Crocheted Vcr Tape Tote Bag
This is my latest recycled bag project which is crocheted from Vcr Vhs tapes and ribbon yarn. Here is the link for the tutorial on how to use Vcr tape as yarn. This tote bag measures 13″ by 12″ and has a handy grip handle. You could also crochet this bag using recycled plastic bags. If you use plastic bag yarn or plarn, you only need to use one ball of plarn and the strand of ribbon yarn as you work the pattern. Vcr Vhs tape is much lighter which requires the double strand (2 reels) to be used in this project.
Here is a closeup of the combination of Vcr tape and ribbon yarn.
Free Pattern for Crocheted Vcr Tape Tote Bag
Materials needed:
2 Vhs Vcr long play tapes (T-120)
2 rolls of Lion Brand ribbon yarn – Incredible #51659, 110 yards ea roll
Hook: “N” size metal hook
Description: Tote Bag
Bag measures 13” wide and 12” long with 4” oval expandable bottom
Directions:
Using 2 strands of vcr tape with one strand of ribbon yarn Ch 28.
Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Work 2 Hdc in end st, then continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st to other end then work 2 Hdc in end st.
Rnd 2
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in 1 end st, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in 1 end st. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.
Rnd 3
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in 1 end st, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in 1 end st.
Rnd 4 – 9
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom. (End so that you are at side of bag.)
Drop and cut off ribbon yarn leaving an end to weave under on inside of bag.
Rnd 10 – 18
Using just 2 strands of vcr tape, Hdc in ea st around bag for the next 9 rounds.
Rnd 19 – 22
With new roll of ribbon yarn and 2 strands of vcr tape, Hdc in ea st around bag.
Mark center 7 stitches on each side of bag for handle opening.
Rnd 23
Hdc in each st to mark for handle opening. Ch 9, leave 7 stitches un-worked for handle, then Hdc in remaining stitches and across other side to mark for handle opening. Ch 9, leave 7 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.
Round 24
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 st of round.
Round 25
Hdc in each St around to handle. Work one Sc in each st of handle, then Hdc in each st of bag 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. Work Sc, Sl St, and Sl St in the last 3 sts of round ending 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.
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
Dc – Double Crochet
Rnd – Round
Sc - Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
St – Stitch
This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy of 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
June 21, 2007
I really like the look of this bag. You have a great blog!
June 21, 2007
[...] or recycling. I came across this nifty purse made of VHS tape. Also, found another one over at MyRecycledBags.com. Now I just have to think of what to do with the VHS tape casing… and perhaps the clam-shell [...]
July 17, 2007
thank you for the pattern! Now to find a project for the other one thousand balls of ribbon yarn i bought……:)
July 31, 2007
Thanks for sharing VCR Tape crocheting with us. I am having so much fun with it! I was about to throw away my ribbon yarn. It does work so well with the VCR tape. It is amazing how much VCR tape there is on one roll. The fun never stops!
August 3, 2007
Hi Cindy
Did you read about Craftster’s “Reusable Shopping Bag Challenge”? Your creation should not have any problem winning a prize.
Read about it and check out what I have created for this challenge at the following link:
http://greenbeingnancy.blogspot.com/2007/08/im-plastic-bag-eco-friendly-make-me.html
Good luck to you.
May 2, 2008
[...] to show a couple of her bags here, and she has some incredibly creative ideas. She even created a VCR tote partially using Incredible, a Lion Brand ribbon [...]
November 18, 2008
I am in the process of making this bag! Definitely use a steel hook. I began with a plastic hook and the VCR tape was sticking to the hook. With the steel hook it does not stick. Also, instead of the ribbon yarn I am using the Lion Brand fun fur yarn because I had two balls of it already. I will post a photo when I am finished with the bag. I might make a second bag using the ribbon yarn, it is difficult to count stitches with the fun fur yarn.
November 18, 2008
@Sherry,
Yes the plastic hooks do not work well with the VCR tape. I always use my favorite old metal N hook. I have used fun fur too and it turns out great. Let me know when you finish.
Best wishes and happy green crafting to you!
January 22, 2009
I finished the bag and took some photos of it. I’m trying to post a link to my photobucket but PB is not cooperating right now!
I’l try again later today.
Overall, my experience making this bag was good! Once I switched to a metal hook it was easier but I still found that I really had to tug hard to get the stiches made. I realized that I could have worked a bit looser but I was half way done when I realized this so for the sake of consistency I kept on going as I was.
Also, the fun fur looks cool but I found it difficult to count stitches with it!
I will make another bag using the ribbon tape instead of fun fur and see how it is!
I gave the bag to my Mother for her birthday and everyone in my family wanted me to make them one! I guess I’ll make them for their birthday’s too!
Sherry
January 22, 2009
Ok, Photobucket decided to cooperate! Here’s a link to my Photobucket album with my crochet items, including the VCR bag!
http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/MommyWonka/Crochet%20Projects/
January 22, 2009
Oh your bag looks cool! Thanks for sharing the photos and your experiences using VCR tape.