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Recycled Plarn Backpack Pattern

Posted on July 17, 2009

Presenting the long awaited and many times requested free plarn backpack pattern. This project is crocheted from recycled plastic bags along with a bit of scrap cotton yarn to create an unique backpack or knapsack. This has been a challenging project but I have kept the crochet stitches and instructions as simple as possible so even a beginner should be able to craft this cool recycled backpack.
Recycled Plarn Backpack

Here is the how to make plarn tutorial link that shows detailed pictures on how I create plastic yarn from recycled plastic bags.

Plarn Backpack Drawstring Closeup Plarn Backpack Backside Click photos to supersize closeups

Enjoy the pattern and happy green crafting to all!

Free Plarn Backpack Crochet Pattern

Materials needed:
One very large ball of plastic bag yarn or Plarn – Approx. 60-70 plastic grocery bags
1 oz. of scrap cotton yarn
1 buckle hardware latch for front flap

Hooks:
N (9 mm) U.S. size metal hook for main body of backpack
J, H & G U.S. size crochet hooks for straps, trim, and drawstring

Description: Plastic Bag Plarn Backpack or Knapsack
Bag measures 13″ wide and 13″ long with 18-1/2″ back straps

Directions:
Ch 18

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
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 3
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the 3 end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in ea of the 3 end sts.

Rnd 4-5
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the 4 end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in ea of the 4 end sts.

Rnd 6
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom.

Rnd 7
Working back loops only, Hdc in ea st around. This creates a flat, expandable bottom to your bag.

Rnd 8-9
Working in both loops now and throughout the rest of the bag, Hdc in ea st around entire bag.

Rnd 10
Hdc in ea st down to end of side, work 2 Hdc in end st (at side of bag). Then continue around other side of bag by working a Hdc in ea st to other end (side edge) then work 2 Hdc in end st.

Rnd 11-27
Hdc in ea st around. End at side of bag with a Sl St. (Flat measurement approx. 12″ long at this point.)

Rnd 28
At side of bag edge, Ch 2, *Sc in next 3 sts, Ch 1, Sk next st*. Repeat between * around bag to create eyelet row for drawstring. Join with a Sl St to Ch 2 beg.

Rnd 29
Ch 1, Sc in ea st and space around top edge. End with Sl St at side of bag. FO and weave under ends.

Flap:
Attach plarn (plastic bag yarn) on back about 2-1/2″ over from side edge to start the flap. My flap is 8″ wide and by starting about 2-1/2″ over this centered my flap over the opening. Check your measurements and adjust as needed so the flap is centered on your backpack opening.
Backpack Flap Closeup Closeup of beginning of flap (Click to supersize)

Row 1
Attach with a Sl St, Ch 1, Hdc in ea st across until you are 2-1/2″ from the other side edge. My flap has 18 sts across as the Ch 2 counts as first st. See closeup of photo taken showing beginning of flap.

Row 2-8
Ch 2, turn, Hdc in ea st across.

Row 9 (Dec Row)
Ch 2, turn, work one Hdc dec over the next 2 Hdc sts, then Hdc in ea st down to the last 2 sts of row. Work one Hdc dec over the last 2 sts. (Hdc decrease is done by working just one Hdc over two sts.)

Row 10
Ch 2, turn, Hdc in ea st.

Row 11-15
Repeat Row 9 (Dec Row) and then Row 10 until 15 rows completed. (Another words work one dec row and then one even row until 15 rows are completed)

Row 16-17
Work Dec over first 2 sts of row, Hdc in ea st down to the last two sts. Work Dec over the last two sts of row. FO.

Trim on Flap:
Using H hook and cotton yarn, attach yarn to front flap at upper edge. Sc evenly around the entire outer flap edge. FO.

Drawstring:
Using J hook, chain with cotton yarn to create a 45 inch long drawstring. Weave under the ends and weave the drawstring through the eyelets in round 28 so the two ends meet at the front. Tie a bow at front. You can also purchase a cord or use plarn to make your drawstring if desired.

Back Straps: (Make two)
Using J hook, attach plarn at upper back of backpack as shown in photos approx. 2 inches over from sides. Sc across 5 sts, working through sts of bag so the strap is securely connected to the back of the backpack.

Ch 2, turn, Hdc in ea st across until 18 inches long. Check the lineup of the strap to make sure it is straight on the back of the backpack and that it fits over your shoulder. Make your strap longer or shorter as needed to fit properly.

Attach completed strap to lower edge of bag just above Row 7 which was the round that you worked in the back loops only. Attach approx. 2 inches over from side edge. Sc across 5 sts, working through the existing sts of backpack to secure the strap. Weave under ends again through both layers of strap and the backpack so your straps are strong and secured.

Repeat above for the other back strap on the backpack.

Front Flap Latch and Strap:
Make a strap for your purchased latch hardware using the cotton yarn and a G crochet hook. Ch 5, Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st across. Check to make sure your strap fits into the latch strap space after a few rows.

*Ch 1, turn, Sc in ea of the 4 sts across*. (5 sts as the Ch 1 counts as 1st st.) Repeat between * until measures 6 inches in length. I made my top strap doubled and did not make it adjustable. Weave strap through top latch slots and Sl St across top edge through both layers of strap and into the center of flap as shown in the photos. Sl St around the existing sts of flap and through strap again to secure tightly in place. FO and weave under ends.

