Crochet a Spike Stitch Plarn Tote Bag
Here is my latest recycled plarn tote bag. It is a roomy tote bag that features a nearly 4 inch wide flat bottom. This allows your tote to stand up on its own. I used a new stitch in this crocheted plastic bag project which is called the spike stitch. You crochet down into the prior row to create a long stitch that looks like a spike. I worked a spike stitch every 4th stitch to make a decorative blue stripe on my tote bag.
This bag also features longer handles. I’ve had requests for longer handles on my tote bags so I crocheted this bag with 18 inch handle straps. Of course if you use this tote for groceries, it will stretch even longer. With these longer handles, you can put it over your shoulder while carrying the tote bag.
Here is a closeup photo of the flat bottom of my recycled plastic tote.
So grab your crochet hook and crochet yourself a spike stitch tote bag today. As always, happy green crafting to all!
Free Spike Stitch Plarn Tote Pattern
Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn aka Plarn
Approx. 50-60 plastic grocery bags – Brown/tan in color
One smaller amount of blue plarn – Approx. 10-15 bags
Hook: N (9 mm) metal crochet hook
Description: Recycled Plarn Tote Bag
Bag measures 13 inches wide and 13 inches tall with 18 inch handles and nearly 4 inch wide flat bottom
Directions:
Ch 28 with brown plarn.
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 connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds until told to join.
Rnd 2
Hdc in ea st down to the end, work 2 Hdc in end st. Then Hdc down to other end and work 2 Hdc in the end st. Again don’t join and don’t turn but just keep working in rounds.
Rnd 3-4
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the two end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in ea of the two end sts.
Rnd 5
Working in back loops only and inside loop of prior rnd sts together, Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom. This create a ridge for flat bottom of bag. (By working Hdc in back loops and prior round loop, this makes the bag bottom stronger than just working back loops only.)
Rnd 6-18
Hdc (normally) in ea st until last round. On last rnd, finish with a Sl St in last st at side of the bag to finish rnd edge smoothly. FO. (Appox. 6-1/2 inches long)
Rnd 19
Switch to blue plarn and join at side of bag with a Sl St, ch 2. Hdc in next 2 sts, then work 1 long spike st. (Spike st is done by working a Hdc down into the prior rnds st which creates the spike look for the st.) *Hdc in next 3 sts normally, then work 1 spike st*. Repeat between *. Join with a Sl St to top of ch 2.
Rnd 20-21
Ch 2, Hdc in ea st. Join with a Sl St to top of ch 2. FO with blue plarn.
Rnd 22-28
Using brown plarn, attach to side using a Sl St, ch 2, Hdc in ea st around. Join with Sl St to top of ch 2. FO brown plarn.
Rnd 29
Using blue plarn, ch 2, Hdc in next 2 sts then work spike st in next st. *Hdc in ea of the next 3 sts, then work spike st in next st*. Repeat between *. Join with a Sl St to top of ch 2.
Rnd 30
Ch 2, Hdc in ea st. Join with a Sl St to top of ch 2.
Rnd 31
Ch 2, Hdc in the next 7 sts, ch 30 for handle, skip 17 sts at center, then Hdc in the remaining 7 sts of front side of the bag. Working around on the other side, Hdc in next 7 sts, ch 30 for handle, skip 17 sts at center and Hdc in remaining sts. Join with a Sl St to top of ch 2.
Check your handles and make sure each side matches each other before moving on. Adjust your sts as needed to match.
Rnd 32
Ch 2, Hdc in ea st around to handle. Sc around chain of handle, (approx 40 Sc) evenly, then Hdc in ea st around to other side’s handle. Sc around that handle chain to match other side. Join with a Sl St to top of ch 2. FO blue plarn.
Rnd 33
Using brown plarn, ch 2, Hdc in ea st to handle. Sc in ea st of handle and Hdc in ea st of bag. Repeat for other side to match and join with a Sl St to top of ch 2.
Rnd 34
Ch 2, Hdc in ea st to handle, Sc in ea st of handle, then Hdc in ea remaining st of side. Repeat for other side of bag. Join with a Sl St to top of ch 2. FO and weave in ends.
If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.
Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Ea – Each
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sm – Same
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. ©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.
Tags: crochet, free-pattern, plarn, recycled, recycling
Nov 30, 2008
Love the flat bottom!
Nov 30, 2008
Very useful features. Love the wide opening, the handles are a nice length, and like the first commenter the flat bottom is great. Thank you! The spikes are a pretty touch!
Dec 02, 2008
Another beauty! Good job!
Dec 02, 2008
I found the spike stitch a few years ago on crochetme.com I think. You can make endless variations and get quite spectacular effects. Good to see it works with plarn as well. Very nice job!
Dec 02, 2008
I love the colors of this bag.
Wonderful work!
Dora Renee’ Wilkerson
Dec 02, 2008
I love the colors of this bag.
Wonderful work!
Dora Renee’ Wilkerson
Dec 03, 2008
Very nice job!
I`ll try to make something like this because I like this bag and have a lot of plastic yarn. Longer handles – great!
Thank you for nice explanation . My English is not so good, but I understand it very well !
Pozz od Radice
Dec 15, 2008
That is great! I love how unique and pretty it is. And the fact that it’s made out of recycled plastic is even better!
Dec 30, 2008
Wow Cindy! You excel yourself again!
Lynne’s last blog post....and a partridge in a pear tree
Jan 02, 2009
I love this pattern! The colors you used are so pretty, and the bag would be perfect for the green market!
I’ve been so intimidated to work with “plarn”, but you’re inspiring me!
Wormie’s last blog post..New Original Pattern – Bordering on Adorable!
Feb 23, 2009
I found your blog through the green carnival. That’s a very nice bag. I don’t think I have the patience, nor the crocheting skill, so I’ll leave this kind of project to others, while I admire from afar 🙂
Apr 23, 2009
Had a question about row 5 – don’t understand the going around inside loop of prior rnd sts together. I worked through this part, but I’m sure I did something wrong because I did not get that ‘ridge’ not the real flat bottom. Please explain further so when I make another one, it will be correct. Thanks.
Helen Ann’s last blog post..Guy’s Guide To Live Longer
Apr 23, 2009
What you want to do is grab the back loop and then move down to the row below to the loop there and grab it too. Do you know what I mean now? If not, let me know and I will help further. It probably didn’t change your bag bottom that much not doing this but you could add some gentle heat from a blow dryer and shape your bag bottom too.
Apr 23, 2009
Helen Ann:
I have tried emailing you several times but get this message – Your mail to the following recipients could not be delivered because they are not
accepting mail from cindy@myrecycledbags.com: hads42
I posted the answer to your question here so hopefully you will see my reply.
Apr 27, 2009
Thanks Cindy. I will try it this evening. Love your patterns.
Apr 30, 2009
this looks cool and easy to make
May 31, 2011
I made a beach bag out of plastic bags. I use a J hook & start with a chain 3 & work 3sc in the 3rd chain from hook, then increase 6 stitches each round for 15 rounds. I then use half double crochets til I get it the size I want & add pockets & handles. I have a photo on Walmart (go to photos).