
I call my latest recycled bag A Slice of Plarn. It is crocheted using salmon colored plastic newspaper bags. The finished purse looks like a slice of tangerine or orange to me and therefore this is how this plastic bag project got its name.
The pattern I used is for a crocheted hobo bag that is available free over at Crochetspot blog site. I adapted the pattern just a bit to allow for the difference between using plastic bag yarn and regular yarn. I worked the pattern in half double crochet stitch rather than double crochet. I also worked a row of single crochet along the inside wedge edges just to give it a smoother finished.
My finished bag is 9 inches tall and about 10 inches wide. I worked just single crochet stitches on the strap to provide a stronger strap so the plastic wouldn’t stretch too much when the purse is used.
My button loop includes another round of single crochet around the basic chain that the original pattern calls for. Again because I was working with plarn, I felt that my loop need the extra round of stitching to make a secure closure.
So whether you want to make your purse with recycled plastic bags or yarn, I hope you enjoy the project and thanks to Rachel for another great free pattern over at Crochetspot. […]

This week I present a dual handled plarn tote bag. A reader recently asked if I had a free pattern for not only a shoulder strap but also a bag with handles to grip with your hands. So I got busy and crocheted this tote bag for her. It’s like the best of both worlds — You can throw this jumbo tote bag over your shoulder or grasp it by the smaller handles.
This is another over-sized tote bag project that is similar to my jumbo plarn beach bag which features one long shoulder strap that has a pull through front closure. I think this tote bag would make an excellent farmer’s market bag as you have so much room inside and the two different ways to carry it around.
So whether you want one long strap or dual handles on your plarn tote bag, you can mix and match these two free crochet patterns that I am posting at my blog. Best wishes and happy crafting to all!
Free Jumbo Dual Handled Tote Bag Pattern
Materials needed:
One very large ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn”
Approx. 80 white plastic grocery bags for main bag and
16 orange plastic bags for stripes
Hook: “N” (9) U.S. size metal hook
Description: Dual Handled Plarn Tote Bag
Bag measures 16” wide and 20” long with 30” shoulder strap and 9” handles
Directions:
Ch 34 […]

I present the jumbo plarn beach bag. This is the largest recycled plastic bag that I have ever crocheted. It measures 16 inches wide by 20 inches tall. It features a 30 inch long strap that you pull through the front opening to secure your beach bag closed. Then because the strap is long, you can throw it over your shoulder and off you can go.
So if you need a jumbo beach bag or maybe you want an extra large grocery tote, this plastic bag pattern will definitely fill your needs. It also allows you to use several different colors of recycled plastic bags for the stripes. The colorful stripes add a nice touch to the otherwise plain white bags that are so abundant.
Free Jumbo Plarn Beach Bag Pattern
Materials needed:
One very large ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn”
Approx. 80 white plastic grocery bags for main bag
15 grey and 8 pink plastic bags for stripes
Hook: “N” (9) U.S. size metal hook
Description: Jumbo Plarn Beach Bag
Bag measures 16” wide and 20” long with 30” strap
Directions:
Ch 34 […]

I just finished participating in a crochet along (CAL) over at my Trash to Treasures group at Ravelry. Several of the members of the group crocheted this checkbook wallet organizer from recycled plastic bags. We each crocheted the plarn pattern that Crochooley shared in what she called a crochet – plarn along (C-PAL) that she hosted at Ravelry. Crochooley is a fellow plastic bag crafter whose blog is found here.
Here is an inside picture of my checkbook wallet which is complete with a pen holder and an ID slot. The checkbook wallet has a strap band closure and features a big flower decoration that uses a pop tab for the flower center.
Click on any of the photos to super-size them.
Here is a picture of the flap edging I did. I found working the reverse single crochet (SC) around the flap just didn’t work for me. With the outside facing out, I started at the right corner of the flap and worked regular SC stitching around the flap edge as shown and then down around the front of the wallet and back up the flap back to the beginning.
I enjoyed making this checkbook wallet and found the pattern fairly easy to follow. Crochooley was very helpful when I had questions concerning this recycled bag pattern. So if you are looking for a cool and basically free craft project, I recommend checking out this cute checkbook wallet organizer.[…]

Time to kick of the holiday crafting with this little plarn Christmas bag I crocheted. Isn’t it adorable and guess what — its free to make. All you need is a few recycled plastic bags to create this cute little striped gift bag. So grab about 3 red, green, and a white plastic bag and cut them into plarn. For this project you want your plarn to be real thin so I cut my strips only about 1/2 inch wide.
With the built-in handle, you have a ready made gift bag perfect for that special little gift item or you can slip a gift card into your recycled plastic gift bag. My inspiration was Kristy’s ornament pattern as I tried doing it in plarn (plastic bag yarn) and it came out way too big. So I just modified the top and added the handle for a closure.
My little plarn Christmas bag is 6 inches wide by 3 inches tall. The handle is 3 inches long. Using a H crochet hook, I basically followed the pattern by Kristy until row 18 which was my last row to work. I marked the center of my bag by laying it down flat. Sc around in each stitch of this last row — at the center chain 3 and skip 2 stitches to create your hole for the handle. Then Sc in each stitch around to other center mark for the handle, chain 22 for handle. Skip 2 stitches and Sc into last stitches of row and finish off.
Volia — Your recycled Christmas gift bag is complete. You also can come and join the fun over at Retro Housewife’s Green Holiday Carnival that I am participating in this weekend.
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