Come Learn and Share Information about Recycling, Crocheting & Recycled Crafting
For an upcoming Library fundraiser, I have been working on this auction bucket of items.
The bucket includes a recycled tote bag crocheted from plastic bags made into plarn, a potholder towel, a heart cloth, a bottle of wine, wooden spoons, candles, chocolates, and a crocheted dish scrubbie.
Here are photos of the potholder towel and the dish scrubbie I crocheted with cotton yarn and a strip of netting held together.
It is a new year and time for a new recycled bag! What better way to kick off a new year but with a new homemade reusable and upcycled tote bag. This tote bag was crocheted using about 45 brown plastic bags and 12 reddish-colored newspaper delivery sacks.
Here is a closeup of the top and handles.
This bag is very similar to my basic crocheted tote bag pattern but with a few changes including two stripes. The two stripes were added by cutting up 12 recycled plastic bags that newspapers are delivered in. Here is the tutorial link for cutting newspaper sacks into plarn to use as yarn.
I have provided the full new crochet pattern below for everyone’s personal use. As always, my patterns are free and I hope people will enjoy them.
Two Stripe Plarn Tote Bag Crochet Pattern
Materials needed: Plastic bag yarn “Plarn” in main color brown (40+ bags) cut 1 inch wide
and approx. 12 contrasting colored plastic bags for stripes
Hook: N (9 mm) size metal hook
Description: Recycled Plastic Tote Bag
Bag measures 12 inches wide and 12 inches long with 5 inch handles
Directions:
Ch 28
Halloween is just around the corner but there is still time to do some recycled crafting. I like to share patterns and crafting ideas using recycled materials such as plastic bags / plarn here at My Recycled Bags.
Here is a favorite recycled plastic Halloween trick or treat basket. The free crochet pattern is found here.
Not only is this a reusable basket, it features a sturdy recycled microwave tray for the base. So this project is a double recycled crafting project with two different types of recycled materials. Plus it’s a cool-looking trick or trick basket to hold lots of Halloween goodies.
You can find all the different Halloween posts and projects that I have shared over the years
I posted a few weeks ago about my crocheted plarn tote that a customer ordered to hold her recycled paper. I have been working on writing the crochet pattern and am happy to post it today.
Here is the crocheted base which is done in single crochet for added strength.
One final photo of the recycled tote bag laying down and showing the base.
So without further ado, here is the free crochet plarn pattern for this recycled tote bag. Please enjoy and share any comments with me concerning the project below.
Recycled Paper Tote Bag Pattern
Materials needed:
Plarn yarn 1” wide – approx. 90 plastic grocery bags
Hooks: K (6.5 mm) & N (9 mm) metal crochet hooks
Description: Recycled Plastic Tote Bag
Bag measures 18″ wide, 12” tall and 7” deep with 8.5” handles
Directions:
Recycled bag is crocheted in 2 pieces. A base piece is crocheted and then the sides are worked in the round to complete the bag.
Row 1 (Base piece)
With K crochet hook, Ch 52. Turn and Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each chain stitch down to end. Ch 2 and turn.
Twiddle muffs are used by people who suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia. The twiddle muffs provide them with something to hold and manipulate, and something to fidget with thus the name twiddle muff. The result of twiddling with the different textures and items on the muff has a calming effect on a person. Plus it doubles as a hand warmer which can provide additional comfort for a person.
It is a great project in which to use recycled materials. I set out to use such things as plastic juice rings, plastic bags, old buttons, beads and ribbon along with different textures of yarns.
I had this special green plastic bag that was sent to me from an on-line friend. I used the green bag to crochet this 4-leaf plarn clover.
I used fun fur to crochet around a recycled milk jug ring that is sewn on the twiddle muff below.
