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’m excited to share my latest version of a recycled bag. It’s a wheelchair or walker tote bag. It’s crocheted mainly in grey plastic bags with puff stitch stripes in red, white and blue.
These handy little totes can be hung from a wheelchair or walker. This particular pattern calls for buttons but you can also use Velcro for the closures if you’d like.
I have crocheted many different styles of wheelchair tote bags over the years. If you are looking for a free pattern using regular worst weight yarn here is my patriotic wheelchair tote pattern. Maybe you’d like to crochet the tote bag using recycled t-shirts cut into t-shirt yarn. If so, here is my free t-shirt yarn wheelchair tote bag pattern.
This puff stitch pattern features three stripes but you can always add more or make the tote bag longer by adding more rounds. I have several photos below that you can click on to super size them for more detail.
Puff Stitch Crocheted Wheelchair Tote Bag
Closeup of the puff stitching
Plarn Puff Stitch Wheelchair Tote Bag Pattern
Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn Plarn in grey and small ball of
red, white and blue plarn cut 1 inch wide
2) 3/4 inch buttons
Hook:
J (6 mm) size metal crochet hook
Description: Wheelchair or Walker Tote Bag
Tote bag measures 10-1/2 inches wide and 9″ long with 6-3/4 inches long straps
Directions:
Using grey plastic bag yarn or plarn, Ch 31.
I have had several requests for recycled crafts projects that kids can do. With that in mind, here is a quick upcycle project that children and adults can both enjoy. First you need a large plastic container. The container I used was a 64 oz. soda pop cup that I found and decided that I would re-purpose into a plastic bag keeper.
Here is the finished plastic bag keeper
Below is a picture tutorial that I put together to show the steps for this project.
Here is another item that I have wanted to make out of plastic bag yarn. It’s a crocheted baby bib made using recycled plastic bags and cotton yarn. I added the cotton to give the bib some absorbency. You can just wipe it clean or machine wash as needed. Line dry only! If you put it in the dryer, the plastic will melt.
The bib has a small Velcro closure on the top for easy on and off. I cut just a small square from a long strip of Velcro that I had. It’s about 3/4 of an inch wide and is machine stitched to the back side of strap. I used white plastic bags and some leftover blue variegated cotton yarn for this project. But you can probably use just about any color combination you desired to create your bib. I finished off my bib by working Sc stitches all around the outside edge and neck opening using just the cotton yarn.
This gives the bib a nice smooth finished edge.
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Free Pattern for Crocheted Baby Bib
Materials needed:
One ball of plastic bag yarn aka plarn
One partial ball of peaches & cream cotton yarn (Shaded Denim used)
One small Velcro strip for button
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal crochet hook
J (6 mm) hook for working edge only
Description: Baby Bib measures 9 inches wide at middle and 11-1/2 inches long
Work project by holding one strand of plarn and one strand of cotton together as you crochet.
Directions:
Ch 16 using “N” Hook
This week’s project is a bit different. It involves recycling plastic balloon bags and creating a pump holder. Let me explain the story behind this project. I was contacted by TristnShout Balloons to see if I was interested in recycling their empty balloon bags. Apparently they have an abundance of empty balloon bags and wondered if I’d be interested in crafting with them. They also expressed the need for a holder to hold their portable air pumps that they use to fill balloons.
After a discussion with them, it was agreed that I would design and craft a holder for their balloon air pump using the recycled plastic balloon bags. I made four of these balloon holders from the bags they sent to me.
I have shared the free crochet pattern below should anyone want to make this bag holder. The pattern would work for a water bottle holder as well as other uses. The holder was designed to have a strap added for carrying as shown. With the large eyelets on each side, it could also be used on a person’s belt by threading through one of the eyelets.
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Recycled Plastic Balloon Bag Holder Crochet Pattern
Bag measures 4 inches wide and 9-1/2″ long with 1-1/2 inch hole in bottom
Materials: One ball of plastic yarn made from balloon bags- Approx. 30 bags
If you’re into recycling and crafts, try out this crocheted handbag using bread bags. I saved about 30 or more bags to make this multi-colored handbag. It’s really durable and will definitely be a conversation piece when you use it. Crocheting with bread bags is a bit tougher on the hands and joints but makes are very unique bag. Because the plastic is heavier you need to cut the strips a bit narrower and remember to not over-pull on your work.
