Orange Plarn Trick or Treat Bag
Using these orange plastic bags to create a trick or treat bag was a great way to recycle my newspaper bags. Here is my picture tutorial for cutting the newspaper bags to create plarn so you can crochet with the material.
For this project, I wanted to create large comfortable handles that could be put over a child’s arms for easy carrying of this basket type bag. I recycled a microwave dinner tray and cut the top rim off. I then hole punched around the base evenly so I could crochet into the plastic tray for the base of this bag. The dinner tray provides a flat and sturdy bottom to the bag which allows the bag to stand up nicely on its own.
Enjoy crocheting this recycled bag project and happy Halloween everyone!
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Free Crocheted Pattern for a Recycled Plastic Trick or Treat Bag
Materials needed:
Orange plastic bags cut into 1 inch strips for plarn (approx 25 newspaper sacks used)
1) Plastic frozen dinner dinner tray with the rim cut off
(One used in project was 6-3/4 inches long & 3-1/2″ wide)
Hooks:
G (4-4.25 mm) sized metal hook for base row only
J (6 mm) sized metal hook
Description: Recycled Plastic Halloween Trick or Treat Bag
Bag measures 7 inches long, 5 inches wide and 6 inches tall with 8-1/2″ handles
Directions:
Using the tray after cutting off the rim, punch holes around the base as shown in the photo.
I used a heavy duty hole punch to put the holes around the base.
Rnd 1
With G hook, attach plarn with Sc into into first hole at one corner by drawing the plarn through the hole and then working a Sc loosely in each hole and over the top edge of the plastic base. End base round with a Sc into top of 1st Sc st.
Rnd 2-17
Using J hook now and for the remainder of the bag, Sc in ea st of base round. This bag is worked in rounds without turning or joining. Sc around in ea st until the last 5 sts of round 17. (End last round 5 sts from end to begin handle.)
Rnd 18
Ch 21, sk 16 sts, and Sc in the next 11 sts (approx) at center front (about 3″). Then ch 21, sk 16 sts, and Sc in the next 11 sts at the center of the other side of bag. Repeat to match the other side’s handle.
Check your handles to make sure they match and that the center front sts match each other. Adjust sts as needed so each side is even with each other.
Rnd 19
Sc around the entire chain evenly for the handle (approx 25 Sc), and Sc in ea st at center front. Repeat for the other handle and other side’s center.
Rnd 20-21
Sc in ea st of handle and in ea st at center front. Repeat for the other side. Finish off with a Sl St into the last 2 sts at corner of the last side’s handle sts.
If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.
Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Ea – Each
FO – Finish Off
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 of my patterns or photos are permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable and appreciated. ©2011
****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, free-pattern, Halloween, plarn, plastic bags, Trick-or-Treat
Oct 15, 2011
That should last several generations of trick-or-treaters. Love it!
Oct 20, 2011
great project, love the idea of using the tray as a base, that’s brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing on craft Schooling Sunday!
Oct 20, 2011
I love this! I love making plarn and will have to use one of your patterns!
Oct 22, 2011
This is awesome! I’ve made some of your other bags and I can’t wait to try this one!
Oct 23, 2011
This is such a great bag! It’s amazing what you can do with recycled materials.
Oct 24, 2011
I like the idea on the tray. Your bag would make the treats easier and more comfortable to carry. I will have fun making this and I know my kid will love the way it can carry a lot of his candies.
Oct 30, 2011
Wow, loving this pattern. So ingenious!
Jan 10, 2012
Olá amei a sua ideia de reutilizar os sacos plásticos, unindo assim o útil com o agradável! Parabéns
Dec 23, 2014
[…] Orange Plarn Trick or Treat Bag […]
Nov 05, 2021
THANK YOU for your postings and patterns, which served to inspire me to re-learn crochet during the pandemic. I have now made 23 of your large plarn tote bags for friends and family, modifying to accommodate the bags I have on hand (colors and different plys) and “customer” requests. I always credit your pattern and website and am looking forward to trying the Trick or Treat bag as I like having a “sturdy” bottom. Great idea!