Several people have asked about hats lately so here is a recycled floppy hat made from plastic bags or plarn. It’s crocheted using plarn and you can add ribbon to the finished project as shown in the pictures.
Here are several photos showing the floppy hat. It stretches nicely to fit your head as shown above. I hope you enjoy this recycled hat project and happy green crafting to all!
Recycled Floppy Plarn Hat Pattern
Materials needed:
One ball of plastic bags cut into strips to create a ball of plarn approx. 22-25 bags
2 yards of ribbon
Hook: N (9 mm) USA size metal hook
Description: Floppy plarn hat measures flat 9 inches long from top center to edge with 19″ head circumstance and 4″ brim
Directions:
Ch 4 and join with a Sl St to form a ring. (Don’t turn throughout)
As promised in my last post, here is my striped shell handbag purse that is crocheted from recycled plastic bags. I changed colors of plastic bags every round to create this unique looking shell stitch purse. I did 16 rounds and each round takes about 2 to 2-1/2 bags to complete each different colored row. Also this is my first experience using store purchased purse handles. I splurged and bought these as they were on clearance for $2.00. I think they really compliment the handbag and along with the lining, make this a really beautiful and fashionable upcycled handbag.
Here is a closeup on the inside of the bag. Click to supersize
Free Striped Shell Handbag Crochet Pattern
Materials needed:
14-16 different colors of plastic bags made into plastic bag yarn aka Plarn
Approx. 35-40 plastic grocery bags in different colors
1 Set of Bamboo handles
Small amount of fabric for lining
Magnetic clasp closure
Hook:
N 9 (mm) metal crochet hook
Description: Striped Shell Handbag
Bag measures 13 inches wide and 9 inch long with bamboo handles
Directions:
Presenting the long awaited and many times requested free plarn backpack pattern. This project is crocheted from recycled plastic bags along with a bit of scrap cotton yarn to create an unique backpack or knapsack. This has been a challenging project but I have kept the crochet stitches and instructions as simple as possible so even a beginner should be able to craft this cool recycled backpack.
Here is the how to make plarn tutorial link that shows detailed pictures on how I create plastic yarn from recycled plastic bags.
Click photos to supersize closeups
Enjoy the pattern and happy green crafting to all!
Free Plarn Backpack Crochet Pattern
Materials needed:
One very large ball of plastic bag yarn or Plarn – Approx. 60-70 plastic grocery bags
1 oz. of scrap cotton yarn
1 buckle hardware latch for front flap
Hooks:
N (9 mm) U.S. size metal hook for main body of backpack
J, H & G U.S. size crochet hooks for straps, trim, and drawstring
Description: Plastic Bag Plarn Backpack or Knapsack
Bag measures 13″ wide and 13″ long with 18-1/2″ back straps
Directions:
Ch 18
Crochet yourself this cute and handy little cell phone holder from recycled materials. This holder can hold any type of phone, from iPhones to any of the latest 4g phones in most shapes and sizes. This cell phone holder was made from recycled disposal plastic diaper bags cut and assembled into plarn (plastic bag yarn.) This is another readers creation from Diane who asked me to share the free pattern here.
Free Plarn Cell Phone Holder Pattern
J (6 mm) crochet hook
14 diaper disposal bags (when making Plarn, use 2 loops together)
Note: The disposal diaper bags are small and thin, but are cut the same way as regular plastic bags and 2 loops are used together for each “strand”, so it was doubled up.
2 snaps, or Velcro or buttons
Ch 8. Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each to end, 2 hdc in end ch, continue around other side to end. Do not join, but work in rounds. Hdc in each hdc for approximately 8 rounds, ending at side, sl st in next 3 sts. (strap that holds phone inside) Ch 1, sc in same st and in next 2 sts, ch 1, turn. Continue working on 3 sc for 10 rows. FO and weave in ends.
Belt Loop Strap: Attach plarn with sl st to st next to middle on rnd 2 on back of holder (same side as other strap), ch 1, sc in same st and next 2 sts, ch 1 turn. Continue working on 3 sts for 5 rows. FO weave in ends.
Attach snaps or Velcro or buttons on end of strap and in coordinating spot on holder.
Diane used these small plastic diaper bags for her project so it took quite a few to complete the project. I believe if you use a retail plastic bag that you could crochet this project with around 7 bags. Thanks to Diane for sharing this recycled bag project with everyone![…]
I want to share some of my readers creations that have been emailed to me. Several of my crafty readers have sent me photos of their completed plarn (plastic bag yarn), VCR, and cassette tape recycled bags. I just love seeing everyone’s finished projects and hope you enjoy them too. Click on any of the photos to supersize them.
Libby’s Motif Tote Bag
Libby from Texas used my colorful granny square motif pattern to crochet her bag. She did put one more row of sc around the top before starting the handle. You can find the free pattern link for this recycled plastic tote bag here.
Libby’s Cassette Tape Beaded Bag
Libby’s brown evening purse was made with two strands of cassette tape and two strands of brown ribbon that came from a sweater she unraveled. How cool is that its double recycled! She wanted a purse with beads in the strap, so she added some beautiful beads and used a nifty knitter for the rest of the strap. A magnetic button closure was added with beads glued to cover the prongs on the outside.
Another reader Diane has been busy creating several of my recycled bag patterns. First she shared with me the hobo bag that she made using this recycled plastic bag pattern. She tweaked the pattern by adding a cell phone pocket, used a zipper instead of a magnetic snap and put other pockets in the lining.
