My Recycled Bags.com

Sunshine Dishcloth with Scrubbie

Cindy — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:47:17 +0000

Happy 4th of July! I love handmade dishcloths and even better are ones that have center scrubbers. Just in time for the big Summer holiday, here is my latest “Sunshine” dishcloth I crocheted with a center scrubbie made from recycled plastic bags.

Here is another variation using scraps I had leftover and is one round less than the original pattern as I ran short of materials.

Click to view full-size

These dishcloths with center scrubbies are very durable and handy for cleaning your dishes. Here is a picture tutorial on how use plastic bags to create plastic bag yarn or plarn. This is a great way to use up scrap cotton yarn and also re-purpose those unique colored plastic bags as you only need a small amount of plarn for the centers. Here is the free pattern for everyone to enjoy this fun recycled green craft project.

Stumble It!
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Sunshine Dishcloth with Scrubbie Pattern

Dishcloth measures: 9” Square
Hook: Metal “H” US sized hook

Materials:
1-1/2 ozs. of Cotton yarn – variegated yellows
Small amount of white Cotton yarn
Small amount of plastic bag plarn for scrubber center -
white (1 bag) and yellow bags (2 bags needed)

Option: This pattern can be worked all in cotton if you’d rather.
Allow about 2 ozs. of cotton for project.

With center color (white plarn shown) Ch 4, Sl St to form ring.
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Hats, Scarves, & Wigs

Cindy — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 02:13:05 +0000

It has been a month now that I have been without my hair. Yes, it was very traumatic losing my hair but I have moved on now. At first I thought I had to have a wig to wear to feel “normal.” But after the first week of wearing the free wig I received from a local hospital wig bank, I found it uncomfortable. It’s hot and itchy at times. Most people who don’t know me, think it is my own hair so it gave me time to adjust. In case you are in need of a wig due to cancer, you should check with your local hospitals or cancer treatment centers. They usually have free wigs and scarves that are donated to them. I have gotten some really cute scarves and do rags that people handmade or donated to these organizations for people just like us who need them. Here is one such site on the Internet who provides free hats to cancer patients. Heavenly Hats sent me a wonderful box full of brand new hats. The hats vary from knitted stocking caps to brimmed hats.
Anyway most days now I just wear a pretty scarf or my favorite tan baseball hat. Even at work, I wear a baseball cap as our small office all got matching baseball caps with our logo on them to wear. My two female co-workers wanted to have matching hats so when I had to start wearing one due to my hair loss, they wanted to wear a hat too in solidarity. I was so touched. So we’ve all been wearing our hats at work and not too many people have said anything.

Several people have been emailing and posting questions, asking how I’m feeling. I’m happy to report that I am feeling fine these days. I am just gearing up for next week’s chemo. On July 3, I will have my 3rd treatment and then on July 24, I will have my final one. What a wonderful feeling it will be when I complete chemo!

So this is my latest update. I do wear my wig on special occasions when a baseball cap isn’t appropriate. But mainly I love wearing my comfortable cap. So until this pink journey is over, my non-hair style will be hats, scarves and a wig when necessary.

Recycle a Cup into a Plastic Bag Keeper

Cindy — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:14:12 +0000

I have had several requests for recycled crafts projects that kids can do. With that in mind, here is a quick upcycle project that children and adults can both enjoy. First you need a large plastic container. The container I used was a 64 oz. soda pop cup that I found and decided that I would re-purpose into a plastic bag keeper.

Here is the finished plastic bag keeper

Below is a picture tutorial that I put together to show the steps for this project.
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Spool Knitter & VCR Tape

Cindy — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:43:16 +0000

I purchased a new craft tool recently. It’s called a Spool Knitter. This little plastic weaving tool is so handy for making purse straps that I wanted to share it with you.

My first test was to weave a purse strap using recycled VCR tape. Here is a closeup of my strap which you can click on to view full sized.

Here is a photo of the completed VCR / VHS tape purse with my woven strap.

Like this little red fun fur VCR bag? If so here is the free pattern which has a crocheted strap or you can use a Spool Knitter to create a woven strap. This tool also works wonderfully to weave with regular yarn and recycled plastic bag yarn or plarn. Whatever your material, you can create nice sturdy straps quickly with this gadget.

My Greenie Pot Scrubber

Cindy — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:32:07 +0000

I’m excited to share a little project that I have been experimenting with. You know those little green netting sleeves you get your lettuce in? Well, I’ve been trying to think of a good craft recycling project that I could do using the netting. Here is my result.

It is an eco-friendly greenie that you can scrub your dishes with. The cotton with the recycled green netting is very scratching and works well as a scrubbie. It measures 4-1/2″ by 4″.

Here is a mini tutorial on the prep for the green netting bags.
Lay out the green netting bag and I used a paper clip to hold the end closed.
Click to view full-sized

Cut the bag in strips across about 1 inch wide. Cut all the way down to the end and discard the hard end piece.
Click to view full-sized

Take the loops you have created and interlink them using the same method for making plastic bag yarn or plarn. In the picture below, the top two loops aren’t pulled tight yet so you can see how to loop them together. Then the bottom ones show how it looks once you pull the loops tight. Just pull on the ends gently to tighten your knot between the two joined pieces. Continue to add loops to create a long strip of netting that you can crochet with.
Click to view full-sized

I used about an ounce of white cotton yarn and combined it with the netting strips I created. Hold it together and crochet with a larger hook. The crocheting is a bit harder with the netting but just keep your work loose and it goes easier. Also I would recommend handwashing this pot scrubber for longer life.

Well that’s the project and here’s the free crochet pattern. I hope you enjoy this eco-friendly project and happy green crafting to all!

