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
July 3, 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!
July 10, 2007
Plarn! I love it!
July 10, 2007
I bet I could find 101 uses for that bag!! Thanks so much for sharing!
July 10, 2007
Very cute! This would make a great little beach tote!
July 26, 2007
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.
July 28, 2007
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?
July 28, 2007
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.
August 5, 2007
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
August 5, 2007
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.
August 8, 2007
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…
November 7, 2007
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.
November 7, 2007
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.
March 2, 2008
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
March 2, 2008
@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.
October 23, 2008
Thanks for sharing this great pattern! I’ve been telling everyone to check out this easy-to-do project. What a great way to recycle those ubiquitous plastic bags!
May 4, 2009
[...] amazingly detailed directions, perfect for you smarty knitting types. For crocheters, here’s another bag and pattern, from My Recycled Bags. If none of these bags are quite your style, or you want one but seriously just don’t do [...]
June 28, 2009
A year or 2 ago I found this site and promptly made the tote. I took it into the Sr. Center where I volunteer and immediately was asked to teach some of the women there how to make one. After i gave them a 15 minute class in how to make Plarn they went to work on it. Several bags were completed, each with different shapes and sizes. Since then I have been asked to make a few for friends. Thanks for the wonderful idea. Laurie
July 17, 2009
Can you use the bread bag plarn to make any of the bags or just the bread bag patterns? I am especially interested in making this bag or the ultimate shopping bag with bread bags. We go through alot of bread and I would like to be able to make some of these bags out of both kinds of plarn too but not if bread bag plarn will not hold up as well. Thank you and I love your site!
July 17, 2009
Kristen,
Yes you can use bread bags, plastic from toilet paper packaging, and really any type of plastic to crochet my patterns. When you use the heavy plastic like bread bags, it is harder to crochet with though as the plastic doesn’t slide as easily when crocheting. It also is harder on your hands, fingers, and joints. Make sure you take lots of breaks to give your hands time to rest. Bread bags are actually stronger and will hold up longer. I would recommend using all the same type of plastic as it will look better than mixing bread bags and the thinner plastic retail bags. Good luck and thanks for stopping by to visit.