My Recycled Bags.com » crocheting

Plarn Bucket Basket

Cindy — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:46:11 +0000

This week I crocheted a little bucket basket from recycled pink newspaper bags. I created this bucket basket as a gift to my local library for saving all the plastic newspaper bags they receive their newspapers in daily. Each week I pick up these bags and use them in my recycled crafting projects. I feel so fortunate to get these beautiful and uniquely colored bags.

I recycled this jam container for my plastic bag crafting project. As outlined in the pattern below, you insert the plastic jam container inside the crocheted plarn bucket. Once finished, I filled the bucket with candy and presented it to my local library staff. This was their first time really seeing a finished product I crafted from their recycled plastic bags. I think they were happily surprised to see something pretty as well as useful made from their old newspaper bags that I collect from them.

So I hope I have inspired you and you will give this recycled crochet basket project a go. Best wishes and happy green crafting to all!

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Plarn Bucket Basket Pattern

Materials:
One ball of pink plarn (plastic bag yarn) Appox. 20 bags
3 white plastic bags for edging
1 recycled jam container (4” wide by 4” tall used)

Hook: Metal “J” (6 mm) US size hook

Description: Crochet basket measures 4 inches wide and 4” tall with 8” handle

Directions:
Ch 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring.

Rnd 1
Ch 1, then work 9 Sc in ring, join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1. (10)

Rnd 2
Ch 1, Sc in same st, work 2 Sc in ea st around, join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1. (20)

Rnd 3
Ch 1, Sc in same st, *Sc in next st, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * – * to end of round, joining with a Sl St to top of Ch 1. (30)

Rnd 4
Ch 1, Sc in sm st, *work 1 Sc in ea of the next 2 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd. Join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1.

Rnd 5
Ch 1, Sc in sm st, *Sc in next 5 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd. Join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1.

Rnd 6
Ch 1, Sc in sm st, *Sc in next 6 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd. Join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1.

Rnd 7
Sc in FLO around entire basket. This creates a ridge for the bottom edge of basket. Don’t join at end of rnd. From this point on, do not connect at end of rounds unless directed to do so.

Tip: Place a marker if needed so you know where the rounds begin.

Rounds 8 -16
Working in both loops now, Hdc […]

Cassette Tape Sachet

Cindy — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 02:34:29 +0000

I’m back to share my latest recycled cassette tape craft project. I crocheted this little sachet bag with two strands of cassette tape along with one strand of ribbon yarn. The ribbon yarn gives the cassette tape a better texture to crochet with and makes the crochet hook move more easier.

I added a sachet liner that I crocheted from some cotton thread so you could remove it from the cassette tape sachet. I filled the liner with some spicy potpourri before closing the end up. Then I just inserted the liner inside the sachet.

This is a quick and easy recycled crafting project which requires just a small amount of materials. The result is a pretty sachet that makes a great gift idea.
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Free Cassette Tape Sachet Pattern

Materials needed:
2 Cassette tapes (only 1/8 of a reel used on each)
1 oz Lion Brand Lion ribbon yarn
One bead for drawstring
Small amount of #10 Cotton thread for liner

Hooks:
“J” (6 mm) U.S. size metal crochet hook
“C” (2.75 mm) U.S. size metal crochet hook

Description: Crocheted Sachet Bag –
Bag measures 4-1/2” wide and 5” long

Directions:
Ch 15

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

Rnd 2 -11
Hdc in each st around to first end then Hdc in ea st around to other end. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.

Rnd 12 (Eyelet round)
*Ch 1, sk one st, Hdc in next st*. Repeat between * and end with a sl st into the beginning ch1.

Rnd 13
Ch 1, work 3 Hdc in ea ch 1 space of the prior round. End with sl st into the beginning ch 1.
Fasten off and weave ends under on inside of the bag.

Drawstring:
Double over a double strand of cassette tape and one strand of ribbon yarn. Your final drawing will be 4 strands of cassette tape and 2 strands of ribbon yarn. Weave through the eyelet round with the drawstring. Add a bead through the ends and tie a knot at the end of the drawstring.