Make another strap using the cotton yarn in the same width and length as above for the lower latch. I did make this strap adjustable and woven it through the slots of the hardware. You can adjust this strap up or down depending on how much stuff you put in the backpack.

Backside Loop Holder (8 inch strap loop):
Using the G hook and cotton yarn, Ch 35. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st down to the end. *Ch 1, turn, Sc in ea st*. Repeat between * once. Turn and Sl St in ea st down to the end. Leaving yarn attached, Attach to back of backpack at the upper center as shown in photos. Secure the ends using Sl Sts into and around the plarn sts of backpack. Weave in and out several times with the cotton yarn so your back hook is secured tightly. FO.

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
Dec – Decrease
Ea – Each
FO – Finish Off
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl St – Slip Stitch
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 and welcome. ©2009

*****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.




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20 Responses to “Recycled Plarn Backpack Pattern”

  1. Millie Smith
    Jul 17, 2009

    WOW I do like this pattern and all the other ones you have shown. I have made quite a few of them as gifts. thanks
    keep them coming.
    Millie


  2. Rachel
    Jul 18, 2009

    oooooo!!! Awesome!!! Great job Cindy 😀
    .-= Rachel´s last blog ..Crochet Pattern: Tunisian Knit Stitch Scarf =-.


  3. Asta
    Jul 18, 2009

    Great, what can be achieved with creativity! Congratulations!
    And thank you for posting!


  4. SewDelish
    Jul 18, 2009

    Love it Cindy. I can just imagine this with a few crochet flowers on.
    .-= SewDelish´s last blog ..My First Attempt at Making A Chain Maille Bracelet =-.


  5. Le-Chat
    Jul 19, 2009

    Too cool, Cindy! But I think I’m going to make one in t-yarn!
    .-= Le-Chat´s last blog ..The Swine =-.


  6. Very cute! I think you should publish a book!
    .-= Heather – Dollar Store Crafts´s last blog ..Tame Your Toybox with a Toy Book =-.


  7. […] Recycled Plarn Backpack Pattern from My Recycled Bags: This wonderful upcycled backpack is a great way to repurpose those old plastic bags into something new. […]


  8. Monica
    Jul 20, 2009

    What a fantastic project! I definitely have to make one!


  9. […] presents Recycled Plarn Backpack Pattern posted at My Recycled Bags.com. Cindy specializes in reusing plastic grocery sacks as […]


  10. Catherine
    Jul 24, 2009

    Awesome design! Thanks!!
    .-= Catherine´s last blog ..Jake =-.


  11. All Things Eco Blog Carnival Volume Sixty | Focus Organic.com
    Jul 27, 2009

    […] presents Recycled Plarn Backpack Pattern posted at My Recycled Bags.com. RecycleCindy says, “Crochet a recycled backpack using plastic bags […]


  12. mamie Nicole
    Aug 11, 2009

    MERCI MERCI !!!!
    Je vais essayer de faire une petite pochette de tél portable pour débuter et
    je vous enverrai la photo voir les photos de la pochette et si vous la juger potable je perceverai pour la proposer à l’association dont je fais partie. Pour le Mali
    Merci beaucoup Mamie Nicole de DINDINAYE (MALI)


  13. Cindy
    Aug 11, 2009

    Mamie:
    J’ai utilisé le traducteur français et de lire votre message que vous allez faire de la téléphone cellulaire. Best wishes.

    English Reply: I used the French translator and read your message that you are going to make the cell phone holder. Best wishes.


  14. Freda
    Dec 08, 2009

    Just love the idea of recycling plastic bags,and what a wonderful way is to crochet them. Thanks for sharing for creativity.


  15. Plant Person
    Mar 01, 2010

    LOVE THE IDEA!!! I’M Making plarn right now in front of the computer!!!!


  16. Elaine
    Feb 26, 2012

    How wide did you cut the plastic bags. I could not find that in your pattern.


  17. Cindy
    Feb 26, 2012

    Elaine — I cut my plastic bag strips 1 inch wide and assemble them using this plarn making tutorial. Let me know if I can help further.



  18. Feelgood Style | Sustainable fashion reporting, organic beauty tips, DIY projects + tutorials, + natural product reviews.
    Jul 30, 2014

    […] 3. Recycled plarn backpack […]


  19. […] Recycled Plarn Backpack […]



Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. […] Recycled Plarn Backpack Pattern from My Recycled Bags: This wonderful upcycled backpack is a great way to repurpose those old plastic bags into something new. […]

  2. […] presents Recycled Plarn Backpack Pattern posted at My Recycled Bags.com. Cindy specializes in reusing plastic grocery sacks as […]

  3. All Things Eco Blog Carnival Volume Sixty | Focus Organic.com says:

    […] presents Recycled Plarn Backpack Pattern posted at My Recycled Bags.com. RecycleCindy says, “Crochet a recycled backpack using plastic bags […]

  4. Feelgood Style | Sustainable fashion reporting, organic beauty tips, DIY projects + tutorials, + natural product reviews. says:

    […] 3. Recycled plarn backpack […]

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About Me

Hello, I’m Cindy or aka RecycleCindy. Welcome to my blog site that is dedicated to recycling and crafting. I love to crochet and create crafts and other useful things from recycled materials. I share many free tutorials and patterns for creating recycled projects as well as other handmade items.


Here is a direct link to all my free patterns available here on My Recycled Bags.


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