My Recycled Bags.com

Recycled Shoulder Bag

This is one of my all time favorite bags that I have created. It’s a crocheted shoulder bag made of recycled tan plastic grocery bags. It is a quick and easy crochet project to try if you are just starting out doing recycled crafts. If you need to know how to create yarn from plastic bags, here is my link to the step by step process to make the plastic bag yarn. If you want a larger bag, just add more stitches to your beginning chain and if you would rather have a deeper bag, just increase your rounds as desired. This pattern is worked in rounds and you do not join at the end of each round. Because of this you do not need to sew side seams together. As you work the first few rounds, the bag will turn up at the sides. Just continue working one Hdc in each stitch around and it naturally forms your purse without having to sew any side seams.

Enjoy this fun eco-friendly project!

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Crocheted Recycled Plastic Shoulder Bag Pattern
Purse measures 9 inches wide and 6 inches long.
Strap length is 42 inches when not tied.

Material: One large ball of plastic bags cut into 1” strips.
One button – 7/8” button shown on bag.

Hook: Metal “N” hook

For complete pattern just click on read more link below.

Chain 23

Round 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook in each chain.
Continue around the corner and down the back side of chain by working a Hdc in every chain stitch.

Round 2 - 13
Hdc in each st around and do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc in rounds until 6 inches are completed.

At desired length of main body of purse, stop doing rounds at side mark of purse. (Then only Hdc across back side of purse to create flap for purse.)

Flap:
Row 1 - 4
Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st across back half of purse for flap.

Row 5
Ch 2, turn. Hdc across row to center, skip one st at center for buttonhole, then Hdc in each remaining st across row. Ch 1, turn.

Row 6
Sc in each st across to center opening for buttonhole. Work 2 Sc in skipped space for buttonhole and then Sc in each remaining st across row.

Fasten off and weave ends under on inside of the bag.

Strap: Create strap by attaching your “yarn” with a Sl St to spot where you want to start strap on side of purse next to flap. Chain until strap measures 42 inches or desired length. Attach strap to opposite side of purse with a Sl St. 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. Attach your yarn with a Sl St next to the st where you started the strap. Fasten off and weave ends under on inside of the bag.

Sew button on purse under buttonhole space.

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 acceptable. ©2007

Filed under: Crocheted Bags, Plastic Bag Crafts on March 29th, 2007