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 […]

I crocheted this plarn yarn basket using recycled plastic trash. The sides are made with recycled plastic bags that I make into yarn which is known as plarn. The base is a recycled plastic frozen dinner tray I fished out of the garbage at work. I cut the rim off the dinner tray and punched holes all around the outside as shown in this picture below.

Next using plarn (plastic-bag-yarn), I crocheted a single crochet base round through the holes and around the complete base. Once you get the base row done, it’s much easier crocheting into the plarn of each stitch as you work the additional rounds for your basket. I changed colors several times and used up some of my unique colored stashed plastic bags.

These trays work wonderfully to provide a nice sturdy base for the basket. You could crochet more rounds with the plastic yarn to make your basket taller or add a handle for a cute carrying basket. Either way recycling these plastic trays is a great way to keep them out of our landfills and provides a useful purpose in the recycled crafting field.

Free Pattern for Recycled Plastic Basket

Materials needed:
Plastic bags cut into 1” strips into plarn is several different colors
as desired for stripes
1) Plastic frozen dinner entrée tray with the rim cut off
(One used in project was 6” long)

Hook: “J” US sized metal hook

Description: Recycled Plastic Yarn Basket

Basket measures 6” long, 4-1/2” wide and 4” tall

Directions:
Using the tray after cutting off the rim, punch holes around the base as shown in the photo. I used heavy duty hole punch to put my holes in the plastic base.

Rnd 1
With plarn, Sc into each hole by drawing the plarn through the hole and then working a Sc in ea stitch over the plastic base. Join with a Sl St to top of 1st Sc st.

Rnd 2
Ch 1, and do not turn throughout project. This basket is worked in rounds without turning. Sc loosely around in ea st. Join with a Sl St to top of ch 1 at beginning.

Rnd 3 – 4
Change color of plarn if desired and ch 1. Sc in ea st around and work 2 Sc at sides and ends as need to get a smooth basket. Join with Sl St to top of ch 1.

Tip: I found I needed to add a few extra stitches in rnds 3-4 so my basket didn’t pucker. Adjust your stitches are needed to get a smooth lay for your basket.

Rnd 5 – 12
Switch colors of plarn as desired. Ch 1, Sc in ea st around. Join with Sl St to top of ch 1. FO.

Option:
You could make your basket taller by working more rounds as desired.

If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.

Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Ea – Each
FO – […]

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 […]