This week I present a dual handled plarn tote bag. A reader recently asked if I had a free pattern for not only a shoulder strap but also a bag with handles to grip with your hands. So I got busy and crocheted this tote bag for her. It’s like the best of both worlds — You can throw this jumbo tote bag over your shoulder or grasp it by the smaller handles.

This is another over-sized tote bag project that is similar to my jumbo plarn beach bag which features one long shoulder strap that has a pull through front closure. I think this tote bag would make an excellent farmer’s market bag as you have so much room inside and the two different ways to carry it around.

So whether you want one long strap or dual handles on your plarn tote bag, you can mix and match these two free crochet patterns that I am posting at my blog. Best wishes and happy crafting to all!

Free Jumbo Dual Handled Tote Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
One very large ball of plastic bag yarn Plarn
Approx. 80 white plastic grocery bags for main bag and
16 orange plastic bags for stripes

Hook: N (9 mm) U.S. size metal hook

Description: Dual Handled Plarn Tote Bag
Bag measures 16 inches wide and 20 inches long with 30 inch shoulder strap and 9 inch handles

Directions:
Ch 34

Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Work 2 Hdc in end st, then continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st to other end then work 2 Hdc in end st.

Rnd 2
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the two end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in ea of the two end sts. Do not connect at end of rounds unless told to do so.

Rnd 3
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the three end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in ea of the three end sts.

Rnd 4-24
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag. Finish off with white plarn at side of bag by working Sc and then Sl St into last sts at side of bag. FO. (10-1/2″ long at end of rnd 24)

Rnd 25-28
Join orange plarn at side and Ch 2. Hdc in ea st around and join with Sl St into top of Ch 2. (4 rounds with orange.) FO orange plarn.

Round 29-34
Join white plarn at side, Ch 2. Hdc in ea st around and join with Sl St into top of Ch 2. FO white plarn. (6 rounds with white.)

Round 35-36
Join orange plarn at side with Ch 2. Hdc in ea st around and join with Sl St into top of Ch 2. FO orange plarn.

Rnd 37-42
Join white plarn at side and Ch 1. Hdc in ea st around. Don’t join at end of round, just continue working in rounds to finish off the bag seamless.
At end of rnd 42, mark the center 12 stitches on each side of bag for the handle openings.

Rnd 43
Hdc in ea st around front (approx. 14 sts or 5-1/2 inches across front.) Ch 18 for handle and skip the 12 center sts at front. Then Hdc in ea remaining st on front and around back side of bag until center 12 sts to match the other side’s handle. Ch 18 and skip the center 12 sts, Hdc in next st. Check to make sure opening match where handles are so they are centered over each other. Hdc in ea remaining st (approx. 14 sts on each side of opening.)

Rnd 44
Hdc in ea st to handle chain, work 20 Sc evenly around the entire chain and Hdc in ea st around to the other side’s chain for handle. Work 20 Sc evenly around the chain to match the other side’s handle and then finish the rnd with Hdc in ea remaining sts.

Rnd 45-47
Hdc in ea st of bag and sc in ea st of handle on each side of the bag. On final rnd, end at side of bag with a Sc and Sl St into the last several sts to end with a smooth edge at side.

Fasten off and weave ends under on inside of the bag.

Strap:
Row 1
At side of bag, mark 5 sts at center of the side fold. Join plarn with a Sl St and Sc in next 5 sts at side of bag. Make sure your strap is centered at side.

Row 2
Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each st.
Repeat row 2 until your strap is 30 inches long or desired length for the shoulder strap.
Attach with a Sc into the other side edge making sure you match the first side so the 5 sts are center at the side of the bag. Finish off and weave under ends.

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
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
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 is permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable. ©2011-2016

****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.