VCR Tape & Ribbon Sling Bag
Here is my latest VCR tape sling bag crocheted along with some ribbon yarn. A local group is making purses for girls in foster care in my area. I crocheted several different purses and decided that I would create one sling bag using recycled VCR tape for the purse drive. It has that funky teen-look so I hope some young lady enjoys it.
If you are new to the concept of crocheting with recycled VCR or VHS tape here is the link to the picture tutorial which shows how this process is done.
Creating purses and bags from recycled materials is always fun. Try adding different yarn or ribbon together with the VCR tape to accomplish different looks. Add additional embellishments to your finished bags to create that unique one-of-a-kind look.
Have fun and happy green crafting to you all!
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Free Crocheted VHS Tape and Ribbon Sling Bag Pattern
Purse measures 8 inches wide and 8 inches long
Strap length is 44 inches
Materials:
2 VCR VHS Tape Reels (only used about ¼ of each reel)
One button 1-1/2 inch button shown on bag
Small amount of Lion Brand Incredible Ribbon Yarn (City Lights shown)
Hook: Metal N (9 mm) crochet hook
Using 2 strands of VCR tape held together, Chain 18.
Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook in each chain. Continue around the corner and down the back side of chain by working a Hdc in every stitch of chain.
Rnd 2
Hdc in each st down to first end. Work 2 Hdc in end st, and then Hdc in ea st down to other end. Work 2 Hdc in that end st. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc in ea st to create a seamless bag.
Rnd 3 – 10
Hdc in ea st of ea rnd until 10 rounds are complete.
Tip: Always end and begin new rounds at side of bag so color change is at side edge of bag.
Rnd 11 – 12
Add ribbon yarn along with the 2 strands of VCR tape, Hdc in ea st. Drop ribbon yarn at end of rnd 12 and FO ribbon yarn only.
Rnd 13
Continue now with just the 2 strands of VCR tape, Hdc in ea sts of rnd.
Rnd 14
Mark 2 center sts of bag at center front. Hdc in each st to within the 2 center front sts. Ch 2 and leave the 2 center sts unworked for buttonhole. Then Hdc in each st to complete the rnd.
Rnd 15
Hdc in each st around to buttonhole opening. Work 3 Hdc in opening (around the chain) for buttonhole then Hdc in each remaining st around to finish rnd.
Rnd 16
Add ribbon yarn and along with 2 strands of VCR tape, Hdc in each st of rnd. Drop VCR tape at end of rnd but don’t FO. Leave VCR tape attached for strap.
Rnd 17 (edging)
Using just ribbon yarn, * Ch 3, Dc in sm sp, Sk 1, Sl St in next st *. Repeat between * to create a scallop edging. Join into base of first Ch 3 to finish edging rnd. FO ribbon yarn only.
Strap: Start strap at side of bag where your 2 strands of VCR tape are attached. Chain until strap measures 44 inches. Attach strap to opposite side of purse with a Sc. Turn and work back up the chain by working a Sc around the chain until you get back to opposite end of strap handle. Adjust your Sc stitches around chain as needed to provide a smooth strap for your bag. Make sure your strap is not twisted before attaching the strap end to the opposite side of bag. Attach your yarn with a Sl St next to the st where you started the strap on the inside of bag. Fasten off and weave ends under on inside of the bag making sure you secure the strap to the bag.
Sew button on purse under buttonhole space.
If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.
Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Ea – Each
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
Sm – Same
Sp – Space
St – Stitch
Rnd – Round
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. ©2008
Mar 23, 2008
I never would of guessed that this is VCR Tape. Wonderful!!
Mar 25, 2008
Hi Cindy,
Every time I visit your blog, I’m like” Wow! I wish I could do that” I didn’t know you could make such a cool purse out of only VCR tape and ribbons. It has got a funky look and I’m sure the girls will like it!
Best wishes 😀
Mar 30, 2008
Yet another great idea!!
