Vcr Tape Ribbon Tote
Do you have some old vhs video tapes wasting away around the house? Well crochet yourself a recycled tote bag using those old tapes. This bag was crocheted from vhs tape and Lion Brand ribbon yarn. I made this tote bag for a co-worker for Christmas after she saw a prior bag I crafted and really wanted one. So I got busy and crocheted this tote for her for the upcoming Christmas gift exchange.
If you are new to crocheting with vcr tape here is the link for using vcr tape as yarn. It is a great way to recycle those old vcr vhs tapes into a wonderful reusable product.
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Free Pattern for a Crocheted Vcr Tape Ribbon Tote Bag
Materials needed:
2 Vhs Vcr video long play tapes (T-120)
2 rolls of Lion Brand ribbon yarn City Lights #21008, 110 yards each
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal crochet hook
Description: Tote Bag
Bag measures 13 inches wide and 14 inches long
Gauge:
7 Hdc = 3 inches
2 Rnds = 1 inch
Directions:
Using 2 strands of vhs video tape with one strand of ribbon yarn, Ch 28.
Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Work 2 Hdc in end st, then continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st to other end then work 2 Hdc in end st.
Rnd 2
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in 1 end st, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in 1 end st. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.
Rnd 3
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in 1 end st, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in 1 end st.
Rnd 4 – 10
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom. (End so that you are at side of bag.)
Drop and cut off ribbon yarn leaving an end to weave under on inside of bag.
Rnd 11 – 19
Using just 2 strands of vcr tape, Hdc in ea st around bag for the next 9 rounds.
Rnd 20 – 24
With new roll of ribbon yarn and 2 strands of vhs video tape, Hdc in ea st around bag.
Mark center 7 stitches on each side of bag for handle opening.
Rnd 25
Hdc in each st to mark for handle opening. Ch 9, leave 7 stitches un-worked for handle, then Hdc in remaining stitches and across other side to mark for handle opening. Ch 9, leave 7 stitches un-worked for handle opening on other side of bag to match front side. Hdc in each stitch around until you reach side of bag.
Round 26
Hdc in each st around to handle. Work 10 Sc around the chain of handle, then Hdc around in each stitch until you reach handle on other side. Work 10 Sc around chain of handle, then Hdc around in each remaining st of round.
Round 27
Hdc in each st around to handle. Work one Sc in each st of handle, then Hdc in each st of bag to other side’s handle. Work one Sc in each st of handle, then work one Hdc in each st to remaining last 3 stitches at side. Work Sc, Sl St, and Sl St in the last 3 sts of round ending at side of bag. This should blend the edge so round ends with edge being even with last round.
Fasten off and weave ends under on inside of the bag.
If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.
Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
St – Stitch
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 is permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable. ©2007
****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.
Tags: vcr-tape, vcr-tape-purse, vhs-purse
Sep 29, 2007
Wow, you are very clever, I love your bags!
Sep 30, 2007
this bag looks nice. it looks like there are many people on the bag.
Oct 01, 2007
Lucky friends you have, Cindy.
A moment of sharing. I have discovered a new way to use strips cut out of plastic bags. I do it by using my health supplement bottle as the weaving tool. I have posted the hand weave to knit method with information on how you can make use of it on my blog. I hope you find it useful for your own projects.
Oct 01, 2007
Wow! You are talented my friend. These bags are amazing. I love them! If only I could knit… I am a disaster at sewing and knitting. I gave up on trying loooooooong ago.
This one is my favorite out of them all. It has that extra little splash of color that I like.
Oct 01, 2007
beautiful! Do you use the bags you make?
Oct 01, 2007
Wow Cindy,
you’ve done it again! I definitely am going to pick up a crochet hook again – on my list.
Lovely, lovely : )
Oct 02, 2007
These are so cool! I used to crochet and would love to try one of these…I’ve bookmarked it for when I find the time!!!!!
Oct 03, 2007
Like the vcr tape tote, great job so nice.:)
Oct 06, 2007
[…] Vcr Ribbon Tote at My Recycled Bags. […]
Oct 10, 2007
[…] I found a site called MY Recycled Bags.com and found a bag crocheted from old vcr tape ribbon. That’s total craziness! My creativity has been put in it’s place. My creativity is not […]
Oct 15, 2007
Totally cool!
I love bags and these are so great! Wonderful, unusual and inspirational idea!
Nov 02, 2007
Hi!
Your blog is very cool!
thanks to visit mine
i love your bag and your very kind to post recipe of it
i like to make crochet with VCR too
it’s fun!
have a nice weekend
cheers
Feb 05, 2008
now I know what to do with those old barney tapes lol, its times like these when being a packrat comes in handy
Apr 28, 2008
[…] Wer noch immer einen Videorekorder besitzt und die dazugehörigen Kassetten, womöglich sogar selbst aufgenommene, der scheut sich vielleicht, diese Objekte der Zeitgeschichte einfach so in die Tonne zu entsorgen, stimmt’s? Ich habe da mal wieder etwas für die Recycling-Fans gefunden: Kassettenband abwickeln und Tasche draus stricken. Eine ausführlich Anleitung in englisch, inklusive der Tipps, wie man aus den Kassetten verwertbares Garn bekommt, findet ihr bei My Recycled Bags. […]
Apr 05, 2011
[…] reading about crochet done with plarn (“yarn” made from plastic bags), old cassette and video tape, and strips of t-shirts made me think yarn was boring. Ribbon was promising, but I had no projects […]
Apr 24, 2012
I was so excited about this pattern and couldn’t wait to get started. You must have the patience of Job. I soon gave up and gave it all to a friend who was up for the challenge. She soon gave it all back to me. I have a bag of VCR tapes to dispose of if anyone would like them. Lorna
Apr 24, 2012
Lorna — Sorry to hear that crafting with VCR tape didn’t work out for you. It does take time and patience to get the hang of crocheting with the material. As far as accepting any more tapes, I have to tell you that I have plenty. Many people email me each week and ask if I want more tapes and I just don’t have any more storage to accept any tapes from anyone. You can send the tapes to GreenDisk for recycling. Or here is another link that has some ideas for recycling the old tapes.
Apr 26, 2012
[…] Virkat av gamla kassett- och videoband […]
Feb 05, 2014
That is a cool idea, very useful maybe I will teach it to my daughter, we often look for things to do and being a single parent (father)sometimes I just don’t know how to occupy my 8 year old. I have tons of old VCR in the basement, that’s just great because this week is my week with her right through the weekend,
Great read,
John