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:
I have been busy crocheting a kitchen ensemble set for an upcoming house warming gift. I was lucky and scored a big bag of cotton yarn at a local thrift store for a wonderful price. I was able to use the cotton yarn to crochet all the kitchen items making this a very frugal gift. Here is my completed kitchen set which includes dishcloths, potholders, and a recycled plastic scrubbie.
Of course no kitchen set of mine could be complete without a touch of recycled materials so I included one of my kitchen scrubbies which are reinforced by adding recycled lettuce netting for extra scrubbing power. The free pattern link and tutorial on how to create the scrubbie is found here.
The granny motif dishcloth, star dishcloth and the potholder are my original patterns. Click on the green links above for the free patterns to those projects. I also have options on these two dishcloth patterns to add a plastic center so they can be used for extra scrubbing. The multi-colored nubby dishcloth pattern shown in the lower left hand corner is from Charlotte over at Crochetville and is available free here.
This has been a wrap up of my latest completed crochet projects. I continue to create new recycled craft ideas. As a sneak preview, I will share that I am finishing a striped purse crocheted in a shell stitch. Each row is a different color as I changed colors of the plastic bags I used every row. It is turning out very colorful and definitely has a unique look. I will be back soon to post that free recycled shell purse pattern. Until then, enjoy your summer!
I wanted to line this crocheted plarn purse and share the tutorial on how I line purses and bags that are made from recycled plastic bags. First I want to say that I am not a seamstress. This lining project is very basic and is a no-frills way to line a crocheted plarn purse.
First you need two pieces of fabric just wide enough for the bag to fit over with a little extra up top for your finished edge. Using recycled fabric, scrap material or whatever you have on hand will work.
I had a small piece of leftover fabric so I used it for a pocket for the inside of my lined purse.
I just had to share my crocheted baby thongs. Aren’t they just adorable sandals!
This is a fun summer crochet project and these make wonderful little gifts. This cute pattern was crocheted using scrap worst yarn I had and works up very quickly. The pattern is a Cara Scofield creation and is available here.
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![…]
Teresa and Jennifer over at FortePromo.com just shipped me a box of items from their new line of eco-friendly promotional products for me to test out and review. I am always delighted to see and use cool green eco products so I was excited to see what goodies they sent to me.
I received this handy Eco lunch tote made from 100% post-consumer recycled material such as discarded plastic water bottles and food containers. It’s a wonderful lunch bag with a velcro closure and folds flat when empty. I used it today to carry my lunch to work and it works well as a reusable lunch bag.
One of my favorite items I received was the Bamboo USB flash drive. It is made from renewable bamboo material and features a handy magnetic cap which keeps the cap securely on the flash drive.
Several ballpoint pens were sent to me. My favorite one is the Maize twist pen that is made of corn and 72% biodegradable. This eco pen is a cool-looking green color and features a soft grip. It writes nicely and has a comfortable feel to it when writing.
Next was a recycled cardboard journal notebook which is found here. The cover is made from 100% recycled cardboard and the paper inside the journal includes 100 sheets of lined recycled paper with a recycling symbol printed on each page. As with all these promotional products, you can have the cover of this journal embossed with your company name and logo. My husband really liked this item and took it to work to use for his daily notes.
Overall I found all the products that I received from FortePromo to be very useful and a good value. If you are looking to purchase any eco-friendly promotional items for your company or business, I would recommend you check out their new line of environmentally friendly promotional products they offer. They have exciting recycled, biodegradable and organic products, as well as solar and water-powered items. You’ll find all kinds of environmentally friendly promotional products that will help you promote your company and make the earth a little greener in the process!
I have great news and a reason to smile. I just completed another round of scans and an ultrasound. I am NED! If you aren’t familiar with the term NED, it means No Evidence of Disease when referring to someone who has had cancer. I am happy to report all my scans and tests are clear. It’s as one doctor said to me today, it’s all good — be assured there is no sign of cancer.
It’s been since March 2008, that I have been battling breast cancer. Once you’ve had cancer, you tend to think about it’s return. You try and not worry about a recurrence. At first it’s about all one can do but not think about it’s return. But as time goes on it does get better. The reassurances that it has not returned is empowering. Things haven’t always been easy and I still have a few aches and pains from surgery and radiation. But overall I am feeling pretty good and have basically gotten my life and activities back to normal now. So I smile and say that I love NED. I hope and pray I stay that way forever. Until the next scans and follow-ups, I am reminding myself to enjoy life today and to be happy I am beating cancer each and every precious day.
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!
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