Recycled Plastic & Denim Sit-Upon
This recycled bag project is a request from Moonshadow. She suggested I craft a waterproof sit-upon (SitUpon) like what the Girl Scouts use to sit on. I crocheted this from recycled plastic bags or plarn first. Then I added 4 layers of plastic that I fused onto the back side of the sit-upon to completely waterproof it. I added a handle to the sit-upon so you can carry it around easily too. And as an option I added a layer of recycled denim to soften up the sit-upon and give it a unique look.
Here is my plastic only sit-upon without the denim. This is my basic recycled plastic sit-upon that is crocheted using plastic bags made into plarn and with a fused plastic backing. This fused plastic backing makes the sit-upon waterproof.
Click to supersize photos
Here is the back side of the finished sit-upon and also another version of how you can decorate your finished denim side by adding a denim jean pocket.
I tried to keep this project simple so a young Girl Scout or anyone could make this sit-upon without a bunch of sewing required. You can just glue the hearts on or even hand decorate the denim. Handwriting your name on the denim may be another embellishment a Scout could add. Needless to say, you can decorate as much or as little as you like. I’ve included several different ideas and here is the free crochet pattern and tutorial on making a recycled sit-upon.
Free Sit-Upon Crochet Pattern
Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn aka Plarn – approx. 35-40 plastic grocery bags
Four plastic bags cut into large pieces to cover back for fusing
Waxed paper for the fusing
Option for denim cover: One large piece of recycled denim from an old pair of jeans
appox. 15 inches x 15 inches
Hook: N (9 mm) metal crochet hook
Description: Plastic Sit-Upon with fused plastic backing
Sit-Upon measures 13 inches wide and 13 inches long with 5 inch handle
Option with recycled denim cover measures 14-1/2 inches x 14-1/2 inches
Directions:
Ch 32
Row 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end.
Row 2 – 24
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each st. Repeat this row until measures 12 inches long. Leave your plarn attached to work edging.
Edging:
Starting at top corner, ch 1, Sc evenly around the three sides of sit-upon. (Down one side, across bottom, and back up other side.) Leave yarn attached to begin handle.
Handle:
Mark center 7 sts on top edge for handle opening.
Row 1
Starting at top corner and working across the top, ch 1, Sc in ea st to the center 7 sts marked for handle opening. Skip the 7 center sts, ch 9, and Sc in the remaining sts of top edge.
Check your work to make sure the handle opening is centered. Adjust your sts as needed.
Row 2
Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st to handle opening. Work Sc’s around the chain of handle evenly (approx. 12 Sc). Then Sc in each remaining st of row.
Row 3
Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st to handle. Work one Sc in each st of handle, then Sc in each remaining st of row.
Fasten off and weave ends under.
Now that you have the crocheted plastic sit-upon done you need do the fused plastic covering on the back side to waterproof it.
Cover your crocheted sit-upon with four layers of plastic bags. Then cover with waxed paper and apply medium heat with a hot iron. Keep your iron moving and do a test area first so as not to over melt your plastic onto the crocheted plastic piece.
Once your plastic cools off, remove the waxed paper and trim the edges of your fused plastic. The back side of the crocheted sit-upon should look like this photo above. Then cut open a pair of old denim jeans at the wide area of the thigh. Open up the seam and cut a larger enough piece to cover the plastic sit-upon. Make sure you leave enough on all sides to make the fringe and fold down the top to create a finished seam. I cut my piece of denim very wide as you can trim it later after you stitch around on the four sides to secure it to the plastic piece. Cut a hole for the handle opening. Now is the time to add your pocket or hearts before you stitch the denim piece onto the plastic. Once you have your embellishments done, then either hand stitch or machine stitch the denim piece onto the plastic piece. I made a fringed edge by cutting into the denim on three sides. I left the top without fringe and then folded it over to make a finished hem along the top of my sit-upon. Trim your denim now so all your fringe is even. Finish any other embellishments you might want to add and your sit-upon is completed.
