
Introducing the latest of my recycled bags. This is a wheelchair or walker tote that is crocheted all in recycled plastic bags. Some people also call them a wheelchair carrier as you use them to carry things such as books, newspapers or tissues.
This recycled bag was crocheted using the free puff stitch wheelchair tote pattern. It features a red, white and blue striped theme. As it is hard to find these special colored bags, I only crocheted the puff stitches on the front of the tote. Each puff stripe row used less than 2 colored plastic bags made into plarn to crochet.
I used a K (6.5 mm) crochet hook to work this tote bag. Final finished size is 10.5 inches wide by 9 inches long with 6.75 inch straps. I added

For an upcoming Library fundraiser, I have been working on this auction bucket of items.
The bucket includes a recycled tote bag crocheted from plastic bags made into plarn, a potholder towel, a heart cloth, a bottle of wine, wooden spoons, candles, chocolates, and a crocheted dish scrubbie.
Here are photos of the potholder towel and the dish scrubbie I crocheted with cotton yarn and a strip of netting held together.

I have been busy crocheting a recycled tote bag for a future charity fundraiser. This bag was crocheted using the free ultimate grocery bag pattern.
The pattern creates a 13 inches long reusable tote bag. I used around 50 plastic retail sacks to crochet the bag. The green handles were plarn I made from lightweight grocery bags that I recycled. Here is a closeup photo below to show the crocheted green handles.

Here is my latest recycled bag project. It’s a smaller version of Japanese knot bag wine tote that I crocheted a few years ago. For this plarn wine tote, I crocheted it a few stitches less around and only went up to a standing height of 9.5 inches.
The full written free Japanese Knot Plarn Tote pattern is found here. Just remember for this smaller tote bag use a K (6.5 mm) crochet hook. Adjust the original pattern as desired to reach the size for the tote that you need. The beauty in these patterns is that you can always tweak them to get the desired outcomes.
Below is a photo of my recycled wine tote with a small bottle of wine.

It is a new year and time for a new recycled bag! What better way to kick off a new year but with a new homemade reusable and upcycled tote bag. This tote bag was crocheted using about 45 brown plastic bags and 12 reddish-colored newspaper delivery sacks.
Here is a closeup of the top and handles.
This bag is very similar to my basic crocheted tote bag pattern but with a few changes including two stripes. The two stripes were added by cutting up 12 recycled plastic bags that newspapers are delivered in. Here is the tutorial link for cutting newspaper sacks into plarn to use as yarn.
I have provided the full new crochet pattern below for everyone’s personal use. As always, my patterns are free and I hope people will enjoy them.
Two Stripe Plarn Tote Bag Crochet Pattern
Materials needed: Plastic bag yarn “Plarn” in main color brown (40+ bags) cut 1 inch wide
and approx. 12 contrasting colored plastic bags for stripes
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal hook
Description: Recycled Plastic Tote Bag
Bag measures 12 inches wide and 12 inches long with 5 inch handles
Directions:
Ch 28

Halloween is just around the corner but there is still time to do some recycled crafting. I like to share patterns and crafting ideas using recycled materials such as plastic bags / plarn here at My Recycled Bags.
Here is a favorite recycled plastic Halloween trick or treat basket. The free crochet pattern is found here.
Not only is this a reusable basket, it features a sturdy recycled microwave tray for the base. So this project is a double recycled crafting project with two different types of recycled materials. Plus it’s a cool-looking trick or trick basket to hold lots of Halloween goodies.
You can find all the different Halloween posts and projects that I have shared over the years

Over 13 year ago I created this clothes pin bag pattern crocheted from recycled plastic bags. I haven’t worked the pattern for several years and decided to make the clothes pin bag for an upcoming charity auction. There is just something special to me to use one of my original pattern to create something new and useful. Here is my latest recycled bag!
The free recycled plastic bag clothes pin pattern can be found here. I used my trusty N (9 mm) crochet hook to work the body of the bag. I did use a new soft touch K crochet hook to work the trim around the opening as I found it easier on my hands. By using the smaller hook, it provides a nice finished look to the opening.
As warmer weather is approaching, maybe you are hanging your clothes out to dry on the line. If so you might need a peg bag. What better way to recycled plastic retail bags than to make yourself a nice handy recycled bag to hold your clothes pins.
As always, enjoy and happy crocheting to all!

Back this month to share my new recycled bag project. Here is my pink cabled plarn purse crocheted with recycled newspaper sacks.
This project was crocheted using a plarn pattern that I created back in 2012. The original free pattern can be found here in which I used recycled plastic bags and some regular Red Heart yarn for the trim and strap. This new purse is crocheted entirely of recycled plastic bags. I have a picture tutorial on how to make plastic bag yarn from these newspaper plastic sleeves here.
Many people always ask me “How many bags does it take to make this?” Well, it all depends but my estimate is that you will need at least

Well it all started 14 years ago today here at My Recycled Bags. I posted my first post January 24, 2007. I kicked off this blog by writing about recycling plastic bags and how you could create useful homemade items from the bags.
Of course I branched out over the years and have written about recycling and crafting with all kinds of materials as well as about my personal battle with breast cancer. Thankfully so far, I have beaten cancer and kept this blog site going for 14 great years now.
I have crocheted, sewn, and woven all kinds of things here at My Recycled Bags. I have posted and shared 100’s of free patterns and ideas from tote bags, rugs, baby bibs, dishcloths, hats, scarves, to doll clothes and bears. There is probably something for everyone at my free pattern page.
Anyway on this 14-year anniversary of my blog, I just want to thank everyone who has supported me and the site all these years. While I don’t post as often as I used to, I am still here and check all emails and comments daily. So keep reading and visiting My Recycled Bags and I will keep this blog going hopefully for many more years.
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