Crocheted Plarn Tote Bag
Crochet yourself this cute summer tote from plarn. What is plarn? Well if you haven’t heard the term yet, it refers to the yarn created from recycled plastic bags. I believe Sonnets and Stitches from Crochetville.org was the first to coin the term.
Here is my link to a picture tutorial on how to make plarn. So check it out and recycle all those plastic bags into something of beauty. It’s truly trash to treasure at this website!
Free Pattern for Crocheted Plarn Tote Bag
Materials needed: One very large ball of plastic bag yarn Plarn
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal hook
Description: Tote Bag
Bag measures 12″ wide and 12″ long with 4″ expandable bottom
Directions:
Ch 28
Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Work 2 Hdc in end st, then continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st to other end then work 2 Hdc in end st.
Rnd 2
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in 1 end st, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in 1 end st. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdcs in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.
Rnd 3-4
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in 1 end st, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in 1 end st.
Rnd 5
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom.
Rnd 6 – 24
Hdc in ea st around bag for the next 19 rounds. Mark center 10 stitches on each side of bag for handle opening.
Rnd 25
Hdc in each st to mark for handle opening. Ch 12, leave 10 stitches un-worked for handle, then Hdc in remaining stitches and across other side to mark for handle opening. Ch 12, 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.
Round 26
Hdc in each st around to handle. Work 16 Sc around the chain of handle, then Hdc around in each stitch until you reach handle on other side. Work 16 Sc around chain of handle, then Hdc around in each remaining st of round.
Round 27
Hdc in each St around to handle. Work one Sc in each st of handle, then Hdc in each st of bag 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. Work Sc, Sl St, and Sl St in the last 3 sts of round ending 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.
If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.
Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
St – 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 is permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable. ©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.
Tags: crochet, free-pattern, plarn, recycled-tote
Jul 03, 2007
What a brilliant idea and the end result looks great! Now I just need to learn how to crochet!! Thanks for visiting my blog!
Jul 10, 2007
Plarn! I love it!
Jul 10, 2007
Very cute! This would make a great little beach tote!
Jul 10, 2007
I bet I could find 101 uses for that bag!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Jul 26, 2007
I would like to thanks you for posting the plastic bag patterns, they are great to make and each one so different. Keep up the great work of sharing with all of us.
Jul 28, 2007
a great idea. i’m spending some time in Brazil, trying to help a community. perhaps this could be a project they can do. i wonder if there is a market for it for them to profit from.
is the red in the bag the markings on the bags?
Jul 28, 2007
HI Jessica:
Yes the red is the writing from my local grocery store with their name. I hope your community finds a eco-friendly product to do. Thanks for visiting my site.
Aug 05, 2007
OH WOW! I really just need to link your entire blog in my post~there is sooo much more here than I realized! and I HAFTA learn how to crochet! I want this bag and the bib~WAY TOO COOL! *THANK YOU!* for sharing such NEAT STUFF! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
Aug 05, 2007
I came across this blog by accident, but as someone who has so much stuff in her cupboards going to waste, your patterns have inspired me to start doing some cleaning and recycling and reusing of the things that I no longer use in their present form.
Keep up the FABULOUS work and I will be back periodically to get more patterns and ideas.
Aug 08, 2007
Wow! This is a great use of those old bags – I do use them as trash liners for the bathroom and such, but they still end up in the landfill. I’ve purchased the reusable bags at both Trader Joe’s & Whole Foods and keep them in my car – no excuse that I left them home! But, those actually cost money…who’d have thought I had recyclable tote bags out in the garage, just waiting to be made?
Thanks SO much for this site! Gonna try the water bottle carrier next…
Nov 07, 2007
I’m wondering how many grocery bags it takes to make a “large ball” of plarn? I’m trying to teach my kids to make these, since we use about 20 grocery bags each time we go shopping!
Thanks.
Nov 07, 2007
Rachel,
I always hesitate to quote a number of plastic bags that it takes to make each bag because it varies. First it depends on your bags, like how big and long they are. Also how many strips you get out of each bag depends on your cutting. On the average though, you get about 9-12 strips a bag. Then it depends on your crocheting etc. Anyway I would say for this bag you need at least 50-60 bags. Good luck in your project with the kids and thanks for stopping by.
Mar 02, 2008
Hi,
I think this is fantastic! I have more bags than I know what to do with – untl now!
One question though – the crocheted bags, how much will they stretch when you put your things into it?
Would lining them be a good option to prevent the stretching if this is an issue?
Thanks
Liane
Mar 02, 2008
@Liane:
Yes the bags do stretch a bit and especially when you put heavy stuff in them. Generally though, they go back to their original shape once you remove the items. Lining would definitely help to hold the shape of the plarn bag and keep small items from falling out of the bag. But if you are using this for groceries, I wouldn’t bother lining it.
