Closeup of the plastic sunflower

Recycled plastic bag tote with crocheted cotton sunflower

Here is sunflower I crocheted using just a bit of brown and yellow cotton yarn. So whether you are working with recycled plastic bags or regular yarn, you can crochet this cute sunflower to attach to a tote bag, purse or even use it as a hotpad.

Crocheted Sunflower Pattern

Description: 6-1/2″ wide crocheted Sunflower

Materials:
For recycled plastic sunflower: plastic bags cut into 1” plarn strips — 4 dark brown bags and 3 yellow bags
For yarn sunflower: 1/2 oz of brown and yellow cotton yarn

Hook: Metal H (5 mm) crochet hook

Round 1

With brown plarn or yarn, use magic circle or slip knot and Sc 6 times into circle. (6)
This project is worked in the round without joining unless otherwise advised to do so. Use stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round so you know where each round ends.

Round 2
Work 2 Sc in ea st around. (12)

Round 3
Work *Sc in next st and then 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * back to the beginning. (18)

Round 4
Work *Sc in next 2 sts and then 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * back to the beginning. (24)

Round 5
Work *Sc in next 3 sts and then 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * back to last st, work Sc in last st. (29)

Round 6
Sc in each st loosely and join with Sl St into beginning Sc. Weave in tail in next st to finish with a smooth edge for your brown center. Leave a length of the tail under the center so you can use it to attach to your tote bag later.

Petals
Row 1
The petal portion of this pattern varies if you are using plastic bag yarn (plarn) or regular cotton yarn. Please read carefully row 1 as you proceed. I have written the changes for regular cotton yarn steps after the plarn pattern instructions.

Join yellow plarn in the last st with a Sl St *Ch 6, in 2nd chain from hook Sc in next 5 sts of yellow chain, then Sl St into the brown beg st of row (same st here you began petal). Sl St in each of the next 4 sts along the brown edge*. Repeat between * back to the beginning and end with Sl St in the 2nd to last stitch and skip last st in brown so your spaces are even around 7 petals.

Row […]

I wanted to add a gift bag type closure to the original pattern to create a reusable gift bag. I used some Christmas cotton to top this plarn bag and created a looped handle to finish off my little gift bag. The looped handle works wonderfully for closing the bag. I plan on crocheting several of these bags to use for gift bags for Christmas. They work up quickly and with the looped handle, you have a ready-made gift bag that doesn’t even require a bow.

Special thanks to Helen over at CrochetN’Crafts who was my inspiration for this project. So grab a few of those plastic bags laying around and whip yourself up a beautiful recycled gift bag for Christmas!

Cluster Stitch Plarn Gift Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
Plastic bag yarn “Plarn” – about 10 plastic grocery bags
1/2 oz Bernat Holidays Red Sparkle cotton yarn for trim and handle

Hooks:
“J” ( 6 mm) metal crochet hook for bag
“H” (5 mm) hook for top trim and handle

Description: Recycled Plastic Bag Cluster Stitch Gift Bag
Bag measures 6” wide and 4-3/4” tall with 12” handle and 5-1/4″ wide at base

Cluster Stitch Details:
Beg Cluster: Ch 2, (Yo, insert hook into sp indicated, yo and pull through, yo and pull through 2 lps on hook) 4 times, 5 lps on hook, yo and pull through all 5 lps, Ch 1.

Cluster: (Yo, insert hook into sp indicated, yo and pull through, yo and pull through 2 lps on hook) 5 times, 6 lps on hook, yo and pull through all 6 lps, Ch 1.

Directions:
Using J hook with plarn, Ch 11

Rnd 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Work 3 Sc in end st, then continue around other side of chain by working a Sc in ea st to other end then work 2 Sc in end st. Join with a Sl St into beg Sc st. (24)
(Do not turn throughout project.)

Rnd 2
Ch 1, work 2 Sc in next two sts, Sc in next 8 sts, then work 2 Sc in ea of the next 4 sts, Sc in the next 8 sts. End with 2 Sc in the last two sts at end. Join with a Sl St into beg Sc st. (32)

Rnd 3
Ch 1, Sc in next st then work 2 Sc in next st, Sc in next 12 sts, and 2 Sc in the next st. Then Sc in next 2 sts, 2 Sc in next st, and Sc in the next 12 sts. End with 2 Sc in next […]

With Helen’s permission, I used her pattern for the basis of making this cute little bag project using recycled plastic bags. I then used some scrap yarn to make the top trim and handles to finish off this recycled bag project.

Here is a closeup photo of the handles that I crocheted onto the bag.
Click to supersize

This little plarn bag would make a great gift bag or purse. By adding a ribbon or bow to the bag, you create a re-usable gift bag that can be used over and over. The pattern works up very quickly and because of the pretty stitch pattern, I think it makes an adorable purse too.

Enjoy the free recycled crafting pattern below and happy crocheting to all!

