How to Crochet a bag Plarn and Eco-Friendly Bags

Crocheting with plastic thread, or "plarn," is a fun way to reuse plastic bags and create a reusable alternative that is durable and even recyclable! This sweet tote is a great project for beginning and experienced crocheters, and a perfect complement to our celebrations of Earth Day! Once you are comfortable with chain, single crochet knit slip stitch, half double, and double crochet stitches, you are ready to go!

Supplies you will need:

20-25 clean bags *
Plastic crochet hook, size 6.50 mm K **
scissors

Directions:

1. Flatten your bags clean and fold in half. Cut the handles.
Two.
2.Cut the bottom of the bags. Place these cuttings into a pile of trash

3. Attach the circular piece of plastic that now have and fold in half. Twice that in thirds. Fold in half again. Cut the sheet folded into 1-inch pieces, discarding the parts of both extremes. Often layer 3 flat pieces and fold and cut together to save time, because we have so many bags to do. You can also cut quickly on a cutting board with a rotary cutter and metal t-square.
4. Now we have created plastic loops that can connect to make plarn. Bringing a loop through another.

5.. Pull the other end of the loop to the end you just put it through the first loop. You should now be connected.
6. Slowly and gently pull the loops tight. Do you want the connection to be as flat and smooth as possible. If the bond is weak and breaks just put it in the recycling pile and move on to the next piece.

7. Wrap the plarn into a ball that feeds off center.
8. Create a slip knot and place it on your crochet hook.

9. Chain 20 stitches.
10. Midpoint double crochet for the body of the bag.


Tip: Make sure the stitches loose! You will feel frustrated if your stitches are too tight. Do yourself a favor and keep it loose.

11. Crochet queue in which you work.
12. Work in the round. No need for the chain and turn, just continue on the next point for the whole project.

13. After 4 rows of half double back to work. Now is the right side out and continue to work to the left instead of to the right as before fulfill it.

14. Complete 14 semicircular rows high. If the points are tighter or looser you may need to do more or less rows. The goal is to make your bag a little wider than high at this point.

15. Now you will use single crochet. No 6 single crochet stitches.

16. Now you are ready to make the first handle. Chain 20 stitches. Keep up the bag and see if you like that length. Want mangoes / shortest? Just strung more / less stitches. Be careful not to turn the handle as you are linking. Count 8 points from where the chain started in your work and attach the bag chain with a single crochet stitch.
17. Item 12 single crochet stitches to the other side.

Tip: Feel free to alter the pattern. Longer handles make the bag wider, 
more flowers. Be creative!

18. Now that will make the other handle. Chain 20, has 8 points over their work, and set the string with a single crochet stitch, just like it did on the other side of the first loop. Make sure you look even. If not, find out where they are, even by holding the string to the bag and attach there.
19. Now just stitch crochet in every way and on the handle, sewing in their chain stitches.

20. Continúe cosiendo en sus puntos de cadeneta, ampliando su mango.

21. Siga usando solo crochet y punto a lo largo de la otra manija.

22. Stitch a simple crochet points until you're in the fold of the bag and the top is even. Slip stitch and finish ends hiding in the stitches inside the bag.
23. Place the flower. Enjoy!

pattern:
Abbreviation key:
ch = chain stitch
ss = slip stitch
sc = single crochet stitch
hdc = half double crochet stitch
dc = double crochet stitch

Plarn handles instructions for the crochet-inclined
ch 20.
Hdc stitch in the round. Crochet on the job queue.
After 4 hdc rows back to his right side is solved. Continue left hdc work now.
Complete 14 rows hdc.
Stich 6 bp.
ch 20. Count 8 stitches in your work and attach your chain with sc.
Item 12 sc.
ch 20. Count 8 stitches in your work and attach your chain with sc as it did on the first side.
Sc stitch around and in the first handle.
Sc stitch the handle.
Continue sc around to the other handle.
Sc stitch to edge. ss and finish ends outside hiding in the stitches inside the bag.

Place the flower.

Instructions for flower
ch 4.
ss in the first point to make circle.
work 10 sc around the circle, the line at crochet while working.
joined by ss in first sc.
petal: in first stitch to sc, dc 3, sc. ss in the next point.
sewn petal repeat 4 times to make five petals.

ss on the last point and finish hiding at the rear ends.