Plastic Bag Crafts

Plarn crochet creates a sturdy tote bag to use as a purse or reusable shopping bag.

Materials needed

• Size N hook (preferably metal)
• Plarn made from a minimum of 100 plastic bags

Pattern

Chain 30

Half double crochet from second chain from hook

Half double crochet in each chain across

Half double crochet in free loops of chain across, slip stitch in first half double crochet creating first round

Round 2: Chain one, half double crochet in each half double crochet around, slip stitch in first half double crochet

Round 3: Chain one, half double crochet in each half double crochet around, slip stitch in first half double crochet

Round 4: Chain one, half double crochet in each half double crochet around, slip stitch in first half double crochet

Round 5: Chain one, increase by making two (2) half double crochets in first half double crochet, half double crochet in each half double crochet (approximately 29 half double crochets), two half double crochets in next half double crochet*, half double crochet in remaining half double crochets around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.
*Increases should be made at opposite sides from each other

Round 6: Chain one, increase by making two (2) half double crochets in first half double crochet, half double crochet in each half double crochet (approximately 29 half double crochets), two half double crochets in next half double crochet*, half double crochet in remaining half double crochets around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Round 7: Chain one, increase by making two (2) half double crochets in first half double crochet, half double crochet in each half double crochet (approximately 29 half double crochets), two half double crochets in next half double crochet*, half double crochet in remaining half double crochets around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Round 8: Chain one, increase by making two (2) half double crochets in first half double crochet, half double crochet in each half double crochet (approximately 29 half double crochets), two half double crochets in next half double crochet*, half double crochet in remaining half double crochets around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Round 9: Chain one, increase by making two (2) half double crochets in first half double crochet, half double crochet in each half double crochet (approximately 29 half double crochets), two half double crochets in next half double crochet*, half double crochet in remaining half double crochets around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Round 10: Chain one, increase by making two (2) half double crochets in first half double crochet, half double crochet in each half double crochet (approximately 29 half double crochets), two half double crochets in next half double crochet*, half double crochet in remaining half double crochets around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Round 11: Chain one, increase by making two (2) half double crochets in first half double crochet, half double crochet in each half double crochet (approximately 29 half double crochets), two half double crochets in next half double crochet*, half double crochet in remaining half double crochets around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Round 12: Chain one, half double crochet in each half double crochet around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Round 13: Chain one, half double crochet in each half double crochet around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Round 14: Chain one, half double crochet in each half double crochet around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Round 15: Chain one, half double crochet in each half double crochet around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Round 16: Chain one, half double crochet in each half double crochet around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Round 17: Chain one, half double crochet in each half double crochet around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Round 18: Chain one, half double crochet in each half double crochet around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Round 19: Chain one, decrease* in first two half double crochets, half double crochet in each half double crochet around until opposite side reached, make another decrease, half double crochet in remaining half double crochets, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

*Decrease: yarn over, insert hook in first stitch, pull up loop, yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull through 5 loops on hook

Round 20: Chain one, half double crochet in each half double crochet around, slip stitch in first half double crochet.

Strap

Chain 50, skip approximately 32 half double crochets, slip stitch in next half double crochet

Row 1: Chain one, single crochet *around* chain approximately 65 times or until chain is covered, turn

Row 2: Chain one, single crochet in each single crochet across. For added strength, slip stitch in half double crochet closest to last single crochet

Row 3: Chain one, single crochet in each single crochet across, slip stitch in half double crochet closest to last single crochet and finish off.

Finishing

With plarn, reinforce strap by whip stitching strap to bag at both sides. Weave in all loose ends.

Shorthand instructions

• Ch. 30
• hdc in second ch from hook
• hdc in free loops, sl st in first hdc
• ch 1, hdc in each hdc around, sl st in first hdc, repeat 3 times
• hdc increase by 2 hdc in first half double crochet, hdc in each 29 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in each hdc

Expert tip: At this point I stopped slip stitching at the end of rounds to make the increases on either side more symetrical. hdc in first hdc made and continue to crochet in the round.

As a visual marker, perform hdc increase in the second hdc of the previous round hdc increase.

• Repeat hdc increase row 5 times
• hdc in each hdc 6 times around
• hdc decrease in first two hdc of next round, hdc in each hdc until opposite side reached, hdc decrease in next two hdc, hdc in each remaining hdc
• hdc in each hdc once around, sl st in first hdc of this round
• Ch. 50, skip approximately 32 hdc, sl st in next hdc
• Ch. 1, sc around chain approximately 65 times or until chain is covered. Sl st in nearest hdc for added strength.
• Ch. 1, sc in each sc across, sl st in nearest hdc. Repeat once, finish off.
• Using plarn whip stitch both ends of strap to bag. Weave in loose ends.

Crochet drink coasters using plarn. Make them a bit larger to use them as mats under potted plants.

Materials needed

• Size N hook (preferably metal)
• Size G or any smaller hook for finish work
• Plarn (about five plastic bags)
• Bottom liner for finished coaster (optional)

Pattern

First round: Make magic adjustable ring; make one single crochet.

Tip: For more stability in working with the plarn, make one loop on hook then work first single crochet by working hook around the plarn ring, yarn over and draw up a loop around the ring, yarn over and pull through both loops.

Single crochet seven more times, eight stitches total.

More »

Plarn is short for “plastic yarn.” Plarn is made by cutting plastic grocery bags into strips, which are then strung together into a single long strand.

You can use plarn instead of regular yarn to crochet sturdy, reusable tote bags, purses, doormats, and more.

Click here for instructions on making plarn.