Plarn shopping bag-granny squares

My plastic bag collection was taking over our home recently, so I sat down and spent a few hours turning it into a few large balls of plarn. Then it was time to go "Pinterest Shopping" for inspiration as to what to do with these balls.

I found this picture, and decided to use it as a springboard.

Here's how mine turned out:

The pattern I used was pretty basic, just a chain 4, then join into a circle. Next sc 12 in the chain 4 circle, then 20sc, (3 in each corner, 2 on each side) then 28sc. Finish off. 

I made a bunch of the squares, then sl stitched them together, and made a border and a handle. 

Now I have a nice bag for my farmer's marketing, general shopping, or just taking things around here and there. What's not to like about that?

Plarn, the multi-faceted material

I made this bag ages ago, took pictures of it, and never posted it here. So, better late than never, eh?

I made it out of plastic grocery sacks, which I turned into plarn, following the directions that I posted here. Once I had the plarn, I followed this pattern  for a box-bottom tote at kaylaksthriftyways.com. I found the pattern easy to follow, and pretty enjoyable.

To be honest, the most time consuming part of it all was making the plarn, but it's a really handy bag and I love it. Although I'm sure it would make a great grocery bag, I use it for swimming mostly, I fold it up and put it inside a large canvas bag along with our suits, sunscreen, etc. Then when we're done swimming and have changed into our street clothes, I wrap the wet suits in a towel and toss them in this bag. It means that I leave the pool with two bags (my canvas bag and my plarn bag), but it also means that I don't end up getting everything in my canvas bag all wet from the suits. It's an awesome solution to what can often be a pesky problem.

it's so easy, being green*

Success!

I was able to turn my large supply of grocery sacks into:

• 1 medium-size ball of white with black & yellow trim (Macey's grocery store) 
• 1 medium-size ball of white with red trim (random no name bags, usually they say "Thank You" on them)
• 1 medium-size ball of white with blue trim (Wal-Mart)
• 1 medium size ball of white with dark green trim (Lee's Marketplace Grocery Store)
• 1 small ball of brown/tan with red trim (Smith's Grocery Store)

  Then I took those balls of yarn, and crocheted them into this messenger bag, using a "J" size hook, and a large bead for the closure. 

Obviously, I'm pleased with how it turned out.

(I mean, let's be honest.  If I wasn't pleased, it certainly wouldn't be posted here for anyone to see.)

As I was working, I decided that if the bag turned out at all, I'd put it up for sale in the etsy shop.  However, now that I'm finished, I've found that I'm quite fond of it.  So, I've decided to keep it for myself.  I think it will make an ideal farmer's market bag.  It's just the right size (since I tend to make just 1-2 purchases at the farmers market whenever I go, I don't need or want a giant bag), and having it makes me feel more environmentally conscious than I actually probably am.

In short, I'll feel like I fit in better with the Farmer's Market crowd if I have this baby over my shoulder.  What's not to like about that? 





*Actually, truth be told, it wasn't that easy. By the time you consider all the effort that it took to make the plarn, this bag probably took me as much time as 5-6 hats, a full scarf, or several headbands. But, it's all good.

Plarn

I'm over-run with plastic grocery bags. Now, before you get after me, telling me that I'm not doing my part to save our planet, let me say that I do own cloth grocery bags, and I use them regularly.  However, I often make quick drop-in/spur-of-the-moment trips to the store, and on those trips I don't generally have my cloth bags with me.  So, I've been saving my plastic guys (I use them for liners for the bedroom and bathroom trash cans around my house--probably like most of you), and I've reached the point where I've got too many to deal with.

It's definitely time to make some plarn.

I did a little research to find some plarn-making techniques. For future reference, and for any of you who are looking for the same, I've posted the links that I've found to be the most helpful:

Instructions from My Recycled Bags

How to make Plarn and Crochet an Eco-Friendly Tote Bag from Etsy.com

 

(I think these instructions are my favorite )

Here's a video that's pretty good too: