Recycled Plastic Fat Bottom Bag
I present my plarn fat bottom bag that I crocheted using recycled plastic newspaper bags. You may remember me saying that it is difficult for me to obtain pretty colors in plastic bags for my crafting. Well thanks to a suggestion from a blogger friend, I asked my local library to save their newspaper bags for me. They have been giving me one pink and one orange plastic bag daily from their newspapers. Anyway I saved up the plastic bags and crocheted my first fat bottom bag.
You may notice that the pink shade on the last few rounds of the bag and handles are darker. That was because the newspaper company changed the color of bags they were using. At first I was upset that I couldn’t finish my recycled bag using all the same color of pink but then once I was forced to use the darker bags, it turned out to be a nice contrast for the finished project.
As I mentioned this is my first fat bottom crocheted bag. The original pattern in written only in Portuguese. But there is an English chart and a wonderful tutorial including the lining over at Bend Beanies Blog which is a life saver. She has great pictures and helpful tips to help translate this awesome free pattern.
Below you will find some pictures I took as I worked the pattern. I found it helpful to look at photos as I worked my bag and wanted to post the pictures as you may find them helpful too. I crocheted my plarn bag using a J (6 mm) crochet hook. I cut my plastic bags into about 3/4″ wide strips using my plarn making tutorial.
Click on any of the photos to supersize them
Here is shell started and also a photo after the base shell was completed. I laid it upon the lining fabric and cut around the shell to create my lining.
Here is the lining pinned in place before the gathering and the handles are crocheted. I hand-stitched the lining in place after I had it fitted evenly over the crocheted shell. Then the last photo is the lining when the bag is complete.
My Fat Bottom Bag Flap:
Several people have asked about the flap I added and wanted instructions on how to create this flap. Well ask you shall receive – Here are the crochet instructions for the flap.
Mark the center 12 stitches on bag opening. Attach plarn and work 12 Sc across the center. Ch 1, turn. And work 11 Sc across evenly for 6 rows.
Row 7
Ch 1, turn, work 2 Sc together over the first 2 sts, then Sc in each st down to the last two sts, work 2 Sc together over the last 2 sts. (decrease made on each end.)
Row 8
Ch 1, turn. Sc in next 2 sts, leave 3 sts in the middle unworked and Ch 2. Work Sc in the last 2 sts.
Row 9
Ch 1, turn, work Sc in ea st and 3 Sc in chain 2 space for buttonhole, then Sc in remaining sts.
Row 10
Ch 1, turn, work 2 Sc together over the first 2 sts, Sc in each st to last 2 sts, work 2 Sc together over last 2 sts. FO.
Edging: With right side facing and using either contrasting plarn or same color, attach plarn at upper flap edge and Sc around the flap evenly. FO.
I really enjoyed working this pattern and using the pretty recycled salmon pink plastic bags to create this upcycled bag. Who says trash can’t be re-fashioned into something of beauty?
Tags: crochet, crocheting, fat-bottom-bag, plarn, plastic bags
Apr 15, 2010
That truly did turn out beautiful. I’ll have to keep an eye out for colorful bags now! (I have a plethora of clear, white and tan…)
.-= Snowcatcher´s last blog ..Even More Free Months =-.
Apr 15, 2010
The bag turned out absolutely beautiful! Love the color.
.-= Moonshadow´s last blog ..Expand Your Knowledge! =-.
Apr 16, 2010
you even lined it beautifully! That is just gorgeous 🙂
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Walking After Midnight Skirt: Progress =-.
Apr 16, 2010
I love it! you are lucky to get this colors. We don’t get nice colors here either. I have a lot of plastic bags in good colors when I buy clothes etc. but I only have one bag in each color and that’s it.
Apr 18, 2010
I LOVE this bag!!!! You did a wonderful job.
.-= Dora Renee’ Wilkerson´s last blog .. =-.
Apr 18, 2010
wow, that came out beautifully. Red bags are the hardest to find, I think.
Apr 19, 2010
I would have never known those last rounds were darker until you pointed it out…I think it blends well! Great job…good idea on asking the library to save bags too. Can’t wait to try it 🙂
Apr 19, 2010
Dear Cindy,
My church ladies save bags AND plastic tablecloths for me-the cheap $1.50 or so – 8 foot tablecloths. We cut them into strips and I bought this little craft iron and we iron the strips together to make balls of plarn. The plastic tablecloths will give you lots of colors to choose from. Check my blog at 2bagladies.blogspot.com to see some of the colors. Blessings – Trish
Apr 19, 2010
Absolutely love this bag! Do you have the directions for the button flap closure?
Apr 19, 2010
@Susan,
I just did an edit and added the instructions for the flap to the original post. Email me back if you need any more info on how to crochet the flap.
Apr 20, 2010
I love this. I love the color
.-= kc´s last blog ..Tut Links for beaded trees. =-.
Apr 23, 2010
hi
i am french so excuse my language!
This red is so beautiful!
I can’t believe you do it with plastic bag! it’s amazing!
And eco too
Friendly
Zelody
.-= zelody´s last blog ..Test d un site qui vends… =-.
Jun 27, 2010
I love this bag!
Jun 28, 2010
Love the bag. You did a fantastic job – I can’t believe it’s made from plastic! Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase Party – I greatly apprecite it. Hope you have a wonderful week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
Feb 09, 2011
[…] you be interested in making one of these, there’s a great tutorial over on myrecycledbags.com.  Just follow the crumbs she leaves and you’ll land smack bang in the middle of a Fat Bag […]
Mar 09, 2011
[…] which I link to the pattern, you are in luck, as I am in a magnanimous mood and will link it again HERE. Clicking on this link will take you to MyRecycledBags.com, where you will find a pattern link, a […]
Mar 31, 2011
That is AMAZING!! I couldn’t even tell it was plastic bags. My newspapers come in a bag also, I should do that! Don’t know how to crochet though. LOL
Apr 14, 2012
[…] of free patterns floating around waiting to be used.  I particularly like this red purse from Recycle Cindy who put in a special request at her local library in order to get a hold of all those red […]
Apr 12, 2013
Love the style and color of this bag. I’ve been working with plarn for some time now and I enjoy it.
Nov 19, 2014
Wow! I came across your website just today. It is a perfect timing because I have been thinking of bag designing and your site is a great encouragement to me. I wonder how you came up with all these ideas of design especially from recycled materials, and thanks for opening the design patterns up for others to practice on. These two bags “Recycled Plastic Fat Bottom Bag, and Plastic Ditty Bags” are a knock out They are very unique in design. The Fat bottom bag is a class on its own. The rich red color fits it marvelously. The Plastic Ditty bag assumed an explosive creative identity. The bag looks like a hand fan- a design which is not commonly seen. That makes it stand out among the lot. I think I will go way back to start looking at your designs. They are helpful to us.