Crocheted Tote Bag

made from plastic bags

Materials:

60 or more plastic grocery bags cut into 1 inch strips and joined to create a continuous strip.
A 6.5 mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain approximate gauge.
A piece of thick card board or foam core board 35.5 cm X 14cm/14" X 5½". Use a dessert plate or large saucer the width of the cardboard and trace a curve at both ends creating a long oval. Cut to shape.

Gauge: 10 single crochet & 11 rows = 10 cm /4" square

Abbreviations:

sc = Single Crochet
sl st = Slip Stitch
ch= chain

How to Cut and attach Bags to create "Plarn"

1. Flatten out your bag.

2. Fold bag in half lengthwise.

3. Fold lengthwise again.

4. Cut off the seam at the bottom of the bag

5.Cut bag in 1 inch (2.5cm) strips.

6.Open up the strips. You should have circular strip.

7.Over lap the strips.

8.Link the strips together by looping one end of the strip around a 2^nd strip and back through the other end of the first loop.....like you do for tying on a fringe.

9.Tighten up the loops. Repeat with each strip taking care so that when the loops are tied together one side of the loop is not longer than the other.

10.Roll into a ball and use like any other yarn.

Have Fun!

Round 1: Ch 21. Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each of next 18 ch. 5 sc in last ch. Do not turn. Working down the other side of the chain, sc in each of next 18 loops. 4 sc in last loop. Join with a sl st to first sc. You should have 46 sc.

Round 2: Ch 1. 2 sc in same sc as sl st. 1 sc in each of next 18 sc. 2 sc in each of next 5 sc. 1 sc in each of next 18 sc. 2sc in each of next 4 sc. Join with a sl st to first sc. (56 sc)

Round 3: Ch1, 2 sc in same sc as sl st. *1 sc in each of next 19 sc, (2sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc) 4times*, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat from * to * once. Join with a sl st to first sc. (66 sc)

Round 4: Ch1, 2 sc in same sc as sl st. * 1 sc in each of next 20 sc, (2sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc) 4 times*, 2 sc in the next sc. Repeat from * to * once. Join with a slip stitch to first sc. (76 sc)

Round 5: Ch1, 2 sc in same sc as sl st. *1 sc in each of next 21 sc,(2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc) 4 times*, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat from * to * once. Join with a sl st to first sc. (86 sc)

Round 6: Ch1, 2 sc in same sc as sl st. *1 sc in each of next 22 sc, ( 2 sc in each of next 4 sc) 4 times*, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat from * to * once. Join with a sl st to first sc. ( 96 sc)

Round 7: Ch1, 2 sc in same sc as sl st. *1 sc in each of next 23 sc, ( 2 sc in each of next 5 sc) 4 times*, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat from * to * once. Do not join with a sl st. (106 sc)

Round 8: Sc in each sc around.

Repeat Round 8 until work measures approximately 36cm/14".
Join with a sl st.

Final Round: Ch 1, *sc in sc behind the stitch just made. Do not turn your work around to do this. It is like crocheting backwards. (This stitch is often referred to as "Crab Stitch" or "Reverse Stitch") It will twist the stitch and create a rope like finish. Repeat from * around. Fasten off.

To make the handles cut the handles and bottom seam of 6 grocery bags. This creates a tube. Cut down the side of the bag to open the tube. You should now have a rectangle approximately 97cm(38") long X 39cm(15") wide. Fold it in half length wise 3 or4 times. Repeat with the remaining 5 bags. Tie 3 of these strips together and braid to create handles. Make sure that the two braids are the same length.

To attach handle simply poke the braid through the side of the bag and tie a knot to secure. I placed the handles approximately 5"(12cm) in from each end of the bag. Poked the braid through from the outside into the bag 3 rows down from the top of the bag and back out to the outside 2 rows below where you went in. Tie a knot to secure. Repeat on opposite side.

Insert the cardboard into the bottom of the bag for added support.

Enjoy!

Pattern created by Jo-Ann Raven