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Free Greenie Pot Scrubber Pattern

Scrubber measures: 4-1/2” x 4”
Hook: Metal “J” US sized hook

Materials:
1 oz - Sugar & Cream cotton yarn (white used)
3 - green plastic netting bags (cut and looped together)

Holding cotton and netting together, Ch 4, Sl St to form ring.
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Round Two is Complete

Cindy — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:57:53 +0000

I completed round two of my chemo treatments yesterday. That means I’m halfway done –Yea! I’m feeling pretty good today. Just a bit weak and my head feels kinda puffy like I have a headache or something. But not too bad overall. I have only had to take two anti-nausea meds and that was just because I just didn’t want to take the chance of getting sick.

On a crafting note, I’m working on some dishcloths with center scrubbers made from recycled plastic bags. I also experimenting with these green plastic sleeves that the grocer puts lettuce in.

I’ve saved up several of them in hopes of using them with cotton yarn to to create a durable dishcloth with the green netting crocheted together with the cotton. I’ll post it as soon as I’ve successfully completed the project.

In the mean time, I’ll be recouping for a few days at home until I return to my real job. Thanks everyone again for all your warm thoughts, hugs, and prayers for me.
God bless and of course, happy green crafting to all!

Felted Blue Handbag

Cindy — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:00:25 +0000

I have simply fell in love with felting bags. Here is my latest bag which is a blue handbag with variegated wool yarn for the flap trim and the strap. I crocheted this handbag using 100% wool and felted it an extra long time as I wanted my final product to be very tight. This easy pattern works up very quickly and makes for a fun felted project.

As always, below is the free bag pattern so you too can create this cute little handbag. Enjoy!
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Felted Handbag Pattern

Purse measurements:
Before felting - 10” wide and 8” long with 48” strap
After felting - 7-1/4” wide and 6” long with 19” strap

Materials:
5 ozs -100% blue wool yarn
2 ozs -100% variegated wool yarn for flap edging & strap
3/4″ button for front closure

Hook: Metal “G” US hook

Chain 40
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Time For The Big Haircut

Cindy — Sun, 25 May 2008 21:44:36 +0000

The time has come for the big haircut. This isn’t just a trim to get me by. Last Thursday, which was day 14 after my first chemo treatment, my hair began to fall out. My hair has been shoulder length for years. On Thursday, those long strands began to just fall out. Of course I had to keep checking and each time I pulled on a few strands, my hair came right out. I could only laugh to prevent myself from crying. I’ve known this day was coming. In fact, the doctor was right on target with his prediction of when my hair might begin to fall out.

Thursday night, my falling hair took a more serious move and I had to call my dear neighbor friend Joanne to help me. After some tears, a good heart-to-heart talk with my friend and a glass of wine, I got my nerves and my emotions in check. Yes its only hair and no I’m not just my hair. I’ve heard it said, if the chemo is doing this to ones hair, what can it be doing to those nasty cancer cells. So Joanne trimmed my hair short on the back and sides to get me through a few more days as she just didn’t have the heart to shave it all off. It looked quite cute and gave me a few days to adjust to short hair. But I knew what was coming and it was just three days away.

Sunday arrived and my hair is really not wanting to enjoy the holiday weekend with me. I know the time has come and it needs to be today. So on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, with a sweet breeze blowing off the creek onto our porch, my husband and I took the next step in our pink journey and shaved my head. Yes my head’s not too pretty looking now but feels so much better. I donned a bandanna scarf and with my head held high, I continue on down the roadway of my pink journey.

Recycled Plastic Hobo Handbag

Cindy — Sat, 17 May 2008 02:37:23 +0000

This hobo handbag was crocheted using recycled plastic bags. It is a pattern that I adapted from Dao over at ShortyLamCrochet Blogspot. Dao calls this her Nordstrom Knockoff Hobo bag. I emailed Dao several times to work out some details because to create her bag using plastic bag yarn or plarn, the pattern required some modifications. We agreed that I would post her pattern link which is done with regular yarn. Below you will find my variation of her pattern done in plarn.

Inside of Lined Hobo Bag Click to View Full-Sized

Strap Made Using Spool Knitter

Free Plastic Bag Hobo Handbag Pattern

Materials needed:
One large ball of brown plastic bag yarn “Plarn”
1 set of 1 inch D rings or circle rings
2 yards of ribbon (1/2″-3/4″ will work)
Magnetic clasp closure
Material for lining if desired

Hooks:
“N” US size Metal crochet hook
“J’ US size Metal crochet hook

Description: Recycled Plastic Hobo Bag
Bag measures 14” wide and 10” long

Directions:
Rnd 1
Ch 29
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I Have Survived Round One

Cindy — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:54:35 +0000

What a difference 5 days makes. Today is day 5 after my first chemo treatment on May 8. I actually feel pretty normal today. The first few days were pretty shaky and I felt very weak. I did take all my pre-meds for nausea and post-meds too. I thank God that I didn’t get sick to the point of throwing up. Not to say I didn’t have waves of nausea. They say that they have come so far now that you don’t have to be sick all the time during chemo treatments and I believe it now. Sure you’re pretty much down for 3-4 days but for me I have survived round one of chemo fairly well.

I haven’t lost my hair yet but I know that day will come soon. Probably next week but at least I’m feeling good now and passed the worse of round one. My husband and youngest son who is still at home have been wonderful. They have been getting dinner ready, cleaning, vacuuming, and otherwise waiting on me as needed. Tonight I have dinner made so that will be a nice treat for them. I plan to return to work tomorrow also. I know everyone is happy to see me feeling better too. It has been very stressful on my family to see me struggling with this BC. It is just such a relief to have one round behind me and now I can get back to doing the thing I truly love — making recycled bags!