Earth Day: Using Plarn to Make a Market Bag

Earth Day: Using Plarn to Make a Market Bag

“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 link to 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

Crochet Tutorial: Volcano Bag

Crochet Tutorial: Volcano Bag

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!”

volcanobag2
volcanobag

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.

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**You can always contact me via Facebook if you have any problems with the pattern. I am happy to help if you have any questions along the way.
***These patterns are copyright YARNutopia © so PLEASE DO NOT COPY, SHARE, ADJUST OR RESELL MY PATTERN. I wrote and tested this pattern myself, from beginning to end. It took a lot of time and work, and I would really like to have it remain “my pattern.”
***You can sell anything you make from my patterns, please just link back to my website YARNutopia.com. Thank you!

Teacher: Nadia Fuad
Video and Editing: Fuad Azmat (My Daddy)
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Leave a comment, and share with your friends!

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.

Materials:

**Click here to get the full kit of supplies for this project!!**

Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Mushroom
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Cherry Red

-H-5.00mm Crochet Hook (Get the same one I use in my video tutorial here!)
Yarn Needle
Scissors

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

 



Crochet Tutorial: No-Sew Market Bag with Crocheted Edge

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!

Market Bag
Materials you will need:
Tee shirt, Yarn, Crochet Hook, Ruler, Sharpie, Cardboard, Scissors, Rotary Cutter (skip stitch blade), Yarn Needle

Market Bag 27
Lay your tee shirt out flat

Market Bag Shirt 1
Market Bag 3
Draw lines around the neckline and the sleeves to cut

Market Bag 5

Market Bag 7
Market Bag 2
Cut those lines (Cutting off sleeves and neckline)

Market Bag 8
Market Bag 9
Market Bag 10
Turn your shirt inside out and grab your ruler

Market Bag 11
Draw 3 inch lines 1 inch apart all along the bottom

Market Bag 12
Market Bag 13
Cut along those lines (see video tutorial for visual instructions)

Market Bag 15
Market Bag 14
Tie those strips into knots

Market Bag 17
Market Bag 18
The bottom will “bunch up,” do not stretch it out. Tie some more knots to reinforce the bottom

Market Bag 19
Market Bag 20
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

Market Bag 21
Single crochet around everything.
See video tutorial to learn how to do this part.

Market Bag 21
Market Bag 22
Market Bag 24
Market Bag 23
Market Bag 25
Voilà!! Your bag is done! Enjoy!

Market Bag 29
Take it shopping! Go Green!

Market Bag 30
Market Bag 31
Use it as a market bag, diaper bag, or a book bag.
The uses for this awesome project are endless!

Market Bag 32

Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make your own:

Teacher: Nadia Fuad
Video and Editing: Fuad Azmat (My Daddy)

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Shop Here

Add me on Snapchat: YARNutopia

Follow me on Instagram

Visit My Ravelry Store and add this to your Favorites!

Follow me on Twitter: @YARNutopia

Enjoy this video and subscribe to my channel on YouTube for more tutorials on how to crochet!
Leave a comment, and share with your friends!

“A society is defined not only by what it creates but also by what it refuses to destroy.” ~John C. Sawhill

~Nadia

Crochet Tutorial: Desert Sunset Tote Bag

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 bag designed 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.

Here is my color scheme row by row:

1. White            16. Red            31. Green

2. Red               17. Purple        32. Orange

3. Blue              18. White        33. White

4. White           19. Blue

5. Orange         20. Orange

6. White           21. Red

7. Green           22. White

8. Purple         23. Green

9. White          24. White

10. Yellow       25. Purple

11. White         26. Orange

12. Green        27. Blue

13. Blue           28. Yellow

14. Orange      29. Red

15. White        30. White

Teacher: Nadia Fuad
Video and Editing: Fuad Azmat

Share your work on Facebook!

Shop Here

Add me on Snapchat: YARNutopia

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Twitter: @YARNutopia

Enjoy this video and subscribe to my channel on YouTube for more tutorials on how to crochet!
Leave a comment, and share with your friends!

Happy Hookin’
~Nadia