Sachet Liner:
With C hook, ch 24. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st down to the end. Then continue around the corner by working Sc in ea st down the back side of beg chain. Continue working Sc in rounds without joining for 29 rounds. Stuff your sachet liner with potpourri or other fragrant material. Close the top of your sachet liner by working a round of Sc through both top stitches of bag. FO.

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

Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Ea – Each
FO – Finish Off
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Rnd – Round
Sc […]

T-Yarn Swiffer Sock

Cindy — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 04:05:43 +0000

Need a swiffer duster sock? Well I did for my Unger so I cut up one white t-shirt and a small amount of a blue jersey sheet to crochet my duster cover. I cut my t-yarn 1 inch wide and stretched it gently as shown in my t-yarn making tutorial.

My Unger is a squeegee with a swiffer-like head on the other side. I want to be able to use the other side to dust and clean high areas in my house with the extended handle on the Unger.

I used the Craftstylish crochet reversible swiffer pattern as a basis for my duster cover. Because my tool is narrower than a Swiffer, I had to modify the original pattern. The beauty of the pattern is that it is easily adjustable to fit different sized cleaning tools. The pattern has great pictures and works up really quickly.

Okay now for my modifications:
I used N (9 mm) crochet hook. I chained 19 to begin my cover. I only crocheted 3 rows of ruffles in the middle. Then one round of SC in each stitch and then several decreases of Sc on last round to fit my Unger.

Finished size: Fits a tool head 10 inches long and 1-1/2 inches wide when stretched.

My finished t-yarn cover turned out perfect and I love the ruffles on the duster. It works great and I plan to use the same ruffle design to make a mop cover. Using recycled t-shirts for this project worked wonderfully as the cotton is soft and absorbent. Now I just need to get busy and do some cleaning with my new tool.[…]

Plarn Pop Tab Tote Bag

Cindy — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 18:57:57 +0000

This week I present my first pop tab tote bag project. I was asked to create a tote bag using soda pop pull tabs and recycled plastic bags by a member of my Trash to Treasures group on Ravelry. I have been saving soda pop tabs and beer pull tabs so I could complete this project. It took 252 tabs for my bag. I decided that I would alternate rounds so that it didn’t take so many tabs to do this bag. Plus I like the look of the plastic bags by themselves to separate the pull tab rounds.

I used cotton cord on the base of the bag to give it a sturdy bottom and also on the handles. I found if I wrapped the plastic bag yarn (plarn) around the cord as I crocheted around it, it hides the white cord better. As you may see in the closeup pictures of the base, the first few rows I didn’t wrap it as close as I did in later rounds. The later rounds look better and the white cotton cord doesn’t really show through. I found if I wound the plastic around the cord in small sections and then crocheted around the cord, it worked best to keep the plastic tighter and uniform.

Hope you enjoy this free crochet pattern. Happy 4th of July to everyone!

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Free Plarn Pop Tab Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
One ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn”
(Approx. 50 plastic newspaper bags cut into 1″ strips of plarn)
252 Soda pull-tabs
4 yards – 12/32 (9.5 mm) Cotton cord

Hook: “J” U.S. size metal hook
Description: Plastic Bag & Pop Tab Tote Bag
Bag measures 12” wide and 10” long with 18” straps

Directions:
Ch 20 loosely.

Rnd 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Then continue around other side of chain by working a Sc in ea st to other end.

Rnd 2
Work 2 sc in ea of the two end sts, then Sc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Sc in ea of the two end sts. Do not connect at end of rounds unless directed to do so otherwise just continue working Sc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.

Rnd 3
Add cotton cord on this round. Wrap plarn around the cotton cord to cover the cord. I did just a small section as I worked my Sc’s around the cord. I used a needle and thread to secure the cotton cord into the bag to hold it into place at the beginning of the round.

Sc around the cord and into each st of the prior round down to first end, work 2 Sc in ea of the three end sts, then Sc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Sc in ea of the three end sts.

Rnd 4
Continue wrapping pink plarn around the cotton cord before you Sc around […]

T-Yarn Oven Mitt

Cindy — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 17:10:59 +0000

I think most people know the yarn you can create from recycling old t-shirts is called t-yarn or tarn. But did you know that you can also recycle old cotton jersey sheets to make the same type of material?

