This week’s recycled bag project is a crocheted plarn produce bag. I have had a reusable produce bag on my to-do list for some time now. And thanks to a request from a reader of my site, I was encouraged to finally get it done.

Here is my plarn making picture tutorial to help you get started. Crafting with recycled plastic bags is fun, frugal and a great way to recycle plastic bags into something new and useful like this reusable produce bag.

Plarn Produce Bag Pattern

Materials:
Plastic bags cut into 1 inch strips approx. 20 bags for small produce bag and 35 for larger bag
Hook: Metal J (6 mm) crochet hook

Description:
Small produce bag: 8 inches wide by 9-1/2 inches long with 13 inches strap
Larger produce bag: 10″ by 11″ long with 14″ strap

Directions are given for the smaller produce bag and then options for the larger bag given at the bottom of the pattern.

Round 1
Ch 20, Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st and then working around the backside of chain, Sc in ea st along the other side of original chain.

The bottom of this project is worked in the round without joining until advised to do so.

Round 2
Work 2 Sc in end st, then work 1 Sc in ea st down to the other end, work 2 Sc in end st, and 1 Sc in ea remaining st of rnd.

Round 3
Work 3 Sc in end st, then work 1 Sc in ea st down to the other end, work 3 Sc in end st, and 1 Sc in ea remaining st of rnd.

Round 4-6
Work Sc in ea st around. End round at center stitch at side of the bag bottom.

Round 7 (Tr round)
Ch 4, Tr in next st, *Ch 1, Sk next st, Tr in next st* – Repeat between * to other side edge of bag. Work a Tr in the 3 sts at side of bag, then *Ch 1, Sk next st, Tr in next st* – Repeat between * to last st at side where you began. Work a Tr in last st at side of bag and join with Sl St to top of Ch 4 at beginning.

You should have 3 Tr’s together on each side of bag ends. Always start each new round in the 2nd Tr st.

Round 8 (Sc round)
Ch 1, Sc in each st and each ch-1 space around. Join with Sl St to ch 1 beginning.

Tips:
Tr sts should be lined up over each other creating a box look with 3 Tr’s together on each end of bag. You basically want to work a Tr and then ch 1 around and when you come to the side stitches, you should have 3 consecutive Tr’s in a row without the ch 1 between the Tr’s on each side. These 3 Tr’s are where you are going to have your strap attached at each side.

Repeat rounds 7 and 8 five times.

End with round 8 when desired length is reached. I did 6 rows of boxes for the small produce bag.

Handles:
Sl St into last st above last Tr at side of bag. Ch 1, turn. Sc across the three Tr’s at side of the bag, *Ch 2, turn. Hdc in ea st across*. (3)

Repeat between * until desired length reached for the strap by working even on the 3 sts across. (4 sts if you count the turning chain.) I made my strap 13 inches long.

Join strap to the other side of bag by working a Sc into each Tr st at side.

Finish off and weave under ends.

Option for larger produce bag:
Ch 28 at beginning of pattern and follow same pattern details except work rounds 7 and 8 times total for longer bag.

If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.
Abbreviations:
Beg – Beginning
Ch – Chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Dec – Decrease
Ea – Each
FO – Finish Off
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
Tr – Triple Crochet

This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy at 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.