Recycled Plastic Easter Basket
Here is my Easter basket that I created using recycled plastic bags and a plastic soap box strap.
This Easter basket was crocheted using plastic grocery bags to create yarn or plarn as shown here. I used a plastic soap holder strap that I took off a box shown below for my basket handle. I’m sure you’ve had one of these straps in the past and wondered what you could do with it. Well, I’m trying to find new ways to reuse and repurpose otherwise useless things. Using this plastic strap on my basket worked out very nicely.
Enjoy this recycled craft project and I wish you a very happy Easter!
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Free Recycled Crocheted Plastic Easter Basket Pattern
Materials needed: One ball of purple plastic bags cut into strips 1 inch wide and interlocked to create a ball of plarn to crochet with. (Approx. 20-25 bags)
Small amount of white plastic bags cut into plarn for edging and strap.
One plastic soap box strap handle.
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal crochet hook
Description: Purple Easter Basket –
Basket measures 8 inches wide and 5 inches tall with 19 inch handle strap.
Directions:
Ch 3 and join with a Sl St to form a ring.
Round 1
Ch 1, then work 9 Sc in ring, join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1. (10)
Round 2
Ch 1, Sc in same st, work 2 Sc in ea st around, join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1. (20)
Round 3
Ch 1, Sc in same st, *Sc in next st, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * – * to end of round, joining with a Sl St to top of Ch 1. (30)
Round 4
Ch 1, Sc in sm st, *work 1 Sc in ea of the next 2 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd. Join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1.
Round 5
Ch 1, Sc in sm st, *Sc in next 5 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd. Join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1.
Round 6
Ch 1, Sc in sm st, *Sc in next 6 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd. Join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1.
Round 7
Ch 1, Sc in ea st around entire round. Join with Sl St to top of Ch 1.
Round 8
Sc in FLO around entire basket. This creates a bend for the bottom edge of basket. Don’t join at end of rnd. From this point on, do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless basket.
Tip: Place a marker so you know where the beginning of the rounds are though as this is helpful for last round of bag.
Rounds 9 -17
Working in both loops now, Hdc in ea st around. Don’t join at end of rounds, just keep working around until 17 rounds are complete or your basket is about 4-1/2 inches tall. In last 2 sts of last round, work SC, and then Sl st in last st to make a nice smooth edge. FO and weave under ends.
Round 18
Switch to white plarn, join with Sl St into basket where you just did last st of round 17. Hdc in ea st around back to beg st.
Round 19 (scalloping)
Sl St into beg st (sm st), Ch 3, Dc in sm st. *Sk 2 sts, Sl St in next st, Ch 3, Dc in sm st*. Repeat between * around. Join with a Sl St into base of beg st. (If your sts for the scalloping doesn’t come out even, just adjust to skip or add a space or stitch as needed so the edging comes out evenly. FO.
Strap:
I recycled a plastic soap box strap for my basket handle. One end had a small hole with a slot cut so I cut the other end to match. The hole and slots are helpful for weaving in and securing your handle to the basket once it has been covered with some white plarn.
Using white plarn, thread through the slot / hole at end of strap. Leave a 5 inch tail at end of strap to be used later to secure to your basket. Working around the strap, SC around the strap evenly so you cover the strap with the white plarn. I did my stitching on the underside of strap so the top was smooth, but you can work it however you prefer. Once you have Sc’d around the length of strap, thread through the other end’s slot and leave another long tail. I then worked Sl Sts through the strap slot into basket and around the edges to secure the strap inside the basket. I used a bit of purple plarn into the strap slot and into the last purple round to provide extra strength so the strap wouldn’t pull apart from my basket. FO and weave ends under. Cut and trim any loose ends too.
If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.
Abbreviations:
Beg – Beginning
Ch – Chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
FLO – Front Loop Only
FO – Finish Off
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
Trl – Triple Crochet
This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy at 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. ©2008
****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.
Tags: crochet, Easter, easter-basket, free-pattern, plarn
Mar 09, 2008
These look so cute! Thanks for the pattern Cindy.
Mar 09, 2008
The Easter Basket is oh so cute great job.
Mar 10, 2008
How adorable! I love how the plastic bags really work for an Easter basket!
You have amazing ideas and I’m always coming back here for inspiration and referring folks to your blog. Thank you, Cindy!
Mar 10, 2008
What a perfectly seasonable craft idea! Very cute too!
Mar 11, 2008
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I love all your “plarn” items and appreciate the patterns you offer. I’ve just found out about “plarn” and haven’t made anything yet but am looking forward to starting.
Thanks again!
Mar 11, 2008
Hi Cindy,
Just wanted to let you know, since your comment on my blog regarding my “plarn” post. Today I posted a new thread about “more plarn” and linked to your site & have some of your pictures posted.
Thanks again!
Mar 11, 2008
Simple and nice easter basket. I have never tried to crochet plastic. Will try it out someday, I hope. Thanks for sharing.
Mar 13, 2008
Very, very clever idea. I think you need a new slogan for My Recycled Bags: “Not just bags.” 🙂
Stumbled your piece, and wishing you many hoppy visitors. 🙂
-Jenn
Mar 14, 2008
What a great idea! It’s so cute!
Mar 15, 2008
That is a really cute Easter basket!
Mar 18, 2008
That’s so cute! You must put a lot of time into these projects.
Mar 20, 2008
[…] Easter Basket from Recycled Plastic […]
Mar 21, 2008
Hi there,
I found your site awhile back…I love, love, this Easter basket… AND all of your work! It’s incredible. Way groovy too! I’d love to link you on my site and blog about this easter basket!!! I hope you’ll consider visiting my siten and allowing me to do so …hope to eco-chat soon! 🙂
Mar 23, 2008
[…] Recycled Plastic Easter Egg Basket – brought to you by MyRecycledBags.com. Lots of great projects and detailed instructions for crocheting with plastic grocery bags. […]
Mar 25, 2008
This is soooo lovely! and OH! LOVE the potscrubber dishcloth! and EVERYTHING else, as usual!
Prayin’ for you, dear internet friend! I hope you LOVE the music as much as I do~you’ll hafta let me know! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
Mar 29, 2008
Love this basket and the idea of recycling plastic bags. Cute
Apr 09, 2008
Thanks for this great idea. I am sharing it across the state of Mississippi via a list serve to help science teachers find ways to celebrate Earth Day. My community college environmental classes are going to make these bags as part of their education!
May 10, 2008
[…] to you by MyRecycledBags.com. Lots of great projects and detailed instructions for crocheting …http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2008/03/08/recycled-plastic-easter-basket/Plastic Baskets… Items Custom Protectors plastic baskets Furniture Events What’s New? … These […]
Mar 16, 2009
My Granddaughter Jelina loves the bag I made out of recycled bags for her aunt. Today I started her one out of yellow bags from the dollar store. Pretty yellow would work on your basket too.
Apr 09, 2009
[…] Handmade from scraps of fabric, would-be trash or by crocheting with a free pattern found […]
Jan 08, 2010
[…] 20. Recycled Plastic Easter Basket from MyRecycledBags.com […]
Mar 25, 2010
[…] Why not turn those ever present plastic bags into this Crocheted Plastic Easter Basket. […]