Crocheted Plastic Bag Keeper from Recycled Bags
Plastic Bag Keeper
Here is a crocheted plastic bag keeper made from recycled plastic and bread bags. This is the second installment of my to-do list that I promised you all that I would work on. I had never crocheted a bag keeper so last week I tackled this project. I had to experiment a bit with the pattern to figure out how big it should be and also how I was going to create my bag holder. Many bag keepers or holders that I see have elastic holding the bags in. I wanted to keep this a completely recycled product so I tried a few different things before settling on using some pretty red bread bag strips to weave between my stitches. I then gently pulled on my bread bag strip to clinch it up and tied a bow in the front which created my bag holder. You can untie the bow should you need to put in or take out plastic bags without it being clinched up.
Anyway here is my completed recycled plastic bag keeper that you can crochet from plastic bags and bread bags. You could also use ribbon or strips of fabric rather than bread bags to make your bag holder. As always, here is the free pattern to crochet your own recycled bag keeper.
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Free Recycled Plastic Bag Keeper Pattern
Finished Bag Keeper measures 4 inches circular wide and 18 inches long.
Strap holder length is 10 inches.
Material: One large ball of plastic bags cut into 1 inch strips.
Hook: Metal N (9 mm) crochet hook
Round 1
With plastic bag yarn (plarn), Ch 30, Sl St to join in first st of chain to form ring.
Round 2
Ch 2, work Hdc in each st around, do NOT join but just continue working Hdc around in each stitch until bag measures 18 inches long. At end of last round, Sc into next to last St, Sl St into last St of round, then to reinforce for strap attachment, Sl St into next St and draw back up into last stitch of last round. Do not fasten off.
(Edit: correction 10/2009 to round 2 as need to Hdc in every st)
Strap: Ch 20 and connect to opposite side of bag with a Sl St. To reinforce strap attachment, Sl St into next St and draw back up into last stitch. Turn and work back up the chain by working a Sc around the chain until you get back to opposite end of strap. 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.
Bow Ties: With red 3/4 inch bread bag yarn strips, weave yarn strips in stitch space between rows 6 and 7 from the bottom. Clinch up and tie a bow. Repeat again between rows 6 and 7 from the top of bag.
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
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
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. ©2007-2016
****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.
Tags: bag-keeper, free-pattern, plarn, plastic-bag-keeper
Apr 09, 2007
that is beautiful cindy, and what a lovely blog, i cant wait to explore here, and see what you are up to! also i might see more of your work at the Purse Challenge!
tash, at http://poppyseeds.typepad.com/
Apr 10, 2007
What a neat bag holder! bags for bags!
Apr 10, 2007
Oh, if I could only crochet! I learned long ago from my grannie, but I really need to be shown again. These are wonderful on so many levels! I love recycling things.
Apr 10, 2007
Great project. I am linking back here so I don’t “forget” where you are! I always seem to have more bags than I can even use for the trash cans. I was thinking about making a tote bag like this for the bath tub toys, then I could just hang it on the faucet… Thanks for sharing!
Apr 10, 2007
Thank you all for the wonderful, kind comments. I’m glad you enjoyed this bag keeper. Please contact me back if you need any help working any of my patterns.
Thanks again ladies!!
Apr 12, 2007
Thank you so much for the free pattern. I followed your link from GetCrafty forum. I will be taking this pattern to my church craft group for those who crochet. Maybe one of them will teach me? Again, thank you for a delightful project.
Apr 12, 2007
Another great project! I think this is my favorite! It suits my practical side! 🙂
Mar 21, 2008
Thanks for the pattern! I use the small grocery bags to clean up after my dogs and was looking for a bag keeper to hang on my porch. It needed to be durable and weatherproof. I think your pattern will be perfect for my needs!! I can’t wait to get one made.
Thanks again!!
Jul 15, 2008
its a great idea. just today i was wondering how to store the hundreds of bags i have around here. im too busy these days to knit it, but ill save the pattern for later, thanks for sharing!!!
May 27, 2009
This is what I’ve been looking for. I like how easy this is to work with. Thank You for allowing me to get a pattern. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
May 27, 2009
Linda,
I am so happy you found my pattern and it was just what you needed. Enjoy the project!
Jan 04, 2013
I love your ideas for reusing plastic bags. I never would have thought of turning them into yarn. You go girl! I’m just wondering about how much “plarn” you would need to complete the plastic bag holder. I just dropped a bunch of bags off to be recycled, so I may need to wait a while to give this a whirl. Thanks so much!
Jan 04, 2013
Jenn -This plastic bag keeper takes probably about 30-40 bags depending on the bags and if you cut them about 1 inch wide which is the width I did. You can always ask your friends, co-workers, and family for bags. That is how I get many of mine. Best wishes on your project.