Upcycled Plarn Grocery Tote Pattern

Turn ordinary plastic grocery bags into a sturdy reusable tote with this free plarn bag crochet pattern. The finished bag is surprisingly durable and can be washed in warm, soapy water, air-dried, and used again and again.

If you’re new to crocheting with plarn, the name simply combines “plastic” and “yarn.” Instead of traditional yarn, strips cut from plastic grocery bags are joined together to create a material you can crochet with. See my How to Make Plarn tutorial to learn how to make your own before starting the tote.

Plarn Grocery Tote Crochet Pattern

Pattern Details

• Skill level: Easy
• Yarn: Plarn made from approximately 40–45 plastic grocery bags
• Hook: 10 mm (US N/P-15)
• Finished size: Approx. 15 × 12 in. (38 × 30.5 cm)
• Construction: Worked from the bottom up, beginning in joined rounds and continuing in a spiral; handles are formed with chain spaces and covered with single crochet.

Materials

• Plarn made from approximately 40–45 plastic grocery bags
• 10 mm (US N/P-15) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Stitch marker

Crochet Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• hdc – half double crochet
• sc – single crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)

This free crochet pattern is written in U.S. crochet terms and abbreviations. Stitch counts are provided throughout the pattern to help you keep on track.

Helpful Crochet Resources: Refer to my Crochet Abbreviations and U.S. to U.K. Crochet Conversion Chart as you work through the pattern.

Pattern Notes

• Beginning ch 2 counts as a half double crochet.
• Rounds 1–3 are joined with a slip stitch.
• Beginning with Round 4, the tote is worked continuously in a spiral without joining.
• Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round and move it up as you work.
• Stitch counts include chain stitches unless otherwise noted.

Plarn Grocery Tote Instructions

Ch 12.

Round 1: 2 hdc in 3rd ch 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, 2 hdc in same st as join, 2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc 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, 1 hdc 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 — 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 7–23: Repeat Round 5 — 42 sts.

Handles

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 evenly around ch-23 handle, 1 hdc in each of the next 13 sts, work 38 sc evenly around ch-23 handle — 102 sts.

Finishing

Work 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts, then sl st in next st to smooth the end of the spiral. Fasten off and weave in ends.

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