I just love recycling denim and had to try this craft project. I used two inside hems from a pair of old jeans to create my coaster. Trim the edges very close and evenly with a pair of sharp scissors.

Next I spliced my two hem strips together with a thread and needle. Just do a few hidden slip stitches to secure your two denim pieces together. You can click on any of the photos to supersize them.

Using a fabric glue, roll up your denim hem and apply a line of glue along the inside of the strip. Work your way along by tightly rolling up the denim and applying the glue until you get to the end. I added a extra bit of glue at the end and left the coaster to dry for several hours on a flat surface to make sure the coaster would set up nicely.

Here is my finished denim coaster. It measures about 4 inches wide. I left the bottom hem end on it as I thought it added character. You could cut it off or add another hem strip to make your coaster larger as desired. Now I’m ready to go out and enjoy a hot cup of coffee using my new recycled denim coaster.

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I had been asked recently if I had a recycled coaster pattern. At that time, I did not have a pattern nor had I ever crocheted any coasters using recycled plastic bags. I decided that there are many things that I need to crochet using recycled plastic bags. So I have complied a to-do list of items and will attempt to create each item out of recycled materials.

Once I successfully complete each item, I will share the pattern with everyone. Some of the items have been made by other people in the past but I will make and test my own patterns. That way I can post the free patterns all here. I want to build this website into a complete library of free patterns where crafters can come, learn, and try new ideas using recycled materials. My goal is to continue promoting eco-friendly products through recycling and crafting.

So here is this week’s first installment of new projects and patterns from my to-do list – recycled plastic bag coasters!

These are a quick item to crochet. I made this set of four in no time at all. Two were crocheted using all white (with red specks) plastic grocery bags and the other two using grey plastic bags to create a different look.

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Crocheted Recycled Plastic Coasters Pattern

Coasters measure 4 inches wide across.

Material: Plastic bags cut into 1” strips — Grey and white bags shown in pattern.

Hook: Metal “N” hook

Round 1
With grey plastic bag yarn, Ch 4, Sl St to join in first st of chain to form ring.

Round 2
Ch 2 (counts as first Hdc), work 11 Hdc in ring (12 Hdc), join with Sl St at top of Ch 2. Fasten off and weave ends under.

Round 3
Attached white yarn in a st, Ch 2, work Hdc in same stitch, then work 2 Hdc in each st around, join with Sl St at top of Ch 2.

Round 4
Ch 2, work Hdc in same stitch, * work 1 Hdc in next st, and 2 Hdc in next stitch * – repeat between * and join with Sl St at top of Ch 2.

Fasten off and weave ends under.

Variations: Use all one color of plastic bags or vary colors as desired.

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
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Rnd – Round

This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy at My Recycled Bags {dot com} and may only be used for private individual use. No commercial sales or use is permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable. ©2007

****Please do not copy my patterns on your blog site or post my patterns on Internet sites. I do not allow my patterns to be republished without expressed written permission. Posting of my patterns, without written permission is in violation of my […]