“Plarn is short for “plastic yarn.” Plarn is made by cutting plastic grocery bags into strips, which are then strung together into a single long strand. You can use plarn instead of regular yarn to crochet sturdy, reusable tote bags, purses, doormats, and more.” ~Plastic Bag Crafts
We all collect bags from various shopping centers. If you don’t have an option for paper bags at your local stores or if you don’t carry-in your personal market bags, you end up stock-piling a collection of plastic bags that can one day end up in our landfills. BOOOO!! We don’t want that!!! So, what do we do with this accumulation? Well, I’ve got a solution! I did an experiment to make my own reusable market bag recycling about 35 plastic bags.
Once you determine what you plan to make, and you have accumulated a significant amount of plastic, the biggest “chore” of this entire project is cutting the strips to make the plarn. In this case, I use the term “chore” lightly. This literally takes little to no time, but I find it to be the one thing most people complain about.
I followed the instructions in this linkto make my plarn. This information is very helpful in helping you create the amount of plarn needed for your project!
Once my plarn was cut, I rolled each bag up into a ball of plarn! I used a variety of Target bags and some gray grocery bags. I used a J-6.00mm crochet hook and a single crochet method to make this bag.
These are very easy to make and end up being very durable! There are various tutorials online to show you how to make your own! Then, you’re all set to use your new bag the next time you go to the market! I gave this one to my sister-in-law and she uses it ever summer at the farmers market! Use this idea on a smaller scale to make your own lunch bag or for other creative ideas using plarn! Enjoy!!
Have you tried this technique before? Share what you’ve made with plarn in the comments section!!
~Nadia
Day 2 of our Valentine’s Day puns and things are really “heating” up. I don’t mean to “int-erupt” your day, but you should know how much I “lava” this silliness, so much so, that I could just “burst!”
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make this bag:
My dad will continue to be the videographer, editor, and photographer for our videos when I move away.
Support YARNutopia today so we can continue to bring you clear, quality crochet tutorials even after I move into my new home!
There will be an added expense of more travel and hopefully this won’t deter our ability to provide consistent videos on a weekly basis.
Teacher: Nadia Fuad
Video and Editing: Fuad Azmat (My Daddy)
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Pattern:
Designed by Nadia Fuad You *may* sell items made from my pattern, but please reference my website YARNutopia.com.
Please do not copy, sell, and/or post this pattern and claim it as your own.
NOTES:
-Use a smaller hook to make these smaller
-Use a bigger hook to make these bigger
-Watch the FULL introduction of the video tutorial for frequently asked questions and watch the full video for tips on how to make these smaller or bigger.
-Make more rounds to make this taller
-Make more chains on your foundation chain to make your bag wider
-I cut out a felt heart and sewed it on with black yarn for an extra embellishment.
Special stitches:
Ch(s): chain(s)
YO: Yarn Over
St(s): Stitch(es)
Sl st: slip stitch
SK: Skip
SC: Single Crochet
HDC: Half Double Crochet
DC: Double Crochet
Pattern:
If you have any confusion or difficulty with reading this pattern, please watch the video tutorial to have visual instructions.
Bag:
Ch 35
Work in **FRONT LOOPS ONLY FOR THE WHOLE BAG**
Rnd 1: SC in 2nd ch from hook and across, 3 SC in last ch, Work on opposite side of foundation ch, SC across, put 2 SC in last st.
Work in continuous rounds
Rnds 2-30: SC in each st around.
Change Color
Rnds 31-34: SC in each st around.
