My Recycled Bags.com

Happy 4th of July! I love handmade dishcloths and even better are ones that have center scrubbers. Just in time for the big Summer holiday, here is my latest “Sunshine” dishcloth I crocheted with a center scrubbie made from recycled plastic bags.

Here is another variation using scraps I had leftover and is one round less than the original pattern as I ran short of materials.

Click to view full-size

These dishcloths with center scrubbies are very durable and handy for cleaning your dishes. Here is a picture tutorial on how use plastic bags to create plastic bag yarn or plarn. This is a great way to use up scrap cotton yarn and also re-purpose those unique colored plastic bags as you only need a small amount of plarn for the centers. Here is the free pattern for everyone to enjoy this fun recycled green craft project.

Stumble It!
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Sunshine Dishcloth with Scrubbie Pattern

Dishcloth measures: 9” Square
Hook: Metal “H” US sized hook

Materials:
1-1/2 ozs. of Cotton yarn – variegated yellows
Small amount of white Cotton yarn
Small amount of plastic bag plarn for scrubber center -
white (1 bag) and yellow bags (2 bags needed)

Option: This pattern can be worked all in cotton if you’d rather.
Allow about 2 ozs. of cotton for project.

With center color (white plarn shown) Ch 4, Sl St to form ring.
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Filed under: Plastic Bag Crafts on July 3rd, 2008 | 1 Comment »

It has been a month now that I have been without my hair. Yes, it was very traumatic losing my hair but I have moved on now. At first I thought I had to have a wig to wear to feel “normal.” But after the first week of wearing the free wig I received from a local hospital wig bank, I found it uncomfortable. It’s hot and itchy at times. Most people who don’t know me, think it is my own hair so it gave me time to adjust. In case you are in need of a wig due to cancer, you should check with your local hospitals or cancer treatment centers. They usually have free wigs and scarves that are donated to them. I have gotten some really cute scarves and do rags that people handmade or donated to these organizations for people just like us who need them. Here is one such site on the Internet who provides free hats to cancer patients. Heavenly Hats sent me a wonderful box full of brand new hats. The hats vary from knitted stocking caps to brimmed hats.
Anyway most days now I just wear a pretty scarf or my favorite tan baseball hat. Even at work, I wear a baseball cap as our small office all got matching baseball caps with our logo on them to wear. My two female co-workers wanted to have matching hats so when I had to start wearing one due to my hair loss, they wanted to wear a hat too in solidarity. I was so touched. So we’ve all been wearing our hats at work and not too many people have said anything.

Several people have been emailing and posting questions, asking how I’m feeling. I’m happy to report that I am feeling fine these days. I am just gearing up for next week’s chemo. On July 3, I will have my 3rd treatment and then on July 24, I will have my final one. What a wonderful feeling it will be when I complete chemo!

So this is my latest update. I do wear my wig on special occasions when a baseball cap isn’t appropriate. But mainly I love wearing my comfortable cap. So until this pink journey is over, my non-hair style will be hats, scarves and a wig when necessary.

Filed under: My Pink Journey on June 27th, 2008 | 10 Comments »

I have had several requests for recycled crafts projects that kids can do. With that in mind, here is a quick upcycle project that children and adults can both enjoy. First you need a large plastic container. The container I used was a 64 oz. soda pop cup that I found and decided that I would re-purpose into a plastic bag keeper.

Here is the finished plastic bag keeper

Below is a picture tutorial that I put together to show the steps for this project.
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Filed under: Plastic Bag Crafts on June 24th, 2008 | 3 Comments »

I purchased a new craft tool recently. It’s called a Spool Knitter. This little plastic weaving tool is so handy for making purse straps that I wanted to share it with you.

My first test was to weave a purse strap using recycled VCR tape. Here is a closeup of my strap which you can click on to view full sized.

Here is a photo of the completed VCR / VHS tape purse with my woven strap.

Like this little red fun fur VCR bag? If so here is the free pattern which has a crocheted strap or you can use a Spool Knitter to create a woven strap. This tool also works wonderfully to weave with regular yarn and recycled plastic bag yarn or plarn. Whatever your material, you can create nice sturdy straps quickly with this gadget.

Filed under: Tips and Instructions, Vcr Video Tape Crafts on June 21st, 2008 | 4 Comments »

I’m excited to share a little project that I have been experimenting with. You know those little green netting sleeves you get your lettuce in? Well, I’ve been trying to think of a good craft recycling project that I could do using the netting. Here is my result.

It is an eco-friendly greenie that you can scrub your dishes with. The cotton with the recycled green netting is very scratching and works well as a scrubbie. It measures 4-1/2″ by 4″.

Here is a mini tutorial on the prep for the green netting bags.
Lay out the green netting bag and I used a paper clip to hold the end closed.
Click to view full-sized

Cut the bag in strips across about 1 inch wide. Cut all the way down to the end and discard the hard end piece.
Click to view full-sized

Take the loops you have created and interlink them using the same method for making plastic bag yarn or plarn. In the picture below, the top two loops aren’t pulled tight yet so you can see how to loop them together. Then the bottom ones show how it looks once you pull the loops tight. Just pull on the ends gently to tighten your knot between the two joined pieces. Continue to add loops to create a long strip of netting that you can crochet with.
Click to view full-sized

I used about an ounce of white cotton yarn and combined it with the netting strips I created. Hold it together and crochet with a larger hook. The crocheting is a bit harder with the netting but just keep your work loose and it goes easier. Also I would recommend handwashing this pot scrubber for longer life.

Well that’s the project and here’s the free crochet pattern. I hope you enjoy this eco-friendly project and happy green crafting to all!

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Free Greenie Pot Scrubber Pattern

Scrubber measures: 4-1/2” x 4”
Hook: Metal “J” US sized hook

Materials:
1 oz - Sugar & Cream cotton yarn (white used)
3 - green plastic netting bags (cut and looped together)

Holding cotton and netting together, Ch 4, Sl St to form ring.
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Filed under: Plastic Bag Crafts, Tips and Instructions on June 12th, 2008 | 19 Comments »

I completed round two of my chemo treatments yesterday. That means I’m halfway done –Yea! I’m feeling pretty good today. Just a bit weak and my head feels kinda puffy like I have a headache or something. But not too bad overall. I have only had to take two anti-nausea meds and that was just because I just didn’t want to take the chance of getting sick.

On a crafting note, I’m working on some dishcloths with center scrubbers made from recycled plastic bags. I also experimenting with these green plastic sleeves that the grocer puts lettuce in.

I’ve saved up several of them in hopes of using them with cotton yarn to to create a durable dishcloth with the green netting crocheted together with the cotton. I’ll post it as soon as I’ve successfully completed the project.

In the mean time, I’ll be recouping for a few days at home until I return to my real job. Thanks everyone again for all your warm thoughts, hugs, and prayers for me.
God bless and of course, happy green crafting to all!

Filed under: My Pink Journey, Plastic Bag Crafts on June 10th, 2008 | 8 Comments »