With Helen’s permission, I used her pattern for the basis of making this cute little bag project using recycled plastic bags. I then used some scrap yarn to make the top trim and handles to finish off this recycled bag project.

Here is a closeup photo of the handles that I crocheted onto the bag.
Click to supersize

This little plarn bag would make a great gift bag or purse. By adding a ribbon or bow to the bag, you create a re-usable gift bag that can be used over and over. The pattern works up very quickly and because of the pretty stitch pattern, I think it makes an adorable purse too.

Enjoy the free recycled crafting pattern below and happy crocheting to all!

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Cluster Stitch Plarn Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
Ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn” – about 10-12 plastic grocery bags
Here is my picture tutorial on how to make plarn from plastic bags

1/2 oz worst weight yarn for handles

Hooks:
“J” ( 6 mm) metal crochet hook for bag
“H” (5 mm) hook for handles

Description: Recycled Plastic Bag Cluster Stitch Gift Bag or Purse
Bag measures 6” wide and 5” tall with 7” handles and 5-1/4″ wide at base

Cluster Stitch Details:
Beg Cluster: Ch 2, (Yo, insert hook into sp indicated, yo and pull through, yo and pull through 2 lps on hook) 4 times, 5 lps on hook, yo and pull through all 5 lps, Ch 1.

Cluster: (Yo, insert hook into sp indicated, yo and pull through, yo and pull through 2 lps on hook) 5 times, 6 lps on hook, yo and pull through all 6 lps, Ch 1.

Directions:
Using J hook, Ch 11

Rnd 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Work 3 Sc in end st, then continue around other side of chain by working a Sc in ea st to other end then work 2 Sc in end st. Join with a Sl St into beg Sc st. (24)
(Do not turn throughout project.)

Rnd 2
Ch 1, work 2 Sc in next two sts, Sc in next 8 sts, then work 2 Sc in ea of the next 4 sts, Sc in the next 8 sts. End with 2 Sc in the last two sts at end. Join with a Sl St into beg Sc st. (32)

Rnd 3
Ch 1, Sc in next st then work 2 Sc in next st, Sc in next 12 sts, and 2 Sc in the next st. Then Sc in next 2 sts, 2 Sc in next st, and Sc in the next 12 sts. End with 2 Sc in […]

The pattern I used is for a crocheted hobo bag that is available free over at Crochetspot blog site. I adapted the pattern just a bit to allow for the difference between using plastic bag yarn and regular yarn. I worked the pattern in half double crochet stitch rather than double crochet. I also worked a row of single crochet along the inside wedge edges just to give it a smoother finished.

My finished bag is 9 inches tall and about 10 inches wide. I worked just single crochet stitches on the strap to provide a stronger strap so the plastic wouldn’t stretch too much when the purse is used.

My button loop includes another round of single crochet around the basic chain that the original pattern calls for. Again because I was working with plarn, I felt that my loop need the extra round of stitching to make a secure closure.

So whether you want to make your purse with recycled plastic bags or yarn, I hope you enjoy the project and thanks to Rachel for another great free pattern over at Crochetspot. […]

Recycled your old tee-shirts into a cute handbag. I crocheted this purse using two t-shirts and a part of another for the striping. I added a flower as an embellishment and here is my final result.

Click to supersize photos

Here is a photo showing how I cut around the tee-shirt to create “yarn” to crochet with. You just continue cutting in one continuous strip and go around corners as shown. If you do need to join two strips, either overlap and weave under your ends or join splicing strips together by either hand or machine stitching the ends together. Another method that doesn’t require sewing the strips together is to make a small slit hole at the end of the two strips you need to splice together. The slit should be cut lengthwise only about ½ inch from the end of the strip and should only be big enough to allow the next strip to pass through it. Hold the two strips with the holes together then take the uncut end and lace it through two holes. Pull the strip completely through the holes and pull tight to make the splice as small as possible.

Have fun with this project by recycling your tee-shirts into a charming eco-friendly handbag. The materials are free and so is the crochet pattern below.

Free Crocheted Recycled Tee-Shirt Bag Pattern

Bag measures 10 inches wide and 9” long with 8” handles.

Material: Three different colored tee-shirts cut into ½ to ¾” inch strips

Hook: Metal “N” hook

Chain 12

Rnd 1
Using blue tee-shirt yarn, Sc in 2nd ch from hook in each chain stitch to end, work 3 Sc in the end st. Work Sc in each stitch down the back side of chain, ending with 3 Sc at end st of round. Do not join rnds. Just continue to work in rounds.

