Comments on: Crocheted Plarn Tote Bag

By: Cindy

Cindy — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 04:23:02 +0000

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.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:57:51 +0000

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!

By: Laurie Smith

Laurie Smith — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:16:30 +0000

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

By: Everyone Wants a Fabulous "Plarn" Bag! | FollowGreen.com

Everyone Wants a Fabulous "Plarn" Bag! | FollowGreen.com — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:39:18 +0000

[...] 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 [...]

By: Akosei

Akosei — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:35:36 +0000

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!

By: Cindy

Cindy — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:43:14 +0000

@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.

By: Liane

Liane — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 18:46:21 +0000

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

By: Cindy

Cindy — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:07:15 +0000

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.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:38:59 +0000

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.

By: Jackie H

Jackie H — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:34:24 +0000

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…