Come Learn and Share Information about Recycling, Crocheting & Recycled Crafting


Brown Plarn Hobo Purse

Posted on May 1, 2018

The recycled plarn hobo purse is a pattern I adapted 10 years ago with permission from Dao over at ShortyLamCrochet Blogspot. I created the purse using recycled plastic bags or plarn for my pattern. You can find the crocheted plarn hobo pattern link here.

For this purse, I used a K (6.5 mm) crochet hook so it is a smaller size than the original pattern link. I started with chain 23 and did do one extra round of stitching before adding the final few rounds of decreasing at the top. Finished size of the purse is 9 inches wide by 7.5 inches long. For the strap, I braided 3 strands of plastic bag yarn together and then just attached the ends at the each side of the purse.

For a larger version of this same pattern, use the recycled plastic hobo handbag pattern. This pattern provides for a purse that measures 14 inches wide and 10 inches long.

This really is a fun and cute little purse to crochet using recycled materials. Many people say the brown plastic bags resemble a straw woven bag once crocheted into a purse. This is a great project idea in which you can utilize those old plastic sacks leftover from the store to create a new and useful item.




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2 Responses to “Brown Plarn Hobo Purse”

  1. Renee
    Aug 03, 2018

    So cute! I love the ribbon threaded in. That’s such a nice touch. The handle is so delicate; it’s beautiful, but how well does it wear? In my experience, after about 6 months handles that are much thicker than this stretch out and are unusable. I love how this kind of bag works up, with the red and black bits showing. Where do you get them? This is such a lovely purse. How thick do you make your plarn? It looks so delicate!


  2. Cindy
    Sep 01, 2018

    @Renee – Thanks! These are bags from Safeway. I cut my bags about 1 inch wide and use the looping method to make plarn. As for the handles, I think they hold up pretty good. I can use a grocery tote for many years. A few years ago I finally had to retire one as it was just falling apart. I used it for 5 years so I think it held up pretty well. I did have to repair the handles once but I used it all the time. My current plarn grocery tote was made in 2012. It is still is in great condition and the handles are just fine too. I see you have a blog about recycled plastic too. Best wishes and hope to see you around again.



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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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