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How to: Crochet with plastic bags

knit%20plastic%20bag.jpgWe get loads of requests for plastic bag knitting tutorials, so I've collected together all the basic instructions, from cutting up and preparing your plastic strips to turn it into 'yarn', to knitting them into a funky tote shape by Marlo's Crochet Corner.

Follow the jump for both tutorials. You'll need: numerous white, blue and yellow plastic grocery bags, M hook. Let's get going!

To make your plastic bag "yarn":
[tutorial by gooseflesh]

Take a plastic carrier bag:
pbag1.jpg

Cut the handles and bottom seam off the bag:
pbag2.jpg

Fold the bag into a strip:
pbag3.jpg

Cut the bag into 1 1/2 - 2 inch pieces:
pbag4.jpg

connecting the rings place - one ring over the other:
pbag5.jpg

Take one end of the white bag and insert it into the other end:
pbag6.jpg

Pull tightly but not to tight or it will tear, this forms a knot which will not be seen when you crochet. Keep repeating the above and roll up your strips into your new ball of "yarn":
pbag7.jpg

To make stripey tote bag:

with white bags

ch 28

Round 1 - hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch, working around the backside of the ch hdc in each st, join with a sl st to 1st hdc (54 total)

Round 2-5 - ch 1, hdc in each st around, join with a sl st to 1st hdc at the end of round 5 change to yellow bags, do not cut white bags

Round 6-7 ch 1, with yellow bags, hdc in each st around, join with a sl st to 1st hdc, cut yellow bags, at end of round 7 pick up the dropped white bags

Round 8-10 - ch 1, with white, hdc in each st around, join with a sl st to 1st hdc, at end of round 10 change to blue bags, do not cut white bags

Round 11- 13 - ch 1, with blue bags, hdc in each st around, join with a sl st to 1st hdc, cut blue bags, at end of round 13, pick up the dropped white bags

Round 14-20 - ch 1, with white, dc in each st around, join with a sl st to 1st hdc, at end of round 20 change to yellow bags, do not cut white bags

Round 21 - ch 1, with yellow, hdc in each st around, join with a sl st to 1st hdc, cut yellow bags, at end of round 21 change to white bags

Round 22- ch 1, with white hdc in next 7 sts, ch 24, sk 8 sts, hdc in the next 19 sts, ch 24, sk 8 sts, hdc in next 12, join with a sl st to 1st hdc

Round 23 - ch 1, sc in next 6sts, work 28 sc around the next ch 24 sp on last round, sc in next 19 sts, work 28 scs around the next ch 24 sp on last round, sc in next 13 sps, join with a sl st in beg sc (94 total)

Round 24 - ch 1, sc in each st around (94 total)

Posted by Abi on September 27, 2007 in Crochet Patterns, Recycling | Permalink

Comments

 

HI!...........DID YOU SAY KNIT BECAUSE ALL I SEE IS CROCHET??? THANKS AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.

Posted by: Anne-Marie Whitehouse | September 27, 2007 3:24 PM

 

Anne-Marie

There's another tutorial here, if it helps?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=450744&in_page_id=1879

all the best,
abi

Posted by: Abi | September 27, 2007 3:36 PM

 

I too was mislead, looking for the "KNITTING" instructions & can only find "crochet" ... there DEFINITELY is a difference between the 2 techniques. Don't mislead us!!

Posted by: Virginia Sigsworth | September 27, 2007 3:53 PM

 

Virginia> Are you just referring to this post, or posts elsewhere on the site? I'd like to know, so I can fix this ;) I'm aware of the difference, but didn't know any of our posts were mis-labeled :)

Abi

Posted by: Abi | September 27, 2007 4:07 PM

 

i think, abi, that virginia is just referring to the fact that this post is called "How to: knit with plastic bags" and the rest of the post offers instructions / references to crochet.

but, that said, i don't think that it's too hard to figure out, folks, once you've made your plastic yarn.

Posted by: puck | September 27, 2007 7:40 PM

 

was wondering what size needle? Can't find it listed here... Thanks! Teresa

Posted by: angelmama9 | September 29, 2007 11:51 AM

 

Why not refuse to use plastic bags in the first place? Web search for "crochet shopping bag patterns" turned up many; try Lionbrand.com KNITTED " Lion organic cotton Eco-Friendly Expandable Shopping Bag", or crochet www.sugarncream.com/pattern.php?PID=133 And if anyone can find pattern for sturdy blue "Crochet shopping bag" (link given no longer works) shown on http://www.flickr.com/photos/12323159@N00/90187198/
please let me know!! :-)

Posted by: California Crafter | September 30, 2007 7:45 PM

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