Here is a close-up photo of the strips I cut. As you can see the solid-colored sheet material was just cut into strips about 1 inch wide. I tried to do the longest strips I could by going around and around the sheet so I did not have too many splices. It’s like peeling an orange in one long continuous strip. The printed material I cut wider and folded it over so the right sides were facing out as shown. I pressed it with a hot iron to keep the strips flat so the printed side was out as I crocheted it.

Click to view full-sized photos

This sturdy and reusable tote can be used as a purse, tote bag, or even as a market bag. It’s very strong with comfortable handles and a fashionable design. So got an old sheet — well get green and craft yourself this eco-friendly rag bag!

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Free Crocheted Recycled Rag Bag Tote Pattern

Bag measures 14 inches wide, 12” tall, and 9″ handles

Material:
One Queen sized sheet cut into 1 inch strips

and other fabric cut into strips for stripes on bag

Hook: Metal “N” US sized hook

Chain 22 with main sheet strips

Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook in each chain stitch to end, work 2 Hdc in the corner end st. Work Hdc in each st down the back side of chain, ending with 2 Hdc at end of round. Do not join rnds and continue to work in rounds to create a seamless bag.

Rnd 2
Hdc in each st around and do not join rnds, just continue working Hdc in each stitch in rounds. Hdc down to first end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the two end sts. Hdc in ea st down to other end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the two end sts of rnd.

Rnd 3
Hdc in ea st down to 1st end. Work 2 Hdc in the ea of the three end sts, then Hdc in ea st down to the other end. Work 2 Hdc in ea of the three end sts.

Rnd 4 (Correction to this rnd 2/19/08)
Working in the front loops only, Hdc in ea st down to the first end. Work 2 Hdc in the end st, then Hdc in ea st down to other end. Work 2 Hdc in the end st. (Working in front loops only allows the base of bag to sit down creating an expandable bottom to the bag. Work in front loops this round only.)

Rnd 5 – 9
Working again in both loops, Hdc in ea st down to end, work 2 Hdc in the […]

This week I have been working on a new recycled idea. A crocheted rag bag using recycled denim. I had a few old denim shirts that I didn’t want to throw away so I decided that I needed to get the ole’ creative juices flowing and use them in a project. It turned out to be a really heavy duty bag. I didn’t trim or fold the strips so that’s why you see the fibers from the material. But I think it turned out cool with the fibers kinda sticking out as they do.

So… this is the result, a recycled denim rag bag!

I used one of the pockets from the shirt to create an inside pocket as shown below.

I hope you enjoy trying this week’s recycling craft idea and as always — here’s the free pattern.

Free Crocheted Recycled Denim Rag Bag Pattern

Bag measures 11 inches wide and 10” long.

Material: Two denim shirts cut into 3/4 inch strips (See notes below on different methods.)

For complete pattern click on read more link below.

Hook: Metal “N” hook

Chain 24

Round 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook in each chain stitch to end, work 3 Hdc around the corner. Work Hdc in each stitch down the back side of chain, ending with 2 Hdc at end of round. Do not join rnds.

Round 2 – 15
Hdc in each st around and do not join rnds, just continue working Hdc in each stitch in rounds until you have desired length (approx. 16 rnds.)
Mark center 8 stitches on each side of bag for handle opening.

Round 16
Hdc in each stitch to mark for handle opening. Ch 9, leave 8 stitches un-worked for handle, then Hdc in remaining stitches and across other side to mark for handle opening. Ch 9, leave 8 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. Do not join rnds.

Round 17
Hdc in each St around to handle. Work 10 Sc around the chain of handle, then Hdc around in each stitch until you reach handle on other side. Work 10 Sc around chain of handle, then Hdc around in each remaining stitches of round. Do not join rnds.

Round 18
Hdc in each St around to handle. Work one Sc in each St of handle, then Hdc in each St of purse to other side’s handle. Work one Sc in each St of handle, then work one Hdc in each St to remaining last 3 stitches at side. Sc, Sl St, and end with Sl St at end of round at side of bag. This should blend the edge so round ends with edge being even with last round.

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

Attach removed denim pocket to inside of bag by hand stitching down at top and side edges to secure the pocket.

Notes:[…]