If you’re into recycling and crafts, try out this crocheted handbag using bread bags. I saved about 30 or more bags to make this multi-colored handbag. It’s really durable and will definitely be a conversation piece when you use it. Crocheting with bread bags is a bit tougher on the hands and joints but makes are very unique bag. Because the plastic is heavier you need to cut the strips a bit narrower and remember to not over-pull on your work.
The finished product which I posted pictures of both sides is so colorful. My camera pictures don’t really capture the pretty multi-colors but I hope you’ll be inspired to give this crocheted project a try so you too can experience the beauty of recycled bags!
Click to view larger size
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Free Pattern for Crocheted Bread Bag Handbag
Materials needed: One very large ball of plastic bread bags cut into 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch strips
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal hook
Description: Tote Bag
Bag measures 9 inches wide and 11 inches long
Directions:
Ch 20
Crochet this multipurpose wheelchair – walker tote bag from recycled plastic bags. It is very useful with velcro under the straps to attach to a wheelchair, walker or even a bed rail. Just wipe to clean and it’s very durable. I made several of these lately for a special needs project for our local VA hospital. It is an easy crocheted eco-friendly project and a very handy tote for someone in a wheelchair or using a walker.
Here is the free pattern below for the plastic bag yarn or plarn wheelchair – walker tote bag. As a sneak peek, here is another wheelchair – walker tote I made crocheting with acrylic yarn. I’ll be posting the instructions very soon for those that want to use regular or even recycled yarn to create this tote bag.
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Free Pattern for Plastic Walker – Wheelchair Tote Bag
Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn aka Plarn in blue and small ball of white
2) 1-1/2″ strips of Velcro
Hook:
N (9 mm) metal crochet hook
Description: Tote Bag
Bag measures 12 inches wide and 9 inches long with 7 inch straps
Directions:
Using blue plastic bag yarn or plarn, Ch 27.
Do you have some old vhs video tapes wasting away around the house? Well crochet yourself a recycled tote bag using those old tapes. This bag was crocheted from vhs tape and Lion Brand ribbon yarn. I made this tote bag for a co-worker for Christmas after she saw a prior bag I crafted and really wanted one. So I got busy and crocheted this tote for her for the upcoming Christmas gift exchange.
If you are new to crocheting with vcr tape here is the link for using vcr tape as yarn. It is a great way to recycle those old vcr vhs tapes into a wonderful reusable product.
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Free Pattern for a Crocheted Vcr Tape Ribbon Tote Bag
Materials needed:
2 Vhs Vcr video long play tapes (T-120)
2 rolls of Lion Brand ribbon yarn City Lights #21008, 110 yards each
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal crochet hook
Description: Tote Bag
Bag measures 13 inches wide and 14 inches long
Gauge:
7 Hdc = 3 inches
2 Rnds = 1 inch
Directions:
Using 2 strands of vhs video tape with one strand of ribbon yarn, Ch 28.
This week I’m posting a cassette tape clutch. This is a great way to recycle and reuse old cassette tapes into something new and useful. The clutch purse was crocheted using two strands of black cassette tape with one strand of Lion Brand ribbon yarn. Next I wanted to create a lining with a zipper which I could simply insert inside my crocheted shell. I found a fantastic tutorial from Erika for a zippered pouch with a lining on Craftsters.
The tutorial found here has detailed pictures and walks you step-by-step through the process to sew a handy zippered pouch. Now you could just use the pouch alone for a cosmetic bag but I used it to slip inside my crocheted clutch shell. I then hand-stitched it in place and wallah you have a nice finished clutch.
Here are a few clickable pictures below to show you how the clutch looks up close.
Clickable
Zipper closing shown.
Inside of the clutch.
The free crochet pattern is below. Please enjoy this recycled craft project. Each week I try and add something new and different for a fun recycled craft experience. I hope my readers have found this project beneficial.
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Free Cassette Tape Clutch Pattern
Purse measures 9 inches wide and 5 inches long.
Materials:
2 cassette tapes (90 min. black tapes)
1 ball Lion Brand Trellis Nightlife ribbon yarn (115 yards)
4 – 9 inches x 5 inches fabric panels for pouch and lining
1 – 9 inch zipper
Hook: Metal J (6 mm) crochet hook
Chain 28 using 2 strands of cassette tape and one strand of Lion Brand yarn.
Pattern is crocheted using 3 strands of material held together throughout project.
