My Recycled Bags.com » bread-bags

Fat Bottom Bag from Recycled Bread Bags

Cindy — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 18:21:21 +0000

I have been working for several weeks now on a custom-ordered recycled bread bag project. The client wanted a fat bottom bag (FBB) crocheted from bread bags. What made the project unique was that the bread bags are from her husband’s bread factory. She collected bread bags from the factory’s floor of damaged products and mailed them to me to crochet her FBB.

I cut the bread bags into strips about 1/2 inch wide and created plarn using the same method I do for plastic grocery bags. I didn’t count the number of bags used but I believe its around 50 bread bags. I used the FBB English pattern here. I added the flap and button option which is detailed at my plastic fat bottom post link which also has the English chart link as the original pattern is written in Portuguese.

Working with the bread bags was much harder than the thin newspaper bags that I used in my first plarn FBB. The bread bags are so stiff making it difficult to do the gathering portion of the bag. But I was able to get it accomplished and lined the bag for my special order customer.

Here are some photos of the project as it progressed.

Beginning of crocheted shell of FBB

Shell and lining completed

The final photo shows the flap with the button sewn in place. I am excited for my customer to receive her custom-made repurposed bread bags. I hope she enjoys her unique recycled fat bottom purse.

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Bread Bags Upcycled into a Coaster

Cindy — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:47:02 +0000

Here is a quick little crochet project using recycled plastic bread bags. I cut the bread bags into strips just as I do here in my tutorial to create what I call plarn (plastic bag yarn.) I used about 5 or 6 different colored bags to crochet this coaster. It’s a great way to upcycle bread bags and other heavier plastic into a useful item that otherwise might end up in our landfills.

I used an aluminum “H” crochet hook and cut my plastic bags about 3/4″ wide. Starting with a magic circle, Sc 6 times into circle. Don’t join but just mark the beginning of round so you know where it is. Next round, work 2 Sc in each stitch. Next round, work a Sc in next stitch, then 2 Sc in next stitch and repeat around. Next round, work a Sc in the next two stitches, then 2 Sc in next stitch and repeat around. Next round, work a Sc in the next 3 stitches, then 2 Sc in next stitch and repeat around. (Each round increase the number of Sc’s and then do your 2 Sc’s.)

Continue working in rounds and adjust stitches as needed so your coaster lays down flat. I did 6 rounds and finished with a few Sl Sts on last round so my edge was smooth and the coaster is round. I used scraps of plastic about 1-1/2 inch long to make my fringe around the outside of the coaster. I then trimmed the edges so the fringe measures about an inch long. My coaster’s middle is about 4-1/2 inches wide. You can make smaller or larger coasters as desired. Remember when crafting with recycled materials, it’s not an exact science so adjust your pattern as needed. The important thing is to recycle or upcycle that old plastic![…]

Recycled Bread Bag Tote

Cindy — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:43:15 +0000

I’m back to share this colorful crocheted recycled tote bag. It’s been awhile since I completed a bread bag project and I’m excited to share this free pattern with you all. In this project I used plastic bread bags including bagel bags, taco shells, pita bread, muffin bags, hot dog and hamburger bun bags.

All the different recycled plastic bags makes for a very colorful and unique tote. This tote bag features a sturdy bottom made with half double crochet stitches and then an open netting type stitching for the main body of the bag. This recycled plastic bag project would make an excellent market tote or beach bag.

(Click to Supersize Photos)

Stumble It!

Free Recycled Bread Bag Tote Pattern

Bag measures 12 inches wide and 13” long with 6” handles
Materials: Bread bags cut into ½” wide strips to create plarn (Appox. 50 bags)

Picture tutorial is found here on how to make plastic bags into plarn (plastic bag yarn)

Hook:
Metal “N” US size crochet hook
Chain 24

Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook in each st of chain. Continue to the end then around and down the back side of chain by working a Hdc in every stitch of chain.

Rnd 2 – 3
Hdc in each st down to first end. Work 2 Hdc in the two end sts, and then Hdc in ea st down to other end. Work 2 Hdc in ea of the two end sts. Do not connect at end of rounds for bottom, just continue working Hdc in ea st to create a seamless bag bottom.

Rnd 4 – 5
Hdc in ea st around entire bag. Finish rnd at side of the bag.

Rnd 6
Sc in the 1st st at the side of the bag. *Ch 3, sk 2 sts, Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd. Ch 3 and join with a Sc to top of 1st Sc.

Rnd 7
*Ch 3, Sc in next chain 3 space*. Repeat between * to end of rnd and then continue with this pattern until bag length measures 12” long. Finish at side of the bag with a Sl St into a Sc.
(Appox. 20 rounds of the netting stitch which are worked without joining, Just continue working Ch 3, Sc in next chain 3 space around and around until bag measures the desired length.)

