Patterns: Plastic Bags / Plarn
Patterns made from plarn, yarn cut from plastic grocery bags. Totes, purses, scrubbers, rugs, baskets and holiday decorations that keep bags out of the landfill.
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I present my All American Plarn Recycled Bag! It is crocheted using red and blue newspaper bags and white grocery bags that were recycled into plarn. Here is my plarn making tutorial and I use the same method for cutting and attaching the newspaper strips together. They are much shorter strips but it’s the same loop method as regular plastic grocery sacks for making your plarn.
I got these nice wooden handles from a local thrift store for just 99 cents. This is my first recycled purse project using round wooden handles and I wanted to make sure to attach them firmly to my bag. I ended up working two rows of single crochet stitches around the handles and into the bag. I have explained the process below and hopefully it’s understandable to everyone. You could work this same pattern with bulky yarn and end up with about the same sized bag. Either way I hope everyone enjoys my free crochet pattern below.
Happy Crafting!
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All American Plarn Recycled Bag Pattern
Materials needed:
Plastic bags cut into 1 inch wide plarn strips in red, white and blue.
(Approx. 17-18 bags in each color.)
1) pair of 7 Inch wide wooden handles
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal crochet hook
Description: Red, White and Blue Plarn Striped Bag
13-1/2″ wide by 12″ tall with 9″ at top opening
Directions:
Using salmon red plarn, Ch 26.
Here is a quick little crochet project using recycled plastic bread bags. I cut the bread bags into strips just as I do here in my tutorial to create what I call plarn (plastic bag yarn.) I used about 5 or 6 different colored bags to crochet this coaster. It’s a great way to upcycle bread bags and other heavier plastic into a useful item that otherwise might end up in our landfills.
I used an aluminum “H” crochet hook and cut my plastic bags about 3/4″ wide. Starting with a magic circle, Sc 6 times into circle. Don’t join but just mark the beginning of round so you know where it is. Next round, work 2 Sc in each stitch. Next round, work a Sc in next stitch, then 2 Sc in next stitch and repeat around. Next round, work a Sc in the next two stitches, then 2 Sc in next stitch and repeat around. Next round, work a Sc in the next 3 stitches, then 2 Sc in next stitch and repeat around. (Each round increase the number of Sc’s and then do your 2 Sc’s.)
Continue working in rounds and adjust stitches as needed so your coaster lays down flat. I did 6 rounds and finished with a few Sl Sts on last round so my edge was smooth and the coaster is round. I used scraps of plastic about 1-1/2 inch long to make my fringe around the outside of the coaster. I then trimmed the edges so the fringe measures about an inch long. My coaster’s middle is about 4-1/2 inches wide. You can make smaller or larger coasters as desired. Remember when crafting with recycled materials, it’s not an exact science so adjust your pattern as needed. The important thing is to recycle or upcycle that old plastic!
I’m here to introduce my camo plarn ditty bag. My camo plarn is made from green, tan, brown, creme, white, grey and orange recycled plastic bags. Making camo plarn is a wonderful way to use up your odds and ends of plastic bags. I used just one or two bag strips of the same color together and as I worked the ditty bag then I added more bag strips as I crocheted in an effort to create a staggered camo look.
Here is my first sample of the camo plarn after 6 rounds complete of the ditty bag pattern. I used Dot’s Ditty Bag pattern found here.
I did have to change the pattern a bit to make it work with recycled plastic bags. First I used a N (9 mm) crochet hook as I did in this plastic ditty bag version. My finished camo ditty bag is 7 inches tall and about 7 inches wide.
Then I did another experiment and made a winter or snow camo ditty bag. For this recycled bag project, I used only black, white, and grey plastic bags. While I like both of the camo plarn bags, I think I prefer the snow camo bag best.
My plan is to crochet a few more of these camo plarn bags and donate them to soldiers for Christmas. Hopefully some soldiers will find it useful for toiletries or just as a little storage tote.
Here is the long awaited Christmas stocking made from recycled plastic bags or plarn. People have been asking for a Christmas stocking pattern to crochet using recycled plastic bags for the last several Christmas seasons. So I finally tackled the project and finished up the eco-friendly stocking as shown in the picture.
Below you will find the free crochet pattern for my recycled Christmas stocking. I hope you enjoy the pattern and Merry Christmas!