I recycled an old cotton sheet to create this crocheted oven mitt. I cut the sheet into very thin strips and curled it as outlined in t-yarn making tutorial. I used half a twin sheet which is probably less than two t-shirts should be using tees to make your oven mitt.

Here is my cotton sheet before I started. I was lucky to get it free from the rag box at my local thrift store as it had a few holes and some minor discoloration. As you cut the strips you can work around any holes and the color differences really don’t show in the yarn that is created.

This recycled oven mitt project fits a woman’s size medium hand. Should you need a larger mitt, just do a few more rounds as indicated in the crochet pattern below. As always, I hope you enjoy my free pattern and have fun creating your own t-yarn oven mitt.

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Free T-Yarn Oven Mitt Pattern

Materials needed:
About half a twin jersey sheet or a couple of t -shirts cut into 3/8” inch wide strips and
gently pulled to curl your t-yarn or tarn

Fabric for the lining and one piece of insul-bright for heat protection

Hook: “H” U.S. size metal crochet hook

Size:
Woman’s medium sized hand

Finished Oven Mitt: 6” wide x 10-1/2” long with 7-1/2” opening

Using t-yarn, Ch 44 and join with a Sl St to form a ring. My ring was approx. 7 inches wide if measured flat.

Rnd 1
Sc around the entire chain as you work along the ring. This allows you to slide the sts as needed
to get a smooth band around the ring. Join with a Sl St into beg Sc. (Approx 50 Sc)
Do NOT turn your work in this project. This project is worked in rounds.

Rnd 2
Ch 1, Sc in ea st around. Don’t join from this point on. Just continue working in rounds.

Rnd 3
Work Sc in each st around. See how there is a natural fold created with your project. End each round at the fold which should be where your tail is from the beginning chain.

Rnd 4
Work 1 dec by working two Sc’s tog at natural edge of fold. Then Sc in ea st around to other fold, work 1 dec by working two Sc’s tog. Finish rnd by working Sc in remaining sts.

Rnd 5
Work Sc even around in ea st.

Repeat rnd 4 and 5 – Twice.

Rnd 10 – 17
Work Sc even around in ea st. (For a larger or longer oven mitt, work a few more rounds here to make a bigger mitt.)

Rnd 18
Sc in ea of the next 6 sts, skip 10 sts […]

Log Cabin Potholder Pattern

Cindy — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 04:07:30 +0000

For all those log cabin pattern lovers out there, here is my version of a log cabin potholder. This potholder or hotpad was crocheted using scraps of cotton yarn I had on hand. I have also been saving all my juice and milk jug rings for crafting projects. This plastic ring is a larger one that I recycled from an apple jug. Using these recycled rings saves you from having to purchase store bought rings for your potholder projects.

The potholder or hotpad completes my set that includes the log cabin scrap dishcloth pattern I posted last month. These items are an excellent way to use scraps of cotton that you may have been saving and not sure what could be done with the small bits. My pattern is written with specific colors listed but you can mix and match the colors depending on what you may have on hand.

As always, please enjoy the free crochet pattern below.

Log Cabin Potholder Pattern

Hook:
H (5 mm) USA crochet hook

Materials:
Cotton yarn scraps in 6 colors
2 ozs contrasting Cotton yarn for trim and back of potholder
1 plastic ring

Description:
8” x 8-1/2” Cotton Potholder/Hotpad

Directions:
Row 1
With light blue yarn, Ch 12, Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st. (11)

Row 2-6
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st down to end. FO.

Row 1
Attached new color (light green) at lower right hand side of RS.
Ch 2, Hdc in ea st along the right side of light blue colored yarn. (Approx. 10 sts.)

Row 2-6
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st down to end. FO.

Row 1
Attached new color (blue) at right hand corner of RS.
Ch 2, Hdc in ea st along the left side of green and the light blue colored yarn. (Approx. 20 sts.)

Row 2-5
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st down to end. FO.

Row 1
Attached new color (creme) at upper right hand corner of RS at end of light blue. Ch 2, Hdc in ea st along the right side of light blue and the blue colored yarn. (Approx. 16 sts.)

