Here is yet another great looking tote bag you can crochet from recycled trash. This granny square motif bag was created using plastic bags for the center and 2 reels of old vcr tapes. The tote bag measures 11 inches square with a 26 inch strap handle.

As always, here is the free pattern.

VHS Video Tape Motif Tote Pattern

Size: 11 inch square bag with 26 inch long strap
Hook: N (9 mm) metal crochet hook used in this Motif pattern
Materials: Yellow and Grey plastic bags cut and tied into yarn (plarn)
2 Vcr video tapes (T-120s)

With center color (Yellow shown) Ch 4, Sl St to form ring.

Rnd 1
Using Yellow plastic bag yarn, Ch 2, (counts as 1 Hdc) in ring work 2 Hdc,
Ch 1, 3 Hdc, Ch 1, 3 Hdc, Ch1, 3 Hdc
Ch 1, Sl St to top of Ch 2. (4 corners & 4 shells made)
Fasten off and weave ends under on back side of Motif.

Rnd 2
With next color (Grey) attach in any Ch 1 corner space.
Ch 2, 2 Hdc, Ch1, 3 Hdc, all in the same ch 1 corner space.
*Sk next 3 Hdc, 3 Hdc, Ch 1, 3 Hdc, all in the next Ch 1 corner space.*
Repeat between * 2 more times, Sl St to top of the beginning Ch 2. FO.

Rnd 3
Using 2 strands of vcr tape as yarn, attach in any Ch 1 corner space.
Ch 2 (counts as 1 Hdc) 2 Hdc, Ch 1, 3 Hdc, all in the corner space.
*Sk 3 Hdc, make 3 Hdc in between shells, Sk next shell, make 3 Hdc, Ch 1,
3 Hdc in corner.* Repeat 2 more times then Sl St to top of first Hdc.

Rnd 4 – 8
Sl St across remaining Hdc’s to corner.
Ch 2 (counts as 1 Hdc) 2 Hdc, Ch 1, 3 Hdc, all in the corner space.
Continue working in established pattern of Sk 3 Hdc (shell), 3 Hdc in between each of the shells, Sk next shell, until you reach the corner again and then make 3 Hdc, Ch 1, 3 Hdc in each corner.
At the completion of each rnd, Sl St to top of the beginning Ch 2 and Sl St to corner space.
Then begin again with Ch 2 (counts as 1 Hdc) 2 Hdc, Ch 1, 3 Hdc, all in the corner space and so on.
Complete 8 rnds.

Top Edge
Work Sc in ea st along top edge of bag.

Fasten off and weave ends under on back side of Motif.

Make two Motifs panels.

Tip: At end of second Motif panel, leave your video tape attached. Sl St to corner.

With wrong sides together, weave them together by attaching 2 strands of video tape yarn (or using tip above) at corner and work 1 rnd of Sc around 3 sides of the bag with 2 Sc’s at bottom corners. (The right sides of the bag should be facing out when you Sc around 3 sides of bag.)
Don’t fasten off. Leave yarn attached to make strap handle.

Strap Handle
With 2 strands of video tape, attached at top edge, Ch 50 for strap handle. Join with a Sl St at top edge of opposite side.
Turn and Sc around chain back down to other side and join with a Sc into st next to starting st of strap at top edge. Turn.

Working back up strap, Sc in ea st of strap to other side. Join with a Sc into st next to last joining st at top edge.

Turn and Sc in ea st of the strap back to other side. Join with a Sc next to last joining st at top edge.

Finish off by working a Sl st into bag to create a smooth finish to strap attachment. Weave under long ends to secure strap to body of bag. FO.

Tip: To square up your bag, apply low heat from a blow dryer and gently form your 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
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
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

****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.