White plastic bags are used by many retail and grocery stores these days. They are not the prettiest bags to use for crafting. People give me lots of white plastic bags to recycled. So I’ve been trying to be more creative and come up with clever ideas to turn these dull bags into cute and useful items. What do you think of my clothespin bag with a ribbon bow tie?

Here is a hobo bag I crocheted too. It’s amazing how much a little ribbon adds to the projects. Click on my hobo bag and see if you think it makes a cute summer purse.
Click to view full-sized photos

Here’s an example of adding some fun fur to spice up those white bags in this recycled tote bag pattern.

So take heart if you have lots of white plastic bags. You can upcycle them into some really cute crochet projects by just adding some ribbon, fun fur, or other embellishments. Here is the link to my free clothespin “peg” bag pattern if you’d like to crochet this project. Also you can browse through all my free patterns at this link.
Enjoy and happy green crafting to all![…]

Last month I purchased a sunshine umbrella. It’s one of those clothes line things you unfold and put in the ground to hang your clothes on to dry. I haven’t had anything outside to hang my clothes on for quite awhile at this home. But wanting to do the eco friendly thing, I want to hang my clothes outside to dry. It saves electricity and money on my power bill and of course is environmentally friendly!

Anyway I didn’t have a clothes pin bag. So I got busy and crochet myself one. I love to make things that I need from recycled materials and hope others do too. If you need to know how to make plastic bag yarn, here is the link. Once you have your yarn, you are ready to go!

Here is a picture of the little hanger I used for the inside. It is 10 inches long and fits perfectly inside my peg bag. You might also use a baby hanger as they are small.

So what are you waiting for, grab that crochet hook and get to work!

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Free Pattern for Crocheted Clothes Pin “Peg” Bag

Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn”
One 8”-10” long plastic hanger to fit inside bag

Hook: “N” size metal hook

Description: Clothes Pin Bag
Bag measures 12” wide and 12” long

Directions:
Ch 28

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 3-4
Repeat rnd 2.

Rnd 5
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom.

Rnd 6 – 13
Repeat rnd 5. End at side of bag to begin next rnd.

Rnd 14
Hdc in next 11 sts, Sl St in next 8 sts. Ch 1, (edit note, in some cases this Ch 1 may not be necessary, omit if not needed to make your bag.) Hdc in next 11 sts and continue around back working Hdc in ea st back to beginning side of bag. FO and weave in ends on inside of bag.

Rnd 15
Attach plarn at left side of front opening edge where 1st Hdc was made in Rnd 14 after the 8 Sl Sts. Ch 1, work Hdc in ea st of row back around to front opening, ending with Hdc in last st before opening.

Tip: Check to make sure both sides are matched and balance. Adjust your sts if needed so both sides and opening is even on either side.

Rnd […]