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Cluster Stitch Plarn Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
Ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn” – about 10-12 plastic grocery bags
Here is my picture tutorial on how to make plarn from plastic bags

1/2 oz worst weight yarn for handles

Hooks:
“J” ( 6 mm) metal crochet hook for bag
“H” (5 mm) hook for handles

Description: Recycled Plastic Bag Cluster Stitch Gift Bag or Purse
Bag measures 6” wide and 5” tall with 7” handles and 5-1/4″ wide at base

Cluster Stitch Details:
Beg Cluster: Ch 2, (Yo, insert hook into sp indicated, yo and pull through, yo and pull through 2 lps on hook) 4 times, 5 lps on hook, yo and pull through all 5 lps, Ch 1.

Cluster: (Yo, insert hook into sp indicated, yo and pull through, yo and pull through 2 lps on hook) 5 times, 6 lps on hook, yo and pull through all 6 lps, Ch 1.

Directions:
Using J hook, Ch 11

Rnd 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Work 3 Sc in end st, then continue around other side of chain by working a Sc in ea st to other end then work 2 Sc in end st. Join with a Sl St into beg Sc st. (24)
(Do not turn throughout project.)

Rnd 2
Ch 1, work 2 Sc in next two sts, Sc in next 8 sts, then work 2 Sc in ea of the next 4 sts, Sc in the next 8 sts. End with 2 Sc in the last two sts at end. Join with a Sl St into beg Sc st. (32)

Rnd 3
Ch 1, Sc in next st then work 2 Sc in next st, Sc in next 12 sts, and 2 Sc in the next st. Then Sc in next 2 sts, 2 Sc in next st, and Sc in the next 12 sts. End with 2 Sc in […]

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” 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” long & 3-1/2″ wide)

Hooks:
G (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” long, 5” wide and 6” 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 […]

I present my latest creation — Variegated plastic bag yarn or plarn as it so commonly is known as in the crafting world. Pink, orange, and white plastic bags were used to crochet this variegated recycled bag. The pink and orange bags are plastic bags that newspapers are delivered in and the white is from just regular retail bags. I used these 3 colors to create my variegated look by assembling 3 loops of pink plarn, 2 white loops, 3 orange loops, and 2 white loops, then repeat this order for the variegated look. Here is my plarn making tutorials for creating yarn from newspaper or retail plastic bags should you need to see how to make plastic yarn.

This plarn ball was made using newspaper and retail bags together to create the variegated colored yarn. As I outlined below, if color pooling becomes a problem just add another white strip of plarn to offset the pooling. I found if I added an additional white strip to the 2 white ones, it solved the pooling issues with the tote bag as I crocheted it.

Enjoy the free crochet pattern below and happy crafting to all!

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Variegated Plarn Tote Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
Plastic bag yarn “Plarn” – Approx. 50 white plastic grocery bags along with 20 pink and 20 orange plastic bags for the variegated yarn

This variegated plarn is created by assembling 3 loops of pink plarn, 2 white loops, 3 orange loops, and then 2 white loops, repeat pattern for variegated look.

Hook: “N” (9 mm) size metal hook

Description: Recycled Plastic Tote Bag
Bag standing up measures 14” wide and 11” tall with 12” handles
with measurements flat 17″ across, 12″ high, and 11″ long base.

Directions:
The bottom of bag is crocheted with just plain white bags. Using just white plarn, Ch 20.

Rnd 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Continue around other side of chain by working a Sc in ea st to other end.

Rnd 2-3
Work 2 Sc in ea of the two end sts, then Sc in ea st to other end. Work 2 Sc in ea of the two end sts and then Sc in ea remaining st of round. Do not connect at end of rounds unless told to do so.

Rnd 4-5
Work 2 Sc in ea of the four end sts around curve at end, then Sc in ea st to other end. Work 2 Sc in ea of the four end sts at the end’s curve and then Sc in ea remaining st of round. You will end the all white plarn here but leave st on hook to start next round using the variegated plarn.

Rnd 6
Using variegated plarn, pick up st from last round. Working in BLO, Hdc in ea st of round.

Rnd 7
Working in both loops now and for the rest of pattern, Hdc in ea st of round. Don’t join […]

I added a sachet liner that I crocheted from some cotton thread so you could remove it from the cassette tape sachet. I filled the liner with some spicy potpourri before closing the end up. Then I just inserted the liner inside the sachet.

This is a quick and easy recycled crafting project which requires just a small amount of materials. The result is a pretty sachet that makes a great gift idea.
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Free Cassette Tape Sachet Pattern

Materials needed:
2 Cassette tapes (only 1/8 of a reel used on each)
1 oz Lion Brand Lion ribbon yarn
One bead for drawstring
Small amount of #10 Cotton thread for liner

Hooks:
“J” (6 mm) U.S. size metal crochet hook
“C” (2.75 mm) U.S. size metal crochet hook

Description: Crocheted Sachet Bag –
Bag measures 4-1/2” wide and 5” long

Directions:
Ch 15

Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Then continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st to other end.

Rnd 2 -11
Hdc in each st around to first end then Hdc in ea st around to other end. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.

Rnd 12 (Eyelet round)
*Ch 1, sk one st, Hdc in next st*. Repeat between * and end with a sl st into the beginning ch1.

