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Tag Archive | "plarn"

Recycled Plastic Wheelchair Tote Bag

April 6, 2023 No comments yet

Introducing the latest of my recycled bags. This is a wheelchair or walker tote that is crocheted all in recycled plastic bags. Some people also call them a wheelchair carrier as you use them to carry things such as books, newspapers or tissues.

This recycled bag was crocheted using the free puff stitch wheelchair tote pattern. It features a red, white and blue striped theme. As it is hard to find these special colored bags, I only crocheted the puff stitches on the front of the tote. Each puff stripe row used less than 2 colored plastic bags made into plarn to crochet.

I used a K (6.5 mm) crochet hook to work this tote bag. Final finished size is 10.5 inches wide by 9 inches long with 6.75 inch straps. I added

Green Handled Plarn Tote Bag

September 17, 2022 No comments yet

I have been busy crocheting a recycled tote bag for a future charity fundraiser. This bag was crocheted using the free ultimate grocery bag pattern.

The pattern creates a 13 inches long reusable tote bag. I used around 50 plastic retail sacks to crochet the bag. The green handles were plarn I made from lightweight grocery bags that I recycled. Here is a closeup photo below to show the crocheted green handles.

Recycled Wine Tote Bag

May 8, 2022 No comments yet

Here is my latest recycled bag project. It’s a smaller version of Japanese knot bag wine tote that I crocheted a few years ago. For this plarn wine tote, I crocheted it a few stitches less around and only went up to a standing height of 9.5 inches.

The full written free Japanese Knot Plarn Tote pattern is found here. Just remember for this smaller tote bag use a K (6.5 mm) crochet hook. Adjust the original pattern as desired to reach the size for the tote that you need. The beauty in these patterns is that you can always tweak them to get the desired outcomes.

Below is a photo of my recycled wine tote with a small bottle of wine.

Two Stripe Plarn Tote Bag

January 2, 2022 No comments yet

It is a new year and time for a new recycled bag! What better way to kick off a new year but with a new homemade reusable and upcycled tote bag. This tote bag was crocheted using about 45 brown plastic bags and 12 reddish-colored newspaper delivery sacks.

Here is a closeup of the top and handles.

This bag is very similar to my basic crocheted tote bag pattern but with a few changes including two stripes. The two stripes were added by cutting up 12 recycled plastic bags that newspapers are delivered in. Here is the tutorial link for cutting newspaper sacks into plarn to use as yarn.

I have provided the full new crochet pattern below for everyone’s personal use. As always, my patterns are free and I hope people will enjoy them.

Two Stripe Plarn Tote Bag Crochet Pattern

Materials needed: Plastic bag yarn “Plarn” in main color brown (40+ bags) cut 1 inch wide
and approx. 12 contrasting colored plastic bags for stripes

Hook: N (9 mm) size metal hook

Description: Recycled Plastic Tote Bag

Bag measures 12 inches wide and 12 inches long with 5 inch handles

Directions:
Ch 28

Halloween Recycled Ideas

October 10, 2021 No comments yet

Halloween is just around the corner but there is still time to do some recycled crafting. I like to share patterns and crafting ideas using recycled materials such as plastic bags / plarn here at My Recycled Bags.

Here is a favorite recycled plastic Halloween trick or treat basket. The free crochet pattern is found here.

Not only is this a reusable basket, it features a sturdy recycled microwave tray for the base. So this project is a double recycled crafting project with two different types of recycled materials. Plus it’s a cool-looking trick or trick basket to hold lots of Halloween goodies.

You can find all the different Halloween posts and projects that I have shared over the years

Plarn Recycled Clothes Pin Bag

April 20, 2021 2 comments

Over 13 year ago I created this clothes pin bag pattern crocheted from recycled plastic bags. I haven’t worked the pattern for several years and decided to make the clothes pin bag for an upcoming charity auction. There is just something special to me to use one of my original pattern to create something new and useful. Here is my latest recycled bag!

The free recycled plastic bag clothes pin pattern can be found here. I used my trusty N (9 mm) crochet hook to work the body of the bag. I did use a new soft touch K crochet hook to work the trim around the opening as I found it easier on my hands. By using the smaller hook, it provides a nice finished look to the opening.

As warmer weather is approaching, maybe you are hanging your clothes out to dry on the line. If so you might need a peg bag. What better way to recycled plastic retail bags than to make yourself a nice handy recycled bag to hold your clothes pins.

As always, enjoy and happy crocheting to all!

Cabled Plarn Purse

March 12, 2021 3 comments

Back this month to share my new recycled bag project. Here is my pink cabled plarn purse crocheted with recycled newspaper sacks.

This project was crocheted using a plarn pattern that I created back in 2012. The original free pattern can be found here in which I used recycled plastic bags and some regular Red Heart yarn for the trim and strap. This new purse is crocheted entirely of recycled plastic bags. I have a picture tutorial on how to make plastic bag yarn from these newspaper plastic sleeves here.

Many people always ask me “How many bags does it take to make this?” Well, it all depends but my estimate is that you will need at least

Mini Plarn Shoulder Bag Purse

December 5, 2020 3 comments

Got plastic bags? Want to make a cute little shoulder bag? Well grab your crochet hook and those bags and lets crochet a mini shoulder bag purse out of those plastic sacks.

This recycled crafting project used about 15 brown Safeway retail sacks, cut 1 inch wide and assembled using the looping method to create plarn. The finished purse measures 6.5 inches wide by 5 inches tall with a 36 inch long strap. The strap can be knotted as shown for a shorter strap or kept longer for wearing across the body.

Here is free mini shoulder bag pattern.

Recycled Plastic Messenger Book Bag

September 19, 2020 8 comments

I crocheted this messenger book bag from recycled plastic Safeway bags. People ask me all the time how many bags it takes to crochet different projects of mine. I did a calculation on this project as I crocheted it. I found that I used about 3 bags for two full rounds on the crocheted body of the bag. Therefore I used about 39 bags to crochet the main body of this book bag. Overall I recycled about 60 plastic bags to crochet the messenger book bag.

I cut my plarn about 1 inch wide using the looping method to create my plastic bag yarn.

I crocheted 26 rows in half double crochet (HDC) before starting the flap. For the flap, I crocheted 12 rows in HDC before starting the decreases for the tapered flap. I crocheted a total of 25 rows and then added a edging of single crochet stitching around the edges of the flap. By adding the single crochet stitches, it helps even out the edges and makes for a smooth finish to the flap.

I crocheted my strap even on 6 stitches wide for a 35 inch long strap.

The original crochet pattern for the messenger bag is found here. It’s a free plarn crochet pattern and I just tweaked it a bit to make this smaller book bag of 14″ wide by 11.5″ long. The original crochet pattern makes a


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About Me

Hello, I’m Cindy or aka RecycleCindy. Welcome to my blog site that is dedicated to recycling and crafting. I love to crochet and create crafts and other useful things from recycled materials. I share many free tutorials and patterns for creating recycled projects as well as other handmade items.


Here is a direct link to all my free patterns available here on My Recycled Bags.


Thank you for stopping by to visit and for your interest in My Recycled Bags!