Rnd 2
Sc in each st down to the two end sts. Work 3 Sc in ea of the two end sts and then Sc in ea st down to the other end. Work 3 Sc in the other two end sts.

Rnd 3
Sc in each st down to the two end sts. Work 2 Sc in ea of the three end sts and then Sc in ea st down to the other end. Work 2 Sc in the other three end sts.

Rnd 4
Sc in the front loop only on ea st on this round only. This creates an edge for the bottom of bag. Sc down to end working in front loops only, work 2 Sc in the 2 end sts, then continue down working Sc in ea st in front posts only down to other end. Work 2 Sc in the two end sts of round.

Rnd 5-6
Working in both loops now and throughout, Sc in ea st of rnd. At end of rnd 6, Sl St in last 2 sts of rnd and leave a tail end on inside of bag to […]

It would also make a cute gift bag for Valentine’s Day. You could fill it with candy and a card and give it to your favorite Valentine. A bonus of course is that this plarn bag could be used as a little purse all year long.

Here is the free crochet pattern so you too can create this fun little Valentine’s Day heart bag!

Stumble It!

Free Pattern for Crocheted Valentine Heart Bag

Materials needed: One ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn”
(Approx. 12 plastic grocery bags)

2 yards of red fun fur yarn
Small scrap piece of red felt
Red thread for sewing on heart

Hook: “J” US size metal hook

Description: Plastic Valentine’s Bag
Bag measures 7” wide and 6-1/2” long

Directions:
Ch 20

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

Rnd 2
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in 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
Working in the back loops only, 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.
(This creates a ridge so the bag will stand up.)

Rnd 4 -16
Working in both loops now and here on out throughout the pattern, Hdc in ea st around the entire bag. Mark center 9 stitches on each side of bag for handle opening.

Rnd 17
Hdc in each st to mark for handle opening. Ch 10, leave 10 stitches un-worked for handle, then Hdc in remaining stitches of first side and across to other side to mark for handle opening. Ch 10, leave 10 stitches un-worked for handle opening on other side of bag to match front side. Hdc in each stitch around until you reach side of bag. (I had approx. 6 Hdc sts on either side of handle opening on the front of my bag.)

Round 18
Sc in each st around to handle. Work 12 Sc around the chain of handle, then Sc around in each stitch until you reach handle on other side. Work 12 Sc around chain of handle, then Sc around in each remaining st of round.

Round 19[…]

This cute little shoulder bag measures 6.5″ wide by 5.5″ long with 36″ strap. It is of course crocheted from recycled plastic bags or plarn. It makes a wonderful little girl’s purse or a handy little shoulder bag to hold your ID along with a few small items.

As always here is the free recycled bag pattern and please enjoy this green crafting project!

Stumble It!
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Crocheted Mini Recycled Plastic Shoulder Bag Pattern

Purse measures 6-1/2 inches wide and 5-1/2” long.
Strap length is 36 inches when not tied.

Material:
One ball of plastic bags cut into 1” strips.
One button – 3/4” button shown on bag.

Hook: Metal “N” US hook

Chain 16

Round 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook in each chain. Continue around the corner and down the back side of chain by working a Hdc in every chain stitch.

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

Rnd 3 – 11
Hdc in ea st around the complete rnd. Repeat until measures 6-1/4 inches or approx 11 rounds.

At desired length of main body of purse, stop doing rounds at side mark of purse. (Then only Hdc across back side of purse to create flap for purse.)

Row 12 – 15 (flap)
Ch 2, turn. Work Hdc in ea st on back side of bag only to create the flap for bag.

Row 16
Ch 2, turn. Hdc across row to center, ch 1 at center for buttonhole, then Hdc in each remaining st across row.

Row 17
Ch 2, turn. Work Hdc to center ch 1 space, work 2 Hdc in the buttonhole space. Hdc in each remaining st across row.

Fasten off and weave ends under on inside of the bag.

Strap: Create strap by attaching your “plarn” with a Sl St to spot where you want to start strap on side of purse next to flap. Chain until strap measures 36 inches or desired length. Attach strap to opposite side of purse with a Sl St. Turn and work back up the chain by working a Sc around the chain until you get back to opposite end of strap handle. Adjust your Sc stitches around chain as needed to provide a smooth strap for your bag. The Sc’s slide a bit and this allows for you to adjust your stitches as needed. Attach your yarn with a Sl St next to the st […]