Messenger Bag Crafted from Plastic Bags
Here is my messenger bag crocheted using recycled plastic bags. I am tempted to call this my ultimate recycled bag because it is so big and could be used for so many different purposes. This was a fun and challenging project as it fulfilled a request I had received.
Awhile back someone asked me to make a bag big enough to hold a scrapbook album. Well, I think this recycled bag would work wonderfully to hold your scrapbooking projects along with extra supplies. I added a plastic canvas sheet to the bottom of my bag to provide more stability. I just placed it inside rolled over at the center in the base of the messenger bag.
Clickable
I hope you enjoy this messenger bag project and happy green crafting!
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Free Crocheted Messenger Bag Pattern
Bag measures 15-1/2 inches wide and 13” long
Strap length is 42 inches
Materials: One large ball of plarn (plastic bag yarn) Appox. 60 bags
Picture tutorial is found here on how to make plarn
Hooks:
Metal “N” US size hook for main bag
Metal “J” US size hook for edging
Chain 32.
Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook in each chain.
Continue to the corner end st, work 2 Hdc in end st. Continue around and down the back side of chain by working a Hdc in every stitch of chain, work 2 Hdc in end st.
Rnd 2
Hdc in each st down to first end. Work 2 Hdc in the 2 end sts, and then Hdc in ea st down to other end. Work 2 Hdc in ea of the 2 end sts. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc in ea st to create a seamless bag.
Rnd 3
Hdc in each st down to first end. Work 2 Hdc in the 3 end sts, and then Hdc in ea st down to other end. Work 2 Hdc in ea of the 3 end sts.
Rnd 4 – 30
Hdc in ea st around entire bag. End so at side of bag to begin flap.
Row 1 (Flap)
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st across back of bag only to create flap.
(Crochet less one st on either side of back to bag to create a smooth flap overlay.)
Row 2 – 15
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st across for flap. ( I did 15 rows before dec’s to create a tapered flap.)
Row 16 – 26
Ch 2, turn. Work 2 Hdc together over next sts (1 dec made) then Hdc in ea st to lasts 2 sts of row. Work 2 Hdc together over last 2 sts to create one dec.
Row 27
Ch 2, turn. Work Hdc in ea st. Finish off and weave under ends.
Edging:
With right side facing and using J hook, attach plarn with a sl st to right side of upper edge of flap.
Sc evenly around complete edge of flap to create smooth edge. Finish off.
Strap: (edited 07/25/08 to clarify strap beginning)
Using N hook, start strap at side of bag by joining plarn with sl st with right side facing out 6 sts from flap. Sc across top edge of bag in the next 5 sts (toward flap.) *Ch 2, turn. Work Hdc in ea of the 6 sts.* Repeat between *until strap is 42” long. (Make sure your strap is straight and not twisted.)
End so your strap can be attached to other side of bag. Working from the inside Sc in ea of the 6 sts across the top edge of bag at opposite side to attached strap. This way your work doesn’t show the attaching of sts.
On the outside press down to flatten your strap attaching sts so it lays flat.
Leave long your end so you can reinforce your attaching sts of the strap by intertwining through your attaching sts to strengthen.
Finish off and weave under ends.
Attach a velcro strip under flap if desired.
If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.
Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Dec – Decrease
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
April 5, 2008
Great bag! I love the little colors dotted throughout. Very pretty. It’s amazing what you can do with recycled plastic bags.
April 5, 2008
Great job, Cindy!
April 7, 2008
[...] up is a series of submissions about recycling and reusing: a messenger bag made from recycled plastic bags, a blog post with examples of turning trash into art (I especially like the dress made out of [...]
April 9, 2008
Wonderful bag!
April 13, 2008
I’ve been kidding my kids that their next backpack will be plarn. So…I just printed this out and will leave it laying around (with some hand written comments on color choices) for them to see. I can’t wait for their reactions! LOL
Bad mommy…bad mommy LOL
April 16, 2008
This is such a great thing! I never heard of using the plastic bags like yarn. Great idea!
April 17, 2008
[...] Messenger Bag – Another crocheted bag using plastic bags. [...]
April 26, 2008
Addition to my April 13 post. My daughter actually wants a plarn backpack. She thought the messenger bag was a great idea. Hooray!! She is a plarn convert!
April 27, 2008
Great job! I love it. I don’t knit so am passing onto my Aunt who will love this project.
Alyson LID 01/27/06
http://www.alyzabethan.blogspot.com
July 23, 2008
This is brilliant! I’ve been looking everywhere for a plarn bag big enough to use as a backpack (and as I’m in High School, that’s no easy task), and was easy enough for a beginner to make. It’s so pretty too!
July 24, 2008
Oh! I did have a question about the strap…it said to sc the five stitches going towards the flap, and then chain two, turn, and then work hdc in the 6 sts.
Is it five, or six? Or am I just a little bit lost?
July 25, 2008
@Kim,
I edited the strap to clarify how to begin. I was counting the sl st at beginning as a stitch and it was confusing on the count. So you work a sl st (counts as first sc) to start with right side facing out 6 sts from flap. Sc across top edge of bag in the next 5 sts (toward flap.)(6 sts complete)
*Ch 2, turn. Work Hdc in ea of the 6 sts.* Repeat between *until strap is 42” long.
Remember you can always add or subtract a st on the strap to make it wider or narrower as desired. Best of luck and please email me back if you have any questions at all.
August 18, 2008
I made one of these, only a bit altered, it has no flap and is 17 inches wide and about 15 inches tall.
It’s very spacy, but it’s not very strong. if i but more than 6 lbs in it, the strap stretches, if i put a heavy book in it, the corner jabs at the material and threatens to rip my bag
and i don’t want it to rip cause i worked like 12 hours on it.
what do you suggest i do for lining? will the lining make it stronger
August 18, 2008
@Andrea:
I did line mine with plastic canvas and it helped shore-up the insides to make it stronger. But like my grocery totes, the straps do stretch but they do come back to nearly normal after you take the weight off them. I’m surprised it seems to want to rip. I put heavy groceries in my totes and they do stretch way out but have never ripped. I would maybe reinforce your strap by putting a wide ribbon on the underneath side of the strap. I did that on a small handbag so the strap didn’t stretch. Try these things and see if it helps. Good luck.
August 18, 2008
Oh thanks! Haha maybe I’m just paranoid. I’m going to line it with a ripped bedsheet we were going to throw out. Maybe put some cereal box cardboard in between the bag and the lining to make the bottom flat.
Thanks for the quick reply!
August 18, 2008
@Andrea:
Sounds like a great lining and will provide you with a strong base. Best wishes on your bag.
September 21, 2008
Fabulous! I am also making purses out of recycled products. I am in search of recycled purse handles that I can buy in bulk. Some short and some very long. Any ideas? If so, please contact me at pgorham11@aim.com.
Thanks!
September 22, 2008
@Pat:
I sent you a list of ideas for your plastic handles. I don’t sell any handles but hopefully gave you some ideas to try. Best wishes on your project with the students.
October 4, 2009
I made a version of this bag using this pattern. It was the first thing I have ever tried to crochet from plarn. I love it! I lined mine with fused plastic bags that I also made. I made a pocket inside and have been using the bag to hold the winter hats I have been making. I love your patterns. Keep up the good work!