Fun Fur Recycled Tote
Crochet yourself a plastic bag “plarn” recycled tote bag! This bag is crocheted using recycled plastic grocery bags and one roll of fun fur I purchased from the dollar store. Total cost of the project is $1.00. You can’t beat this project as it’s frugal and eco-friendly. As more and more people are going green, crafting with recycled materials is growing in popularity. With the holiday season growing near, consider green crafting as a wonderful alternative this year.
As always, below you will find the free pattern for your personal use.
*******************************************************************************
Free Pattern for Crocheted Plarn Fun Fur Tote Bag
Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn aka Plarn (approx. 50-60 bags)
One 50 gm ball of Fun Fur (Pastels shown)
Hook: N size U. S. metal hook
Description: Tote Bag
Bag measures 12 inches wide and 12 inches long with 10 inch handles
Directions:
Ch 27 with just white plarn alone.
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 – 4
Repeat round 1. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.
Rnd 5-14
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom. On last round, end at side of bag.
Rnd 15-16
Add fun fur on this round and working along with plarn, Hdc in ea st around for 2 rounds. Drop fun fur at end of round and weave under.
Rnd 17-19
Working just with plarn, hdc in ea st around.
Rnd 20-23
Add fun fur again and work along with plarn, Hdc in ea st around. End at side to begin handles.
Rnd 24
Hdc in next 9 sts, drop fun fur and cut off leaving a short tail to weave under ends.
Ch 20, pick back up fun fur with plarn now and work together. Hdc in next 9 sts on front, continue around side with fun fur and plarn. Work Hdc in next 9 sts on the other side of bag. Drop fun fur and leave tail to weave under. Ch 20 for handle on the other side. Add fun fur back and working along again with fun fur and plarn, Hdc in the last 9 sts of bag to side. Check to make sure sides and handle opening match on each side. Adjust as needed to match both sides together.
Rnd 25
Hdc in ea st with fun fur around to handle opening. Drop fun fur in last st before handle. Then Sc around chain of handle (approx. 26 Sc to evenly cover chain of handle.) Pick back up fun fur and Hdc in ea st around to other side of handle chain. Drop fun fur and Sc around ch of handle to match other side. Pick up fun fur again and Hdc in ea remaining st of rnd. End at side of bag.
Rnd 26
Hdc in ea st around handle. Cut off fun fur leaving a short tail to weave under. Sc in each st of handle. Pickup fun fur again and Hdc in ea st around to other side handle. Cut off fun fun. Sc in ea st of handle. Pickup fun fur again and Hdc in ea st of remaining sts in rnd to last 2 sts. Sl St in last 2 sts of rnd and finish off. Weave under ends to make a smooth edge.
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. ©2007-2010
****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: crocheting, free-pattern, fun-fur, plarn
Nov 10, 2007
Hi Cindy,
This is a great post. A nice recycled bag and better than a plastic one too. Hope it’s available in my city soon enough!
Nov 10, 2007
Great bag, on the fancy side, good for the Holidays.
Nov 11, 2007
[…] purses and bags that you can give as gifts this year. But have you ever thought of making one out of plastic bags? No, I’m not joking! Go on and click the link. You will see the cutest tote bag ever. And it […]
Nov 13, 2007
Cindy,
This is a great idea. I LOVE all these great crafts you come up with from recycled materials. I have many bookmarked for “when I have time”…with two little ones who knows when that will be.
I used to crochet a lot back in college and soon there after so I might be able to pick it back up – this is cute!
Thanks!
Heidi
Nov 15, 2007
Hey – I just wanted you to know that I’m absolutely in love with your site.
I happened across it via craftster.org.
I love all your recycled things – and the patterns make it that much better!
Keep on keepin’ on.
-Ren
Nov 15, 2007
There’s a recycling contest going on at my sight, you are mentioned, hope that’s OK with you! Come visit, enter too!! Bring your friends!
Nov 18, 2007
How do you make the “plarn” from the plastic bags. I would love to try something like this with the students in my Environmental Club at the High School where I teach.
Thanks,
Dr. Terry O’Connor
Nov 18, 2007
How do you make the “plarn” from the plastic bags. I would love to try something like this with the students in my Environmental Club at the High School where I teach.
Thanks,
Dr. Terry O’Connor
Nov 18, 2007
Terry,
I just sent you a PM but the link on how to make plarn is found on the right under Tip & Instructions. You will find a step-by-step tutorial on how to make plarn. Best wishes on your project with the students.
Jun 30, 2008
Hi Cindy,
Thanks so much for making your patterns available for free; I love the environmentally friendly aspect of this bag. I’m getting ready to take my first shot at one, but I haven’t crocheted since my Mamaw taught me in the ’70’s so I’m a bit rusty to say the least.
I have a question about the end of round one… I *think* what you’re saying is to basically keep working in a circle (around the first set of 27 stitches), yes?
Also, this makes the first chain of 27 the very bottom of the bag, yes? It seems like it would be a bit weak… have you found that it holds up well?
Thanks again!
Traci-Dale
Jun 30, 2008
@TD,
Yes, you just work in rounds so to speak. Crochet into the chain of 27 and
working around the other side of that chain, you crochet into the loops on
the other side. It doesn’t make it weak. I’ve had really good luck with
these bags. I crochet pretty tight so the gaps aren’t too wide and the
plastic is strong. Good luck.
Jul 12, 2008
[…] Here’s an example of adding some fun fur to spice up those white bags in this recycled tote bag pattern. […]