Recycling Plastic Bags

I posted previously about creating "fabric" by fusing plastic bags, but another way to recycle plastic shopping bags is by making plastic "yarn" (plarn) and knitting, crocheting, or even weaving it.

My Recyled Bags has a great tutorial on how to cut the bags and connect the pieces.
Similar tutorial by Gooseflesh.
This is the method I prefer, though it makes a double-strand thickness.

If you prefer a thinner yarn, another method is to cut each bag into a spiral (like an orange peel).
Weavezine shows this method, and also gives a tutorial on weaving plarn.

Or perhaps the tutorial by Pie and Coffee will make more sense to you.

Recycled plastic totes are especially great beach bags--they can be rinsed off easily, and are long lasting.
They're also great for shopping bags (ironic, eh? Plastic shopping bags, reused and made into reusables).
They are also quite sturdy.

Wow, go figure--Creative Recyclers show how to weave a tube shape from plastic bags, using a plastic bottle as a prop.
This spool knitting technique (with real yarn) is also shown on Craftypod.

Atomic Shrimp used a handmade French bobbin and 25 plastic bags to knit this amazing tote

There are a lot of patterns out there, but here are just a few to get you inspired:

I loooove this crocheted tote from Marlo's Crochet Corner (instructions on her site).

I have just enough blue Walmart bags saved for the project.
For anyone who likes to use plastic bags for projects, there was a collective groan when Walmart switched from blue to ordinary white bags.

Crocheted tote tutorial on The Knitty Professors

When searching for free patterns, you can sometimes find crochet or knitting plastic tote/purse patterns under "bread bag".
Packages from bread and newspapers are thinner plastic, are often easier to work with, and give a finer look.
I especially like the clear bags--they give almost a crystalline accent to your projects.
My Recycled Bags has a ton of patterns available, including Bread Bag Tote

Also from My Recycled Bags, a Granny Square Motif Tote

There seem to be fewer knitting tutorials out there, but almost any knit or crochet pattern can be adapted to use with plarn.
Also check youtube for video tutorials.

What, exactly, is an amulet bag?

Before we get started with ideas, tutorials, and patterns, let's deal with definitions.

Amulet bags are usually small pouches.

According to Wikipedia, an amulet can mean many things.
"...an object that protects a person from trouble"
or a talisman...consists of any object intended to bring good luck and/or protection to its owner.
Potential amulets include: gems or simple stones, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants, animals, etc.;
even words said in certain occasions—for example: vade retro satana—(Latin, "go back, Satan"), to repel evil or bad luck."

According to this site:
"Amulet bags are generally worn at HEART LEVEL. In ancient times they were used by Native tribes to carry herbs or things to ward off evil spirits. In other words, they were sometimes worn for protection. They were also used to carry precious mementos of loved ones, or prayers.

If you have a family member or friend who is going through a tough time you can put prayers in it for them. Every time you look at or touch the bag you will be reminded to send them love and prayers. Love is very powerful for healing the mind, body, or spirit.

Also, if you have small gifts that others have given you, you can put those in the bag. Gifts from family and friends are generally gifts of love, even if it's just a card or a tiny piece of the card. Gifts of love are thought to hold the energy of love for the recipient of the gift. So if you are feeling down or in need of love or just want to be reminded of the fullness of the love that already exists in your life put those special gifts from loved ones in your bag.

Today most people just wear them as jewelry, others sometimes put crystals in them.

Personally I like to fill mine with prayers of love, and peace."

Or, you could make a mojo.(wikipedia)
"Mojo...is a term commonly encountered in the African-American folk belief called hoodoo.
A mojo is a small bag, a type of magic charm, often of red flannel cloth and tied with a drawstring, containing botanical, zoological, and/or mineral curios, petition papers, and the like.
It is typically worn under clothing."

So....what does all this mean to you?
Maybe you can explore symbolism, or your culture, or be introspective spiritually.

Maybe you'd rather make a larger pouch.
You could make a bag to carry your bible, or one for an inspiration journal, runes, etc.
knitted tarot pouch tutorial by Knitting with Laura.

Or you could make this a cathartic statement.
You could make a bag in tribute to someone's (yours?) childhood,
or a memorial to a loved one who has passed away.

You could make some sort of inspirational bag to hang in your home or your car with motivational phrases inside.

Again, make it mean something to you.
Take your time and really give it some thought.

A new gallery, and a new theme

Well, I didn't complete my bag for my own frickin' challenge.
I considered postponing the gallery,
but that's really not fair to the rest of you.
I'll submit my bag late.

I'm a bit disappointed that so few people decided to make a beach bag.
I hope this is due to vacations away from your sewing machines, versus lack of interest in this blog.

Anyway, here's the current gallery of submissions.

And yes, there's also a new theme, due September 30.
Are you ready?

The next theme may make some of you uncomfortable.
Ah, that's where creativity is at its best.

The gallery posts October 1st, so in honor of that month's holiday, I've decided I would like you to make an amulet bag.

Now, stay with me here.
To those of you who may be religious, do not assume this is of the occult.
If magical or spiritual references disturb you, then steer in the direction of your own beliefs if you so desire.
As with all areas of life, take the parts that make sense...and go with it.

Perhaps make a bag for prayer requests, for family wishes, for goals and inspirations, for art projects....
The theme just needs to encompass some sort of token, be it an embroidered cross, to a pouch filled with herbs.

In other words, create a significance.
Or work around dreams, prayers, wishes, good fortunes....

I'd like to challenge your boundaries, and force (if you will) you to put some thought behind your creation.
If you're going to create art (and that is what sewing and crafting is), make it mean something.

Consider both if and how you're going to embellish the exterior, and what you will place within.

Here's a small knitted pouch by Mag Knits (tutorial here).


*Consider symbolism and folklore, and incorporate these into your design, such as a drawing of the life line on a palm, coins for wealth, etc
*include objects or talismans representing luck (rabbit's foot, four-leafed clover, horseshoe, etc),
*or traditional tokens of affection or luck (red roses, rose quartz, hearts, etc)
*Cultural symbols such as Chinese letter characters that represent luck, fortune, long life, health, or things like Maneki Neko.
*herbs and crystals and remedies (for health, etc)
*spells, wishes, prayers (in the form of objects, words, symbols)

Maybe try a new material or technique.
Ideas of how-to's:
*a pouch embellished with ribbons
*made from suede or leather
*made from metal or wrapped wire
*embroidered with a symbol of good fortune
*knitted or crocheted
*beaded
*or a bag with objects under vinyl or organza
*or (hidden?) pockets with good luck trinkets
*purse with dangling charms or covered in milagros
*seashells, stones, crystals
*painted silk
*felted
*needle punch
*ribbon flowers
*hand-stitched wool felt
*velvet
*yo-yos

See what I mean?

Don't worry, I'll be posting lots of ideas to get you started,
so keep checking back.