Crocheted Plarn Tote Bag
Crochet yourself this cute summer tote from plarn. What is plarn? Well if you haven’t heard the term yet, it refers to the yarn created from recycled plastic bags. I believe Sonnets and Stitches from Crochetville.org was the first to coin the term.
Here is my link to a picture tutorial on how to make plarn. So check it out and recycle all those plastic bags into something of beauty. It’s truly trash to treasure at this website!
Free Pattern for Crocheted “Plarn” Tote Bag
Materials needed: One very large ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn”
Hook: “N” size metal hook
Description: Tote Bag
Bag measures 12” wide and 12” long with 4” expandable bottom
Directions:
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 3-4
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 5
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom.
Rnd 6 - 24
Hdc in ea st around bag for the next 19 rounds. Mark center 10 stitches on each side of bag for handle opening.
Rnd 25
Hdc in each st to mark for handle opening. Ch 12, leave 10 stitches un-worked for handle, then Hdc in remaining stitches and across other side to mark for handle opening. Ch 12, leave 10 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 26
Hdc in each st around to handle. Work 16 Sc around the chain of handle, then Hdc around in each stitch until you reach handle on other side. Work 16 Sc around chain of handle, then Hdc around in each remaining st of round.
Round 27
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
Plarn - Plastic Bag Yarn
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
Filed under: Crocheted Bags, Plastic Bag Crafts on July 3rd, 2007
What a brilliant idea and the end result looks great! Now I just need to learn how to crochet!! Thanks for visiting my blog!
Plarn! I love it!
I bet I could find 101 uses for that bag!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Very cute! This would make a great little beach tote!
I would like to thanks you for posting the plastic bag patterns, they are great to make and each one so different. Keep up the great work of sharing with all of us.
a great idea. i’m spending some time in Brazil, trying to help a community. perhaps this could be a project they can do. i wonder if there is a market for it for them to profit from.
is the red in the bag the markings on the bags?
HI Jessica:
Yes the red is the writing from my local grocery store with their name. I hope your community finds a eco-friendly product to do. Thanks for visiting my site.
OH WOW! I really just need to link your entire blog in my post~there is sooo much more here than I realized! and I HAFTA learn how to crochet! I want this bag and the bib~WAY TOO COOL! *THANK YOU!* for sharing such NEAT STUFF! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
I came across this blog by accident, but as someone who has so much stuff in her cupboards going to waste, your patterns have inspired me to start doing some cleaning and recycling and reusing of the things that I no longer use in their present form.
Keep up the FABULOUS work and I will be back periodically to get more patterns and ideas.
Wow! This is a great use of those old bags - I do use them as trash liners for the bathroom and such, but they still end up in the landfill. I’ve purchased the reusable bags at both Trader Joe’s & Whole Foods and keep them in my car - no excuse that I left them home! But, those actually cost money…who’d have thought I had recyclable tote bags out in the garage, just waiting to be made?
Thanks SO much for this site! Gonna try the water bottle carrier next…
I’m wondering how many grocery bags it takes to make a “large ball” of plarn? I’m trying to teach my kids to make these, since we use about 20 grocery bags each time we go shopping!
Thanks.
Rachel,
I always hesitate to quote a number of plastic bags that it takes to make each bag because it varies. First it depends on your bags, like how big and long they are. Also how many strips you get out of each bag depends on your cutting. On the average though, you get about 9-12 strips a bag. Then it depends on your crocheting etc. Anyway I would say for this bag you need at least 50-60 bags. Good luck in your project with the kids and thanks for stopping by.
Hi,
I think this is fantastic! I have more bags than I know what to do with - untl now!
One question though - the crocheted bags, how much will they stretch when you put your things into it?
Would lining them be a good option to prevent the stretching if this is an issue?
Thanks
Liane
@Liane:
Yes the bags do stretch a bit and especially when you put heavy stuff in them. Generally though, they go back to their original shape once you remove the items. Lining would definitely help to hold the shape of the plarn bag and keep small items from falling out of the bag. But if you are using this for groceries, I wouldn’t bother lining it.