Here is my first crocodile stitch project using recycled plastic bags. I collected these plastic bags which are used for newspaper deliveries. I recycled about 40 bags for the Gator Sling Bag and cut them 1 inch wide using this plarn making tutorial to create plastic bag yarn.

Crocodile Stitch Sling Bag Pattern

J (6 mm) hook and H (5 mm) hook
40+ Plastic Newspaper Bags cut into Plarn about 1 inch wide
Fabric for lining
Magnetic clasp for closure

Sling Bag Purse measures 7-1/2 inches wide x 7-1/2 inches long with 30 inch strap

Crocodile Scale Stitch: Dc 5 stitches down first post of the 2-Dc base set, Ch 1, and then work 5 Dc up the 2nd Dc of the 2-Dc set.

Directions:
Row 1
With J hook, Ch 21 loosely.

Row 2 – Beginning Row – Only worked once
Dc in 3rd chain from hook. *Ch 2, Skip 2 Ch, 2 Dc in next st* repeat until the end of the chain. Turn. (7 2-Dc sets) Continue to Row 3 now and don’t work Row 2 beginning again. Work Row 2 A in the future for 2nd row.

All future Row 2 (A) Ch 3, Dc in space between the 2-Dc set, Ch 2, *2 Dc in next center hole space between Scales, Ch 2, 2 Dc in space between next 2-Dc set.* Repeat to end. Turn.
(7 2-Dc sets)

Row 3 (4 Scale Row)
Ch 3 (counts as 1st Dc). Turning your work so you are on the side to work down the first post.
Work 4 Dc down the first post, Ch 1, now turn your work over so you can work up the next Dc post. Work 5 Dc up the second post. This is the first Scale.

Tip: Pull the scale fully on the right side flat. Make sure your points are at the bottom along your starting chain. You will be working the scales from right to left if you are a right-handed crocheter.
Skip next set of 2-Dc’s. Crochet Scale around the 3rd set of 2-Dc’s.
Skip next set of 2-Dc’s. Crochet Scale around the 5th set of 2-Dc’s.

Continue in pattern to end of row. (4 Scales made.) Turn.

Row 4 (3-Scale Base Row)
Ch 1 and Sl St into the center hole space of the Scale. Ch 3 and Dc in same center hole space. *Ch 2, 2 Dc in next space between the Scales. (Make sure you crochet thru the front between the complete front Scale space.) Ch 2, 2 Dc in center hole of next Scale.*

Repeat between * to the end of the row. End row with 2 Dc into center hole of last Scale.
Turn.

Row 5 (3-Scale Row)
Skip 1st set of Dc’s, and reach over to 2nd set of Dc’s to work Scale stitch by working 5 Dc down the post, Ch 1, and work 5 Dc up other post. *Skip next set of Dc’s and work Scale stitch around next set of Dc posts.*

Repeat between * to the end of the row for 3 scales on row. Work Sc in last stitch of row between the 2 Dc posts to finish row. (3 Scales made.)

Row 6
Repeat Rows 2A-5 until you have 9 rows of Scale stitches, ending with Row 3 which is a 4-Scale row.

Makes 2 panels. Put the two panels together with wrong sides together.

With H hook, attach plarn at upper left corner. Whip stitch the two panels together by going through both layers around the Scale edges and down side. At bottom whip stitch the bottom edge closed by working around the base row and allow the bottom Scales to hang freely. Then whip stitch up the other side and around the Scales to the top edge.

Strap:
At top edge corner, (where you just finished the side), Chain to 30 inches for strap or desired length. Attach to the other side corner top edge with a Sc, turn and Sc around the entire chain of the strap back up to the beginning. Sl St into the corner to secure into the bag.
Turn and Sc into each st of the strap and attach into the bag to finish the strap.

Final Trim:
Sc around the complete top edge and Sl St to secure through the strap as you work your way around the top edge. Finish at corner where you began. FO.

Line the bag by creating a pocket following my lining tutorial for crocheted bags. I added a magnetic clasp on my lining for a closure on the bag. Hand stitch the lining into the bag along the top edge.

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

Abbreviations:
Beg – Beginning
Ch – Chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Ea – Each
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. ©2013

****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.