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
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
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 of this pattern or photos are permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable and appreciated. ©2009
Tags: free-pattern, recycled, recycling, SitUpon
May 01, 2009
Wonderful Sit-Upon, Cindy! I like the fused plastic backing. Altogether this looks like a durable and fashionable project. Well Done!
Moonshadow’s last blog post..Presenting Big Boys Toy Show 2009
May 01, 2009
[…] Cindy placed an observative post today on Recycled Plastic & Denim Sit-Upon | My Recycled Bags.comHere’s a quick excerptThis recycled bag project is a request from Moonshadow. She suggested I craft a waterproof sit-upon (SitUpon) like what the Girl Scouts use to sit on. I crocheted this from recycled plastic bags or plarn first. … […]
May 01, 2009
I haven’t been a Girl Scout in decades, but I still have a use for something like that for waiting for buses (when there’s somewhere to sit at the stop).
Inquisitive Raven’s last blog post..Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!
May 01, 2009
Oh so glad you found this project useful. I know that when I go to the park it would be nice to sit on something to keep my pants dry and clean. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
May 01, 2009
Thank you for your inspiration and great project idea!
May 01, 2009
That is great. I will definitely need to make some of these for this summer.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Earth Day Clothing for the Kids
May 01, 2009
Very clever Cindy – well done!
Lynne’s last blog post..the last birthday books
May 03, 2009
that’s great, I love the fused plastic to keep your bum dry! You are always such an inspiration.
May 04, 2009
Brilliant idea for the Youth Club youngsters when they are watching football, etc on the playing field – many thanks
May 05, 2009
Looks awesome~ What a great idea!!!
Atelier de Soyun’s last blog post..Texturized Linen Hemp Zip Pouch in RaspBerry – Pure, Natural, and Unique
May 06, 2009
What a great project – I look forward to having a go at trying this out with my daughter. She can use it in the Brownies.
May 06, 2009
It has been raining here in southern NJ for days. I have 35-40 plastic bags left over from my yard sale. I’m going to make one today! Thanks for sharing you have a FAB Blog!
May 06, 2009
I remember sit upons! Mine was made out of of vinyl we punched holes along the sides and whip stitched together with cording. It had newpaper in the center. Yours is much much cuter!
May 13, 2009
[…] If you have any experience with the Girl Scouts, you’ll likely know what a sit-upon is. It’s basically a waterproof pad that can be laid on the ground and, well, sat upon! Anyways, I’m totally digging this sit-upon from My Recycled Bags. Crocheted plastic bags on the waterproof side and denim on the sitting side…Perfection! Click over for the how-to, complete with crochet pattern! […]
May 13, 2009
I don’t have kids in scouts, but this looks perfect for the bleachers at baseball games this summer! Especially after it has rained and the bleachers are still damp. Great idea!
Jul 07, 2009
I had an idea to crochet plarn into a large mat (beach towel size) to take to the beach. Problem- sand could still get between the stitches. Problem- my husband refused to be seen with me with something he said was “trashy”!! I thought using trash was the idea of recycling- hum! Anyway, it became a UFO. Now that I have seen your idea of waterproofing ( and sandproofing) it as well as making it prettier, I will dig it out and finish it!! Thanks for your great ideas.
Sep 03, 2009
What a great idea! Like Condo Blues we made ours with vinyl, and newspapers (flat) inside. That brought back memories! I like your updated version much better, rollable or foldable. My question is what temp is your iron? I tried a project that you fused a total of 5 flattened bags together to make a side panel for a tote, but I couldn’t get past two bags because either they wouldn’t fuse together, or when I raised the temp they shrunk way down unevenly. I used a pressing cloth, and tried not to keep the iron in one spot too long. I cannot locate the instructions anymore so I’m winging it.
P.S. Glad to hear the cancer is gone. God Bless!
May 22, 2010
Hi Cindy, it’s Puhlease from Ravelry. I love your denim and plarn sit-upons. I recently found mine from, oh wow, I think it was 3rd grade. I believe I’ve mentioned before that my mom never threw anything away. Mine was made with a gingham checked contact paper and I can still remember the day we made them. Thanks for the blast from the past.
Sep 09, 2010
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