I present my latest creation — Variegated plastic bag yarn or plarn as it so commonly is known as in the crafting world. Pink, orange, and white plastic bags were used to crochet this variegated recycled bag. The pink and orange bags are plastic bags that newspapers are delivered in and the white is from just regular retail bags. I used these 3 colors to create my variegated look by assembling 3 loops of pink plarn, 2 white loops, 3 orange loops, and 2 white loops, then repeat this order for the variegated look. Here is my plarn making tutorials for creating yarn from newspaper or retail plastic bags should you need to see how to make plastic yarn.

This plarn ball was made using newspaper and retail bags together to create the variegated colored yarn. As I outlined below, if color pooling becomes a problem just add another white strip of plarn to offset the pooling. I found if I added an additional white strip to the 2 white ones, it solved the pooling issues with the tote bag as I crocheted it.

Enjoy the free crochet pattern below and happy crafting to all!

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Variegated Plarn Tote Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
Plastic bag yarn “Plarn” – Approx. 50 white plastic grocery bags along with 20 pink and 20 orange plastic bags for the variegated yarn

This variegated plarn is created by assembling 3 loops of pink plarn, 2 white loops, 3 orange loops, and then 2 white loops, repeat pattern for variegated look.

Hook: “N” (9 mm) size metal hook

Description: Recycled Plastic Tote Bag
Bag standing up measures 14” wide and 11” tall with 12” handles
with measurements flat 17″ across, 12″ high, and 11″ long base.

Directions:
The bottom of bag is crocheted with just plain white bags. Using just white plarn, Ch 20.

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

Rnd 2-3
Work 2 Sc in ea of the two end sts, then Sc in ea st to other end. Work 2 Sc in ea of the two end sts and then Sc in ea remaining st of round. Do not connect at end of rounds unless told to do so.

Rnd 4-5
Work 2 Sc in ea of the four end sts around curve at end, then Sc in ea st to other end. Work 2 Sc in ea of the four end sts at the end’s curve and then Sc in ea remaining st of round. You will end the all white plarn here but leave st on hook to start next round using the variegated plarn.

Rnd 6
Using variegated plarn, pick up st from last round. Working in BLO, Hdc in ea st of round.

Rnd 7
Working in both loops now and for the rest of pattern, Hdc in ea st of round. Don’t join […]

This granny square tote features two longer straps so the bag can be carried over the shoulder. The 4 inch depth makes it handy for carrying books, your lunch, or anything else that you might like to use this cute tote for.

As always, please enjoy my free crochet pattern and happy green crafting to all!
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Granny Square Motif Tote Pattern

Materials needed:
One large ball of White plastic bag yarn “Plarn” – approx. 30-35 bags
One plastic bag in each of the center colors: blue, yellow, orange and green

Hooks: “N” and “H” U.S. size metal crochet hooks

Size: Approx. 5-1/4” Motif if using 1” strips of cut plastic bags
Finished Tote bag measurements: 11” wide, 11 “tall, 4” depth, 17” handles

With center color Ch 4, Sl St to form ring.
Row 1
Ch 2, (counts as 1 Hdc) in ring work 2 Hdc,
Ch 1, 3 Hdc, Ch 1, 3 Hdc, Ch1, 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.
Row 2
With next color 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.
Row 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.
Row 4-5
Continue in the established pattern for one more row.
Fasten off and weave ends under on back side of motif.
Using the 4 different colors, make two motifs of each color for a total of 8 motifs.

Long side and bottom strip:
Row 1
Ch 12 using White plarn and N hook.
Row 2
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Ch 2, turn. (10 sts)
Repeat row 1 to create your strip by working even on 10 sts until your piece measures 32” long.
Don’t finish off but leave your yarn attached should you need to add another row to your strip. If your strip is too short when you put your bag together this allows you to add […]

It’s a Flower Power Plarn Tote Bag!
As I have stated before, white plastic bags are about all I can get on a consistent basis so here is my latest idea to bring more color and charm to my recycled tote bags. I added several colorful flowers that have been crocheted from recycled plastic bags. Since each flower takes only about one plastic bag, it is easy to add some bright and pretty flowers to a otherwise plain tote bag. To view the finished details of the above tote, just click on the photo to supersize it. I also added some ribbon and a bow tie at the center front of my recycled tote to complete the project.

Below you will find another addition to my library of plarn patterns that I offer here free. Here is the link to see a complete list of all my free patterns.

Free Crocheted Flower Power Tote Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn” approx. 40-45 bags
A few plastic bags of several different colors for flowers
Small amount of ribbon for bow tie if desired

Hooks:
“Q” USA size plastic hook
“N” USA size metal hook for handles and “J’ hook for flowers
Description: Large Plarn Tote Bag
Bag measures 13” wide and 14” long

Directions:
Using “Q” hook, Ch 20.

Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Then continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st to other end. Do not join at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.

Rnd 2 – 18
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom. End at the side of the bag.

Rnd 19
Mark center 6 stitches at front of bag and back of bag. (This will be the opening for the handles.)
Starting at side of bag for rnd, Hdc in ea st over to the beginning mark for center 6 sts, Ch 8 and attach yarn with a Hdc in the next st after the center 6 sts mark. (You leave the center 6 sts unworked.)
Hdc in ea st around to the other side of bag. Match front of bag by leaving the center 6 sts unworked. Ch 8 then continue working Hdc in ea st to complete rnd ending at side of bag. Check your work to make sure the back matches the front of bag. Adjust your sts as needed to match.

Rnd 20
Hdc in ea st over to chain for handle. Work 9 Sc evenly and tightly around the chain. Then Hdc in ea st around to other side’s chain for handle. Work 9 Sc around the same as the other side’s handle, then Hdc in ea remaining sts of rnd.

Rnd 21
Hdc in ea st around to handle – Switch to “N” hook and Sc in ea st of the handle. Switch back […]