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 inches 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 (9 mm) crochet 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: Tips on creating fabric strips.

Cut strips of fabric 3/4 inch wide in long continuous strips. If you cut in an oval pattern you will cut down on the number of splices you have to make to connect two strips together. For example, cut your strips up the long edge of the sleeve, then around the shoulder, back down around to cuff and then back around. This eliminates having so many splices in your project.

Splice 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 1/2 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.

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

Ch – Chain
Ea – Each
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl St – Slip Stitch

This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy of My Recycled Bags {dot com} and may only be used for private individual use. No commercial sales or use of this pattern or photos are permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable and appreciated. ©2007-2016

****Please do not copy my patterns on your blog site or post my patterns on Internet sites. I do not allow my patterns to be republished without expressed written permission. Posting of my patterns, without written permission is in violation of my copyrights and is content theft.