Free Christmas Plarn Stocking Pattern
Materials needed:
One ball of plastic bag yarn aka Plarn
Approx. 25-30 plastic grocery bags
1 oz. of scrap red yarn
Hooks:
N (9 mm) U.S. size metal hook for stocking
H (5 mm) U.S. size crochet hook for trim
Description: Plastic Bag Plarn Christmas Stocking
Stocking measures 7 inches wide and 18 inches long with a 2 inch hanging loop
Directions:
Rnd 1
With plastic bag yarn (plarn) Ch 39, Sl St to join in first st of chain to form ring.[…]
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)
This week I present a variation of my cluster stitch bag that I made recently. The main body of this bag is crocheted using recycled plastic bags that have been cut into plarn using the looping method. I have a picture tutorial here for making plarn from plastic bags should you need instructions. Just click on the green link.
I wanted to add a gift bag type closure to the original pattern to create a reusable gift bag. I used some Christmas cotton to top this plarn bag and created a looped handle to finish off my little gift bag. The looped handle works wonderfully for closing the bag. I plan on crocheting several of these bags to use for gift bags for Christmas. They work up quickly and with the looped handle, you have a ready-made gift bag that doesn’t even require a bow.
Special thanks to Helen over at CrochetN’Crafts who was my inspiration for this project. So grab a few of those plastic bags laying around and whip yourself up a beautiful recycled gift bag for Christmas!
Cluster Stitch Plarn Gift Bag Pattern
Materials needed:
Plastic bag yarn “Plarn” about 10 plastic grocery bags
1/2 oz Bernat Holidays Red Sparkle cotton yarn for trim and handle
Hooks:
J (6 mm) metal crochet hook for bag
H (5 mm) hook for top trim and handle
Description: Recycled Plastic Bag Cluster Stitch Gift Bag
Bag measures 6″ wide and 4-3/4″ tall with 12″ handle 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 with plarn, Ch 11
Spring is just around the corner and this crocheted granny square motif tote brings out the best of recycled crafting with a colorful Spring theme. The motifs are crocheted from recycled plastic bags in six different colors to create a unique panel for each side of the tote bag.
Click to supersize any photos
Motifs before assembly and side shot of finished tote
Think Spring so it hopefully gets here soon as this snow and ice is getting old. Enjoy this recycled bag project and happy green crafting to all!
Free Colorful Motif Tote Pattern
Materials needed:
One large ball of White plastic bag yarn Plarn approx. 35 bags
Plastic bags in each of the center colors: blue, yellow, wine, pink, orange and green
Hooks: N (9 mm) and J (6 mm) U.S. size metal crochet hooks
Size: Approx. 4″ Motif if using 1 inch strips of cut plastic bags
Finished Tote bag measurements: 14-1/2″ wide, 10″ tall, 3″ depth, 8 inch handles
With N hook Ch 4 with center color, Sl St to form ring.
Here’s my little cosmetic bag I crocheted from old recycled bread bags. I’ve had this on my to-do list for quite a while and finally got it done.
Here is a picture taken with the flap open.
Here is the bottom of the bag.
This very durable cosmetic bag can hold several things and easily fit into your purse or overnight bag. Below you will find the free pattern for this bread bag project. If you don’t want to use bread bags, just substitute plastic bags for your cosmetic bag.
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Pattern for Crocheted Cosmetic Bag
Materials needed:
One ball of plastic bread bags cut into 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch strips
Approx. 15-18 bags
One small button
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal crochet hook
Description: Cosmetic Bag
Bag measures 6 inches wide and 4 inches long with 2-1/2 incches bottom
Directions:
Ch 11
Last month I purchased a sunshine umbrella. It’s one of those clothes line things you unfold and put in the ground to hang your clothes on to dry. I haven’t had anything outside to hang my clothes on for quite awhile at this home. But wanting to do the eco friendly thing, I want to hang my clothes outside to dry. It saves electricity and money on my power bill and of course is environmentally friendly!
Anyway I didn’t have a clothes pin bag. So I got busy and crochet myself one. I love to make things that I need from recycled materials and hope others do too. If you need to know how to make plastic bag yarn, here is the link. Once you have your yarn, you are ready to go!
Here is a picture of the little hanger I used for the inside. It is 10 inches long and fits perfectly inside my peg bag. You might also use a baby hanger as they are small.
So what are you waiting for, grab that crochet hook and get to work!
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Free Pattern for Crocheted Clothes Pin Bag
Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn aka Plarn
One 8-10 inch long plastic hanger to fit inside bag
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal crochet hook
Description: Clothes Pin Bag
Bag measures 12 inches wide and 12 inches long
Directions:
Ch 28
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