Recycled 2 pairs of jeans and a few buttons - Upcycled crocheted bag!

[RubyTuesday]

My Bloke cleared out his wardrobe on Sunday and with nothing much to do on sunday afternoon I decided to raid the charity bag and see if I could crochet a rug from a pair of denim jeans...
I cut up one of the legs into a long length and found out a huge crochet hook, it wasn't as hard as i had imagined, the denim yarn crocheted up quite easily! I had decided on an oval rug and crocheted a few rounds. And then I realised that I didn't really need a rug!! and the piece I had crocheted would make an excellent bag base, the idea was born! I measured a few stitches and decided on an increase pattern, the bag evolved as it grew! Here's the end result:

Front:


Back:


I had lots of fun designing the finishing touches and enjoyed the challenge of making the handles from the jeans.

Ironically, next I'd like to make a really huge rug from denim, one large enough for the centre of the new living room. I think hubby will be wanting to lock his wardrobe when he leaves the house from now on!  

I'd welcome any comments  

[warheart]

Wow!! Great job. Was it rough on your hands? This seems like it would be a very sturdy bag!

[BeaG]

That's a very cool bag!
I think your design is great and I love how you reused the waistband.

[susie in the sky]

Wow, that looks amazing! Wasn't the denim really hard work to crochet with?

[Maria Merlino]

I just love it! It looks amazing! How did you attach the waistband?

Maria

[rrrat]

Wow, looks great!

[mama24boyz]

I think I really like this!!  With 4 rough and tough boys, I think I could end up gathering enough pieces of denim to make something, how do you make the denim yarn?  Just like tshirt yarn? But avoid the seams right? And did you use only the denim? Or did you use a yarn with it?

[NotKnit]

Very cool!

[SpookShowBaby]

WOW!...this bag is beyond amazing. I love it. Keep raiding your hubbys closet! 

[Alexus1325]

That is just AWESOME! I want one!!!

[SilverMoon]

Very cool! I do have a few pairs of jeans I just outgrew... hmm...

[fiddlegirl8]

 This is a fabulous bag!  Where do I order one?     I really like your cleverness in turning jeans into a bag - just wonderful.   

[calicotortoise]

This is really cool!  How wide did you cut the strips of denim?  I love the bag.

[morus]

Love your bag!  The waist band top and braided handles are genius!

[Homerof2]

Great bag!  I really like the use of the waistband and the braided handles.

[lizzy.cos]

That's brilliant use of an old pair of jeans.  I particularly like the way you have used the waistband as the top of the bag - how clever!

[RubyTuesday]

Thanks everyone for the lovely comments, glad you like it  

The lengths I cut were 1cm wide and the hook i used was a size 10mm/N The yarn dosen't fray when you first cut it and work with it, it's gone like that because it's been in my work bag for a couple of days.



I didn't find it hard to work with at all, this could be partially due to the fact that the jeans were well worn and not the heavy weight fabric when new -so quite soft, I wouldn't want to work with new, thick denim in this way.

[farmerswife]

a huge rug would be awsome and i want one!! well done!

[A2K]

Totally cool, RT!  I join in with the throng with praise for the braided handles and use of the waistband!  The denim flower embellishment is a nice touch as well.  You are so crafty! 

[nisforneville]

This is the prettiest jeans purse I've ever seen!

[Brackish Potato]

This is so cool and unique!

[nikschaf]

Very cool!!  I love it!!!

[nannychelle]

  This purse rocks! Very sturdy and very fashionable! Did you line the purse or leave it frayed on the inside as well? I am going to try this myself, I love this bag!

[MollyGirl]

I just love this, but how did you attach the waistband and handles?  Did you just sew them?

[llisaredd]

I haven't been to this site in months (just been busy - nothing against the wonderful Craftster ) I decided to take time to stop by today and am so glad I did. This purse is wonderful! And inspiring! I really want to make one for myself now

[magicfan]

How wonderful and what a terrific idea!

[vixen72]

AWESOME.....Really neat bag...

[SiakelA]

so cute!!! I like this waaay better than the normal butt of jeans into bag method.

[tarteaucitron]

Your bag looks great! I love the subtle change in color that you get from seeing the front and back of the denim as it is crocheted.

[maggier]

I can't find the instructions on how you stitched this.  Did you post it to this website?