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Reusable Lunch Sack Bag

Posted on June 22, 2007

lunchbag1.JPG

Here is a seamless reusable lunch sack bag. The lunch sack is crocheted from recycled plastic bags. This project is another installment of my to-do list which I am working on. The list is made up of items that I have never made before and I use recycled material to create each item. Once the item is completed, I share it here along with the free crochet pattern so everyone can have an opportunity to make the recycled project too.

This week, I completed my lunch sack which is a seamless bag. I have used this seamless method for quite a while now and wanted to share it here on my blog. You can use it on many different projects when you don’t want to have to sew or weave sides together on your project. It also leaves your item with a nice appearance as you do not have a joining stitch. I have step-by-step pictures of how the seamless bag method works below.

LunchBagClick on photo to view full-size
At round 3 of bottom

Lunch5Click on photo to view full-size
At round 5 as sides curl up

Lunch7 Click on photo to view full-size
At round 7 as bowl is created

LunchBagBottom Click on photo to view full-size
Finished bag with expandable bottom

Free Reusable Lunch Sack Bag Pattern

Materials needed: One large ball of plastic bags cut into strips and interlocked to create a ball of plarn

Strip of Velcro for flap closure (I used 4″ strip)

Hook: N (9 mm) size metal crochet hook

Description: Plastic Lunch Sack Bag
Bag measures 8 inches wide at top and 11 inches long with 3-1/2 inches oval expandable bottom and 19 inch long strap.

Directions:
Ch 18

Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st down to other end. Do not join at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.

Rnd 2
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the 2 end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in the 2 end sts.

Rnd 3
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the 3 end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in ea of the 3 end sts. (See photo taken at end of rnd 3)

Rnd 4
Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 5
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom. (See photo taken at end of rnd 5. Notice how the sides are beginning to curl up.)

Rnd 6 – 7
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom again. (See photo taken at end of rnd 7. Notice how a bowl has been created.)

Rnd 8 – 22
Continue working a Hdc in ea st around.

(End so that you are at side of bag.)

Rnd 23
(To create a wide top opening, work increases at sides of bag as follows.
Lay bag down flat to determine sides of bag.)

Work 2 Hdc in st at side of bag, then a Hdc in ea st until you reach the other side edge of bag, 2 Hdc in st at side of bag, then a Hdc in ea st until you are back to the beginning of rnd.

Rnd 24
Repeat rnd 23 by working an increase at both sides of bag.

Rnd 25-26
Work one Hdc in ea st around. (End so that you are at side of bag.)

Flap:
Row 1-5
Ch 2, turn, Hdc in each st across back half of bag for flap.

Row 6
Ch 2, turn. Work one Hdc over the next 2 sts (1 Dec), then Hdc in ea st to last two stitches of row. Work one Hdc (1 Dec) over last two sts of row the same as first Dec of row.

Row 7-11
Repeat row 6 by working 1 Dec at beginning and end of ea row.

Row 12
Ch 2, Turn. Work even with one Hdc in ea st of flap.

Row 13
Ch 2, turn. Work a Hdc in ea st and FO. Weave in ends on inside of bag.

Flap Edging
With right side facing, attach yarn at top edge of flap. Work one Sc in ea st around outside edge of flap until you reach the first flap corner, then work 2 Sc in flap corner. Continue working one Sc to other flap corner, work 2 Sc in other corner, and finish with one Sc in ea st back up to top edge of flap. FO.

Strap
Create strap by attaching your plarn with a Sc down 3 rows at side of bag, then work a Sc up ea row to top edge of bag. Ch 45. Attach strap to opposite side of purse with a Sc and work down with a Sc in ea st down 2 more rows. (This provides a strong strap attachment.) Turn and work a Sc into bag side next to prior Sc strap attachment sts and back up to the top of strap. Work Sc around the chain until you get back to opposite end of strap handle then work a Sc down next to the last 3 Sc where strap is secured to bag (same as other side.) 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.

Turn and work a Sc in ea st back up the strap until you reach the other end of strap. Attach with a Sc into side edge of bag.

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

Fold in bag at sides to create an expandable side to the lunch sack.
Cut strip of Velcro for flap closure and attach on underside of flap.

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
Dec – Decrease
Ea – Each
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. ©2007-2010

****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.




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6 Responses to “Reusable Lunch Sack Bag”

  1. Joanna
    Jun 22, 2007

    I use plastic bags as lunch sacks every day… I really should look into making one of these. As it is now, I run out of plastic bags and don’t have a way to carry my lunch- this would be perfect!


  2. Stephanie
    Jun 23, 2007

    Looks good Cindy!

    Thanks for participating in Make It From Scratch!


  3. jessica
    Jul 09, 2007

    very cute! it reminded me of the rugs my grandmother would crochet out of plastic bags. I guess you can crochet just about anything out of plastic bags.

    I have a card made out of a kleenex box on my blog if you’re interested

    http://www.zakkalife.blogspot.com

    kawaii crafter


  4. Foodaholic
    Jun 02, 2008

    Very nice. I will definitely make one for my niece as a back to school gift. She’ll love it!


  5. Jackie
    Jul 11, 2009

    Brilliant! I will be making one of these for my son.


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About Me

Hello, I’m Cindy or aka RecycleCindy. Welcome to my blog site that is dedicated to recycling and crafting. I love to crochet and create crafts and other useful things from recycled materials. I share many free tutorials and patterns for creating recycled projects as well as other handmade items.


Here is a direct link to all my free patterns available here on My Recycled Bags.


Thank you for stopping by to visit and for your interest in My Recycled Bags!