Celebrate Earth Day with five eco-friendly crafts all week long! Join Brenda K.B. Anderson and Jen Lucas on Tuesday, April 19th at 10:00 a.m. CT. Just like Rumpelstiltskin could spin straw into gold, you can turn ugly plastic shopping bags into a beautiful and useful tote—without any magic! Plastic bags are cut into strips and linked together to make the plastic yarn used for this project. A pattern is available to crochet and knit this tote. Let’s prevent those old plastic bags from ending up in a landfill and make them into an attractive, durable handbag that can be used again and again! Click here to download the material list and instructions!
Check out the entire mini-series schedule below. All live events will be available for replay. If you make any of the projects from the series, share with us by using the hashtag #ShareCraftsy on social media!
Series Schedule:
Monday, April 18th at 2:00 p.m. CT – Mini Sketch Note Holder
Tuesday, April 19th at 10:00 a.m. CT – Crochet and Knit Earth Day Tote
Wednesday, April 20th at 2:00 p.m. CT – Denim Curb Cover Quilt
Thursday, April 21st at 2:00 p.m. CT – Upcycled Ties Pillow Duo
Friday, April 22nd at 2:00 p.m. CT – Recycled Ceramic Mosaic Pot

One of my aunts made blankets for homeless shelters out of plastic bags.
Great Knit Earth Day Tote
I would like to learn how to knit, especially knit and purl stitches that make different designs in different patterns if at all possible!
These look like great gifts as bags to take to the grocery store.
I am a new to crochet would like to crochet earth day tote
I know how to do some crochet but not a intermediate. However, I have been wanting to learn how to knit and purl and make sweaters and bedspreads like my grandmother used to do until she died, sorry to say!
like to learn and get pattern free for paper crafting
I previously made homeless mats with plastic bags. I missed the instructions for the Earth Day tote bag. Could you send the instructions to me? Thanks
Hi Jan. Here is the link to download the patterns:
https://go.craftsy.com/project-upcycle-live/
Thanks
Sarah
Craftsy
Great to be in I love to Crocker and it’s been along time sense I Knitted look forward to trying it Thanks
I love making things from recycled products
I want to save the Planet so this is timely
Anyone have the instructions on doing a rug with a modified old toothbrush?
Would like tp learn to crochet withplastic bags.
Want to make bags
Plastic bag knit pattern
Hello Sheri,
Please click on the link below, choose the project, enter your email address where prompted, and then click on DOWNLOAD PATTERN at the top of the page:
https://go.craftsy.com/project-upcycle-live/
If you have any other questions, please email or call Customer Service.
Sincerely,
Sarah
Craftsy
download link for plastic bag crchet list link does not work.
Hello Lynette,
I am sorry to hear you are having trouble accessing the download. I was able to download the PDF successfully. Please click on the link below, choose the project, enter your email address where prompted, and then click on DOWNLOAD PATTERN at the top of the page:
https://go.craftsy.com/project-upcycle-live/
If you have any other questions, please email or call Customer Service.
Sincerely,
Sarah
Craftsy
Team Crochet and Team Knit
Can’t wait to try the tote!
Thank you for creating and sharing these.
I have also looked for projects to reuse plastic bags for many years.
Beautiful projects!!
team crochet
I have looked for years for a pattern to use. Bags or bread bags to make a rug would you make have it thank you
I watched with the intention to learn the knitting instructions, but now I think I may do the crochet and the knit ones for different uses. I am thinking of a way to also do a small welcome mat for outside the RV.
Plarn makes really cute baskets of all sizes. Wouldn’t matter so much if the bags are recyclable.
where do I get the patterns for both the knit and crochet bags?
Hi Rose. Here is the link. https://go.craftsy.com/project-upcycle-live/
If you have any other questions, please email or call Customer Service.
Sincerely,
Sarah
Craftsy
I think a bigger finished bag would be great for the beach.
Can’t wait to use up the plastic bags
The finished bags seem to be “soft”, if you know what I mean, rather than stiff. Is this true?
Team crochet:). The small bag done in a circle rather than oval would make a great catch-all or flower pot cover.
I love recycle projects!!
Looking forward to make tote
I want to learn