The finished product which I posted pictures of both sides is so colorful. My camera pictures don’t really capture the pretty multi-colors but I hope you’ll be inspired to give this crocheted project a try so you too can experience the beauty of recycled bags!
Click to view larger size
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Free Pattern for Crocheted Bread Bag Handbag
Materials needed: One very large ball of plastic bread bags cut into 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch strips
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal hook
Description: Tote Bag
Bag measures 9 inches wide and 11 inches long
Directions:
Ch 20
I’m back to share this colorful crocheted recycled tote bag. It’s been awhile since I completed a bread bag project and I’m excited to share this free pattern with you all. In this project I used plastic bread bags including bagel bags, taco shells, pita bread, muffin bags, hot dog and hamburger bun bags.
All the different recycled plastic bags makes for a very colorful and unique tote. This tote bag features a sturdy bottom made with half double crochet stitches and then an open netting type stitching for the main body of the bag. This recycled plastic bag project would make an excellent market tote or beach bag.
(Click to Supersize Photos)
Free Recycled Bread Bag Tote Pattern
Bag measures 12 inches wide and 13 inches long with 6 inch handles
Materials: Bread bags cut into 1/2 inch wide strips to create plarn (Appox. 50 bags)
Picture tutorial is found here on how to make plastic bags into plarn (plastic bag yarn)
Hook:
Metal N (9 mm) crochet hook
Chain 24
What better way to have a green Christmas than to handcraft your own Christmas gift bags from recycled materials. Maybe you need a small bag for a gift card. Well check out this cute little gift bag crocheted from recycled plastic bags.
Crafting with recycled plastic bags is also known as plarn. If you need to know how to make plarn, check out this picture tutorial. You can crochet this gift bag using plarn with this free pattern .
Maybe you need a larger gift bag. If so, here is a Christmas tote bag crocheted from recycled plastic grocery bags. This roomy tote bag would make a wonderful gift bag for a book or other flat items. Here is the link to the free crochet pattern for this tote bag.
Please consider this eco-friendly way to gift wrap your presents this year. Recycling plastic bags, upcycling them into reusable bags, and not using traditional gift wrap does truly make it a greener Christmas for everyone.
This week I present my recycled plastic flat bottom tote bag. This tote bag features a wide flat bottom so it is very roomy and can stand up. I also added regular worst yarn to the handles for color and to make the handles more comfortable when you carry this bag on your shoulder or by hand.
Here is a closeup the bag bottom so you can see how this bag is worked in rounds, without seams and is flat.
You can add a piece of cardboard or plastic canvas for extra strength and stability to the bottom. Here is a photo with a piece of cardboard added. You can click on any of the photos to super-size them for more details.
So this wraps up this week’s recycled bag project. Below you will find the complete free crochet pattern and details. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you make it a great day today!
Flat Bottom Recycled Tote Bag Pattern
Materials needed:
One very large ball of plastic bag yarn orPlarn
Approx. 60 plastic grocery bags
Here is my picture tutorial on how to make plarn from plastic bags
1 oz worst yarn for trim
Hooks: N (9 mm) U.S. size metal hook for bag
H (5 mm) Hook for trim
Description: Recycled Flat Bottom Plastic Tote Bag
Bag measures 15 inches wide and 13 inches long with 14 inches handles and 6″ wide at base
Directions:
Using N hook, Ch 22.
This week’s featured recycled bag is a girl’s purse. I call it the Sunshine Purse. Spring is coming and this would be a bright and colorful bag for any young girl. It is crocheted from plastic grocery bags using a granny square stitch. I added a small flowered button to finish off the bag.
I hope you enjoy crocheting this purse for a special little girl in your family or for someone you know. As always you will find the complete free recycled purse pattern below.
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Girl’s Sunshine Granny Square Purse Pattern
Bag measures: 6-1/4″ square bag with 22 inches long strap
Hook: Metal N (9 mm) crochet hook
Materials: Ball of yellow plastic bag yarn (plarn) & small amount of white plastic bag plarn for center Motif
One small button for center of Motif if desired
Make two Motifs squares.
With center color (White shown) Ch 4, Sl St to form ring.
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