Here is my newest recycled bag. It’s a round grocery tote that I crocheted with plastic bags made into plarn yarn. I designed this recycled plastic tote to be roomy and to replace my favorite reusable grocery tote that is disintegrating. My favorite grocery tote is going to have to be retired as it’s just falling apart after years of use.

Anyway I love the big round base of this reusable tote. The stripes add a cheery look to the design. I added thick heavy handles and this grocery tote should service me for many years. I have written up the free crochet pattern below and hope you too can make yourself a useful tote bag for your trips to the market.

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Striped Round Grocery Tote Bag Pattern

One ball of plastic bag yarn or plarn cut 1 inch wide – Approx. 35 white plastic grocery bags,
12 pink newspaper bags and 7 blue bags cut into plarn also for the stripes.

Here is my picture tutorial link on how to make plarn yarn from the different plastic bags.

Finished Size:
18 inches wide lying flat, 12 inches tall standing with 12″ wide base and 9 inch handles

Hook: N (9 mm) size metal crochet hook

Directions:
With white plarn yarn, Ch 3 and join with a Sl St to form a ring.

Round 1
Ch 1, then work 9 Sc in ring, join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1. (10)
Round 2
Ch 1, Sc in same st, work 2 Sc in ea st around, join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1. (20)
Round 3
Ch 1, Sc in same st, *Sc in next st, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * – * to end of round. From this point work in round without the Ch 1 or joining. (Use st markers if needed)
Round 4
2 Sc in next st, *work 1 Sc in ea of the next 2 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd.
Round 5
2 Sc in next st, *Sc in next 5 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd.
Round 6
2 Sc in next st, *Sc in next 6 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd.
Don’t worry that the piece is very ruffled at this point as it will flatten out as you continue the bottom base.
Round 7
2 Sc in next st, *Sc in next 7 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd. (6-1/2″ wide with N hook)
Round 8
2 Sc in next st, *Sc in next 8 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd. (7″ wide)
Round 9
2 Sc in next st, *Sc in next 9 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd.
Round 10
2 Sc in next st, *Sc in next 10 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd.
Round 11
2 Sc in next st, *Sc in next 11 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd.
Round 12
2 Sc in next st, *Sc in next 12 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd. (10″ wide at this point.

Photo showing plarn grocery tote base.

Round 13-28
HDC in ea st around entire bag. The sides flatten out at about round 16. Continue to round 28 with white plarn yarn, ending at side of bag for color change for stripes with a sl st in the last two stitches at side of bag.

Round 29
Attach blue plastic bag yarn (plarn) and ch 1. Hdc in ea st around and join with a sl st to the beginning Ch 1. FO with blue plarn.

Round 30-33
Attach pink plastic bag yarn at side of bag where you ended with blue, Ch 1. Hdc in ea st around for four rounds without joining. In last few sts of last round, sl st and end smoothly at side of bag with the pink plarn.

Round 34
Attach blue plarn, Ch 1 and Hdc in ea st of round. End with a sl st into beginning ch 1. FO with blue.

Round 35-38
Attach white plarn, Ch 1 and Hdc in ea st around. Continue without joining at this point and just work in the round.

Round 39 (Handles)
Starting at side of bag, Hdc in next 14 sts, Ch 19 for handle opening, skip 14 sts and then Hdc in last 14 sts of the front side. There should be 6″ open at center front now for handle opening and 6 inch on either side of handle opening. The total width of front is 18 inches.

Hdc around the other side to match front side handle opening, Ch 19 at center and skip 14 sts and then Hdc in last stitches of the back. Make sure both sides openings match and stitches. Adjust sts if needed to match.

Round 40
Hdc around to handle chain, Sc around handle chain evenly (approx. 20 sts) and then Hdc in ea st around to the other side’s handle. Sc around handle chain evenly and Hdc in remaining sts of the round. (Round ends at side of bag)

Round 41-42
Hdc in ea st of bag to the handles, Sc in ea st of the handle and then Hdc in ea st around to the other side’s handle. Sc in ea st of handle and then finish with Hdc in ea remaining st of round. On last round, end with a sl st in last two sts of round for a smooth finish. FO and weave under 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
FLO – Front Loop Only
FO – Finish Off
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sm – Same
St(s) – Stitch(es)

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 of this pattern or photos are permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable and appreciated. ©2012-2016

****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.