Many of my recycled bag projects involve taking traditional yarn patterns and converting them into items made from recycled materials. This little cluster stitch bag is just such a project. One of my on-line friends Helen created this adorable gift bag pattern using a medium weight yarn.

With Helen’s permission, I used her pattern for the basis of making this cute little bag project using recycled plastic bags. I then used some scrap yarn to make the top trim and handles to finish off this recycled bag project.

Here is a closeup photo of the handles that I crocheted onto the bag.
Click to supersize

This little plarn bag would make a great gift bag or purse. By adding a ribbon or bow to the bag, you create a re-usable gift bag that can be used over and over. The pattern works up very quickly and because of the pretty stitch pattern, I think it makes an adorable purse too.

Enjoy the free recycled crafting pattern below and happy crocheting to all!

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Cluster Stitch Plarn Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
Ball of plastic bag yarn “Plarn” about 10-12 plastic grocery bags
Here is my picture tutorial on how to make plarn from plastic bags

1/2 oz worst weight yarn for handles

Hooks:
J (6 mm) metal crochet hook for bag
H (5 mm) hook for handles

Description: Recycled Plastic Bag Cluster Stitch Gift Bag or Purse
Bag measures 6″ wide and 5″ tall with 7″ handles and 5-1/4″ wide at base

Cluster Stitch Details:
Beg Cluster: Ch 2, (Yo, insert hook into sp indicated, yo and pull through, yo and pull through 2 lps on hook) 4 times, 5 lps on hook, yo and pull through all 5 lps, Ch 1.

Cluster: (Yo, insert hook into sp indicated, yo and pull through, yo and pull through 2 lps on hook) 5 times, 6 lps on hook, yo and pull through all 6 lps, Ch 1.

Directions:
Using J hook, Ch 11

Rnd 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Work 3 Sc in end st, then continue around other side of chain by working a Sc in ea st to other end then work 2 Sc in end st. Join with a Sl St into beg Sc st. (24)
(Do not turn throughout project.)

Rnd 2
Ch 1, work 2 Sc in next two sts, Sc in next 8 sts, then work 2 Sc in ea of the next 4 sts, Sc in the next 8 sts. End with 2 Sc in the last two sts at end. Join with a Sl St into beg Sc st. (32)

Rnd 3
Ch 1, Sc in next st then work 2 Sc in next st, Sc in next 12 sts, and 2 Sc in the next st. Then Sc in next 2 sts, 2 Sc in next st, and Sc in the next 12 sts. End with 2 Sc in next st and Sc in last st. Join with a Sl St into beg Sc st. (36)

Rnd 4
Ch 1, Sc in ea st around and join with Sl St into Ch 1 beg.

Rnd 5
Ch 1, Hdc in first st, Ch 1, sk next st, *Hdc in next st, Ch 1, sk next st, repeat from * around and join with Sl St.

Rnd 6
Sl St into Ch-1 space, work Beg Cluster stitch and then work Cluster in each Ch-1 space around and join with Sl St.

Rnd 7
Sl St into space before next Cluster, Ch 1, Hdc in same sp, Ch 1, *Hdc in next sp, Ch 1, repeat from * around and join with Sl St.

Repeat rounds 6 and 7 until you have five rounds of cluster stitches. Make sure your last row is round 6. Leave last st on hook to begin handle round using regular yarn.

Handles:
Rnd 1
Using H hook, attach blue yarn by slipping into last plarn st. Ch 1, Sc evenly along top edge of bag. Join with Sl St to top of Ch-1 beg. FO plarn where you did last stitch with it.

Rnd 2
Ch 1, Sc in each of the next 5 st sts, Ch 30 for handle, sk approx. 9 stitches for handle at center front, then Sc in remaining stitches and across other side to mark for handle opening. Ch 30, leave 9 stitches un-worked for handle opening on other side of bag to match front side. Sc in each stitch around and join with a Sl St to Ch-1 beg.

Check your work to make sure the back opening and handle matches the front of bag. Adjust your sts as needed to match each side to each other.

Rnd 3
Ch 1, Sc in each st around to handle opening. Work Sc into each st of chain of handle, then Sc around in each stitch of bag until you reach handle on other side. Work Sc into each st of chain of the other handle and join with a Sl St into Ch-1 beg. FO.

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

Abbreviations:
Beg – Beginning
BLO – Back Loops Only
Ch – Chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Dec – Decrease
Ea – Each
FO – Finish Off
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Lps – Loops
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sm – Same
St(s) – Stitch(es)
Yo – Yarn over

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 this pattern or photos are permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable and appreciated. ©2011

****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.