Patterns: Purses
Purses, clutches, wristlets and handbags crocheted or sewn from recycled materials: plastic grocery bags, cassette and VCR tape, denim and yarn. Lining tutorials are included too.
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Here is my first crocodile stitch project using recycled plastic bags. I collected these plastic bags which are used for newspaper deliveries. I recycled about 40 bags for the Gator Sling Bag and cut them 1 inch wide using this plarn making tutorial to create plastic bag yarn.
Crocodile Stitch Sling Bag Pattern
J (6 mm) hook and H (5 mm) hook
40+ Plastic Newspaper Bags cut into Plarn about 1 inch wide
Fabric for lining
Magnetic clasp for closure
Sling Bag Purse measures 7-1/2 inches wide x 7-1/2 inches long with 30 inch strap
Crocodile Scale Stitch: Dc 5 stitches down first post of the 2-Dc base set, Ch 1, and then work 5 Dc up the 2nd Dc of the 2-Dc set.
Directions:
Row 1
With J hook, Ch 21 loosely.

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

Cassette Tape Granny Square Motif Bag
This week’s bag is a recycled little purse crocheted from plastic tan grocery bags and brown cassette tapes. This was an interesting and challenging project. Unfortunately I found out that cassette tapes come in several shades of browns after I was halfway done with my bag. I finally had to make my bag much smaller than I had planned. I couldn’t find the same shade of brown cassette tape that I started the project with so my purse became the little bag you see in this post. The strap measures about 37 inches untied. I tied it in a knot at the top to create a shorter strap. Variations of this bag can be made using all plastic bags or any other recycled materials that you may want to substitute. The overall size can be increased by adding additional rounds as desired. Have fun with this week’s bag and enjoy your recycling and crafting project.
Free Recycled Bag Pattern
Size: Approx. 6-1/2 inch square bag with 37 inch strap
Hook: E metal crochet hook used in this Motif pattern.
(Any large size hook can be used but Motif size will vary.)
Materials: Plastic tan grocery bags cut in ¼ inch strips and 2 cassette tapes

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I have crafted some recycled denim heart purses.
Here are two of my creations.
I want to provide a tutorial on how to make these easy and cute little purses. I have included the following picture tutorial for your use so you too can take those old jeans and turn them into some wonderful re-purposed purses.

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.

I create this mini shoulder bag quite awhile ago and just never wrote up the pattern. Well I recently sold a few of these and decided I should write up the crochet pattern to share it here. It’s a quick little project and it only takes about 12-15 plastic bags to complete.
This cute little shoulder bag measures 6.5 inches wide by 5.5 inches long with 36 inch strap. It is of course crocheted from recycled plastic bags or plarn. It makes a wonderful little girl’s purse or a handy little shoulder bag to hold your ID along with a few small items.
As always here is the free recycled bag pattern and please enjoy this green crafting project!
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Crocheted Mini Recycled Plastic Shoulder Bag Pattern
Purse measures 6-1/2 inches wide and 5-1/2 inches long.
Strap length is 36 inches when not tied.
Material:
One ball of plastic bags cut into 1 inch strips.
One button 3/4 inch button shown on bag.
Hook: Metal N (9 mm) crochet hook
Chain 16

I have been saving these pink plastic grocery bags for a special project. I finally decided to crochet a pink purse and donate it to this year’s Relay for Life fundraiser. In case you are wondering about these beautiful pink bags, they are special and very hard to find. A dear on-line friend sent them to me and I am so happy to be able to recycle them into a cool new purse.
Here is a closeup of the cable stitching at the top and the strap. Just click to super-size.
I have named this purse Pink Passion Plarn Purse and lined it as shown. Please enjoy the free crochet pattern below.
Pink Passion Plarn Purse Pattern
Materials needed:
One ball of plastic bag yarn or plarn cut 1 inch wide – Approx. 25 pink plastic grocery bags
Here is my picture tutorial on how to make plarn from plastic bags
1 oz worst yarn for trim and strap – Red Heart light raspberry used
Hook: J (6 mm) metal crochet hook
Description: Recycled Pink Plastic Plarn Purse
Bag measures 10-1/2 inches wide and 8-1/2 inches long with 28 inch strap
Directions:
With plastic bag yarn (plarn) Ch 26.

As promised in my last post, here is my striped shell handbag purse that is crocheted from recycled plastic bags. I changed colors of plastic bags every round to create this unique looking shell stitch purse. I did 16 rounds and each round takes about 2 to 2-1/2 bags to complete each different colored row. Also this is my first experience using store purchased purse handles. I splurged and bought these as they were on clearance for $2.00. I think they really compliment the handbag and along with the lining, make this a really beautiful and fashionable upcycled handbag.
Here is a closeup on the inside of the bag. Click to supersize
Free Striped Shell Handbag Crochet Pattern
Materials needed:
14-16 different colors of plastic bags made into plastic bag yarn aka Plarn
Approx. 35-40 plastic grocery bags in different colors
1 Set of Bamboo handles
Small amount of fabric for lining
Magnetic clasp closure
Hook:
N 9 (mm) metal crochet hook
Description: Striped Shell Handbag
Bag measures 13 inches wide and 9 inch long with bamboo handles
Directions:

I present my plarn fat bottom bag that I crocheted using recycled plastic newspaper bags. You may remember me saying that it is difficult for me to obtain pretty colors in plastic bags for my crafting. Well thanks to a suggestion from a blogger friend, I asked my local library to save their newspaper bags for me. They have been giving me one pink and one orange plastic bag daily from their newspapers. Anyway I saved up the plastic bags and crocheted my first fat bottom bag.
You may notice that the pink shade on the last few rounds of the bag and handles are darker. That was because the newspaper company changed the color of bags they were using. At first I was upset that I couldn’t finish my recycled bag using all the same color of pink but then once I was forced to use the darker bags, it turned out to be a nice contrast for the finished project.
As I mentioned this is my first fat bottom crocheted bag. The original pattern in written only in Portuguese. But there is an English chart and a wonderful tutorial including the lining over at Bend Beanies Blog which is a life saver. She has great pictures and helpful tips to help translate this awesome free pattern.
Below you will find some pictures I took as I worked the pattern.
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