Materials needed

• Size H crochet hook
• Quarter-inch wide plarn

Pattern

Start with magic adjustable ring

Round 1: 10 single crochet, mark last stitch with stitch marker
Continue crocheting in a spiral rather than joining with slip-stitch

Round 2: 2 single crochet in each single crochet
Move stitch marker to last single crochet to indicate end-of-round now and throughout

Round 3: 2 single crochet in each single crochet around

Rounds 4 & 5: 1 single crochet in each single crochet around

Round 6: 2 single crochet in next single crochet, 1 single crochet in next two single crochet (i.e. 2 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc; 2 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc) around

Rounds 7: single crochet in each single crochet around

Round 8: 2 single crochet in next single crochet, single crochet in next two single crochet around

Round 9: single crochet in each single crochet around

Round 10: Chain 5 (counts as first dc and chain 4 space) , skip next three single crochet, double crochet in next single crochet skip next 
three single crochet, chain 4, skip next three single crochet, double crochet in next single crochet around. 
Note: at the end of the round there may be less than 3 sc remaining, so chain 3 and single crochet into first single crochet at the base of 
original chain 5

Round 11: 3 single crochet in each chain 4 space around

Round 12: Single crochet in each single crochet around

Round 13: 2 single crochet in next single crochet, single crochet in next two single crochet around

Round 14: single crochet in each single crochet around

Round 15: Chain 5, skip next three single crochet, double crochet in next single crochet, skip next three single crochet, chain 4, 
double crochet in next single crochet around.

Round 16: 3 single crochet in each chain 4 space around

Round 17: single crochet in each single crochet around

Round 18: 2 single crochet in next single crochet, single crochet in next two single crochet.
Note – this increase begins the brim.

Round 19: single crochet in each single crochet around

Round 20: 2 single crochet in next single crochet, 1 single crochet in next single crochet around

Round 21 through 31: single crochet in each single crochet around (or continue last round until brim desired width)

Slip stitch in next single crochet and finish off.

Headband
Measure inside circumference of hat an inch below the second row of “holes” i.e. chain 5 spaces

Cut gross grain ribbon accordingly and sew ends together.

In the photograph, the extra steps of reinforcing the ends by machine sewing seams and then hand stitching
ends together were taken.

Machine sew bottom edge of ribbon to hat using a very short straight stitch. Note – double-check to make sure top edge of ribbon does not show through the holes of the chain 5 spaces before sewing.

1. Cut the handles and bottom off bag

2. Push pleats out and flatten out tube

3. Cut side seams

4. Fold both layers of plastic in half

5. Cut along fold

6. Fold four layers of plastic in half lengthwise

7. Cut along fold

8. Fan-fold eight layers of plastic

9. Trim both ends of folded plastic

10. Bend a short length of floral wire over center of folded plastic and twist to secure

11. Expand “fan” on either side

12. Peel each layer of plastic toward center, alternating from one side to the other

13. Continue peeling layers until all layers are separated

14. Fluff layers as needed to complete flower

View the slideshow below for examples of finished plastic bag flowers.

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.

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. Amigurumi is its own technique, so patterns for these animals will not be provided here; there are plenty of sites providing patterns. Start with:

• Crochet Me
• DIY Life

Tips for making amigurumi out of plarn:

• Cut plarn into one-inch strips rather than an inch and a half
• Use a smaller hook than usual, such as a “J”
• Amigurumis are made using a single crochet stitch instead of the typical half double crochet stitch for bags
• Stuff the animals with scrap left over from cutting out loops for plarn, i.e. the handles and the bag bottoms. No waste!
• No need to weave in ends: just stuff them inside using the blunt end of your crochet hook

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.

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.

Tighten loop. Note: the hole may get bigger as stitches are worked. When piece is finished, tighten the loop again, pull a loop through a nearby stitch (using a smaller hook) then draw end through the loop to make a knot by pulling tightly. Weave end through work and trim excess.

Second round: work two single crochet in each stitch around.

Note: pattern is worked in a spiral so first two single crochets are worked into first single crochet of the first round.

Next rounds: alternate between one and two single crochets in each stitch around. If piece begins to curl, rip out last few stitches and work two single crochets in each stitch for that round.

Work until each side measures 2” from center to edge.

Edging: slip stitch into next single crochet, chain one and crab stitch (also called reverse single crochet) around.

Slip stitch into first crab stitch. Finish off, weave in end.

If desired, attach a bottom liner to the coaster. We like to use inverted lids from plastic food containers, such as margarine or sour cream. Or cut rounds out of clean plastic gallon milk jugs. Glue them to the bottom side of the coaster.

Shorthand instructions

• First round: Make magic adjustable ring, sc (make loop on hook, working around the plarn ring, YO, draw up loop around the ring and YO pull through both loops.
• sc 7 times more, 8 sts total.
• Second round: 2 sc in each sc around. Note: pattern is worked in a spiral so first two single crochets are worked into first single crochet of the first round.
• Next rounds: 1 sc, 2 sc in next st around increasing as needed until each side measures 2” from center to edge.
• Edging: sl st in next sc, ch 1, reverse sc (crab stitch) around, sl st into first crab stitch.
• Finish off, weave in end.

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.