Recently I was asked for a pattern for a wide tote bag. Surprisingly I have been working on this bag which I am calling my mega tote bag. My mega tote is crocheted from recycled plastic bags made into plarn. The tote features an open mesh styling and handy wide strap. It measures a generous 18 inches wide so you can carry those long items in it. It would also make a wonderful market bag as it has a sling type strap that fits comfortably over your shoulder.

Here is a closeup of the mesh stitching made by crocheting a triple crochet stitch. Click on photo to supersize it.

So for those crocheters out there looking for a free pattern to crochet yourself a recycled mega-wide tote, look no further. Here is your free pattern to crochet a plarn mega tote bag!

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Free Recycled Mega Tote Bag Pattern

Tote bag measures 18 inches wide and 12 inches long.
Strap length is 20 inches long

Material: One large ball of plastic bags cut into 1 inch strips. (Approx. 45-50 bags)

Hook: Metal N (9 mm) crochet hook

Chain 28

Rnd 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 end st, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in the end st. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bottom for your bag.

Rnd 3 – 4
Work Hdc in ea st down to the end st, work 2 Hdc in ea of the two end sts. Hdc in ea st down to the other end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the two end sts. End rnd at side of bag.

Rnd 5
Ch 4, Tr in ea st around to beg. Join with a Sl St into top of the Ch 4.

Rnd 6 – 14
Ch 4, Skip 1st space between Tr and where Ch 4 was just made. Work Tr in the space between the Tr of the prior round. This gives your bag more strength. Tr in ea sp around to complete rnd. Join with a Sl St to top of Ch 4 beg. Repeat until 14 rnds complete.

Row 15 (Row 1 of Strap)
Mark center 12 Tr sts at center front of bag. Working from right edge, Sl St over to right side mark to begin the 12 center sts of handle. Begin handle here with Ch 2 (counts as 1st Hdc), Hdc in the next 11 sts. (12 sts)

Row 2 – 4 of Strap
Ch 2 (counts as 1st Hdc here & throughout strap), turn, Hdc in ea st across. (12 sts)

Row 5
Ch 2, turn, Work 1 Dec Hdc over the next two sts of row, then Hdc down to last two sts of row. Work 1 Dec Hdc over last two sts of row.

Row 6
Ch 2, turn. Work hdc in ea st.

Row 7
Repeat Row 5.

Row 8
Repeat Row 6.

Row 9
Repeat Row 5.

Row 10 – 29
Ch 2, turn. Work Hdc in ea st. (6 sts)
Repeat until measures 12 inches or desired length of center portion of strap.

Row 30
Ch 2, turn. Work 2 Hdc in the next st, then work Hdc in ea st to last st. Work 2 Hdc in the last st. (8 sts)

Row 31
Ch 2, turn. Work Hdc in ea st of row.

Row 32
Repeat Row 30. (10 sts)

Row 33
Repeat Row 31.

Row 34
Repeat Row 30. (12 sts)

Row 35 – 39
Ch 2, turn, work Hdc in ea st.

Row 40
Join to other side of bag by matching the opposite side. Work a Sc in ea st on the back side of the strap to attach to body of the bag. FO and weave in all ends.

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

Abbreviations:
Beg – Beginning
Ch – Chain
Dec – Decrease
Ea – Each
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sp – Space
Tr – Triple Crochet

This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy at 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. ©2008

****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.