Here is my first crocodile stitch project using recycled plastic bags. I collected these plastic bags which are used for newspaper deliveries. I recycled about 40 bags for the Gator Sling Bag and cut them 1 inch wide using this plarn making tutorial to create plastic bag yarn.
Crocodile Stitch Sling Bag Pattern
J (6 mm) hook and H (5 mm) hook
40+ Plastic Newspaper Bags cut into Plarn about 1 inch wide
Fabric for lining
Magnetic clasp for closure
Sling Bag Purse measures 7-1/2 inches wide x 7-1/2 inches long with 30 inch strap
Crocodile Scale Stitch: Dc 5 stitches down first post of the 2-Dc base set, Ch 1, and then work 5 Dc up the 2nd Dc of the 2-Dc set.
Directions:
Row 1
With J hook, Ch 21 loosely.
Time to share a new recycled bag project. I’ve been busy with charity crocheting but rest assured, I’m always working on recycled craft projects too. Here is a recycled bag that features a double picket stitch design. In the original Plarn Picket Stitch tote pattern, I crocheted just a single picket stitch on the plastic bag tote. In this tote bag, I repeated the special stitch pattern to add a different look to the project.
Follow the original crochet pattern instructions through round 28. Then repeat rounds 24 and 25 to make another round of pickets on the tote bag. Once you have the 2nd round of pickets done, simply finish the reusable tote by working rounds 26-32 from the original pattern. Basically by adding the double picket stitch design, you increase the length of the tote bag by about 2 inches.
This recycled bag features a new stitch design that I added for a new look to my latest reusable bag. I call this stitch the Picket Stitch. I have used a similar stitch idea in my picket fence dishcloth pattern and thought it would be interesting to use on a tote bag pattern. It adds a different look and I’m always trying to come up with new ideas for dressing up my recycled bags.
Here is my newest recycled bag. It’s a round grocery tote that I crocheted with plastic bags made into plarn yarn. I designed this recycled plastic tote to be roomy and to replace my favorite reusable grocery tote that is disintegrating. My favorite grocery tote is going to have to be retired as it’s just falling apart after years of use.
Anyway I love the big round base of this reusable tote. The stripes add a cheery look to the design. I added thick heavy handles and this grocery tote should service me for many years. I have written up the free crochet pattern below and hope you too can make yourself a useful tote bag for your trips to the market.
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Striped Round Grocery Tote Bag Pattern
One ball of plastic bag yarn or plarn cut 1 inch wide – Approx. 35 white plastic grocery bags,
12 pink newspaper bags and 7 blue bags cut into plarn also for the stripes.
Here is my picture tutorial link on how to make plarn yarn from the different plastic bags.
Finished Size:
18 inches wide lying flat, 12 inches tall standing with 12″ wide base and 9 inch handles
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal crochet hook
Directions:
With white plarn yarn, Ch 3 and join with a Sl St to form a ring.
A gingham pattern is very unique when you crochet it. I decided that I would try the idea using plastic bags made into plarn. I used recycled white, grey, and black plastic bags for the project.
This idea came from Delights-Gems gingham crochet tutorial for crafting a potholder. Click on the link to see Delight’s picture tutorial that is very helpful in working the gingham pattern. I made a few changes for the plastic bag version of gingham pieces which I will outline below in the pattern details.
Gingham Plastic Bag Plarn Purse Pattern
Materials:
White, grey, and black plastic bags cut into 1 inch wide plarn. Approx. 12-15 bags of each color needed.
Here is my plastic bag picture tutorial if you need more information on how to create yarn from recycled plastic bags.
Magnetic closure
Fabric for lining 12″ by 12″
Plastic purse handles
Nylon thread and needle
Hook:
J (6 mm) US size metal crochet hook
The three colors of plarn is needed to complete this purse. I found it worked easier to assemble short strands of the colors rather than using big balls of each color. The colors don’t get tangled up if you have just short lengths of “yarn” as you leave the dropped colors attached as you work the gingham pattern.
With white plarn, Ch 34, Hdc in the 3rd st from hook and in the next two sts. (3 Hdc’s in each set as shown in original tutorial.) *Ch 3, Skip 3 sts and then Hdc in next 3 sts*.
Several people have asked for a picture tutorial on how I lined my pink passion plarn purse. So here are a few pictures I took and I will walk you through a brief explanation on how to line a plarn purse.
I basically create a pocket to slip inside my plarn purses to line them. I simply cut a piece of fabric for the lining and with right sides together and sew it together. Here is the completed lining I made for the recycled Pink Passion Plarn Purse which includes two pockets and a magnetic closure.
First step is to lay out the completed purse on the fabric lining as shown. The bottom of the purse lining is placed on the fold line of the fabric.
I have been saving these pink plastic grocery bags for a special project. I finally decided to crochet a pink purse and donate it to this year’s Relay for Life fundraiser. In case you are wondering about these beautiful pink bags, they are special and very hard to find. A dear on-line friend sent them to me and I am so happy to be able to recycle them into a cool new purse.
Here is a closeup of the cable stitching at the top and the strap. Just click to super-size.
I have named this purse Pink Passion Plarn Purse and lined it as shown. Please enjoy the free crochet pattern below.
Pink Passion Plarn Purse Pattern
Materials needed:
One ball of plastic bag yarn or plarn cut 1 inch wide – Approx. 25 pink plastic grocery bags
Here is my picture tutorial on how to make plarn from plastic bags
1 oz worst yarn for trim and strap – Red Heart light raspberry used
Hook: J (6 mm) metal crochet hook
Description: Recycled Pink Plastic Plarn Purse
Bag measures 10-1/2 inches wide and 8-1/2 inches long with 28 inch strap
Directions:
With plastic bag yarn (plarn) Ch 26.
I’m happy to present my crocheted laundry basket. This laundry basket project is made from recycled plastic bags or plarn. In case you are new to the idea of crafting with plastic bags, here is my picture tutorial showing how to make the plastic yarn from the plastic retail bags.
This laundry basket project has been a huge undertaking. It is the largest recycled plastic bag project that I have ever crocheted. It has well over 150 bags in the finished product. When I set out to crochet a laundry basket, I wanted a large enough bag that I could use for a clothes hamper as well as a carrying bag for transporting the laundry to and from a laundromat.
The basket has a round base and while it looks funneled-shaped at the top, its really round in it’s overall shape. The photo above has 6 large beach towels in the bag and as you can see it still has room for more. You can also roll down the top and handles when using it for a hamper so it stands up if the basket isn’t full.
Plarn Laundry Basket Pattern
Materials needed:
Approx. 150+ white plastic grocery bags for main bag and
20 grey plastic bags for stripe and trim
Hook: N (9 mm) U.S. size metal hook
Description: Plarn Laundry Basket Bag
Bag measured flat: 22″ wide and 28″ long with 14″ strap and
22″ tall standing with 17″ wide bottom
Directions:
Rnd 1
Using a magic circle, Sc 6 times into circle with white plarn. Don’t join but work in rounds unless advised otherwise. Use a stitch marker to mark rounds.
I don’t normally share a project in progress but this crocheted laundry basket is just such an enormous project that I have to post about it even though it’s not completed yet. I’m guessing its about half finished and I believe I’ve used already over a hundred recycled plastic bags.
I have had a recycled plastic bag or plarn laundry basket on my to-do list for a long time. I eventually get around to creating most of the things on my list but it does take time. Speaking of which, this recycled bag may end up being the largest one I have ever crocheted and it’s taking a lot of time.
Here is a picture I took of the base which is about 15 inches wide.
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