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Drips of lava:
Sl st to front loop of any st on Round 31
Sl st in 3 sts, Ch 22
Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next, HDC in next 2 chs, DC in next, HDC in next, SC in next 2 chs, HDC in next 2 chs, DC in next 5 chs, HDC in next 2 chs, SC in next 2 chs, HDC in last 2 chs,
Sl st in next 10 sts on round 31 of bag
Ch 10
SC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC in next, DC in next 4 chs, HDC in next 3 chs,
Sl st in next 5 sts on round 31 of bag
Ch 18
SC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC in next 4 chs, DC in next 2 chs, SC in next 2 chs, HDC in next 2 chs, DC in next 3 chs, HDC in next 3 chs,
Sl st in next 10 sts on round 31 of bag
Ch 11
HDC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC in next ch, SC in next 2 chs, HDC in next 2 chs, DC in next 4 chs,
Sl st in next 5 sts on round 31 of bag
Ch 14
SC in 2nd ch from hook, SC in next, HDC in next, DC in next 5 chs, HDC in next 4 chs, SC in next ch,
Sl st in next 8 sts on round 31 of bag
Ch 11
SC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC in next, DC in next 2 chs, HDC in next 2 chs, SC in next, HDC in next 3 chs,
Sl st in next 6 sts on round 31 of bag
Ch 15
SC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC in next 2 chs, DC in next 3 chs, HDC in next, SC in next 2 chs, HDC in next, DC in next 3 chs, HDC in next ch
Sl st in next 6 sts on round 31 of bag
Ch 8
SC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC in next DC in next HDC in next, SC in last 3 chs
Sl st in next 3 sts on round 31 of bag
Ch 13
Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, SC in next, HDC in next, SC in next, HDC in next, DC in next 2 chs, HDC in next, SC in next, HDC in next 3 chs,
Sl st in next 6 sts on round 31 of bag
Ch 11
SC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC in next, DC in next 2 chs, HDC in next 2 chs, SC in next, HDC in next 3 chs,
Sl st in last sts to beginning.
Fasten off with a long tail for sewing,
Sew all lava drips down to bag. (See video tutorial for visual instructions)
Strap:
Ch 100, weave through round 32 of bag.
Sl st to 1st ch, fasten off, weave in all ends.
Cinch top closed.
Add Felted Heart applique (optional)
Enjoy!!
This post contains affiliate links, which I may be compensated for when you make a purchase. That means if you click on any link and buy from the linked websites, I will receive a small percentage of the value of your order. The amount you pay is not changed. Thank you for all your support in clicking the links in my blog!! You all are so amazing!! ~Nadia
The yarn provided for this pattern is courtesy of Red Heart Yarns
The internet is flooded with ways to “go green” and help the environment. Whenever there is a way to help our great planet, I am a big fan of doing what I can! I have run across many how-to videos on ways to convert a t-shirt into a tote bag.
As a huge advocate for the four R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Re-purpose I will show step by step in this photo blog with an accompanying video, a detailed way on how you can do all four in one great project and add in a bit of crochet magic to make this project even more amazing!! We will be Recycling an old t-shirt and Re-purposing it into a market bag, thus Reducing the amount of plastic bags that go into the landfills. ANDDD, you can Reuse it over and over! Help the environment and look stylish while doing it! It’s a win/win!
Materials you will need:
Tee shirt, Yarn, Crochet Hook, Ruler, Sharpie, Cardboard, Scissors, Rotary Cutter (skip stitch blade), Yarn Needle
Lay your tee shirt out flat
Draw lines around the neckline and the sleeves to cut
Cut those lines (Cutting off sleeves and neckline)
Turn your shirt inside out and grab your ruler
Draw 3 inch lines 1 inch apart all along the bottom
Cut along those lines (see video tutorial for visual instructions)
Tie those strips into knots
The bottom will “bunch up,” do not stretch it out. Tie some more knots to reinforce the bottom
The next step is optional as you can crochet around the handles.
Get your skip-stitch blade and run it along the edges to create holes. You can get your own skip stitch blade here
Single crochet around everything.
See video tutorial to learn how to do this part.
Voilà!! Your bag is done! Enjoy!
Take it shopping! Go Green!
Use it as a market bag, diaper bag, or a book bag.
The uses for this awesome project are endless!
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make your own:
Teacher: Nadia Fuad
Video and Editing: Fuad Azmat (My Daddy)
Summer is here and I needed a bag to take with me to the farmers market to hold all my goodies! I stumbled upon this lovely bagdesigned by Lily’s Sugar ‘n Cream This bag can be used in so many different ways! Take it to the beach, use it as a purse, use it as a book bag if you’re a student, use it as a project bag and take it wherever you go to continue your crochet projects!
I used different colors than the pattern calls for, so you can use my color choices, you could stick to the original written pattern color scheme, or you can make up your own color scheme! Make it one solid color if you’d like! The creativity possibilities are endless!
Here is the video tutorial on how to make this tote bag.
