Creative Crafting: Crochet Baskets From Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are harmful to the environment, but they can be upcycled into useful items such as crochet baskets. This eco-friendly project involves cutting plastic bags into strips and crocheting them into baskets. While crocheting with plastic bags is less pleasant than using wool or cotton, the result can be surprisingly enjoyable. Online tutorials and patterns are available to guide you through the process of making these plarn (plastic yarn) baskets.

How to cut plastic bags into strips

To crochet a basket from plastic bags, you will first need to cut the plastic bags into strips. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:

Firstly, flatten the bag so that the sides are straight and form a rectangle. Trim the bag by removing the top where the handles are, and the bottom above the seam.

Next, decide on your cutting method. There are several methods to cut plastic bags into strips, including the slit skirt method, the spiral method, the loops with a square knot method, the long single strip method, and the joined single strips method.

The slit skirt method involves cutting the bag into layers. First, cut the bag into 1/2 to 1-inch wide strips, starting from the bottom fold and ending 1 inch short of the other fold. Then, open up the bag to a single layer and cut diagonally from the lower slit to the upper slit. Finally, cut the loop at the beginning of the bag at an angle to open it up.

The spiral method is done by cutting the bag in a spiral pattern. First, pick a starting point at one of the side seams and cut diagonally to a depth of 1/2 to 1 inch. Then, continue cutting around the bag in a spiral, keeping the strip the same width.

The loops with a square knot method is done by first folding the bag neatly into thirds and cutting off the bottom seam and handles. Then, fold it in half or thirds again, and lay it against a yardstick. Make snips to mark your desired cutting lines, for example, every inch or two inches. Finally, pick up the folded bag and carefully finish cutting the strips apart.

The long single strip method is similar to the previous method, but with a slight variation. After marking and making your cuts, shake out the plastic, leaving the cut loops dangling. Then, make an angled cut from the left cut edge of the first loop at the bottom to the right edge of the first loop at the top. Continue this process until you have one long strip.

The joined single strips method is done by first cutting the plastic into strips of the desired width. Then, fold over about a half-inch of the end of one strip and make a short snip in the center. Do this at each end of each piece. Finally, fold one end of a short strip in half lengthwise and poke it through the snipped hole on the long strip. Pull it through and then fold the other end of the short strip and thread it through the hole at the opposite end.

Once you have cut your plastic bags into strips, you can start crocheting your basket!

How to make plastic yarn (or plarn)

To make a crochet basket from plastic bags, you'll first need to make plastic yarn, also known as 'plarn'. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make plarn:

Prepare the Plastic Bag

Start by flattening a plastic bag by folding it correctly. Plastic bags are usually wadded up or inside out, so take time to straighten and neatly fold the bag. Tuck the sides in so that they lay flat.

Fold and Trim

Next, fold the bag lengthwise and then in half again. This will make it easier to cut straight strips and reduce the amount of cutting required. Using scissors, trim off the handles and cut off the bottom of the bag, leaving about 0.5 inches attached.

Cut Strips

Now, cut the folded bag into strips, about 1 inch wide. The width of the strips will determine the strength of your plarn. Strips that are 1 inch or thicker will create a stronger plarn, perfect for making bags and baskets. Strips that are 0.5 inches or less will result in a more delicate yarn suitable for lace projects.

Open the Strips

After cutting, open up the strips. You should now have several plastic loops.

Join the Loops

To join the loops together, you'll need to know how to tie a basic Lark's Head knot. Take two loops and overlap them. Reach through one loop, grab the other loop, and pull it through. Pull the ends snug, but be careful not to pull too tight, as the plastic may stretch or tear.

Create a Ball of Plarn

Continue joining loops together to create a long strand of plarn. Form the plarn into a ball by wrapping it around two fingers and then snowballing it up.

With your ball of plarn ready, you can now start crocheting your basket! Remember, each strip from an average grocery bag yields about a 15-inch length of plarn, so plan accordingly when estimating how much plarn you'll need for your basket. Happy crafting!

