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Tag: recycled

Recycled Plastic & Denim Sit-Upon

Cindy19 Comments


This recycled bag project is a request from Moonshadow. She suggested I craft a waterproof sit-upon (SitUpon) like what the Girl Scouts use to sit on. I crocheted this from recycled plastic bags or plarn first. Then I added 4 layers of plastic that I fused onto the back side of the sit-upon to completely waterproof it. I added a handle to the sit-upon so you can carry it around easily too. And as an option I added a layer of recycled denim to soften up the sit-upon and give it a unique look.


Here is my plastic only sit-upon without the denim. This is my basic recycled plastic sit-upon that is crocheted using plastic bags made into plarn and with a fused plastic backing. This fused plastic backing makes the sit-upon waterproof.

Click to supersize photos

Here is the back side of the finished sit-upon and also another version of how you can decorate your finished denim side by adding a denim jean pocket.

I tried to keep this project simple so a young Girl Scout or anyone could make this sit-upon without a bunch of sewing required. You can just glue the hearts on or even hand decorate the denim. Handwriting your name on the denim may be another embellishment a Scout could add. Needless to say, you can decorate as much or as little as you like. I’ve included several different ideas and here is the free crochet pattern and tutorial on making a recycled sit-upon.

Free Sit-Upon Crochet Pattern

Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn aka Plarn – approx. 35-40 plastic grocery bags
Four plastic bags cut into large pieces to cover back for fusing
Waxed paper for the fusing
Option for denim cover: One large piece of recycled denim from an old pair of jeans
appox. 15 inches x 15 inches

Hook: N (9 mm) metal crochet hook

Description: Plastic Sit-Upon with fused plastic backing
Sit-Upon measures 13 inches wide and 13 inches long with 5 inch handle
Option with recycled denim cover measures 14-1/2 inches x 14-1/2 inches

Directions:
Ch 32 […]

Happy Earth Day

Cindy2 Comments

April 22 is Earth Day and the kickoff of the beginning of the Green Generation Campaign over at Blogger’s Unite. Let’s all celebrate this great day by Recycling, Reusing, or Repurposing. These are my favorite three Rs. I try very hard to live by them and while nobody is perfect, maybe today we can really dedicate ourselves to the cause. Anyone who reads this site on a consistent bases knows that it’s a crafting site which uses recycled materials most of the time. Yes I love to crochet and at times share projects that aren’t necessarily recycled or green but are fun and frugal. That’s the joy of crafting. It’s the use of ones spare time to create something special that isn’t available at any retail store.

But maybe you aren’t a crafter and want to recycle all those old vcr or cassette tapes. Check out this link to GreenDisk and you can choose to use your own box (20 lbs or less) and it costs only $6.95 for the Technotrash Pack-IT. Put all your tapes in there and ship them off. What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to recycle those old tapes and save them from the landfill.

If you are a crafter, then consider making your own plarn and crochet something wonderful from trash. You can check out all my free patterns here. I offer everything from grocery tote bags made from plastic bags to potholders and purses created from reused denim jeans to clutches crocheted from repurposed cassette tapes.


So on this Earth Day 2009, please enjoy our Earth and remember the three Rs. Recycling, Reusing, and Repurposing. It’s a great way to preserve this wonderful Earth that we all love and have a great time green crafting too!

Crochet a Spiral Scrubbie

Cindy11 Comments

I recently saw this cute spiral scrubbie and just had to try the pattern. It has such a unique look and I could just picture adding some recycled plastic netting to the design for added scrubbing power. The green and red scrubbie is crocheted with recycled lettuce sleeves cut into strips. You then just crochet with your yarn and the netting held together. Here is my square scrubber tutorial that I made using the netting and it has pictures how to cut the lettuce netting so you can crochet with it. In this spiral pattern I worked two rounds with the netting and then two rounds without. I used cotton yarn but worst yarn works fine too. As shown, the other scrubbie is worked all in cotton according to the free pattern that Judith has here.

Here is another scrubbie I crocheted using one of those plastic nets that they put around a ham. The ham netting is much thicker and harder to crochet with. I had to cut the ham netting into wider strips of about 1-1/2 to 2 inches wide otherwise I couldn’t connect the cut links. The lettuce sleeves are much softer and easier to crochet with. But the ham netting does make for a very good and stiff scrubber. I crocheted only three times the 2-row sets using the gold colored ham netting to complete this scrubbie.

Anyway I just wanted to share this fun spiral scrubbie pattern and show how by adding a bit of recycled material, you could create a very handy scrubber. Enjoy this green craft idea!

Crochet a Spike Stitch Plarn Tote Bag

Cindy17 Comments


Here is my latest recycled plarn tote bag. It is a roomy tote bag that features a nearly 4 inch wide flat bottom. This allows your tote to stand up on its own. I used a new stitch in this crocheted plastic bag project which is called the spike stitch. You crochet down into the prior row to create a long stitch that looks like a spike. I worked a spike stitch every 4th stitch to make a decorative blue stripe on my tote bag.

This bag also features longer handles. I’ve had requests for longer handles on my tote bags so I crocheted this bag with 18 inch handle straps. Of course if you use this tote for groceries, it will stretch even longer. With these longer handles, you can put it over your shoulder while carrying the tote bag.


Here is a closeup photo of the flat bottom of my recycled plastic tote.

So grab your crochet hook and crochet yourself a spike stitch tote bag today. As always, happy green crafting to all!

Free Spike Stitch Plarn Tote Pattern

Materials needed:
One large ball of plastic bag yarn aka Plarn
Approx. 50-60 plastic grocery bags – Brown/tan in color

One smaller amount of blue plarn – Approx. 10-15 bags

Hook: N (9 mm) metal crochet hook

Description: Recycled Plarn Tote Bag
Bag measures 13 inches wide and 13 inches tall with 18 inch handles and nearly 4 inch wide flat bottom

Directions:
Ch 28 with brown plarn.

Recycled Paper Bag Mailer

Cindy9 Comments

Ever need a large envelope for mailing? Well I frequently need large mailers for some of my recycled bags I ship. Here is a tip I wanted to share on how to make your own paper mailer from a recycled brown paper bag.

I cut the end off the bag and folded it in half. I then stitched up the two sides using the zig-zag stitch on my sewing machine. I left the top open to insert my items for shipping.
Click on photos to view full-sized

Here is a close up of the stitching.

After putting my items inside the bag, I then folded over the top and stitched my mailer closed. You can also glue around the edges for extra strength if needed. My recycled paper bag mailer is now ready to address and take to my post office for shipping.