I’ve had this idea in my head for awhile on how to create a tote bag that fades from black to white using recycled plastic bags or plarn. Here is what I came up with. I used recycled black plastic bags to start and then grey bags to the dirty-white colored bags and ended with white plastic bags.
I used the ultimate plarn tote bag pattern to crochet the bag with just some minor changes. On round 3 at the curve of the ends, I crocheted 2 Half Double Crochets (Hdc) in the first stitch at the curve. Then I worked just 1 Hdc in next stitch and 2 Hdc in the stitch at the other part of the curve. Repeat for the other side’s end.
For round 4 curve, you want to identify the 4 stitches on the curve of each end. Crochet 2 Hdc in the first stitch, then 1 Hdc in each of the next 2 stitches and 2 Hdc in the next stitch. Repeat for the other end. This should give you a nice rounded corner on each side of your bag.
Now follow the original pattern directions, changing colors as follows:
Work 7 rounds of Half Double Crochet (Hdc) in each shade. I actually counted the number of bags each color stripe took to complete. Using regular-size plastic retail bags, it took 11 plastic bags cut 1 inch wide to do each color stripe except the final round.
Change colors every 7 rounds until the final color round. To change colors, end your final stitches of the last round by finishing at the side with a Hdc, then a single crochet (Sc) and end with a Slip Stitch (Sl St) to make a smooth edge. Weave under the end a bit and cut.
Attach new color at the side of the bag with a Sl St and chain 1. Then just Hdc in each stitch until you reach the final few stitches of that color and just repeat the process of finishing and changing to a new color until the final round.
Final color round:
Work 5 rounds with white plarn. Then do handle openings and chain for the handles following the original pattern link. Then work the final 4 rounds of pattern which is rounds 27-30 in the original pattern to complete the handles.
Finished size is 13 inches x 13 inches with 9 inch handles. Total bags used in this plarn project is about 48 recycled plastic bags.
Great Idea anything that reduces the need for these horrible plactic bags (aka eviromental hazards) is most welcome.
I really enjoyed looking at the wonderful photos. It’s so amazing how plastics can turn out really cool as tote bags. Thumbs up for your creativity! Hope to see more.