My Recycled Bags.com

Wordless Wed. — Recycle Me — Then we can all smile!

Patriotic Walker – Wheelchair Tote Bag

As promised, here is the walker – wheelchair tote bag crochet pattern using regular acrylic yarn. I crocheted several of these handy totes lately for a special needs project for our local VA hospital. I made these with red, white, and blue scrap and recycled acrylic yarn to have a patriotic look for the Veterans.

I also crafted some recycled walker – wheelchair tote bags using plastic bag yarn or plarn and that free pattern is found at this link. I have two versions of the bag, one with star buttons above and another with Velcro on the straps. You can pick and choose the style you like as I have posted the patterns for both bags below.

Here is the same tote made with overlapping straps with Velcro.

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Free Walker – Wheelchair Yarn Tote Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
2.3 ozs (approx.) each of red, white and blue acrylic yarn.
2) 3″ Velcro strips and/or
2) 1-1/8″buttons depending on bag version.

Hook:
H (5 mm) U.S. size hook

Gauge using acrylic worst yarn:
8 rows = 3″
7 Hdc = 2″

Description: Tote Bag
Bag measures 12″ wide and 9″ long

Directions:
Using red yarn , Ch 41.

Recycled Bread Bag Handbag

If you’re into recycling and crafts, try out this crocheted handbag using bread bags. I saved about 30 or more bags to make this multi-colored handbag. It’s really durable and will definitely be a conversation piece when you use it. Crocheting with bread bags is a bit tougher on the hands and joints but makes are very unique bag. Because the plastic is heavier you need to cut the strips a bit narrower and remember to not over-pull on your work.

The finished product which I posted pictures of both sides is so colorful. My camera pictures don’t really capture the pretty multi-colors but I hope you’ll be inspired to give this crocheted project a try so you too can experience the beauty of recycled bags!

Click to view larger size

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Free Pattern for Crocheted Bread Bag Handbag

Materials needed: One very large ball of plastic bread bags cut into 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch strips
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal hook

Description: Tote Bag
Bag measures 9 inches wide and 11 inches long
Directions:
Ch 20

Blog Action Day – Crafting with Recycled Materials

On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind. In 2007 the issue is the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future.

I hope you will join me in blogging for our environment today. I blog about the subject that is near and dear to my heart. Crafting and more specifically — crafting with recycled materials. Please consider using plastic bags, bread bags, vhs video tape, cassette tapes, old denim, and other recycled fabric to craft with. You can create some exciting projects by using recycled materials. I have many free patterns here for your use. Click here to see the full list of all the free craft patterns available.

By reusing these otherwise trash materials, you will be helping our environment as well as creating a wonderful recycled product. Recycled totes, purses, and grocery bags make excellent gifts. Please consider crocheting, knitting, weaving, or sewing with recycled materials today!

Wheelchair – Walker Tote Bag

Crochet this multipurpose wheelchair – walker tote bag from recycled plastic bags. It is very useful with velcro under the straps to attach to a wheelchair, walker or even a bed rail. Just wipe to clean and it’s very durable. I made several of these lately for a special needs project for our local VA hospital. It is an easy crocheted eco-friendly project and a very handy tote for someone in a wheelchair or using a walker.

Here is the free pattern below for the plastic bag yarn or plarn wheelchair – walker tote bag. As a sneak peek, here is another wheelchair – walker tote I made crocheting with acrylic yarn. I’ll be posting the instructions very soon for those that want to use regular or even recycled yarn to create this tote bag.

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Free Pattern for Plastic Walker – Wheelchair Tote Bag

Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn aka Plarn in blue and small ball of white
2) 1-1/2″ strips of Velcro

Hook:
N (9 mm) metal crochet hook

Description: Tote Bag
Bag measures 12 inches wide and 9 inches long with 7 inch straps

Directions:
Using blue plastic bag yarn or plarn, Ch 27.

Recycled Denim Jean Bag

Here is my first machine-sewn recycled denim jean bag. I’ve been wanting to get this posted for quite awhile. I’ve been working on sewing denim totes from old jeans that I have. This is my first attempt and please understand that I am not a seamstress. This is truly a work in progress to create a small denim tote bag. I made this using only the pant leg of some old jeans. Then I added the outside pocket which I stitched around through the original pocket stitching to secure it to the tote bag.

I recycled an old curtain and cut it up to make my lining. I added in some pockets from an old denim shirt I had. This picture was taken when I just had the lining pinned in place.

Here is a picture of the handles I made for this bag. After I trimmed the seams, I turned them right side out. I then top-stitched the handles.

click to view larger

Here is a picture on how I attached the handles. I put them inside between the denim and the lining. I then stitched around the top to secure the lining to the bag with the straps in place. Make sure you use a machine needle designed for heavy denim as they work much better and don’t break like regular sewing machine needles do. The finished size of this bag is 7-1/2″ wide x 11″ long with 18″ straps.

click to view larger

I am working on a picture tutorial for a denim tote bag with a zippered lining. It will have step-by-step pictures. Once I have it completed, I will post it here for everyone. Recycling old denim jeans is really a lot of fun and I hope you’ll give it a try!