Plastic Grocery Bag Crocheted Clutch

[getinmumouthstuff]

This is one of the handpurses I've made in the past few years/I liked this one best b/c I used a single crochet.  Beg your friends for their bags!



4/16: See another bag in process--much larger.  
http://www.craftster.org/yabbse/index.php?board=76;action=display;threadid=4806

[Phunkorama]

Nice. I <3 the colors.
Keep it up  

[QueenOfIndiana]

Very very very cool! Plus, you recycled!


I am thinking of putting some plastic bags on the loom and weaving a scarf. I heard someone else did it once, but I haven't seen the results. I guess i'll find out!


Again, great work!

[Luna]

this looks great.  how many grocery bags did it take?

now i want to learn to crochet.

[stitchqueen]

How about some simple directions on how you made the bag....did you cut the grocery bags in strips before crocheting, how wide were the strips.  Sure would appreciate some tips.  The bag is awsome, what a good way to recycle.!  Keep it up!

[getinmumouthstuff]

Thank you all so much for replying--it makes me feel so yummy!

General instructions for crochet:  Start by making a single chain as long as you want the width of the purse.  Continue to add rows by single or double crocheting each stitch.  At each end, add stitches So that the bottom of the bag has some depth.  I generally add two stitches to each bottom row stitch for 6 stitches across at each end (three before, three after) for the first 6 rows.  

I find that simply skipping a row, forming a new chain for as long as I want my handle, and then re-joining forms better handles (way more sturdy) than addding on handles.

In order to make the strips, you can follow these instructions:  
http://crochet.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marloscrochetcorner.com%2FPlastic%2520Bag%2520tote.html
But I don't like to do it this way.  I prefer to cut the handles off the bag, and start cutting in a big spiral around the bag.  The size of yarn you want will depend on your hook size and the bag texture.  I just like the spiral cut method better.  Less effecient, more innacurate.  But way more fun.

You can also get creative and attach a square or rectangle shape on three sides to the inside or outside of the purse for a pocket.  


About scarves:  Although the finished product is remarkable soft and strong, I miss working with yarn that has lanolin when I crochet them.  My hands tend to get dry and chapped from touching plastic all day.  As far as making a scarf with one, I'd cut the bags as thin as you can make them and use bags that aren't too thin or clingy.  These tend to jam up everything--that might be gross on a loom?  I am a skeptic about the bag scarf, but maybe you could make a swatch and let us know?
go team!
 

[FlashleyAshley]

is it weird that I can identify where most of those bags are from byt he color? I shop too much... especially at walmart...

[mari_meow_meow]

that is really f***ing amazing!!!!
it is good to see those pesky bags being recycled
and best of all... no purchase neccesary!!
just walk in to a store and grab a handful of bags...
very very cool!!

[hilatron]

This is really great.  Finally, a use for the bags that attack me every time I open the cabinet under the sink.  I WILL VANQUISH THEM!!!!

[udandi]

it is good to see those pesky bags being recycled
and best of all... no purchase neccesary!!
just walk in to a store and grab a handful of bags...
very very cool!!

I hope you mean grab them from those bins that supermarkets offer to recycle your used bags and not swiping them from the cash registers.