A crocheted plarn tote bag with a flat bottom, modeled after a brown paper grocery sack, provides a lot of room for groceries or other bulky loads.
Materials needed
- Size N crochet hook
- Plarn made from 200-250 plastic bags
Pattern
Bottom
Chain 21, turn
Half-double crochet in second chain from hook
Half-double crochet in each chain across
* Chain one, half-double crochet in each half-double crochet across
Chain one, turn
Repeat * 11 more times
Finish off
Finished measurement: approximately 13×9 inches
The bag body is formed by joining plarn directly to bottom.
Sides
With loop on hook, insert hook into free loop of beginning chain, pull up loop, yarn over and pull through creating single crochet
Single crochet in next 17 free loops, work two single crochet in last free loop
Evenly space 14 single crochet in end of rows, work two single crochet in corner
Single crochet in next 18 half-double crochet, work two single crochet in last half-double crochet
Evenly space 14 single crochet in end of rows, work two single crochet in corner
* Slip stitch in first single crochet, chain one
Single crochet in each single crochet around
Repeat from * 31 times or until bag reaches approximately 18 inches high
Finish off
Handles
Skip 9 half-double crochet from edge, or approximately 5 inches from side
Note: measurements are not exact because of the pliability of the plarn. Hold the corners of one side of the bag bottom to estimate the center of the side and therefore where to insert the hook at the top of the bag.
With loop on hook, insert hook in next half-double crochet and slip stitch
Chain 25
Skip next 11 half-double crochet and slip stitch in next half-double crochet
Chain one, single crochet AROUND chain approximately 35 times or until the chain is covered
Slip stitch into next half-double crochet, chain one, turn
Single crochet in each single crochet across
Slip stitch into next half-double crochet
Finish off
Repeat once more on other side of bag
Tip: use excess plarn to reinforce handles with a whip stitch, then weave in ends. A large paper clip or safety pin makes a great “needle” to weave in ends.
May 12, 2011 at 5:28 pm
I love this idea and would love to do it but I only know how to knit. Do you have the knitting equivalent instructions?
PBC Admin: We are sorry but at this time we can only offer crochet instructions. If possible we will try to find a way to translate them.
May 15, 2011 at 7:43 am
Love this, it not only looks gorgeous, but it practical too!
May 15, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Could you please tell me how to lay out and cut the plastic into fabric strips? What size? Can they be folded in such a way as to get a longer piece of plarn?
PBC Admin: Please see our instructions on making plarn:
http://www.plasticbagcrafts.com/make-plarn/
May 16, 2011 at 11:21 pm
could you braid the plarn to make braided rugs, etc (looking for ideas for those of us with hand problems that prevent crochet) thx!!!
PBC Admin: We don’t see any reason plarn could not be used in patterns where rag strips or bulky yarn is called for. Of course, the final product dimensions will vary.
May 17, 2011 at 5:19 am
I was also wondering about how to cut the bags. I thought maybe cut strips around like an old=fashioned apple peeler to get one long strip, or maybe cut strips across to get lots of circles,then loop the circles together with a slip knot. Your plastic yarn would bulky, but twice as strong.
PBC Admin: Please see our instructions on making plarn:
http://www.plasticbagcrafts.com/make-plarn/
September 6, 2011 at 10:44 am
I made a tote bag and entered it in the KY State fair this year. Didn’t win – there were three plarn bags entered this year only one last year. Maybe a dozen next year, because i am going to enter at least three next year. how do we include pictures in this thread ??? luv your site
December 15, 2011 at 8:16 pm
Can’t wait to try Plarn for my out door Christmas ornaments. I would suppose. the wet plastic, over time, would eventually rot.
April 17, 2012 at 3:40 am
I love this bag and like the ohter lady I only know how to knit . And I would love to have this in a knit instructions . Please !
April 19, 2012 at 3:21 pm
I have made lots of these bags.
They are realy great for shopping.
June 27, 2012 at 6:05 am
Thanks for posting. I can’t wait to make one. However, there is a better way to cut the bags so you have one continuous strip and only one knot per bag. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESQbELunPZg
October 1, 2012 at 1:26 pm
to Rebecca, this isn’t exactly the same but here is a bag made with plarn for knitting http://store.cocoknits.com/products/re%252dbag.html
January 27, 2013 at 11:08 am
I wonder if the bags could be cut into a continuous strip similar to the way t-shirt yarn is done?