How to start crocheting a basket

To start crocheting a basket from plastic bags, you'll first need to make "plarn" (plastic yarn) from your chosen bags. This can be done by cutting the bags into strips, with the width depending on the type of bag you're using. For example, a standard plastic grocery bag can be cut into strips 1" wide, while plastic packaging from items like hashbrowns or toilet paper can be cut to 3/4" wide. You'll need quite a lot of bags, so consider asking friends or family to donate theirs if you don't have enough.

Once you have your plarn, you can begin crocheting your basket. You'll need a large crochet hook, such as a Q/16 mm hook, and a locking stitch marker. The specific pattern you follow may vary, but here's a basic outline to get you started:

To begin, fold down the end of your first loop of plarn and grab both strands of plastic through the loop. Place your crochet hook through this double-stranded circle.

Round 1: Single crochet (sc) 6 times in the first chain, placing a locking stitch marker in the first stitch. Do not join or turn—you should have 6 stitches.

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around, giving you 12 stitches.

Round 3: Single crochet in the next stitch, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat this pattern around, resulting in 18 stitches.

Round 4: Single crochet in the next 2 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat this pattern around for a total of 24 stitches.

Round 5: Single crochet in the next 3 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat this pattern around, giving you 30 stitches.

Round 6: Single crochet in the next 4 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat this pattern around, resulting in 36 stitches.

Round 7: Single crochet in the next 5 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat this pattern, leaving you with 42 stitches.

You can continue this pattern for as many rounds as you like, increasing the number of single crochets before your next increase. This will make the base of your basket larger or smaller, depending on your preference.

Once you're happy with the size of your basket's base, you can move on to the sides. Simply single crochet in each stitch around for as many rounds as you like to achieve your desired height. When your basket is the right height, slip stitch in the next 5 stitches, fasten off, and leave an end of 4-8 inches long. Use a size K, L, or M crochet hook to weave in the end.

And that's it! You've now created a crocheted basket from plastic bags.

How to finish crocheting a basket

Once you have crocheted your basket to the desired height, you can finish it off by creating handles and a decorative edge.

Handles

To add handles to your basket, lay your project down so that the sides are flat. Mark the centre stitches on both the front and back of your sides, measuring in from the sides. Use a stitch marker or safety pins. Now count out 3-5 stitches from that central stitch, going both ways. The number of stitches will depend on the size of your basket. A larger basket will need more stitches. Mark again.

Work in single crochet up to the first marker, chain 7-9 stitches, then single crochet into the stitch with the second marker. Continue around the basket and do the same on the other side. Slip stitch to close that round.

On the next round, when you get to the chain loop you have made, single crochet the same number of stitches as you did chain stitches, over the chain, into the space you have made with the chain loop. Do this on both sides. Continue by working 2 more rounds, thus creating nice thick handles.

Decorative Edge

You may like to add a decorative edge to your basket. To do this, change from single crochet to a more decorative stitch for the last few rounds. Make sure you are choosing a firm, solid type of decorative stitch!

Finishing Touches

To finish, slip stitch to close the round, pull the yarn through, and weave the ends in. You can also add a yarn tassel or homemade pom-poms to decorate your basket.

How to make different-sized baskets

To make different-sized baskets from plastic bags, you can adjust the pattern to create different sizes of square or round containers.

For a round basket, you can make the base any size you like by continuing to add rounds of increases. The pattern for each round is as follows:

> Every round adds an additional sc before the next increase. An increase is where you put 2 sts into the same st.

Once you have the base of your basket at the desired size, you can move on to the sides. The pattern for the sides is as follows:

> sc in each st around.

Repeat this round as many times as you like to make the sides of your basket. When you are happy with the height of your basket, sl st in the next 5 sts. Fasten off, leaving the end 4-8 inches long. Use a size K, L, or M crochet hook to weave in your end.

For a square basket, you can adjust the number of rounds in the Basket Base and the Basket Sides. For example, the pattern instructions for a smaller basket (about 10 inches in diameter x 5 ¼ inches tall) include 5 rounds of increases in the Basket Base and 7 rounds even for the Basket Sides. To make a larger basket, you can increase the number of rounds in both the base and the sides.

Frequently asked questions