Row 2-6
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st down to end. FO.

Row 1
Attached new color (aqua blue) at right hand corner of RS at end of creme. Ch 2, Hdc in ea st along the right side of creme, and light blue and light green colored yarn. (Approx. 28 sts.)

Row 2-4
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st down to end. FO.

Row 1
Attached new color (Dark Green) at right hand corner of RS at blue corner. Ch 2, Hdc in ea st along the right side of the blue and creme yarn. (Approx. 28 sts.)

Row 2-4
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st down to end. FO.

Back Potholder Piece
I used just a solid color for the back of my log cabin potholder. Using the creme yarn, Ch 29. Hdc in the […]

Reclaimed Heart Hotpad

Cindy — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:30:18 +0000

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I crocheted this heart hotpad from reclaimed yarn. I scored a free cotton/ramie red vest from my local thrift store. It had a hole in it and they had it in their free area so I gladly took it home and unraveled it. It yielded 3 nice balls of red yarn.

I used Rachel’s free sweetheart Valentine heart pattern over at Crochet Spot to create my hotpad. I followed the posted pattern but added an extra round of single crochet by repeating round 4 twice. I crocheted two red hearts and then put them back to back for a double layered heart hotpad. I finished off my hotpad by working a round of single crochet around and through the double layers with a contrasting white cotton yarn. I then worked the final round as outlined in the pattern to create the scalloped edging.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Valentine’s Day and as always happy crafting!

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Log Cabin Scrap Dishcloth

Cindy — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 21:24:28 +0000

I have wanted to make a log cabin design dishcloth for some time now. I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to use up some scrap cotton yarn that I have. I have looked at several different log cabin designs and just decided that I would grab a crochet hook and see what I could come up with.

Here is my first completed log cabin dishcloth. It’s not square but who says a dishcloth really needs to be. Well I used 6 different colors of cotton yarn to complete my dishcloth. I’m thinking it would be a great hotpad too and am starting another one right now which I’ll add a solid color for a back which will give it a double layer.

I wrote up the crochet pattern for this and hope it makes sense about where to attach your yarn as you change colors. I always started the new color on the right side (RS) of the dishcloth and you can use the photo to help you with your starting points. Remember you can always deviate and do your own thing with the colors and the number of rows. It’s kinda like doing a freeform but still keeping the log cabin design as your goal.

Well, I hope you enjoy the free crochet pattern below. If you use my pattern, please let me know how your dishcloth came out and I love to see photos of my reader’s creations.

Log Cabin Scrap Dishcloth Pattern

Hook:
H (5 mm) USA crochet hook

Materials:
Cotton yarn scraps in 6 colors
¼ oz contrasting Cotton yarn for trim

Description:
8-1/4” x 10-1/4” Cotton Dishcloth

Directions:
Row 1
With Crème color, Ch 12, Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st. (11)

Row 2-6
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st down to end. FO.

Row 1
Attached new color (Blue) at lower right hand side of RS.
Ch 2, Hdc in ea st along the right side of crème colored yarn. (Approx. 10 sts.)

Row 2-6
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st down to end. FO.

Row 1
Attached new color (Light Blue) at right hand corner of RS.
Ch 2, Hdc in ea st along the right side of blue and the crème colored yarn. (Approx. 19 sts.)

Row 2-6
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st down to end. FO.

Row 1
Attached new color (White) at upper right hand corner of RS at end of light blue. Ch 2, Hdc in ea st along the right side of light blue and the crème colored yarn. (Approx. 19 sts.)

Row 2-6
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st down to end. FO.

Row 1
Attached new color (Light Green) at right hand corner of RS at end of white. Ch 2, Hdc in ea st along the right side of white, crème, and blue colored yarn. (Approx. 27 sts.)

Row 2-6
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st down to end. FO.

Row 1
Attached […]

Newborn Baby Sweater Vest

Cindy — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 04:09:00 +0000

This crocheted newborn baby sweater vest is a variation of my Ana sweater that I created. The Ana sweater vest pattern is for a toddler’s size 2-3 but several people have asked for a smaller size which I am happy to share in this post today.