This market bag was crocheted using a large plastic Q crochet hook. It’s my first project crocheting with plastic bag yarn aka plarn and using the extra large plastic hook. I must say that it makes my bag much lighter and the stitches more airy. I also didn’t use as many plastic bags as I normally do to finish the project. The bag is still very strong. As I have shown below with a load of groceries, it stretches nicely to accommodate my purchases.
Clickable
Here is my market bag filled from a grocery store trip!
So check out the free pattern below and as always — enjoy!
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Free Large Plastic Market Bag Pattern
Materials needed: One large ball of plastic bag yarn aka plarn
Hooks:
Q size plastic crochet hook
N size metal crochet hook for handles
Description: Large Plastic Market Tote Bag
Bag measures 13 inches wide and 15 inches long
Directions:
Using Q hook, Ch 20.
Crochet a cute ribbon sling bag!
This week’s recycled craft project is a crocheted sling bag. The bag is crocheted using recycled plastic bags. Red ribbon was added and tied into a bow at the front. Here is the link to my picture tutorial on how to make your own recycled plastic bag yarn or plarn.
I know many crafters out there are starting their Christmas gifts. This would make a great little gift for any young girl and even as a gift bag. You could fill it up with a few stocking stuffer items and you’d have a wonderful little Christmas package. Anyway just a few ideas that I came up with to use this little bag.
As always here is the free pattern for your use.
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Free Crocheted Sling Bag Pattern
Purse measures 9 inches wide and 10-1/2 inches long
Strap length is 35 inches
Materials:
One ball of recycled plastic bag yarn aka Plarn
2 yards of 1/8″ ribbon or other ribbon leftovers
Hook: Metal N (9 mm) crochet hook
Chain 22
Check out the latest in Vhs video tape fashion. It’s a little black evening bag crocheted from video tape. I have named this pattern the V Evening Bag because of the V-shaped flap and in honor that it is made from Vcr video tape. This bag features my seamless purse technique. No side seam stitching necessary in this quick and easy pattern. If you are new to using Vcr Vhs tape as yarn here is the link to the picture tutorial on how to use the tape as yarn. This is a great way to recycle those old Vhs tapes that you probably still have lying around the house somewhere. So create yourself a nice little evening bag and use up some of those tapes at the same time.
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Free Pattern for Crocheted V Evening Bag
Materials needed:
(2) VHS video tapes
(1) 1-1/8″ Button
Hooks: N and J USA size metal crochet hooks
Description: Evening Bag measures 9 inches wide at bottom and 6 inches long
Directions:
Using N hook with 2 strands of vhs video tape held together, Ch 20.
Crochet yourself this cute summer wristlet purse. Wristlet purses have gotten very popular lately and I wanted to get one crafted using recycled materials before summer was over. This purse was crocheted using recycled plastic grocery bags. It’s a quick little purse that is just right for a summer outing or as a great gift idea.
As always, here is the free recycled pattern. I hope you’re enjoying my recycled patterns and if you have a moment, please post a comment or drop me a note at my contact link above. I love to hear from other crafters. Enjoy!
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Free Recycled Plastic Wristlet Bag Pattern
Purse measures 6 inches wide and 5 inches long.
Strap length is 14 inches.
Material: One ball of plastic bags cut into 1 inch strips.
One button – 1/2″ shown on bag.
Hook: Metal N (9 mm) crochet hook
Chain 16
Last month I purchased a sunshine umbrella. It’s one of those clothes line things you unfold and put in the ground to hang your clothes on to dry. I haven’t had anything outside to hang my clothes on for quite awhile at this home. But wanting to do the eco friendly thing, I want to hang my clothes outside to dry. It saves electricity and money on my power bill and of course is environmentally friendly!
Anyway I didn’t have a clothes pin bag. So I got busy and crochet myself one. I love to make things that I need from recycled materials and hope others do too. If you need to know how to make plastic bag yarn, here is the link. Once you have your yarn, you are ready to go!
Here is a picture of the little hanger I used for the inside. It is 10 inches long and fits perfectly inside my peg bag. You might also use a baby hanger as they are small.
So what are you waiting for, grab that crochet hook and get to work!
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Free Pattern for Crocheted Clothes Pin Bag
Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn aka Plarn
One 8-10 inch long plastic hanger to fit inside bag
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal crochet hook
Description: Clothes Pin Bag
Bag measures 12 inches wide and 12 inches long
Directions:
Ch 28
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