Thursday, June 14, 2007

Plastic Bag Crochet Project



OK, you know the pile of plastic grocery and shopping bags that we all accumulate? (Ever wonder if they actually start breeding after a while? I do.) Well, about a year ago, I was searching the web for what to do with all of these darn things, and I came across plastic bag crochet. You can crochet with grocery bags? The hell you say! Yes, indeed, you can. So, I started saving my bags and sorting them by color (I'm nuts, I know, and I accept that). A few months ago I finally decided to tackle the project and pulled out my trusty rotary cutter and mat and set to work cutting the bags into strips....until I also cut the heck out of my finger. I then took a break in the project until I could acquire a Klutz cut-resistant glove (made by Fons and Porter, highly recommend it if you are a klutz like me ;) ). Then with my hand protected I could finish the cutting portion and set to the real work. If you want instructions on how to make the "yarn", see this site: http://www.marloscrochetcorner.com/bag%20cutting%20instructions.html I made my totes using her plastic bag tote patterns ( http://www.marloscrochetcorner.com/round%20plastic%20bag%20tote.html and http://www.marloscrochetcorner.com/Plastic%20Bag%20tote.html ), but I have also used a lot of her other patterns as well. Thanks Marlo! So, here are the finished bags I have so far, and I'm so proud of them! (I've included a close up of the mostly red bag - my husband loves that one because it reminds him of imitation crab meat.) The plastic of regular grocery bags is really easy to work with - the heavier department store bags are another story. I'm working on a bag now with the heavier plastic, and my nice shiny plastic hook is all scratched up. :( A helpful hint: don't mix different weights of plastic, or your bag (particularly the round ones) will get all wonky. Once I run out of regular bags, I'm going to try the plastic that disposable training pants come in, toilet paper packs (the large ones you get from Costco), and other miscellaneous packaging. I'll let you all know how it goes, since I know you will all be sitting on the edge of your seats until then. (insert cricket noise here) I have been using the finished bags when I go grocery shopping, and the checkout people and baggers are always amazed by them. Next I need to figure out how to make produce bags. I'm thinking Lion Brand organic cotton or maybe muslin. Anybody have any patterns to share?

12 comments:

Malva said...

Thanks for the links Melanie!

I have so few plastic bags at home that I wouldn't be able to knit anything larger than a wallet.

However, I'll be visiting relatives next week who must have tons of gorcery bags...

Shropshire Girl said...

These bags look fantastic. I was wondering how long they would last do you think? Alot of grocery pastice bags are made to disintegrate and break down quite quickly these days. Perhaps tightly crocheted they become stronger?
I am enjoying this blog by the way - thanks for it!
Sandra.x.

Rose said...

hi malva, i think? there are many of you here! thanks for commenting on my blog, much appreciated. i know people out there read it, but it always nice to get some feedback!
those bags look really neat by the way! what a creative idea for using something that will likely just get thrown out. could you sell them at a local market?

Rose said...

oh and green_pepper is rose, asunsetallnight....i always forget to put my name...

Rose said...

hi malva, rose here. i do have that link already on the community garden website. i am not giving the link out yet for it as i am in the process of developing it right now. but yes, smithers is a little hotbed for the 100 mile diet right now, it's really neat.

Ottawa Gardener said...

Oh wow. If only I had the time this would be a great gift for friends, and it's waterproofish too!

Thanks.

Rose said...

haha, yes, it does get dark here....nov-early jan are the worst. well, dec is the worst. i actually just changed it on the weekend. had some time to muck around....

Rose said...

haha, yes, it does get dark here....nov-early jan are the worst. well, dec is the worst. i actually just changed it on the weekend. had some time to muck around....

Hickchick said...

Wow these are very cool! I might just have to learn how to crochet! Thanks for sharing. (I am also curious how long they last!)
kris

Kath said...

I've seen patterns for these bags in the UK. However, we are encouraged (through our pocket - they charge for what used to be free bags!) not to use plastic bags any more and most people take their own bags to the shops. I have some strong cotton patchwork ones!

Yours look the business!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I am saddened that you are no longer posting to your blog, I have recently found it and love the content. I hope things are going well for you.

The Bar Of