Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Instagram YouTube Pinterest Tumblr VK RSS
Close

Year: 2007

Pot Scrubber Crocheted from Plastic Bags

Cindy29 Comments

Here is my parade of pot scrubbers crocheted from recycled plastic bags!

I used several different types of plastic to create these pot scrubbies. The yellow and white/red ones were crocheted using the pattern below with a “N” hook. The white/gold one was made from a recycled plastic wedding bag. You can read about that project here. This scrubber was made using a “H” hook rather than the bigger hook as the plastic yarn was single strand. It is a much tighter stitched scrubber than the ones with the bigger hook. Here is the free pattern link for that scrubber.

So depending on your project either use the pattern below for pot scrubbers made from recycled plastic grocery bags or the link above for the single strand plastic strips.
____________________________________________________________________

Free Crocheted Pot Scrubber Pattern using Plastic Grocery Bags

Scrubber measures 3-1/2 inches wide across. (Make 2 round disks)

Material: Plastic bags cut into 1 inch strips

Hook: Metal N (9 mm) crochet hook

How To Use Vcr Vhs Tape As Yarn

Cindy15 Comments

Tutorial Using Vcr Vhs Tape

Materials Needed:
Two vcr vhs video tape cartridges (long play t-120 preferred)
N (9 mm) crochet hook (metal preferred)
Small and large screwdrivers
Scissors

Rewind two old vcr tapes that you don’t have any further use of to begin.

Using two vhs tapes for this project, open up the cases by using your small screwdriver to unscrew the screws in each corner and the middle of the cases. Some varieties of cases do not have screws which you can take out. If you have that type of cartridge you will need to pry open the cases. A large flathead screwdriver works well to get the case open to reach the vhs tape reels.

Click photo to view full-sized

Click photo to view full-sized

Once you have the cases open, remove the reel that is holding the tape. Cut the tape off at the end of the leader tape with your scissors. Now you have two reels with vhs tape on each of them for your crafting project.

Click to view full-sized

Holding two strands of the vhs tape together works well for crocheting. Leave the tape on each reel and as you work your project it will just unwind.

Click photo to view full-sized

Crocheting with vhs tape is a bit hard on the fingers and joints because it isn’t real smooth to work with. Using ribbon yarn as shown below does help in the smoothness of your crocheting and allows the hook to move easier.

Click to view full-sized
Ribbon yarn shown with two strands of vhs tape

Enjoy your project using vhs tape and you can find all my free patterns here for making items with the recycled tape. Please email me if you have any questions.

Granny Square Motif Tote

Cindy2 Comments


Recycled Plastic Granny Square Tote Bag

This week’s recycled bag is a medium sized tote bag crocheted using a granny square stitch. It is a 12 inch square motif that was made using white and blue plastic bags. A few months ago I had crocheted a small purse very similar to this pattern. I have had several requests for a larger bag that could be used as a tote or book bag so I created this larger version. As always here is the free pattern below.

Granny Square Motif Tote Pattern

Size: Approx. 12″ square bag with strap 3/4 inches wide and 20 inches long
Hook: N (9 mm) metal crochet hook used in this Motif pattern
Materials: Large ball of white plastic bag yarn (plarn)
and small amount of blue plastic bag plarn for center Motif

Recycled Plastic Grocery Tote Bag

Cindy20 Comments


Crocheted Grocery Tote Bag

Want to make your plastic bags recyclable? Want to bring your own bag to the grocery store? Want to have your own green eco-friendly shopping bag? Well crochet or knit those plastic bags into a recycled grocery tote bag.

Here is the link for the tutorial for creating plastic bag yarn. Recently this plastic bag yarn has earned the nickname of ‘plarn’ to describe it. I love the term and hope it catches on. Crafting tote bags has become very popular. It’s a wonderful way to save our trees and our landfills. I have several free crochet and knitted patterns available at the patterns links page here so check out your options and make yourself a reusable grocery tote bag!


Inside of Tote Bag

This bag features a roomy expandable heavy bottom, an open mesh upper tote and a wide sling strap handle. If you are a crocheter, below is the free pattern to create this recycled tote for your next shopping trip.


Outside Expandable Bottom

Crocheted Plastic Grocery Tote Bag Pattern

Materials needed: One large ball of plastic bags cut into strips and interlocked to create a ball of plarn yarn — Approx. 56 bags.

Hook: N size metal crochet hook and J for edging

Description: Grocery Tote Bag
Bag measures 12 inches wide at top and 15 inches long with 7 inch oval expandable bottom and 28 inch sling strap handle.

Cassette Tape Evening Bag

Cindy12 Comments


Cassette Tape Evening Bag with Cozy

This week’s free recycled crochet pattern features an evening bag crocheted using cassette tape and ribbon yarn. The front flap is V-shaped with a Gold button embellishment and a Velcro button for a closure. I had some materials left over so I decided to make a little cozy to go inside the evening bag. You could use the cozy to hold your ID or a credit card. I did not put any embellishment on the front of the cozy but one could be added if desired.

I used two strands of cassette tape and one strand of Lion Brand Trellis ribbon yarn. You hold all three strands together as you crochet. I have found that using just cassette tape as your “yarn” isn’t as smooth to crochet with as other materials. But adding the ribbon yarn really gives your “yarn” a smoother, stronger texture and the crochet hook moves easier.

Closeup of material — Click for full-full photo

I used Champagne #51666 for the ribbon yarn and it really set off the cassette tape to create a pretty evening bag. I tried several times to take some clearer pictures of the completed project but the light just doesn’t do these materials much justice. Trust me when I say that the combination of cassette tape and ribbon yarn is beautiful together. Plus it’s a wonderfully eco – friendly recycled craft!


Cassette Tape Evening Bag Pattern

Purse measures 7 inches wide and 5 inches long. Cozy measures 3 inches square.

Materials:
2 cassette tapes (90 min. tapes)
1 ball Lion Brand Trellis Champagne ribbon yarn (115 yards)
1 button for embellishment as shown on bag
2 small black Velcro buttons

Hook: Metal J (6 mm) hook

Chain 28 using 2 strands of cassette tape and one strand of Lion Brand yarn (for purse).
Pattern is crocheted using 3 strands of material held together throughout project.