Because this plastic was much heavier than the normal thin plastic grocery bags, I cut the strips only about 1/2 inch wide. I cut the plastic into strips using my standard plarn making method to assemble the plastic strips.

I crocheted it all using single crochet stitches as this is a bit easier on the hands. A word of advice though, take lots of breaks from this project as it will help your hands and joints from getting too sore. Also if your rug doesn’t want to lay down flat, apply some gentle heat from a blow dryer, and flatten out your rug as you warm up the plastic. This really helped as my rug wanted to curl up a bit but with the heat from the dry blower, I was able to get my rug to lay down fairly flat.

Below you will find the general directions for crocheting this recycled plastic rug. Please be aware that this pattern is just a loose guideline for making your own unique rug using recycled plastic. You may need to add a few more stitches here and there so your ends lay down flat. I re-worked several rounds at times as the rug just didn’t want to lay down very flat. But remember the dry blower tip and try this out if needed. With that being said, enjoy the project and happy crocheting!

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Recycled Plastic Oval Rug Pattern

Materials needed:

Plastic bread bags and any other plastic packaging that you can cut into loops ½” wide
to create plastic bag yarn or plarn.

Hook:
“N” USA size crochet hook

Description:
Recycled plastic oval rug measures 16” wide and 30” long

Directions:
Ch 36 (approx. 14 inches)

Rnd 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st down to the end of chain , work 2 Sc in end st. Then working along the back side of chain, Sc in ea st down to the other end and work 2 Sc in end st.

Rnd 2
Work Sc in ea st down to the end, work 2 Sc in two end sts then Sc in ea remaining st down to other end st. Work 2 Sc in other two end sts.. Don’t join but just continue working rug in rounds.

Rnd 3
Work Sc in ea st down to the end, work 2 Sc in three end sts then Sc in ea remaining st down to other end st. Work 2 Sc in other three end […]

Here is an eco rug I crocheted from recycled plastic bags. I made this Motif rug as part of an eco craftalong on Craftster. It’s been a fun and very informative craftalong for me. I learned about Borax and found it to be a wonderful eco friendly cleaning supply. I’ve learned about making reusable swiffer covers and mops. I have had the privilege of seeing lots of other people’s creations using plastic bags and other recycled materials. So if you love doing eco-friendly everythings come check out the link above for a fantastic craftalong!

Here is my pattern below for this rug. I want to forewarn everyone that I had issues getting my rug to lie flat. I applied heat from a blow dryer which helped a bit but it still isn’t completely flat. You may want to add more stitches or adjust the pattern to make it work better for you. After tackling and frogging this round rug for weeks, I think I’ll stick with bag projects for awhile now.

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Free Round Recycled Plastic Bag Rug Pattern

Size: 18″ round rug
Hook: N metal crochet hook

Materials:
Large ball of white plastic bags cut and tied into yarn (plarn)
Small ball of blue plarn used for center motif

With center color (white shown) Ch 4, Sl St to form ring.

Rnd 1
Using white plastic bag yarn, Ch 2, (counts as 1 Hdc) in ring work 2 Hdc,
Ch 1, 3 Hdc, Ch 1, 3 Hdc, Ch 1, 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.

Rnd 2
With next color (blue) 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.

Rnd 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.
Fasten off and weave ends under on back side of Motif.

Rnd 4
Change back to white yarn, attach in any Ch 1 corner space.
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.

Rnd 5
Sl St across ea Hdc to corner, sc in corner sp and in ea st around to next side of motif.
In sp after […]