Rnd 13
Ch 1, work 3 Hdc in ea ch 1 space of the prior round. End with sl st into the beginning ch 1.
Fasten off and weave ends under on inside of the bag.

Drawstring:
Double over a double strand of cassette tape and one strand of ribbon yarn. Your final drawing will be 4 strands of cassette tape and 2 strands of ribbon yarn. Weave through the eyelet round with the drawstring. Add a bead through the ends and tie a knot at the end of the drawstring.

Sachet Liner:
With C hook, ch 24. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st down to the end. Then continue around the corner by working Sc in ea st down the back side of beg chain. Continue working Sc in rounds without joining for 29 rounds. Stuff your sachet liner with potpourri or other fragrant material. Close the top of your sachet liner by working a round of Sc through both top stitches of bag. FO.

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
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Rnd – Round
Sc […]

I used cotton cord on the base of the bag to give it a sturdy bottom and also on the handles. I found if I wrapped the plastic bag yarn (plarn) around the cord as I crocheted around it, it hides the white cord better. As you may see in the closeup pictures of the base, the first few rows I didn’t wrap it as close as I did in later rounds. The later rounds look better and the white cotton cord doesn’t really show through. I found if I wound the plastic around the cord in small sections and then crocheted around the cord, it worked best to keep the plastic tighter and uniform.

Hope you enjoy this free crochet pattern. Happy 4th of July to everyone!

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Free Plarn Pop Tab Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
One ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn”
(Approx. 50 plastic newspaper bags cut into 1″ strips of plarn)
252 Soda pull-tabs
4 yards – 12/32 (9.5 mm) Cotton cord

Hook: “J” U.S. size metal hook
Description: Plastic Bag & Pop Tab Tote Bag
Bag measures 12” wide and 10” long with 18” straps

Directions:
Ch 20 loosely.

Rnd 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Then continue around other side of chain by working a Sc in ea st to other end.

Rnd 2
Work 2 sc in ea of the two end sts, then Sc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Sc in ea of the two end sts. Do not connect at end of rounds unless directed to do so otherwise just continue working Sc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.

Rnd 3
Add cotton cord on this round. Wrap plarn around the cotton cord to cover the cord. I did just a small section as I worked my Sc’s around the cord. I used a needle and thread to secure the cotton cord into the bag to hold it into place at the beginning of the round.

Sc around the cord and into each st of the prior round down to first end, work 2 Sc in ea of the three end sts, then Sc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Sc in ea of the three end sts.

Rnd 4
Continue wrapping pink plarn around the cotton cord before you Sc around […]

Next I added a beautiful pair of purse handles that I picked up from my local thrift store. I was so excited to purchase these brand new, still in the package, handles for just 99 cents. The black handles just added a great final touch to the purse.

This cute purse crochet pattern can be found free over at Debi’s Hooks and Yarns blogspot. I modified her pattern by working 10 rounds in the granny stitch as I needed just a bit more height for my purse. Debi crocheted her bag using two strands of worst weight yarn so you can change up this pattern pretty easily depending on if you want to use plarn, yarn, or even tarn (t-shirt yarn).

Until next time, happy crafting and make it a great day![…]

This week I broke down some old vcr tapes that I had to crochet this purse. I added some lacy ribbon yarn that I got at the dollar store for 99 cents to add a different look to the project. Below is closeup of my finished project.

Recycling video tapes into craft projects is always fun and while it’s not the easiest material to work with, the results are very pretty. The unique shine of the tape is beautiful and the ribbon yarn gives it a colorful finish. Plus its a great way to recycled those old video tapes that so many people just have laying around and can’t figure what to do with them. Well here ya go!

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Free Crocheted Video Tape Purse Pattern

Purse measures 9 inches wide and 7” long
Strap length is 32 inches long

Materials:
2 VCR VHS Tape Reels (only used about ¼ of each reel)
One 3/4” button
3/4 oz Lion Brand Trellis Lacy Ribbon Yarn (“Pastel Garden” shown)

Hook:
“N” (9 mm) US size hook for main purse
“J” (6 mm) US size hook for flap trim

Using 2 strands of VCR tape held together, Chain 20.

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.

Rnd 11 – 15
Add ribbon yarn along with the 2 strands of VCR tape, Hdc in ea st.

End at side of bag with sc into last stitch. Leave tape and ribbon yarn attached to begin strap.

Strap: Start strap at side of bag where your 2 strands of video tape and ribbon yarn are attached. Chain until strap measures 32 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 […]

I used my jumbo plarn beach bag pattern to crochet this bag with just a few minor changes from the original pattern. My base was a chain of 30 as I didn’t want quite as large a tote bag for this project. I also just crocheted 41 total rounds. The result is a tote bag that measures 14-1/2″ wide by 17″ long with a 30 inch long pull-through strap.

You can check out my plarn making tutorials here whether you are using newspaper plastic bags or regular plastic bags to create your plastic bag yarn.

This tote bag makes an excellent market bag as the long strap can be slipped over your shoulder or looped around your hand for carrying. You can craft this tote bag project or if you aren’t a crocheter, my pink and orange recycled plastic tote is for sale here. […]