Come Learn and Share Information about Recycling, Crocheting & Recycled Crafting


Crocheted Baby Thongs

July 26, 2009 10 comments
Pink Baby Thong Sandals

I just had to share my crocheted baby thongs. Aren’t they just adorable sandals!

This is a fun summer crochet project and these make wonderful little gifts. This cute pattern was crocheted using scrap worst yarn I had and works up very quickly. The pattern is a Cara Scofield creation and is available here.

Recycled Plarn Backpack Pattern

July 17, 2009 20 comments
Plarn Backpack Backside

Presenting the long awaited and many times requested free plarn backpack pattern. This project is crocheted from recycled plastic bags along with a bit of scrap cotton yarn to create an unique backpack or knapsack. This has been a challenging project but I have kept the crochet stitches and instructions as simple as possible so even a beginner should be able to craft this cool recycled backpack.

Here is the how to make plarn tutorial link that shows detailed pictures on how I create plastic yarn from recycled plastic bags.

Click photos to supersize closeups

Enjoy the pattern and happy green crafting to all!

Free Plarn Backpack Crochet Pattern

Materials needed:
One very large ball of plastic bag yarn or Plarn – Approx. 60-70 plastic grocery bags
1 oz. of scrap cotton yarn
1 buckle hardware latch for front flap

Hooks:
N (9 mm) U.S. size metal hook for main body of backpack
J, H & G U.S. size crochet hooks for straps, trim, and drawstring

Description: Plastic Bag Plarn Backpack or Knapsack
Bag measures 13″ wide and 13″ long with 18-1/2″ back straps

Directions:
Ch 18

Plarn Cell Phone Holder

July 10, 2009 3 comments
Recycled Cell Phone Strap

Crochet yourself this cute and handy little cell phone holder from recycled materials. This holder can hold any type of phone, from iPhones to any of the latest 4g phones in most shapes and sizes. This cell phone holder was made from recycled disposal plastic diaper bags cut and assembled into plarn (plastic bag yarn.) This is another readers creation from Diane who asked me to share the free pattern here.

Free Plarn Cell Phone Holder Pattern
J (6 mm) crochet hook
14 diaper disposal bags (when making Plarn, use 2 loops together)

Note: The disposal diaper bags are small and thin, but are cut the same way as regular plastic bags and 2 loops are used together for each “strand”, so it was doubled up.
2 snaps, or Velcro or buttons

Ch 8. Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each to end, 2 hdc in end ch, continue around other side to end. Do not join, but work in rounds. Hdc in each hdc for approximately 8 rounds, ending at side, sl st in next 3 sts. (strap that holds phone inside) Ch 1, sc in same st and in next 2 sts, ch 1, turn. Continue working on 3 sc for 10 rows. FO and weave in ends.


Belt Loop Strap: Attach plarn with sl st to st next to middle on rnd 2 on back of holder (same side as other strap), ch 1, sc in same st and next 2 sts, ch 1 turn. Continue working on 3 sts for 5 rows. FO weave in ends.

Attach snaps or Velcro or buttons on end of strap and in coordinating spot on holder.

Diane used these small plastic diaper bags for her project so it took quite a few to complete the project. I believe if you use a retail plastic bag that you could crochet this project with around 7 bags. Thanks to Diane for sharing this recycled bag project with everyone![…]

Cool Eco Promotional Products

July 6, 2009 3 comments
eco pen & bamboo flashdrive

Teresa and Jennifer over at FortePromo.com just shipped me a box of items from their new line of eco-friendly promotional products for me to test out and review. I am always delighted to see and use cool green eco products so I was excited to see what goodies they sent to me.

I received this handy Eco lunch tote made from 100% post-consumer recycled material such as discarded plastic water bottles and food containers. It’s a wonderful lunch bag with a velcro closure and folds flat when empty. I used it today to carry my lunch to work and it works well as a reusable lunch bag.

One of my favorite items I received was the Bamboo USB flash drive. It is made from renewable bamboo material and features a handy magnetic cap which keeps the cap securely on the flash drive.

Several ballpoint pens were sent to me. My favorite one is the Maize twist pen that is made of corn and 72% biodegradable. This eco pen is a cool-looking green color and features a soft grip. It writes nicely and has a comfortable feel to it when writing.

Next was a recycled cardboard journal notebook which is found here. The cover is made from 100% recycled cardboard and the paper inside the journal includes 100 sheets of lined recycled paper with a recycling symbol printed on each page. As with all these promotional products, you can have the cover of this journal embossed with your company name and logo. My husband really liked this item and took it to work to use for his daily notes.

Overall I found all the products that I received from FortePromo to be very useful and a good value. If you are looking to purchase any eco-friendly promotional items for your company or business, I would recommend you check out their new line of environmentally friendly promotional products they offer. They have exciting recycled, biodegradable and organic products, as well as solar and water-powered items. You’ll find all kinds of environmentally friendly promotional products that will help you promote your company and make the earth a little greener in the process!

Reason to Smile

July 2, 2009 21 comments
Smiley

I have great news and a reason to smile. I just completed another round of scans and an ultrasound. I am NED! If you aren’t familiar with the term NED, it means No Evidence of Disease when referring to someone who has had cancer. I am happy to report all my scans and tests are clear. It’s as one doctor said to me today, it’s all good — be assured there is no sign of cancer.

It’s been since March 2008, that I have been battling breast cancer. Once you’ve had cancer, you tend to think about it’s return. You try and not worry about a recurrence. At first it’s about all one can do but not think about it’s return. But as time goes on it does get better. The reassurances that it has not returned is empowering. Things haven’t always been easy and I still have a few aches and pains from surgery and radiation. But overall I am feeling pretty good and have basically gotten my life and activities back to normal now. So I smile and say that I love NED. I hope and pray I stay that way forever. Until the next scans and follow-ups, I am reminding myself to enjoy life today and to be happy I am beating cancer each and every precious day.



About Me

Hello, I’m Cindy or aka RecycleCindy. Welcome to my blog site that is dedicated to recycling and crafting. I love to crochet and create crafts and other useful things from recycled materials. I share many free tutorials and patterns for creating recycled projects as well as other handmade items.


Here is a direct link to all my free patterns available here on My Recycled Bags.


Thank you for stopping by to visit and for your interest in My Recycled Bags!