have a silk blouse that I can’t wear any longer, would this technique work with the silk?
Angela,
I believe you could use any material to make this bag. The gauge would need to be adjusted as your silk strips will probably be much thinner than the denim I used. You might also need to use a smaller hook but experiment with your silk to see what works best for you to create a rag bag.
you are too cool!
Thanks for your sharing your bag. Way cool!
Fabulous bag! I love the texture and that you put the pocket
on the inside…great idea.
Thank you for sharing the pattern.
Love this bag idea. I have posted the story about it on my blog.
What a SUPER cute bag, love the pocket inside…I have to make myself one very soon! Thanks so much for sharing with us!!
I love this bag. This is one of my favorite kind of bags to crochet too, I just never thought of deninum before.
I love it!! I found you from Crochet Me. I have made a purse out of recycled denim. I have another denim project in the works (or on hold since it hurt my hands too work with it for very long.) I love the idea.
awesome bag, i wish saw the thing about using the tape from cassettes b4 i got rid of all of mine. i have a ton of fabric so i’m gonna try the bag with that. i’m also gonna repurpose a sweater into a bag. it’s a boxy shape. i think i’ll pull the sleeves thru and use them and the turtle neck as pockets, what do u think. i think the yarn would unravel an pocket wud be handy. i’ll crochet the handles on using similar yarn.
Marlene,
Sounds like a great recycled project. Please let me know how it comes out. I want to try recycling a sweater into a bag too. Haven’t tried that yet but it’s on my list!
Crochet Denim Bag…
My Recycled Bags has a pattern on a fun crochet bag that you can make from strips of your old denim. [ via ] Link…….
[...] fun crochet bag that you can make from strips of your old denim. [ via ] Link. [...]
I wonder if you could do this with denim jeans - or would the material be too heavy?
Kathy,
I believe denim from jeans would be too heavy of material. The denim shirts were pretty tough to crochet with and it is much lighter material. You might try cutting your denim jeans into really narrow strips and try crocheting with it.
Good luck in your future recycling projects!
What a wonderful idea to make use an old jeans, creates a unique texture, love your work!
Cute purse! Great idea!
[...] bags , totes, purses and the like, although I must admit to being tempted towards making a crocheted denim bag what for – to keep my crocheting in of course! [...]
[...] enough bags , totes, purses and the like, although I must admit to being tempted towards making a crocheted denim bag what for – to keep my crocheting in of course! I think however that strips of denim would be hard [...]
i am doin a project in school (textiles) all about recycling and and we are going to be making a bag out of recycled denim. I had to do so research and your site helped so thank you very much
I love this crocheted denim rag bag!
Super ideas):
This rag bag is so pretty! I’ve also loved all your other projects, they’re a great way of making this world a better place. Thank you for all the tips!
I recently began to recycle, too.
In my country there’s a lot of fabric industry, and they sell those loooong stripes that become useless at the end of the fabric making procedure. Most of them have elasticity, which makes them easier to work with and allows many different kind of patterns. It’s not too expensive and we can make so many things with them! The only problem is that these rags are very dusty and it’s a pain to make the yarns. Nevertheless, it’s extremely addicting! I’ve created some patterns and am full of new ideas. The only thing I lack now is time, my house is full of rag, lol.
I also make purses out of recycled items.
Thanks
Tracy
[...] for the crocheters out there, here is a pattern for a rag bag made using denim cut into strips to create a long strand of material which you can [...]
Great job! You should make up a bunch of your bags and sell them at a craft fair.
do you have any patterns for tote bags made from the tops of soda cans? I’ve seen websites where they make them and have started collecting the tabs hoping someone somewhere would know how to make one…
I don’t have a pattern for a soda tab bag but here is a link to one from Craftsters. I haven’t tried one of these yet but they are cool! Good luck on yours.
Great idea. Many thanks!
GREAT PATTERNS AND IDEA, WOULD THIS WORK WITH OLD T SHIRTS
@Jean,
Yes, I’m sure you could use t-shirts cut into strips to crochet this. It’ll probably be easier on the hands too as this denim was a bit tough on my hands and fingers.
thank you for your prompt reply. a started using t shirt strips in the same manner as plastic bag strips by looping them through and using a p hook. thanks again jean
I love your sight, I have just started crocheting and love to “reuse and renew” whenever I can, your ideas are terrific and much appreciated. you are “sew” in my favorites:)
I love everything on your site!!! You are so creative, yet practical. So many projects that I need to make for holiday gifts that I had better get to it. I was wondering about a recent post about selling the purses at a craft fair. If these patterns are copywrited, is that allowed?
Again, thanks so much for all the great ideas, my fingers are itching to get started. where did I put that denim shirt…………….
@Celticsconer:
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a nice comment. Yes my patterns are protected by Creative Commons license. It is fine to sell at craft fairs your own crafted bags but not my patterns. I hope I inspire people to design bags so they create something that is unique. Take care and I hope you find that denim shirt.