Oct 23, 2008
Thanks for sharing this great pattern! I’ve been telling everyone to check out this easy-to-do project. What a great way to recycle those ubiquitous plastic bags!
May 04, 2009
[…] amazingly detailed directions, perfect for you smarty knitting types. For crocheters, here’s another bag and pattern, from My Recycled Bags. If none of these bags are quite your style, or you want one but seriously just don’t do […]
Jun 28, 2009
A year or 2 ago I found this site and promptly made the tote. I took it into the Sr. Center where I volunteer and immediately was asked to teach some of the women there how to make one. After i gave them a 15 minute class in how to make Plarn they went to work on it. Several bags were completed, each with different shapes and sizes. Since then I have been asked to make a few for friends. Thanks for the wonderful idea. Laurie
Jul 17, 2009
Can you use the bread bag plarn to make any of the bags or just the bread bag patterns? I am especially interested in making this bag or the ultimate shopping bag with bread bags. We go through alot of bread and I would like to be able to make some of these bags out of both kinds of plarn too but not if bread bag plarn will not hold up as well. Thank you and I love your site!
Jul 17, 2009
Kristen,
Yes you can use bread bags, plastic from toilet paper packaging, and really any type of plastic to crochet my patterns. When you use the heavy plastic like bread bags, it is harder to crochet with though as the plastic doesn’t slide as easily when crocheting. It also is harder on your hands, fingers, and joints. Make sure you take lots of breaks to give your hands time to rest. Bread bags are actually stronger and will hold up longer. I would recommend using all the same type of plastic as it will look better than mixing bread bags and the thinner plastic retail bags. Good luck and thanks for stopping by to visit.
Dec 18, 2009
[…] Plarn Patterns: Tote Bag Plarn Snowman Plarn accessories Plarn Dishcloth Scrubbies Plarn Curtain Plarn […]
Mar 13, 2010
Hello, I was in the waiting room of a local agency and noticed a woman crocheting in the corner while her young daughter was rifling through some plastic Walmart bags cut into strips. Then I realized the bag she was working out of was the bag she was creating. I thought is was super cool stuff! She told me about plarn and that the instructions were on the web. I haven’t found instructions I can follow yet but this is an excellent way to recycle and you can sell these too!!
Mar 14, 2010
@Debbie,
Thanks for sharing that story it reminds me about when I first saw a plastic bag tote and realized it was crocheted. Then I was hooked and wanted to try it myself. Here is my picture plarn-making-tutorial for you to check out. Email me back should you have any questions or need help. Best wishes,
Cindy
Apr 29, 2010
Can you do this with knitting also? I am a new knitter, but it just might work. Maybe someone here will come up with a pattern!
Apr 29, 2010
@Brenda: I do have some pattern links for knitters at the bottom of my pattern page. Hope you find a recycled pattern that will work for you.
May 14, 2010
Hi Cindy. I found your website today trying to find the perfect pattern to make a plarn bag for the beach. I live in Puerto Rico near the beach and I have wanted to make a plarn bag for a long time, I just couldn’t find a pattern that I liked. I have to tell you I just LOVE your website.
Sep 08, 2010
I have just come across your ‘plastic bag’ crochet patterns.
I am not an experienced crochet person but i have just managed to finish a bag, my own pattern, similar to yours, using plastic bags. It was fun doing.
Regards
Sep 24, 2010
Thank you for sharing your patterns! I just finished making this bag. I sent a pic of it to my sister and she couldn’t believe it was made from plastic bags! She asked me to send her that one and make one for her friend. You’ve made crochet so fun!
Oct 11, 2011
[…] simple, something that my mind can feel contentment and accomplishment for. So I started making a plarn bag (not this one exactly). I just found these directions online, but I think it will help me finish […]
May 06, 2014
I am going to share the link to this pattern with my craft club. I am showing them how to make plarn in our August meeting. I plan on having one of these totes completed to show them what they can make with plarn. I love your pattern and your web page!
Mary C
May 07, 2014
Mary – Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Best wishes to you and your craft club. I’m always happy to hear that someone found my blog and patterns useful. Please come by again to visit.
Jun 04, 2016
Great way to use up all those plastic bags, I have a few, two w/lining only on the larger ones as of yet. I also had my niece and cousin in different states to send me there plastic bag, you can get different colors that way!
Thanks for sharing
Mary in WI.
Jun 04, 2016
@Mary W – Thanks for stopping in and commenting. It is always wonderful to hear from different crafters who use recycled plastic bags.