I crocheted a matching hat using Barb’s seamless baby hat pattern. I just added a few rows of single crochet stitches around the edge to match my trim on the baby sweater vest to complete the set.

This baby vest was crocheted using a sport weight yarn that I obtained from a free yarn swap so I’m not exactly sure what it is. It’s a soft yarn with a darker blue ribbon thread that runs through it. I used a pink contrasting yarn to finish off the project. For the newborn sweater, I used a bow tie at the front rather than a button closure but you can switch up the patterns and use either style for your sweater.

I hope you enjoy the free crochet pattern below — Enjoy!

Newborn Sweater Vest Pattern

Finished Newborn baby vest measures: 9” wide by 9-1/2” long
Hook: Metal “G” (4.25 mm) US sized crochet hook

Materials:
4 ozs – Sport weight yarn and a small amount for contrasting yarn for trim

Row 1 (Back piece)
Ch 36

Row 2-9
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st across. (34)

Row 10 (Back Neck Opening)
Working from the bottom hem up, Hdc in ea st up to the last 4 sts at the top. Leave the last 4 sts unworked, Ch 2 and turn.

Row 11-17
Hdc in ea st, Ch 2 and turn.

Row 18
Working from the bottom hem up, Hdc in ea st up to top and Ch 5 and turn.

Row 19
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st Hdc st down to bottom. Ch 2 and turn.

Row 20-27
Hdc in ea st until 27 rows are completed. FO.

Row 1 (Front piece)
Ch 36.

Row 2-9
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st across. (34)

Row 10
Hdc in ea st up front and leave the last 6 sts at the top unworked for front shoulder. Ch 2, turn.

Row 11-12
Hdc in ea st, Ch 2, turn. (End at top)

Row 13
Work 2 Hdc together (1 Dec) over the next 2 sts at neck, then Hdc in ea st, Ch 2, turn.

Row 14
Hdc in ea st, Ch 2, turn.

Row 15
Hdc in ea st back up to the neck and leave last 4 sts unworked at the top. Ch 6, turn.

Row 16
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st down to the bottom. Ch 2 and turn.

Row 17
Hdc in ea st back up to the top, Ch 2, turn.

Row 18
Work 2 Hdc in 1st st, then Hdc in ea st down to the bottom. Ch 2, turn.

Row 19[…]

Jumbo Plarn Beach Bag

Cindy — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:00:29 +0000

I present the jumbo plarn beach bag. This is the largest recycled plastic bag that I have ever crocheted. It measures 16 inches wide by 20 inches tall. It features a 30 inch long strap that you pull through the front opening to secure your beach bag closed. Then because the strap is long, you can throw it over your shoulder and off you can go.

So if you need a jumbo beach bag or maybe you want an extra large grocery tote, this plastic bag pattern will definitely fill your needs. It also allows you to use several different colors of recycled plastic bags for the stripes. The colorful stripes add a nice touch to the otherwise plain white bags that are so abundant.

Free Jumbo Plarn Beach Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
One very large ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn”
Approx. 80 white plastic grocery bags for main bag
15 grey and 8 pink plastic bags for stripes

Hook: “N” (9) U.S. size metal hook
Description: Jumbo Plarn Beach Bag
Bag measures 16” wide and 20” long with 30” strap

Directions:
Ch 34

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 ea of the two end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in ea of 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 ea of the three end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in ea of the three end sts.

Rnd 4-27
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag. Finish off with white plarn at side of bag by working Sc and then sl st into last sts at side of bag. FO. (12” long at end of rnd 27)

Rnd 28-30
Join grey plarn at side and Ch 1. Hdc in ea st around. On final round with grey, end at side of bag with sc and sl st into last two sts. FO grey plarn.

Round 31-32
Join pink plarn at side, Ch 1. Hdc in ea st around and end at side of bag with sc and sl st into last two sts. FO pink plarn.

Round 33-35
Join grey plarn at side with Ch 1. Hdc in ea st around. On final round with grey, end at side of bag with sc and sl st into last two sts. FO grey plarn.

Rnd 36-39
Join white plarn at side and Ch 1. Hdc in ea st around.

Rnd 40
Hdc in ea st around front […]