Crocheting with plastic bags?

**SewCrafty** · 03-25-2005, 05:41 PM

Has anyone ever tried this? Is it easy, hard what?

I think I am going to try it tonight. I have plenty (and then some) plastic bags from the grocery store. lol

Here is the pattern I am going to work with: http://www.marloscrochetcorner.com/P...ag%20tote.html

**Kimberlina** · 03-25-2005, 08:36 PM

I made a tote bag in early winter. I thought it would be good for putting DD's beach toys in- I can just hose all the sand out of it before we leave the beach house.

It was really easy- the only trying thing was cutting up all the bags, just because it was so tedious.

If DD will let me put her down and I can figure out how to do it, I will post a pic for you.

**Kimberlina** · 03-25-2005, 08:50 PM

Here it is, and those are the same directions I used.

**Sara Noel** · 03-25-2005, 08:52 PM

Kimberly, that's awesome. I haven't tried it yet, but have read a bit about it online.

I found the same thing with rag rugs...the cutting of the material was tedious.

**SewCrafty** · 03-25-2005, 08:52 PM

Cool Kimberly!

Thanks for replying, I just now cut up a bag and tried it. I only have a K, N or P hook, no M. I tried the N and it looks kind of loose. Do I have to do something special to make it look like yours, without holes like mine?

**Kimberlina** · 03-25-2005, 08:53 PM

I don't remember if the directions give you these tips, but I folded the bag over side to side numerous times before I cut the loops- I cut cut through the whole width in one snip without much effort.

Also, the easiest way for me to thread all the strips together was to open them and then put them all on my wist (wrist through the opening.) I'm right-handed, so I put the loops on the left, stated the first one, and then just kept pulling thm on. I don't know how to explain it, but if you try it, you will see what I mean.

**Kimberlina** · 03-25-2005, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by SewCrafty
Cool Kimberly!

Thanks for replying, I just now cut up a bag and tried it. I only have a K, N or P hook, no M. I tried the N and it looks kind of loose. Do I have to do something special to make it look like yours, without holes like mine?

Mine is actually pretty loose, too. I don't remember what size hook I used- it was pretty big. I tried to get DD to hold it so you could see how big it was, but she just wanted to sit on it. But if you notice the (dirty) floor tiles in the background, they are 1 foot square, to give you a reference. There ARE holes in mine.

I did start a smaller clutch a while back that was not as loose. I used heavier bags that didn't stretch as readily, and also a much smaller hook.

BTW, it worked up REALLY fast. I don't crochet very often (so infrequently, as a matter of fact, that I have to reteach myself every time I do it) and it only took me a couple hours.

**SewCrafty** · 03-26-2005, 02:06 AM

Thanks Kimberly, I'm gonna try it again. Glad I only cut up 1 bag though this time. In my disgust to "get it right" which wasn't working, or so I thought, I tossed the whole mess into the trash!

**Rowanberry** · 03-26-2005, 04:43 AM

What a great ideain recycling will give that a go. Thanks for the link

**Darlene** · 03-26-2005, 07:54 AM

Thanks for the link Dee.
Hey Kimberly, are those Price Chopper & Walmart bags, lol? Great job on the tote.

**Kimberlina** · 03-26-2005, 09:17 AM

You got it, Darlene. There is also a bag from Dillard's, maybe? From MIL....

DH has a part-time job working at a store for a guy he has worked for on and of for at least 10 years. (Whenever we need extra money.) They have the greatest colored bags, and since it also happens to be the store where we buy DD's shoes, we get som great bags. I'm going to make another bag with them.

**DaisyLady** · 03-26-2005, 09:49 AM

These are really great! I've never tried it myself. I have crocheted with strips of fabric though and I found that I got holes too.

**homesteadmamma** · 03-26-2005, 10:48 AM

Cool bag Kimberly.

I'm sitting here chuckling though because I still haven't figured out patterns for wool never mind plastic bags.

**duckduckgoose007** · 03-26-2005, 10:40 PM

OK Deed...I think you just went ROUND the BEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have heard everything now...Crocheting Plastic Bags...are you really that BORED????

I can find you something to do..........................LOL

**frugalmel** · 03-26-2005, 11:02 PM

Neat idea!!! Kimberly I love yours.

. I have a question.....

When you are folding the bag into a "strip"... how are you folding that? do you accordion fold back and forth or? I think I follow the rest of the directions ok.

I might actually try this for swiming stuff. That way it can still be wet and not mess up my canvas totes.