Stitch up this quick and easy plarn grocery tote pattern for a sturdy and reusable bag to carry your groceries. The great thing about this bag, in addition to recycling your plastic bags, is how surprisingly durable it is and that it can be washed in warm soapy water, air-dried, and be used again and again.
What is plarn? Plarn = plastic + yarn. You can read more about it and how to make your own in my tutorial, How to Make Plarn.
Plarn Grocery Tote Pattern
Here’s what you need:
- Plarn made from approx. 40-45 plastic bags (click here for a tutorial on How to Make Plarn)
- N-15 / 10.00 mm crochet hook
- tapestry needle and scissors for finishing
This free crochet pattern is written in U.S. crochet terms and abbreviations. Stitch counts are provided at the end of each round to help you keep on track.
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful for following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations and U.S. to U.K. Crochet Conversion Chart.
Finished bag measures approx. 15 in. × 12 in.
Ch 12.
Round 1: 2 hdc in 3rd chain from hook and 1 hdc in next 8 ch, work 5 hdc in last ch, working along opposite side of the chain, work 1 hdc in the next 8 ch, 2 hdc in last ch, join with a Sl st in top of beginning ch-2 — 26 sts.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as hdc here and throughout), 2 hdc in same st as join, 2 hdc in next st, 1hdc in each of the next 10 sts, 2 hdc in next, 3 hdc in next, 2 hdc in next, 1 hdc in each of the next 10 sts, 2 hdc in last st, join with a Sl st in top of beginning ch-2 — 34 sts.
Round 3: Ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 3 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next, 1hdc in each of the next 14 sts, 2 hdc in next, 3 hdc in next, 2 hdc in next, 1 hdc in each of the next 14 sts, join with a Sl st in top of beginning ch-2 — 42 sts.
Round 4: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each st around, do not join (work in a spiral from here on; use a stitch marker to keep track of rounds) — 42 sts.
Round 5: 1 hdc in top of ch-2 from previous round and in each st around, do not join — 42 sts.
Round 6: 1 hdc in top of first hdc from previous round and in each st around, do not join — 42 sts.
Rounds 7 through 23: Repeat Round 5.
Round 24: 1 hdc in first 13 sts, ch 23, skip next 8 sts, 1 hdc in each of the next 13 sts, ch 23, skip next 8 sts — 72 sts.
Round 25: 1 hdc in top of first st from previous round and in each of the next 12 sts, work 38 sc over ch-23 to cover, 1 hdc in each of the next 13 sts, 38 sc over ch-23 — 102 sts.
Round 26: 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts from the previous round, Sl st in next st to join.
Fasten off, weave in ends, and enjoy!
Browse more free crochet bag patterns here.
good thing…
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
If you had to pull apart your project and start over (due to a mistake) would you cut off the “used” plarn and start with fresh plarn? Once the plarn has been crocheted, it is like half the size of the other unused strands. If used plarn was reused, would this affect the end result of the project? Thanks – Ellie
Hmmm … I think I would try to reuse the portion I pulled out unless it seemed really shoddy. I think the condition of the used plarn would determine the quality of the final project. It really would vary from project to project. I would just use your best judgement. If in doubt, just use new plarn; it would stink to invest time into a project where you wouldn’t be happy with the final result. Hope that helps 🙂 Let me know how it works out.
I’ve never had a problem using already crocheted plarn, but I use a pretty tight stitch. It might make more of a difference with a large loose stitch. It actually makes it easier to crochet with some of the heavier plastics if it’s been crocheted once 🙂
Thank you so much for joining JAQS Studio’s Linky Part. I featured your project today :).
-Q
What a great idea for recycling all those grocery bags. I always get so upset when I forget my reusable bags because it wastes all those plastic ones. I hope you stop by my party and link up…
http://www.serendipityandspice.blogspot.com
-Melissa
This is awesome! The result looks so professional! Thansk for sharing! Happy weekend!
heronscrafts.blogspot.com
Hi and thanks for sharing your fabulous project on last week’s T.G.I.F. Linky Party at Craft Junkie Too. CONGRATS it was 2nd most viewed linky. 🙂 Woot! Woot! Stop by and grab the Top 3 button for your blog. 🙂
Stop by again when you can…
Tracy
This is a really amazing project.I have to try this! Wow this is so neat! New follower!
http://newyearsresolutionexercise.blogspot.com/
Thank you!! Glad you stopped by 🙂
Hi Kara,
I wanted to let you know I posted a follow up on your Plarn on this weeks linky party! I would love it if you would stop by and link up again!
Kim@madeinaday
http://madeinaday.com
I definitely will!! Thanks, Kim!
I was so looking forward to this post! After you added a new word to my vocabulary last week, I was anxious to see what came next! These bags are just so much fun! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sharon, I am glad you like how it came out. I think they are fun too 🙂
We bought a bag similar to this at a boutique a while back. She made with it plastic table cloths. My little DIVA loves it…it’s great for taking the pool because it just dries and doesn’t get moldy! I’m so glad to see a tutorial on it. Thanks for linking to Totally Tutorial Tuesdays 🙂
What a great idea you have given me 🙂 Thanks for visiting my site!