Crochet Plastic Bags: Plarn Purse
By Rachel Choi – 16 Comments
Here is my very first plarn (plastic yarn) creation! I had a collection of Wal-Mart grocery bags sitting under my sink from each time I went grocery shopping and it was time to put them to good use. This is a great way to recycle your plastic bags by turning them into something awesome and useful. Give it a try with the next batch of grocery bags you bring home!
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Finished Size: 10†(26 cm) wide, 5 ¼†(13 cm) tall, not including strap
Materials:
20 plastic grocery bags, cut into a ball of plarn (How to Make Plarn)
Crochet Hook Size G (4.00 mm)
Yarn Needle
Need help understanding the abbreviations? Check out the crochet abbreviation chart.
Crochet Pattern: Purse
Round 1: ch 31, sc in each sc across, ch 1, sc in each ch on opposite side of ch, place marker
Round 2: 2 sc in next ch, sc next 30 sc, 2 sc in next ch, sc in next 30 sc
Round 3: 2 sc in next 2 sc, sc next 30 sc, 2 sc in next 2 sc, sc in next 30 sc
Round 4: 2 sc in next 4 sc, sc next 30 sc, 2 sc in next 4 sc, sc in next 30 sc
Round 5 – 14: sc in each sc around
Round 15: sc in next 3 sc, decrease, sc in next 36 sc, decrease, sc in next 33 sc
Round 16: sc in each sc around
Round 17: sc in next sc, decrease, sc in next sc, decrease, sc in next 32 sc, decrease, sc in next sc, decrease, sc in next 31 sc
Round 18: decrease, sc in next sc, decrease, sc in next 30 sc, decrease, sc in next sc, decrease, sc in next 30 sc, sl st in next sc, finish off
Strap
Row 1: ch 61, turn, sc in each ch across
Row 2 – 3: ch 1, turn sc in each sc across
Using photo as a guide, sew strap to purse using a yarn needle.
If you need help making your plarn or purse, just leave a comment!
Congrats on your first plarn bag. It turned out cute and I like the shape. Best wishes.
Thanks Cindy! I can’t wait to make another, now I just have to save up enough bags 😀
Hi. I really like your pattern, but I am wondering how does the purse body end up ovelish (how is is connected?). I hope you can help out a fellow crocheter. Thxs for taking time to read this.
Hi Jen!
The purse bottom is made in round 1 – 4. The increase (2 sc in a stitch) is what makes the shape, and since the increases are placed on the two sides, it gets wider for each of the beginning rows. Then in round 5 – 14, you make the body. And then to finish, decreases are in rounds 15 – 18 so that it curves back in.
The bottom isn’t sewn onto the purse since the purse is made all in one piece (except the handle).
Let me know if you need more help 🙂
BEAUTIFUL! Now I want to make one! ; )
Great pattern! I’m making one for my niece for her birthday. She’s gonna love it! I’ve gotta wonder, though, if it would be possible to sew a zipper onto the sides of the opening.
Sure Nate! You can even sew a lining inside the purse if you’d like. Go for it!
So when you make the plarn, and you make the loop to connect…then the “yarn” strip is doubled…is that correct? so we use it doubled? Thank you.
That’s correct Amy!
This is awesome! Thanks so much for sharing and recycling.
Very nice idea. I’m making one at the moment but I’m using a larger size hook (4,5 mm) because 4,00 mm didn’t work for me.
What a great way to use up all my Walmart and Kroger bags! I wish Walmart still had the blue bags! The plarn would also be great for making an outside welcome mat! You could just hose it off when it got dirty! When it gets worn out, recycle it and make a new one free of cost! I’m going to start making my plarn right now so I can be the first one at church with a new purse! I’ll bet the teenage girls will all want one-lol!
Would you suggest using a plastic or metal crochet hook? Thanks a bunch!
Hi Shelby, you can use either. But I like using metal though since it’s a stronger and less likely to snap while crocheting with it.
Trying to relearn to crochet have not done it in a long time…what does decrease mean????
thanks for your help
Hi Karen, here’s a link to the decrease tutorial: How to Crochet: Single Crochet Decrease