
The zero-waste movement is a big deal for many people, and with good reason. It can be overwhelming to think about going zero waste, but small steps can add up to real change. One way to reduce waste is to use reusable produce bags when shopping for groceries. These bags are small, crocheted, and feature a drawstring and hanging hook. They are an easy way to reduce waste and can be made at home with the right materials.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Size | Small |
Material | 100% cotton |
Features | Drawstring and hanging hook |
What You'll Learn
How to make a crocheted produce bag
Materials
To make a crocheted produce bag, you will need the following materials:
- Crochet cotton or yarn
- A crochet hook
- Scissors
- A yarn needle
Steps
Step 1: Creating the Base
Start by creating a base for your bag using a magic ring. Chain 2, which counts as the first double crochet, then double crochet into the same stitch. Continue by doing double crochet stitches in each stitch around, and slip stitch into the top of the chain 2 to join.
Step 2: Forming the Mesh Pattern
Form the mesh pattern by chaining a number of stitches and skipping the next stitch, then single crochet into the next stitch. Repeat this pattern around, creating a wheel-like shape with "spokes". In the next round, you will increase the number of stitches in each space to create a larger wheel.
Step 3: Increasing the Size
Continue increasing the size of your bag by repeating the pattern of chaining, skipping stitches, and doing double crochets into the chain spaces. You can adjust the size of your bag by varying the number of rounds you crochet. Remember that these bags are very stretchy, so you might not need to make it as big as you think.
Step 4: Adding the Handles or Drawstring
Once you've reached the desired size, you can finish your bag by adding handles or a drawstring. For handles, you can chain a number of stitches and skip some chain spaces, then double crochet into the next chain space. Repeat this pattern to create a handle on the other side. For a drawstring, simply braid or chain a long strand of yarn and weave it through the last round of the bag.
Step 5: Finalizing Your Bag
To finish your bag, weave in any loose ends and cut any remaining yarn. Your crocheted produce bag is now ready to use! You can make these bags in various colours and they also make great gifts.
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Benefits of crocheted produce bags
Crocheted produce bags are an excellent way to reduce waste and help the environment. They are an easy and fun DIY project that can be made in various sizes and colours to suit your needs. Here are some benefits of crocheted produce bags:
Eco-Friendly and Reusable
One of the main advantages of crocheted produce bags is their environmental benefit. By using these bags, you can reduce your plastic consumption and move towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Plastic bags are harmful to the environment, and switching to reusable options is a small but significant step towards reducing waste.
Lightweight and Strong
Crocheted produce bags are surprisingly strong and durable. Despite their lightweight and delicate appearance, they can hold a fair amount of produce. The bags are stretchy, so they can accommodate various items while remaining easy to carry.
Customisable
These bags offer customisation options to suit your preferences. You can choose the size, colour, and style of your bag. You can make them bigger or smaller, add handles or a drawstring, and experiment with different edging styles. This flexibility allows you to create bags that perfectly meet your needs and preferences.
Easy to Make and Maintain
Crocheted produce bags are relatively easy to make, even for beginners. With readily available patterns and tutorials, anyone can learn to make these bags. Additionally, the materials required are affordable and accessible, especially if you buy them second-hand or from thrift stores. The bags are also machine washable, making them easy to clean and maintain.
Multi-Purpose
While designed for produce, these crocheted bags can be used for various purposes. You can use them as gift bags, shopping bags, or storage bags for other items. Their versatility makes them a useful addition to your collection of reusable bags.
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Step-by-step guide to crocheting a produce bag
Materials
To make a crocheted produce bag, you will need some crochet cotton, such as Aunt Lydia's #10 crochet cotton, and a crochet hook. You can also use yarn, but cotton is a good choice as it is easy to wash and biodegradable.
Step 1: The base
To start, you will need to crochet a base for your bag. This can be done by crocheting 6 single crochet stitches into a magic ring and then slip stitching into the first single crochet stitch.
Step 2: The spokes
The next step is to create the "spokes" of your wheel. You do this by chaining 4 or 5 (which counts as a double crochet plus chain 2), then double crocheting into the same single crochet, and chaining 2 again. You will then work *double crochet, chain 2, double crochet, chain 2* all the way around, slip stitching into the chain 4 or 5 that you started with. This will give you 12 "spokes".
Step 3: Increasing the spokes
In the next round, you will increase the number of "spokes" by 4. Chain 4 or 5 (counts as a double crochet plus chain 2), then in the same space (the chain 4 or 5 of the previous round), double crochet, then chain 2. Then, in the next space (the chain 2 of the previous round), double crochet, and chain 2.
In the next space, instead of doing just one double crochet + chain 2, do a second double crochet + chain 2. Then, in the next space, double crochet, and chain 2.
Repeat from * to * around, then slip stitch into the initial chain 4 or 5 that you started the round with. You should now have 16 "spokes".
Step 4: Repeat and increase
Repeat the previous step, increasing the number of "spokes" by 4 each round, until you have a total of 28 "spokes".
Step 5: No more increasing
In this round, every space gets just one double crochet + chain 2. Again, start with chain 4 or 5, which is equivalent to a double crochet + chain 2.
Then, in the next space, double crochet, and chain 2.
Repeat from * to * around, and slip stitch into the chain 4 or 5 that you started with. You will still have 28 "spokes" at the end of this round.
Step 6: Repeat without increasing
Repeat the previous round eleven to fourteen more times, or until the bag is your desired length. Unstretched, a bag of about 11" tall (28 cm) is a good size.
Step 7: Finishing touches
Finally, you can add some finishing touches to your bag, such as a drawstring or handles. For a drawstring, chain 1 (does not count as a single crochet), then 3 single crochet into each chain 2 around, and slip stitch into the first single crochet (not the initial chain 1).
You can also add a hanging loop by chaining 20, single crocheting into the first single crochet, and then single crocheting in each single crochet around, slip stitching into the first chain of the chain 20.
Step 8: The drawstring
To make a drawstring, braid 12 strands of crochet cotton to a length of 18". Weave the drawstring into the last round before finishing.
And that's it! You now have a crocheted produce bag. Feel free to experiment with different colours and sizes, and add your own creative touches.
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Tips for living more sustainably
- Recycle and compost where possible. If your city doesn't have a composting programme, look for places that will process your compost waste for you. You can also purchase at-home composting systems, such as the Bokashi system or a vermicompost system.
- Shop at bulk food stores for dry goods and bring your own containers. This reduces the amount of packaging waste.
- Bring your own reusable straws and water bottles.
- Invest in a silicone mat for baking instead of using single-use wax paper or aluminium foil.
- Reuse "single-use" plastic items, such as black takeout containers, for other purposes such as growing plants.
- Switch to a menstrual cup or period panties.
- Bring your own shopping bags when you go grocery shopping. You can also crochet your own produce bags!
- Reuse clean containers for storing snacks instead of buying bags of chips, which are not recyclable.
- Cut down on beef consumption, as it is the worst for the environment.
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Other eco-friendly tips for the kitchen
A zero-waste kitchen is achievable with some simple swaps and new habits. Crocheted produce bags are a great start, but there are many other ways to make your kitchen eco-friendly.
Firstly, ditch the disposables. Paper towels, plastic zip-top bags, plastic wrap, and single-use shopping bags can all be replaced with reusable alternatives. Opt for sponges, dish towels, and beeswax wraps instead. Reusable shopping bags are an easy swap, but you can take it one step further and use reusable produce bags, like the crocheted variety, when buying loose fruits and vegetables.
The next step is to switch to eco-friendly cleaning products. Baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and castile soap are all great natural alternatives to chemical-laden cleaning products. These products can be used to clean your kitchen, appliances, and laundry. When it comes to washing dishes, use sponges made from recycled materials and biodegradable, phosphate-free dish soap.
Another way to make your kitchen more eco-friendly is to choose sustainable materials for utensils, dinnerware, and storage containers. Recycled glass cups, ceramic or metal plates and bowls, and wooden cooking utensils are all great options. For food storage, choose glass, metal, or silicon containers over plastic. Reusable beeswax wraps are also a great alternative to plastic wrap for covering food.
Lastly, reduce food waste by planning meals, storing leftovers, and composting. Plan meals around ingredients with shorter lifespans and embrace leftovers to reduce waste. Start a compost bin with your biodegradable kitchen scraps to further reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your plants.
Making these simple changes in your kitchen will not only help the environment but can also improve your health and save you money.
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Frequently asked questions
The creator, Fiona Potts, was inspired by her aunt who used reusable grocery bags but still used plastic produce bags. She wanted to find an alternative.
The bag is made from Aunt Lydia's #10 crochet cotton, which is 100% cotton and can be washed easily. It is also pretty biodegradable.
The bag is made from cotton so it should be easy to clean. You can wash it by hand or on a gentle cycle in the washing machine. Hang to dry.
The pattern is available for free on the Handy Finch website. There is also a video tutorial available.