This recycled bag features a new stitch design that I added for a new look to my latest reusable bag. I call this stitch the Picket Stitch. I have used a similar stitch idea in my picket fence dishcloth pattern and thought it would be interesting to use on a tote bag pattern. It adds a different look and I’m always trying to come up with new ideas for dressing up my recycled bags.

So here is my plarn picket stitch tote bag pattern. This recycled plastic bag tote only has one round using the picket stitch but you could add another easily by working a round in the picket stitch for round 20 and then again for round 24 to achieve an even different look to your recycled bag.
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Plarn Picket Stitch Tote Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
60 plastic retail bags cut into 1 inch wide Plarn yarn

Hook: N (9 mm) size crochet metal hook

Description: Reusable Plarn Tote Bag
Bag measures 13 inches wide and 13 inches long with 8 inch handles

Directions:
Ch 28

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 around to other end then work 2 Hdc in end st.

Rnd 2 – 4
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 join at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag. Don’t join unless you are told to do so.

Rnd 5 – 23
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag. End last round at side of bag to begin special picket stitching.

Rnd 24 (Picket Stitch)
Starting at side of bag *Hdc in next st, Ch 1, Skip 1 st*. Repeat between * around to beginning. Sl st into beg st.

Rnd 25
Hdc in sm st as joining, *Hdc in each Ch-1 space and in each Hdc st of prior round*. Repeat between * around to beginning. (Don’t join any further at this point, just work in the round.)

Rnd 26-28
Hdc in ea st around.

Mark center 15 sts on bag for handle opening.

Rnd 29 (Handles formed)
Hdc in ea st around to mark for center 15 sts for the handle opening. Skip 15 sts at center front, Ch 18, Hdc in ea remaining sts of front of bag. (I had 9 sts on each side of the handle opening on the front.)

Hdc around to the other side to center 15 sts for the other handle’s opening. Ch 18, Skip 15 sts at center, and Hdc in ea remaining sts, ending at side of bag.

Check your work to make sure the front and back openings and handles match each other. Adjust your sts as needed to match.

Rnd 30
Hdc in each st around to handle opening. Sc evenly around the chain of handle (approx. 18 Sc’s), then Hdc around in ea st of bag until you reach handle on other side. Sc around chain of other handle evenly, then Hdc around in each remaining st of rnd.

Rnd 31-32
Hdc in each st around to handle. Work one Sc in each st of handle, then Hdc in each st of bag to other side’s handle. Work one Sc in each st of handle, then work one Hdc in each remaining st of rnd until the last 2 sts of round 32.

In last two sts of last round end with Sl Sl sts at side of bag. This should blend the edge so round ends with edge being even with last round.

FO 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
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
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 is permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable. ©2012

****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.