Colorful Beach Tote
Hello! It’s Jennifer Ryan, the designer and blogger behind Celtic Knot Crochet. I am excited to be sharing the Colorful Beach Tote project here on the Clover blog!
I love to upcycle plastic bags and tablecloths, with the lazy days of summer coming up I thought this was the perfect project to make using Clover’s Size N/P 10mm crochet hook. You’ll see that it is a very simple project that uses an easy textured stitch and colorful recycled plastic.
I’ll take you through each step of the project and you’ll even be able to watch a video tutorial to help you make yarn out of plastic bags and tablecloths, change colors for each row and work the textured stitch. Let’s get started!
Skill Level: Easy
What You Will Need:
- Plarn –
That’s yarn made from recycled plastic bags and tablecloths – It’s easy to recycle the tablecloths after a party – just rinse or wipe off, let dry and then use in a crochet project!)(About 20 bags for the base circle and 2 tablecloths per color (up the sides) – I used 5 colors for my tote bag – see below for how to make the plarn and to get the link to a video tutorial) - Amour Crochet Hook N/P (10 mm) – Art No. 1057
Did you know that this is the best hook for crocheting with plarn? The shape of the hook, its smooth plastic make-up and the large size make working with plarn easy and fast – yay! - Scissors
- Clover Wonder Clips – Art No. 3185
- Jumbo Tapestry Needle – Art No. 219
Finished Measurements:
- Bottom circle of bag: 12” (30.48 cm)
- Height of sides of bag: 10 ½” (26.67 cm)Handles = 17” (43.18 cm)
Gauge: Gauge is not necessary for this project
Abbreviations:
YO (yarn over)
Hk (hook)
Lp (loop)
Ch (chain)
St (stitch)
Sl st (slip stitch)
Dc (double crochet)
Special Stitches:
- Back Loop Only = insert hk through back loop of each stitch
- Hhdc (Herringbone Half Double Crochet)= YO, insert hk into st, YO, pull lp through st and through 1st lp on hk; YO, pull through 2 lps on hk
- Join with Hhdc = With starting slip knot on hk, YO, insert hk into st, YO, pull lp through st and through 1st lp on hk; YO, pull through 2 lps on hk
Notes:
Starting ch-3 of each round counts as a dc
Join end of every round with a sl st to 1st st of round
First a circular base is crocheted with plarn made from plastic grocery bags
Then the sides are crocheted in the round using recycled plastic tablecloths in 5 different colors
Lastly the handles are crocheted and sewn to the top of bag
**You can purchase an instant downloadable PDF of the project here in my Etsy shop**
Instructions:
Make the “plarn” you need
Cut up 20 plastic grocery bags and 2 tablecloths for each color (if using 5 colors) – See directions below for how to cut up recycled plastic
Since I have made several projects using plarn, I created a short video tutorial here – If you watch starting at time stamp 3:30, you’ll see the section on how I like best to create the plarn with the grocery bags
I like to use a different cutting and assembling technique for working with the recycled tablecloths and you can see that method in this video tutorial here
Here’s how to make Plarn from plastic grocery bags:
- Pull on the side seams of the plastic bag so bag lays flat and even
- Cut off the handles and bottom seam of bag so you have a large tube
- Fold the bag in half with uncut sides together
- Fold in half again in the same direction
- Cut across the folded bag every 1 ½ inch
- Unfold these strips which will be oval ring shapes
- Lay one ring on work surface
- Lay another ring over half of first ring
- Insert hand through second ring and pull end (that is inside first ring) back through second ring
- Gently pull on outer ends of rings to tighten the knot
- Continue this process until all 20 bags are cut and joined
Base of Bag:
With grocery bag plarn, ch 4
Round 1: Work 11 dc in 4th ch from hk; (12 dc) (Starting ch-4 counts as first dc)
Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st; 2 dc in each st around; (24 dc)
Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same st; dc in next st; (2 dc in next st, dc in next st) around. (36 dc)
Round 4: Ch 3, dc in same st; dc in each of next 2 sts; (2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 2 sts) around. (48 dc)
*Note: If you would like a smaller bag than mine, then you can stop after Round 4 and skip Round 5*
Round 5: Ch 3, dc in same st; dc in each of next 3 sts; (2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts) around. (60 dc) Fasten off.
Sides of Bag:
To help you with this section of the project, I created a video tutorial on my Youtube Channel – You can watch it here – This video will show you how to join the different colors and how to do the Herringbone Half Double Crochet stitch.
With Red plarn put slip knot on hook
Round 6: Working in the back loop only, join with a Hhdc in any st; Continuing to work in the back loop only, Hhdc in each st around. (60 Hhdc) Fasten off.
Round 7: With Pink plarn put slip know on hook; Now working in both loops, join with Hhdc in any st; Hhdc in each st around. Fasten off.
Repeat Round 7 with each color in this order:
Red – Pink – Blue – Green – White
Until have 3 sets of all 5 colors (15 rows total for the sides) Fasten off.
Handles – Make 2:
With White plarn ch 30
Hhdc in 2nd ch from hk and in each ch across. (29 Hhdc) Fasten off.
Finishing/Assembly:
Using Wonder Clips hold handles in place making sure same height and same distance from sides of bag; Handle ends should also overlap bag sides about 3 inches for extra durability
Using Jumbo Tapestry Needle and White plarn, sew handles to inside of bag
Weave in all ends
Tada! Your Colorful Beach Tote is complete!
Now you have a bright and cheery bag to take with you to the beach – it’s practical and eco-friendly!
You can find a large-print instant downloadable PDF of this pattern by clicking here and purchasing it in my Etsy shop.
Please tag me @celticknotcrochet and use the #celticknotcrochet on Instagram – I would love to see your Colorful Beach Tote!
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