Spring is just around the corner and this crocheted granny square motif tote brings out the best of recycled crafting with a colorful Spring theme. The motifs are crocheted from recycled plastic bags in six different colors to create a unique panel for each side of the tote bag.

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Motifs before assembly and side shot of finished tote

Think Spring so it hopefully gets here soon as this snow and ice is getting old. Enjoy this recycled bag project and happy green crafting to all!

Free Colorful Motif Tote Pattern

Materials needed:
One large ball of White plastic bag yarn “Plarn” – approx. 35 bags
Plastic bags in each of the center colors: blue, yellow, wine, pink, orange and green

Hooks: “N” and “J” U.S. size metal crochet hooks
Size: Approx. 4” Motif if using 1” strips of cut plastic bags
Finished Tote bag measurements: 14-1/2” wide, 10” tall, 3” depth, 8” handles

With N hook Ch 4 with center color, Sl St to form ring.

Row 1
Ch 2, (counts as 1 Hdc) in ring work 2 Hdc,
Ch 1, 3 Hdc, Ch 1, 3 Hdc, Ch1, 3 Hdc
Ch 1, Sl St to top of Ch 2. (4 corners & 4 shells made)
Fasten off and weave ends under on back side of motif.

Row 2
With next color attach in any Ch 1 corner space.
Ch 2, 2 Hdc, Ch1, 3 Hdc, all in the same ch 1 corner space.
*Sk next 3 Hdc, 3 Hdc, Ch 1, 3 Hdc, all in the next Ch 1 corner space.*
Repeat between * 2 more times, Sl St to top of the beginning Ch 2.

Row 3
Sl St across remaining Hdc’s to corner.
Ch 2 (counts as 1 Hdc) 2 Hdc, Ch 1, 3 Hdc, all in the corner space.
*Sk 3 Hdc, make 3 Hdc in between shells, Sk next shell, make 3 Hdc, Ch 1,
3 Hdc in corner.* Repeat 2 more times then Sl St to top of first Hdc.

Row 4
Continue in the established pattern for one more row.
Fasten off and weave ends under on back side of motif.

Using the 6 different colors, make two motifs of each color for a total of 12 motifs.

Long side and bottom strip:
Row 1
Ch 9 using White plarn and N hook.

Row 2
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Ch 2, turn. (8 sts)
Repeat row 1 to create your strip by working even on 8 sts until your piece measures 32” long.
Don’t finish off but leave your yarn attached should you need to add another row to your strip. If your strip is too short when you put your bag together this allows you to add a row without a problem.

Assembly of pieces:
Using the J hook, assemble the 6 different colored motifs together with 6 to a panel. Each panel has three motifs across and […]