I crocheted this plarn yarn basket using recycled plastic trash. The sides are made with recycled plastic bags that I make into yarn which is known as plarn. The base is a recycled plastic frozen dinner tray I fished out of the garbage at work. I cut the rim off the dinner tray and punched holes all around the outside as shown in this picture below.

Next using plarn (plastic-bag-yarn), I crocheted a single crochet base round through the holes and around the complete base. Once you get the base row done, it’s much easier crocheting into the plarn of each stitch as you work the additional rounds for your basket. I changed colors several times and used up some of my unique colored stashed plastic bags.

These trays work wonderfully to provide a nice sturdy base for the basket. You could crochet more rounds with the plastic yarn to make your basket taller or add a handle for a cute carrying basket. Either way recycling these plastic trays is a great way to keep them out of our landfills and provides a useful purpose in the recycled crafting field.

Free Pattern for Recycled Plastic Basket

Materials needed:
Plastic bags cut into 1 inch strips into plarn is several different colors
as desired for stripes
1) Plastic frozen dinner tray with the rim cut off
(One used in project was 6 inches long)

Hook: J (6 mm) sized metal crochet hook

Description: Recycled Plastic Yarn Basket

Basket measures 6 inches long, 4-1/2 inches wide and 4 inches tall

Directions:
Using the tray after cutting off the rim, punch holes around the base as shown in the photo. I used heavy duty hole punch to put my holes in the plastic base.

Rnd 1
With plarn, Sc into each hole by drawing the plarn through the hole and then working a Sc in ea stitch over the plastic base. Join with a Sl St to top of 1st Sc st.

Rnd 2
Ch 1, and do not turn throughout project. This basket is worked in rounds without turning. Sc loosely around in ea st. Join with a Sl St to top of ch 1 at beginning.

Rnd 3 – 4
Change color of plarn if desired and ch 1. Sc in ea st around and work 2 Sc at sides and ends as need to get a smooth basket. Join with Sl St to top of ch 1.

Tip: I found I needed to add a few extra stitches in rnds 3-4 so my basket didn’t pucker. Adjust your stitches are needed to get a smooth lay for your basket.

Rnd 5 – 12
Switch colors of plarn as desired. Ch 1, Sc in ea st around. Join with Sl St to top of ch 1. FO.

Option:
You could make your basket taller by working more rounds as desired.

If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.

Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Ea – Each
FO – Finish Off
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl St – Slip Stitch
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 my patterns or photos are permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable and appreciated. ©2010

****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.