Here is my latest recycled tote bag which features spike stitch striping. I added the recycled pink newspaper plastic bags in an effort to spice up my mainly white tote bag. It’s amazing how just a few brightly colored bags can add a nice touch to a plain-looking bag.

So if you only have a few colored bags, you might want to try this crochet pattern to add some diversity to your tote bag project. Should anyone be interested in purchasing this bag, it is available on my products page for sale. For all those crafters out there who make their own recycled tote bags, please enjoy my free plarn pattern below.

Spike Stitch Recycled Plarn Tote Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn aka Plarn
Approx. 50 plastic grocery bags – white in color
One smaller amount of pink plarn – Approx. 8-10 bags

Hook: N (9 mm) metal crochet hook
Description: Recycled Plarn Tote Bag
Bag measures 14″ wide and 13-1/2″ tall with 12″ handles

Directions:
Ch 26 with white plarn.

Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Then continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st to other end. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds until told to join.

Rnd 2
Hdc in ea st down to the end, work 2 Hdc in end st. Then Hdc down to other end and work 2 Hdc in the end st. Again don’t join and don’t turn but just keep working in rounds.

Rnd 3
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.

Rnd 4
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 5
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the four end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in ea of the four end sts.

Rnd 6-19
Hdc in ea st. FO white plarn.

Rnd 20
Switch to pink plarn and join at side of bag with a Sl St, Ch 2. Hdc in next 2 sts, then work 1 long spike st. (Spike st is done by working a Hdc around front post down into the prior rnds st which creates the spike look for the st.) *Hdc in next 3 sts normally, then work 1 spike st*. Repeat between *. Join with a Sl St to top of ch 2.

Rnd 21
Ch 2, Hdc in ea st. Join with a Sl St to top of ch 2. FO with pink plarn.

Rnd 22
Using white plarn, attach to side using a Sl St, Ch 2, Hdc in ea st around. Join with Sl St to top of Ch 2.

Tip: Work 2 Hdc tog at sides to help with the looseness from the spike st rounds. Repeat as needed.

Rnd 23-25
Ch 1, Hdc in ea st around. Don’t join this time but continue working in rounds. FO white plarn at end of round 25 at side of bag.

Rnd 26
Attach pink plarn with Sl St at side of bag. Ch 2, Hdc in ea st around. Join with Sl St to top of Ch 2. FO pink plarn.

Rnd 27-28
Using white plarn, attach to side using a Sl St and Ch 2, Hdc in each st around. Don’t join but continue working in rounds.

Rnd 29
Mark center 17 sts at front of bag and Hdc in ea st to mark, Sk 17 sts at center for handle and Ch 25. Then Hdc in ea remaining st of front side. Repeat this for the other side.

Check your handles and make sure each side matches each other before moving on. Adjust your sts as needed to match.

Rnd 30
Hdc in ea st around to handle. Sc around chain of handle, (approx 28 Sc) evenly, then Hdc in ea st around to other side’s handle. Sc around that handle chain to match other side.

Rnd 31-32
Hdc in ea st to handle. Sc in ea st of handle and Hdc in ea st of bag. Repeat for other side to match.
FO and weave in ends.

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

Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Ea – Each
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sm – Same
St – Stitch
Tog- Together

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. ©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.