Apr 01, 2008
Hi Cindy:
You must be the most creative individual I’ve seen in a long time. Your yarning ability is amazing. Have you ever thought of using sustainable materials for your creations, like hemp or bamboo?
Dagny McKinley
http://www.onnotextiles.com
organic apparel
Apr 01, 2008
Wow! That is so cool. Great recycling.
Apr 01, 2008
@Dagny:
I haven’t tried hemp or bamboo as I don’t have any. I try and use materials I have on hand and bags or tapes that get sent to me. Appreciate the wonderful comments.
Thank you for stopping by.
Apr 02, 2008
I’m sure that bag was a hit!
Apr 03, 2008
Thanks for participating in this week’s Make It From Scratch Carnival #58 at
http://lifelessonsmilitarywife.blogspot.com/2008/04/make-it-from-scratch-58-april-fools.html
Apr 04, 2008
I love the things you make. I can’t wait to try some of the things you suggest.
Apr 04, 2008
Wow that is really creative and fun!
Apr 17, 2008
Hi, I’m wondering if I can make the sling bag using the plastic bag yarn instead?
Mar 19, 2009
This is SUPERCOOL! I promote all manner of recycling on my blog – http://www.conscious-cow.org, but this is one project I NEVER would have thought of. I’m going to try it!
Thanks!
Jun 08, 2009
Love the projects! Thanks for sharing the link during our “conversation” on Ravelry.
Apr 25, 2010
Cindy – You are so creative and talented. I googled ‘recycle home vhs videos’ and got linked here. Happy to send an old home video (I freecycled the movies; just promise not to watch it) for you to make more bags for the foster care girls. Recycling while giving. Way to go! E-mail me direct if you do. Thanks!
Jul 15, 2010
[…] om tot hippe tas. Wel zelf breien, daar is tegenwoordig namelijk niets ouderwets meer aan. Myrecycledbags.com heeft genoeg voorbeelden met uitleg van tassen gemaakt van tape. Ook op Craftstylish.com vind je […]
Jan 14, 2011
I love the idea!!! I am moving soon and my partner and I were wondering what to do with all of our old tapes! Now we know!
Mar 22, 2011
Super ideas and green-ness taught on this whole site! Thanks for your commitment to repurpose and reuse these resources! How can I email a question?
Jun 22, 2011
I crochet purses too. I would like to know if you found a use for the spool that the tapes are on. I you did would you send me some idea. Sure hate to throw away the wheel or spool not sure what to call them.
Jun 25, 2011
Sandra:
You can use the spools for holding ribbon and yarn scraps. I think I saw someone make some coasters out of them too. But I like to wind ribbon up on them. The spools can make great storage holders for yarn, plarn, ribbon, string, and other such stuff.
Jul 08, 2013
Any known sources for recycling the VHS cassette itself or box?
Jul 09, 2013
Clootiecity — http://www.greendisk.com/ and http://www.eDebris.org both recycle e-waste and media items.
Sep 18, 2013
You’re so creative! That was pretty cool. By the way, it was a great post.
Oct 09, 2013
[…] Knit up a bag. […]
Apr 25, 2014
[…] can knit a handbag from videotape ribbon, or you can create a videotape […]
Jul 01, 2016
I love your ideas and crafts, but I am just trying to get rid of some VHS tapes. I would love to give them to you, I would even send them to you, if you want them. I live in Lincoln Nebraska and seriously I would be happy to ship them to anyone. Do you have any idea how to put the word out that I would be happy to give them away. You seem to be a person who knows how to connect with people. Any ideas? Again I am not a crafty person, but I hate to throw things in the trash. (these are the big eight hour tapes that people used to tape tv shows.) Thank you very much.
Jul 04, 2016
@Peggy – Thanks for the visit and comment. I have many tapes and don’t need any more. Lots of people ask about what to do with these old tapes and while I can’t take them, you might try your local Goodwill. Some of them will take them and have a recycling program for tapes. Also there is an organization called http://www.greendisk.com/ that will recycle the tapes but there is a fee to use them. Good luck and I hope you find a way to recycle your tapes.