Top edging and handles:
Rnd 1
Ch 1, *3 Sc in next chain 3 space, sk Sc*, Repeat between * to end of rnd and join with Sl St into Sc at side of bag.

Rnd 2
Ch 1, Sc in ea st around. Don’t join but end at side of bag with a Sc.

Rnd 3 (handle round)
Mark center 12 stitches on each side of bag for handle opening.
Sc in each st to mark for handle opening. Ch 12, leave 12 stitches un-worked for handle, then Sc in remaining stitches and across other side to mark […]

Cosmetic Bag Crocheted from Bread Bags

Cindy — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 03:24:06 +0000

Here’s my little cosmetic bag I crocheted from old recycled bread bags. I’ve had this on my to-do list for quite a while and finally got it done.

Here is a picture taken with the flap open.
Click to view full-sized photos.

Here is the bottom of the bag.

This very durable cosmetic bag can hold several things and easily fit into your purse or overnight bag. Below you will find the free pattern for this bread bag project. If you don’t want to use bread bags, just substitute plastic bags for your cosmetic bag.
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Pattern for Crocheted Cosmetic Bag

Materials needed:
One ball of plastic bread bags cut into 1/2” to 5/8” strips
Approx. 15-18 bags
One small button

Hook: “N” size metal hook

Description: Cosmetic Bag
Bag measures 6” wide and 4” long with 2-1/2” bottom

Directions:
Ch 11

Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Work 2 Hdc in end st, then continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st to other end then work 2 Hdc in end st.

Rnd 2
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in the two end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in the two end sts. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.

Rnd 3
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in the three end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in the three end sts.

Rnd 4 – 7
Hdc in ea st around to beginning of rnd. Repeat to 7 rnds by working 1 hdc in ea st. End at side of bag.
(Form bottom flat after rnd 4 to create flat area for the bottom of bag. Just use your fingers to press down to make your flat bottom on bag.)

Row 8 – 11
Starting at side of bag, Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st across back only to create flap for bag.

Row 12 – 17
Ch 2, turn, work 1 Hdc over next 2 sts, (1 dec. made.) Hdc in ea st to last 2 sts of row, work 1 Hdc over last 2 sts (1 dec. made.)

Row 18
Ch 2, turn, work 1 Hdc over next 2 sts, (1 dec. made), Hdc in ea st to center st of bag. Skip center st, then Hdc in ea st to last 2 sts. Work 1 Hdc over last 2 sts of row (1 dec. made.)

Row 19
Ch 1, turn, Sc in ea st across to make smooth edge on bag flap. Finish off.

Sew a small button on front under buttonhole at center.

If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.

Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Hdc – Half Double Crochet[…]

Recycled Bread Bag Handbag

Cindy — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:55:08 +0000

If you’re into recycling and crafts, try out this crocheted handbag using bread bags. I saved about 30 or more bags to make this multi-colored handbag. It’s really durable and will definitely be a conversation piece when you use it. Crocheting with bread bags is a bit tougher on the hands and joints but makes are very unique bag. Because the plastic is heavier you need to cut the strips a bit narrower and remember to not over-pull on your work.

The finished product which I posted pictures of both sides is so colorful. My camera pictures don’t really capture the pretty multi-colors but I hope you’ll be inspired to give this crocheted project a try so you too can experience the beauty of recycled bags!

Click to view other side

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Free Pattern for Crocheted Bread Bag Handbag

Materials needed: One very large ball of plastic bread bags cut into 1/2” to 5/8” strips
Hook: “N” size metal hook

Description: Tote Bag
Bag measures 9” wide and 11” long
Directions:
Ch 20

Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Work 2 Hdc in end st, then continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st to other end then work 2 Hdc in end st.

Rnd 2
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in 1 end st, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in 1 end st. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.

Rnd 3 -14
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom. After 14th rnd, measurement should be approx. 7”.

Rnd 15
Working front first and then back to match, Sc in next 4 sts, Hdc in next 4 sts, Dc in next 2 sts (middle of front), then Dc in next 2 sts, Hdc in next 4 sts, Sc in next 4 sts ending at the side of bag. Then working around back side of bag, work Sc in next 4 sts, Hdc in next 4 sts, Dc in next 4 sts, Hdc in next 4 sts, Sc in last 4 sts of rnd. End at side of bag.

Rnd 16 – 19
Repeat rnd 15.

Rnd 20
Sc in ea of the next 4 sts, Hdc in ea sts around to last 4 sts on front, then Sc in ea of the last 4 sts. End at side of bag on front.
Sc in ea of the next 4 sts, Hdc in ea sts around to last 4 sts on back, then Sc in ea of the last 4 sts of rnd.

Rnd 21
Sc in ea of the next 3 sts, Hdc in next 3 sts, Ch 9 for handle opening, Sk 7 sts, Hdc in next 3 sts, then Sc in last sts on front.
Working around back of bag, Sc in next 3 sts, […]