Thursday, September 27, 2007

Knit Pattern: Recycled Grocery Bag Bag


I've checked my link in this post and it still works, but in case you have any trouble with the link, the website for making the plastic yarn is:

http://hellejorgensen.typepad.com/gooseflesh/2007/02/plastic_bag_yar.html 


Abbreviations:
B/O = Bind off
C/O = Cast on
K = Knit
P = Purl
sl = slip
st = stitch

For Circular Knitters

Materials:
20-25 plastic grocery bags (Follow this link for a tutorial on making plastic bags into yarn)
Size 15 circular needles (12” will do)
Large yarn needle
Stitch marker

Pattern
C/O 72 sts, place a marker at the beginning (before joining), then knit across.

K each row until bag is desired length (before straps).

Make “holes” for straps:

Row 1: K 10, B/O 16, K 20, B/O 16, K 10
Row 2: K 10, C/O 16, K 20, C/O 16, K 10

Knit 5-7 more rows (depending on how wide you want your straps).

B/O loosely and weave in ends.

Turn bag purl side out and flatten so the strap holes are lined up. Use large yarn needle to sew up the bottom seam of the bag (use double strands of bag yarn for strength).

Weave in ends and turn bag right side out.


For Straight Needle Knitters

Materials:
20-25 plastic grocery bags (Follow this link for a tutorial on making plastic bags into yarn)
Size 13 needles*
Size 15 needles
Large yarn needle
Stitch marker

Pattern
C/O 37 sts on size 13 needles*
Switch to size 15 needles and work 6 rows of stockinette stitch. Slip the first st of each row (this creates an easier selvedge to sew)

Row 7: sl 1, k 10, B/O 15, k 11
Row 8: sl 1, p 10, C/O 15, p 11

Continue to work in stockinette stitch until bag is twice desired length. End on a P row, then repeat rows 7 and 8.

Work 6 more rows, then B/O tightly or use size 13 needle*

Fold bag in ½ (purl side out), so the strap holes are lined up. Use large yarn needle sew up sides (use double strands of bag yarn for strength), turn knit side out.

* If you C/O loosely and B/O more tightly or vice versa, use smaller needles to C/O or B/O. The goal is to have the same tension for the C/O edge as you do for the B/O edge.

Coming soon... Little cable purse pattern