Diane’s Blue Ribbon Hobo Purse
Diane also crocheted a plastic tote bag using my colorful motif pattern. She completed her tote bag by lining it with some pretty material that matched her motifs.
Then Diane used my green shopping bag pattern found here to crochet her yellow reusable grocery bag.
Next Bonnye shared some VCR tape bags she crocheted with fun fur added. As shown below she used recycled VCR video tape and fun fur together to create some very cool looking bags!
Thanks to all my readers who sent in photos sharing their recycled crafting projects. I really enjoyed all your beautiful work with upcycled materials. Keep those great green craft projects coming!
It’s a Flower Power Plarn Tote Bag!
As I have stated before, white plastic bags are about all I can get on a consistent basis so here is my latest idea to bring more color and charm to my recycled tote bags. I added several colorful flowers that have been crocheted from recycled plastic bags. Since each flower takes only about one plastic bag, it is easy to add some bright and pretty flowers to a otherwise plain tote bag. To view the finished details of the above tote, just click on the photo to supersize it. I also added some ribbon and a bow tie at the center front of my recycled tote to complete the project.
Below you will find another addition to my library of plarn patterns that I offer here free. Here is the link to see a complete list of all my free patterns.
Free Crocheted Flower Power Tote Bag Pattern
Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn aka Plarn approx. 40-45 bags
A few plastic bags of several different colors for flowers
Small amount of ribbon for bow tie if desired
Hooks:
Q USA size plastic hook
N USA size metal hook for handles and J hook for flowers
Description: Large Plarn Tote Bag
Bag measures 13 inches wide and 14 inches long
Directions:
Using Q hook, Ch 20.
I have been saving grey plastic bags for several years until I had enough to crochet this recycled plastic bag (plarn) net market bag. I’m happy to say that I was finally able to finish the bag using this unique colored plastic bags. You may recognize this open netted bag as it is a variation of another market bag I crocheted that had long straps. Both recycled bag patterns feature an expandable sturdy bottom and an open netting look for the main body of the bag.
If you prefer the longer straps on your market bag, here is the free pattern link for the white market bag with 18 inch long straps that is pictured below.
So mix and match the straps or bag colors as desired to create your eco-friendly market tote bag. Below is the pattern for the grey market bag with 8 inch handles. Enjoy the project and happy recycled green crafting to all!
Free Recycled Plastic Net Market Bag Pattern
Bag measures 14 inches wide and 14″ long with 8 inch handles
Materials: One large ball of plarn (plastic bag yarn) Appox. 45 bags
My picture tutorial is found here on how to make plarn yarn from plastic bags
Hook: Metal N (9 mm) US size hook
Chain 24
I’m excited to share with you all my recycled plastic bracelet that was crocheted from bread bags and plastic packaging material. I just love the colors and look of the bracelet. I added this blue button but then I found this cool pink glittery button and had to try it on the bracelet too. Which one do you like better? I really love them both!
Click to supersize any of the photos
I also want to mention that I used one of those big plastic packages that toilet paper rolls come in to complete this project. It had such pretty blue and pink colors and I was able to cut it into 1/2 inch wide strips and joined the ends just as I do here with my regular plarn (plastic bag yarn) making projects. So roundup some plastic and upcycle yourself this fashion bracelet. I guarantee that yours will be one of a kind and be a definite eco fashion statement when you wear it. Enjoy!
Free Crochet Pattern for Recycled Plastic Bracelet
Materials needed:
One small ball of plastic bread bags cut into 1/2 inches to 5/8 inches strips
Approx. 4-6 bags
1) 1/2 inch button
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal hook
Description: Recycled Plastic Bracelet
Bracelet measures 1-1/2 inches wide and 10 inches long
with wrist opening appox. 8 inches around
Directions:
Ch 21
This recycled bag project is a request from Moonshadow. She suggested I craft a waterproof sit-upon (SitUpon) like what the Girl Scouts use to sit on. I crocheted this from recycled plastic bags or plarn first. Then I added 4 layers of plastic that I fused onto the back side of the sit-upon to completely waterproof it. I added a handle to the sit-upon so you can carry it around easily too. And as an option I added a layer of recycled denim to soften up the sit-upon and give it a unique look.
Here is my plastic only sit-upon without the denim. This is my basic recycled plastic sit-upon that is crocheted using plastic bags made into plarn and with a fused plastic backing. This fused plastic backing makes the sit-upon waterproof.
Click to supersize photos
Here is the back side of the finished sit-upon and also another version of how you can decorate your finished denim side by adding a denim jean pocket.
I tried to keep this project simple so a young Girl Scout or anyone could make this sit-upon without a bunch of sewing required. You can just glue the hearts on or even hand decorate the denim. Handwriting your name on the denim may be another embellishment a Scout could add. Needless to say, you can decorate as much or as little as you like. I’ve included several different ideas and here is the free crochet pattern and tutorial on making a recycled sit-upon.
Free Sit-Upon Crochet Pattern
Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn aka Plarn – approx. 35-40 plastic grocery bags
Four plastic bags cut into large pieces to cover back for fusing
Waxed paper for the fusing
Option for denim cover: One large piece of recycled denim from an old pair of jeans
appox. 15 inches x 15 inches
Hook: N (9 mm) metal crochet hook
Description: Plastic Sit-Upon with fused plastic backing
Sit-Upon measures 13 inches wide and 13 inches long with 5 inch handle
Option with recycled denim cover measures 14-1/2 inches x 14-1/2 inches
Directions:
Ch 32 […]
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