I purchased a new craft tool recently. It’s called a Spool Knitter. This little plastic weaving tool is so handy for making purse straps that I wanted to share it with you.
My first test was to weave a purse strap using recycled VCR tape. Here is a closeup of my strap which you can click on to view full sized. 
Here is a photo of the completed VCR / VHS tape purse with my woven strap.
Like this little red fun fur VCR bag? If so here is the free pattern which has a crocheted strap or you can use a Spool Knitter to create a woven strap. This tool also works wonderfully to weave with regular yarn and recycled plastic bag yarn or plarn. Whatever your material, you can create nice sturdy straps quickly with this gadget.
Cindy, I used a larger version of the same thing to help the kids in my son’s class knit using plarn. They all had a great time learning to make the plarn and knitting with it. The class finished a bag holder (long cylinder) where you put the bags through the top hole and take them out through the bottom. Thanks again for all your great idea.
Rose,
That is wonderful that the spool worked well for the kids. Thanks for
sharing this idea as people ask all the time for projects that kids can do
with plarn and because most are too young to crochet, this is a great idea
that I can pass along.
Cindy, that thing looks awesome. I must admit, I’ve seen them at the craft store, wondered [very] briefly what the heck they were, and moved on, dismissing them as a “knitter’s tool.” I will have to add this to my want list!
Thanks for the comments on my blog. You are the first one and you make my day!
Wow, I’ve seen plastic bag knitting before, but never VCR tape. Very creative and cool — if I can learn some basics of crocheting, I’ll try one meself 🙂
Keep up all the good work, turning other people’s trash into works o’ art.
That is absolutely amazing. I have created a page about the history, care and collecting of VHS tapes at http://www.squidoo.com/rareVHStapes and I am often asked what to do with tapes that are worthless. This is an amazing idea. I’ll be passing it along!
Brenda
Hello ! iam from India. i love making things out of waste . but i had come to standstill with a bag full of vcr tapes . i shall try out the bag hope it will come out well and i make good use of those tapes thanks .
My sisters and I used to make our own using a wooden spool and nails. We used to work with yarn to make numerous items to wear. I just bought one for my step-daughter to get her into the craft as well. Happy spool knitting everyone!
wow I am so glad to have found your site, I love recycling carrier bags- knitting or crocheting them, but hadn’t thought about using cassette or VCR tape. I will be working my way through your patterns soon!
I don’t have a knitting spool, but I make braid on a simple cardboard disk with slits cut into the edges, (http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-friendship-bracelets-using-a-braiding-disc/). Just have to cut the slits and hole in the centre slightly wider for using plarn and as it’s cardboard (recycled packaging) it’s free and also very easy for children to use.
@Mariposa,
Thanks so much for sharing about making your own knitting spool. I have seen these handmade ones and they are wonderful. Best wishes and thanks for stopping by to visit my blog.
My mother in law just used her loom to make a gorgeous purse out of VHS tape. This is the only other photo I’ve seen of a purse using VHS tape. I thought it was a very original idea.