My Recycled Bags.com

Need another idea for a handmade Christmas gift? Well how about crocheting a grocery tote bag from recycled plastic bags. Gifts that are handmade are very popular this holiday season. What better idea is a handmade, reusable, and eco-friendly gift all in one! You can add a holiday trim to your bag as shown.

Or just plain as shown here. Either way it’s a wonderful gift that can be used over and over.
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Free Pattern for Crocheted Grocery Tote Bag

Materials needed:
One very large ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn”
Approx. 60-70 plastic grocery bags

Hook: “N” U.S. size metal hook

Description: Grocery Tote Bag
Bag measures 13” wide and 13” long with 9” handles

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 - 4
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the two end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in ea of the two end sts. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.

Rnd 5 - 25
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom. Mark center 12 sts on bag for handle opening.

Rnd 26
Hdc in each st to mark for handle opening (approx 10 sts.) Ch 20, leave 12 stitches un-worked for handle, then Hdc in remaining stitches and across other side to mark for handle opening. Ch 20, leave 12 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. Check your work to make sure the back opening and handle matches the front of bag. Adjust your sts as needed to match.

Rnd 27
Hdc in each st around to handle opening. Work Sc’s around the chain of handle evenly, then Hdc around in each stitch until you reach handle on other side. Work Sc’s around chain of other handle evenly, then Hdc around in each remaining st of rnd.

Rnd 28
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 remaining st of rnd.

Rnd 29
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 - 2008

Filed under: Crocheted Bags, Plastic Bag Crafts on December 2nd, 2007