Recycle and Reuse

Have you ever wondered what to do with all those plastic grocery bags that you just can't seem to get rid of?  I was next door at Sunnyside Up Breakfast Nook and Gallery visiting Robin, Schulz, the owner.  She had a new artist visiting and was looking at her goods.  As we looked through beautiful scarves and pins, she asked if anyone was selling market bags.  She pulled a couple out and lo and behold, they were crocheted from plastic grocery bags.  They were so cool looking (and such a great way to reuse these nuisance bags), I asked her how to make them.  Here is a step-by-step in case you are interested in learning!

1) Lay grocery bag flat

2) Roll bag lengthwise

3) Cut off the bottom seam

4) Make bands by cutting strips about 1/2-1/3 inch in width

5) Unroll the bands and thread one through another

6) Form knot by taking other end of threaded loop and threading through threaded loop (did I say thread enough?) similar to how you would thread a lanyard

7) Pull the knot tight by pulling both bands (note, if you pull from the far end of each band, you are more likely to get the knot centered correctly)

8) Repeat with remaining bands and roll into a ball.  Then you can use these knotted strands in place of yarn when creating your market bag.

This pattern can be found at: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10485.html?utm_source=20120713_July13&utm_medium=Emails&utm_campaign=Weeklynewsletter&utm_content=P-SimpleCrochetTote

Note: it may take some time to consistantly string the bands evenly.  I have not finished the bag yet, so I haven't figured out what to do with excess that is sticking out.  I am sure you just weave it into the stitches, but I will have to let you know when I finish.