A gingham pattern is very unique when you crochet it. I decided that I would try the idea using plastic bags made into plarn. I used recycled white, grey, and black plastic bags for the project.

This idea came from Delights-Gems gingham crochet tutorial for crafting a potholder. Click on the link to see Delight’s picture tutorial that is very helpful in working the gingham pattern. I made a few changes for the plastic bag version of gingham pieces which I will outline below in the pattern details.

Gingham Plastic Bag Plarn Purse Pattern

Materials:
White, grey, and black plastic bags cut into 1 inch wide plarn. Approx. 12-15 bags of each color needed.
Here is my plastic bag picture tutorial if you need more information on how to create yarn from recycled plastic bags.

Magnetic closure
Fabric for lining 12″ by 12″
Plastic purse handles
Nylon thread and needle

Hook:
J (6 mm) US size metal crochet hook

The three colors of plarn is needed to complete this purse. I found it worked easier to assemble short strands of the colors rather than using big balls of each color. The colors don’t get tangled up if you have just short lengths of “yarn” as you leave the dropped colors attached as you work the gingham pattern.

With white plarn, Ch 34, Hdc in the 3rd st from hook and in the next two sts. (3 Hdc’s in each set as shown in original tutorial.) *Ch 3, Skip 3 sts and then Hdc in next 3 sts*. Repeat this pattern across. Ch 4 at end of row to turn. Drop white plarn but don’t break off and follow pattern that Delight’s outlined in her gingham pattern. I used Hdc stitches rather than Dc to work my plarn purse throughout. So when Delight’s pattern calls for Dc, work Hdc instead.

My color pattern was first white plarn, then grey and black plarn next. Then back to white to start next section.

Important tip is that at end of row you want to have a Chain of 4 with new color where original tutorial calls for Ch 3. I found this gives you more ease for turns as the plarn tends to not lay as flat on the edges without the extra stitches on the turns. Also when you drop a color, just carry it along the side edge. When you join the two panels together you will be able to hide the color changes along the inside edge of purse.

Continue working Delight’s pattern for 16 rows, ending with white plarn. My final row was Ch 1, *Hdc in top of the 3 sts in the open space and Sc in next 3 sts*. Repeat between * to end.

Here are my two panel pieces that I crocheted to create the gingham purse. You can click on any of the photos to super size them.

With wrong sides together, put the two pieces together. I found that one side of the gingham panel had a better finished look so I placed my pieces so the nicer looking sides faced out.

Attach white plarn at upper left corner and single crochet through both layers of the panels. Work your stitches evenly along the sides, work 3 Sc in the corner spaces, then evenly across the bottom and back up the other side. Join with a slip stitch to top right corner. Finish off and weave under all ends.

Here is the lining I made to insert inside my gingham plarn purse. I pressed and folded down a hem and stitched up the sides. I added a magnetic closure to the lining before inserting the lining into the purse shell. I have a detailed picture tutorial on how to line a plarn purse here.

Here is a photo attaching the plastic purse handles. I used a strand of plarn to weave through the slot in the purse handle and into the purse body. I just wove it in and out of the slot to secure it firmly to the purse shell.

Here is the finished lining which I hand stitched into place using clear nylon thread. Finished plarn purse is 11 inches wide by 8-1/2 inches long.

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

Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Ea – Each
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl St – Slip Stitch
St – Stitch

This pattern and photos are 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. ©2012-2013