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Crafts > Recycled Crafts on August 15, 2008

Craft: Making Market Bags from Plastic Bags

A recycled market bag made from plastic grocery bags.I make market bags from plastic store bags and colored trash bags. Here is a photo of a pink one I made. With most stores going with reusable bags now, I think people will enjoy these. I bought these bags at a dollar store for $1.00, 30 bags in a package, it used about 27 bags.

By Geni from OH

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By
03/31/2012

I did something like this about 8 years ago, although my pattern was different. My bags have two side handles and were made from store bags, plastic bags that carrots, celery, etc, came in.

It made me laugh each time I used my grocery bags that were made from recycled grocery bags. Isn't it amazing how strong they are and how well they hold up? Yours almost looks too nice - like it could be used as a purse. Maybe you should try a smaller version. I really like the pink.

By
03/16/2011

How are they made ? Do you sell them ?
Thank you.

By
09/28/2010

There is a video on youtube that shows how to make this bag. Check it out!

By
09/25/2010

How do you make these? I would like to try this.

By
09/25/2010

That is absolutely a one of a kind and I love it! Is it possible to get the instructions on how to make it? I would love to have those for my reusable bags versus the ones the grocery store offers!

By
01/20/2010

Wow, if I didn't have fibromyalgia, I would love to learn to knit and/or crochet, to be able to make beautiful things like this!

By
01/07/2010

If you want to be green, recycle your grocery store bags. It looks nice though.

By
07/30/2009

I guess you don't have to buy new bags?

By
06/13/2009

I am so sorry to you all, I had no idea there were responses to my bag until my friend came across it by accident and sent me the link to your comments! I used a pattern that was actually for a market bag made from cotton yarn. To make the strips I cut the handles off the plastic bags, then folded the bags up to about the size of a ruler and cut in about 1 to 1-1/2 inch strips, then looped the strips together and rolled up like a ball of yarn. I think I used an H hook, or an I hook. I made one with a much bigger hook, but it was bulky looking and did not like it as much.

Again, I am so sorry for not replying to ya'll.

By Karen (Guest Post) 11/04/2008

Do you have exact instructions or a pattern for this bag? Thanks!

By
09/30/2008

A pattern may be ordered from www.knittingdaily.com

By
09/26/2008

Geni,
Love the bags! Would like pattern to give to my sister or do you sell them yourself?
If the instructions were posted, I missed them. Thanks!

By
09/19/2008

Please hurry with instructions, it is a great bag, also what method did you use to make your strips.

09/14/2008

I love it. Please hurry with the directions.

By popet (Guest Post) 09/14/2008

Geni, please we all want the pattern!

By mary (Guest Post) 09/08/2008

Would love your pattern as I could do this in our craft club and would like to make a blue one.

By
08/28/2008

Dear Geni from OH Do you sell your bags? How much for one in Lavender? I garden but can not do handwork. LOL I love the look of your 'go to market bag." Great Granny Vi

By Hollie (Guest Post) 08/21/2008

I love this bag. Pink is a great color for it too. Hope you post the instructions for it soon. Thanks for sharing it. I have been crocheting for over 30 years and always love new ideas.

By
08/21/2008

PLEASE, PLEASE send us the instructions for this pink bag, It is soooo cute and I have got to make one! Thanks so much, lisa

By
08/20/2008

Hi people,
Lions brand has a few patterns and a few look like they would work well for plastic tote bags for the market.

http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/pa ... t=market+bag&Go.x=13&Go.y=14

Enjoy and post them if you make them:)
Harriet

By
08/20/2008

Hi,
I also love the pattern with the wide straps. Everyone would like to know what pattern you used, Geni. I also didn't know you could get pink plastic bags at the dollar stores. I will have to go and get some:) Thanks, Harriet

By
08/19/2008

Here is a link for making a continuous length of plarn (plastic yarn) which will of course be single rather than double thickness:

http://laughingpurplegoldfish.blogs ... method-of-cutting-fabric-strips.html

By
08/18/2008

http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/ ... bags-creating-recycled-plastic-yarn/

This is the best technique for making the strips I have found.

By Dee (Guest Post) 08/18/2008

Hi -- new here, love the site. This is a link to a pattern for plastic bag totes that a friend had just told me about. I hope you find it helpful. http://www.canadianliving.com/craft ... ag_craft_two_crocheted_tote_bags.php

By Sandy (Guest Post) 08/18/2008

Does the author of this have a pattern she is willing to share?

By
08/18/2008

This is adorable! How long did it take you?

By
08/18/2008

---> HERE'S THE PATTERN FOR HER TOTE:

Go to Lionbrand.com then search "Golightly Tote" (or just the word "tote"). It's a free pattern but you have to first join LionBrand (but they don't sell your info). The pattern is made to be crocheted from yarn, but the pink purse was instead made from plastic bags.

FINALLY I FOUND IT!
Here's step-by-step photos of a way to make one long continuous spiral of plastic-bag-yarn without all the spiral cutting. It's done by first cutting off the handles, then folding the bag, then cutting the bag into strips but you leave about 2 inches at the end that's not cut all the way through. Lastly, you cut the last 2 inches at an angle to form a spiral.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/annieo ... ables/sets/72157601475416398/detail/

HERE'S THE LOOP WAY TO MAKE PLASTIC BAG YARN: (It's stronger, but thicker & takes longer to make up a ball of yarn)
http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/ ... bags-creating-recycled-plastic-yarn/

By Tina (Guest Post) 08/17/2008

I loved that. I get how to do it. I would like to do it for people for Christmas.

By ms (Guest Post) 08/17/2008

I found a free pattern on this site:
http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/09/15/large-plastic-market-bag/

By Didough (Guest Post) 08/16/2008

Could you please give pattern details for your lovely pink bag?
dianken at bruin dot eclipse dot co dot uk

By
08/16/2008

Love this idea,,,could you give directions??

By
08/15/2008

What a beautiful bag you've made! If I had the talent that you apparently have, I'd make them in assorted colors and use them as purses, beach bags and general all purpose totes. I'd be proud to own one of them! You did a beautiful job, and thanks for sharing your talent with us!

By (Guest Post) 08/15/2008

I love making these bags too, my fav is a brown one made from Home Depot and Safeway bags keep up the good work:)

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