What Can You Do With Plastic Bags? Make A Tote Bag or Purse!
Updated with photos of more plarn bags/totes/purses!
After discovering over 100 plastic bags while clearing out my parents' home, I decided to reuse them by turning them into plarn - plastic yarn. I searched for patterns online but didn't find quite what I wanted, so I made up my own patterns.
After discovering over 100 plastic bags while clearing out my parents' home, I decided to reuse them by turning them into plarn - plastic yarn. I searched for patterns online but didn't find quite what I wanted, so I made up my own patterns.
Plarn crossbody sling bag
Plarn bag with round bottom
Inside showing round bottom
Single ply plarn - I use 2 "skeins"
There are several videos online to show how to make plarn a couple different ways. I prefer using single ply to avoid the knots made in the double ply balls, but I still doubled it up by crocheting from two balls/skeins. Here's a link for quick lessons on how to do it both ways. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo0xsp5SCFEF
Plarn wine or water bottle carrier
Plarn coin purse
Plarn handbag w/plarn flower & vintage button
Plarn market bag (stretchable)
Plarn clutch bag
Plarn doorknob organizer
Plarn makeup bag
Plarn tote bag with box-bottom
This bag is about 14 inches across and about 18 inches tall. Most patterns I found were much shorter in height and I wanted a deep bag. Most online patterns call for using a large K or N crochet hook. I prefer the smaller J or K. This turned out really sturdy. It took close to 100 bags to make. This tote will hold at least couple grocery bags worth and is super strong! It will also work great for the beach and road trips. And the best part? Didn't cost a dime - just some of my time.
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2 of 17 comments
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I would if I knew how to crochet. These are some great ideas.
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Thanks, Austin-Gambrell. (I lived on a street call Gambrell in Ft. Worth decades ago!)
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
How do you achieve the beautiful colors in your projects ? I don’t have any bags that aren’t mostly white or Beige. Can the plastic yarn be dyed?
How do you make strips to use?
I am in LOVE with the bag in the first photo... but have no idea how to do this.
Do you sell these, or do you have a pattern for it that I can ask someone else for help?