Large Plastic Market Bag

Posted on September 15, 2007

This market bag was crocheted using a large plastic Q crochet hook. It’s my first project crocheting with plastic bag yarn "plarn" and using the extra large plastic hook. I must say that it makes my bag much lighter and the stitches more airy. I also didn’t use as many plastic bags as I normally do to finish the project. The bag is still very strong. As I have shown below with a load of groceries, it stretches nicely to accommodate my purchases.
Clickable

Here is my market bag filled from a grocery store trip!


So check out the free pattern below and as always — enjoy!

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Free Large Plastic Market Bag Pattern

Materials needed: One large ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn”

Hooks:
“Q” size plastic hook
“N” size metal hook for handles

Description: Large Plastic Market Tote Bag
Bag measures 13” wide and 15” long

Directions:
Using “Q” hook, Ch 20.

Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Then continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st 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 - 18
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom. End at the side of the bag.

Rnd 19
Mark center 6 stitches at front of bag and back of bag. (This will be the opening for the handles.)
Starting at side of bag for rnd, Hdc in ea st over to the beginning mark for center 6 sts, Ch 8 and attach yarn with a Hdc in the next st after the center 6 sts mark. (You leave the center 6 sts unworked.)

Hdc in ea st around to the other side of bag. Match front of bag by leaving the center 6 sts unworked. Ch 8 then continue working Hdc in ea st to complete rnd ending at side of bag. Check your work to make sure the back matches the front of bag. Adjust your sts as needed to match.

Rnd 20
Hdc in ea st over to chain for handle. Sc evenly and tightly around the chain. Then Hdc in ea st around to other side’s chain for handle. Sc around that the same as the other side’s handle, then Hdc in ea remaining sts of rnd.

Rnd 21
Hdc in ea st around to handle – Switch to “N” hook and Sc in ea st of the handle. Switch back to “Q” hook and Hdc around in ea st around to the other side’s handle. Using “N” hook again, Sc in ea st of handle, then with “Q” hook finish side by working Hdc in ea st of rnd.

Rnd 22
Repeat rnd 21 until the last two sts of rnd. Work Sc and then Sl St in the last st of rnd at side of bag. FO and weave in the end to make a smooth edge at top edge of 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

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19 Responses

Nan Genereux
September 16, 2007

Thanks Cindy for playing the tag game. It’s not something I usually do, but have done a couple, and sometimes i just like to do them so I have the excuse to put some clickable links to some of the sights I like on my blog so some of the readers I have will visit new blogs and I find your blog interesting and wanted to get you some extra coverage from folks that ask me about purses all the time. I still haven’t written up any patterns that I keep thinking I am going to do and I know you have a lot of free patterns posted so I am hoping they find inspiration by visiting you too!
Have a great day!
Sara's Texture Crafts
September 19, 2007

Thank you for finding my DaWanda Shop Directory and leaving your best wishes…

Just dropping in to ask if you have seen my blog at http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/ I am looking for guest writers and would love to show off one of your recycling tips… Here’s the link http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/2007/08/call-to-guest-writers.html

Love what you do!
Sara x
Sara's Texture Crafts
September 19, 2007

Thank you for finding my DaWanda Shop Directory and leaving your best wishes…

Just dropping in to ask if you have seen my blog at http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/ I am looking for guest writers and would love to show off one of your recycling tips… Here’s the link http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/2007/08/call-to-guest-writers.html

Love what you do!
Sara x
(((((HUGS))))) sandi
September 19, 2007

LOVE IT as always! and OH YES! Being neighbors with you would be such a delight! Someone just moved out across the street from me… ~smile~ (((((HUGS))))) sandi
Lisa
September 19, 2007

I love ALL your plastic bag crochet items. Such a great durable material to work with I bet! I haven’t tried it YET! Everything looks great!
Lisa
Lesalicious
September 21, 2007

Thanks for stopping by my blog I am always looking for more crafty friends. Love your blog. I haven’t yet to try working with plastic when it comes to crocheting but, I just may give it a try one day.
robert
September 23, 2007

hi. nice blog . thanks.
Jody’s Blog » Blog Archive » Upcycled Plastic Bags
October 10, 2007

[...] then… I saw the crocheted plastic bag from plarn (yarn made from plastic [...]
7 groovy handmade recycled gift ideas for you to make and give at EcoStreet - Raising Green Consciousness since 2002
November 25, 2007

[...] 5. I am a plastic bag Get rid of all the plastic bags cluttering up your under-sink cupboard in the kitchen and give your best friend, sister or mom a really cool shopping bag all at the same time. Eat your heart out Anja Hindmarch! Crochet this large plastic shopping bag. [...]
7 tips for going green without spending any money at all at EcoStreet - Raising Green Consciousness since 2002
February 5, 2008

[...] and use them to carry your groceries home again. If you’re creative and can knit or crochet, make a reusable bag out of your plastic bags and use them for [...]
links for 2008-04-09 « Guavalog: “They said this day would never come.”
April 9, 2008

[...] My Recycled Bags.com » Large Plastic Market Bag A market bag crocheted from many plastic shopping bags. More like it. (tags: bags crafts plastic recycling) [...]
Angela
June 13, 2008

I was wondering how large the large ball of plarn needs to be? I’ve been working on my ball for a while, but I’m not sure if it’s big enough!
Cindy
June 13, 2008

@Angela,
If you are making this bag, it does not use as many bags because it is crocheted with the Q hook. Depending on the size of your bags and the width you cut them, this project probably needs about 25 bags. If your ball is about half the size of a basketball, I think you should have plenty.
Craft Leftovers » Eating Locally Fresh Food Part II
July 3, 2008

[...] Large Plastic Market Bag This bag is actually made out of old plastic grocery bags! Neat-o! [...]
mommak
August 24, 2008

I love this. I have been looking for a solution the the endless plastic bags but did not want to “buy” the ones from the stores…perfect solution…
thank you…
Make Hand Made Gifts » Blog Archive » Crocheted Shopping Bag From Recycled Plastic Bags
October 22, 2008

[...] Click here for the Plastic Market Bag Pattern [...]
Maria
April 2, 2009

Hi

I stumbled upon your site by chance and I made this bag last weekend. I think your bags and ideas are all too great.
I blogged about it and linked to your site. Hope that is OK with you
Thanks a lot
Maria (India)
Shelby
April 30, 2009

I’m TOTALLY addicted to crocheting these plastic bags now but as you know it’s takes a lot of them to put together one bag. I just started last week, didn’t even know how to crochet and I was off like a rocket. Here’s my Q though: where can I get a stock pile of these bags? Sure I’m asking friends to give me their bags but any other quick options?
Your pattern here is great.
I’ve been showing everyone I know the bags I’ve made and what they can do with them. We could start an evolution here!
Cindy
April 30, 2009

Shelby,
It looks like you too have bitten by the recycling bug. I know how you feel as I love to crochet with plastic bags and can’t get enough of them. Ask your friends to save them and you can post for them at freecycle and other sites like Craig’s list. I also get them from my local groceries store’s recycle bin. I have talked to the manager and they are happy for me to “steal” from their recycle bin. Good luck and come back again soon.