Happy Birthday To Me And a Surprise Gift

A while back I posted my first original pattern using plarn [plastic bag yarn]. The pattern was for a Plarn Grocery Bag made of recycled plastic grocery sacks into a reusable bag that looks like a paper bag. My inspiration was just trying to make something practical for myself. I wanted to start using my own bags when I found out about that big plastic bag island that is floating around the ocean and killing animals. I looked at some other patterns on line but they didn't look to me that they would hold much for a full grocery trip. [no offense to anyone's pattern] I wanted something the size of a normal paper bag so I made one.

I don't know exactly how many bags it took. I didn't count because I used up my whole stash and then started raiding other peoples. If I had to guess I'd say maybe close to 100. It took a real lot and I had to cut out sections where bags got ripped and work with what I had left. It also is a much bigger bag than others I've seen. As you can see by the picture I put it next to a regular paper bag so you can see it really is that size.

Finished bag size is about 14"wide X 7 ½"deep X 15 ½"high

The handles are adjustable to carry short/doubled or long for over the shoulder carry. I cut a piece of stiff cardboard to put in the bottom of my bag and I found that was enough to reinforce it. The plastic itself is pretty thick and sturdy once it's crocheted but the cardboard helps with any sagging if you carry any heavy items like juice bottles and so on.

The response to the bag was amazing. Definitely more than I expected. To me it had become a big plastic rectangle as it took some time to get the pattern right and the occasional back track. I guess I was not the only one looking for a bigger sized plarn bag. I had over 50 requests for the pattern and even now that blows me away. I want to thank everyone at Ravelry and Crochetville that was so kind with their comments and that was interested in my bag. However, being sort of new to some of this on line stuff I had no idea how to get the pattern on line and linkable so I mailed them out and my dial up connection groaned incessantly.

However I know there are folks out there that just don't want to give out their e-mail so for all you lurkers out there that are needing some Plarn Grocery Bag luv too I think I have an answer. After some rooting around on how to do this stuff I think I have figured out how to get a link situated. The PDF file is 5+MB and instructions for making Plarn are also included in the tutorial. Anyone that just wants to make a comment on the project is welcome to do that and a comment is appreciated if you are going to download the pattern.

I have to say I had a bad experience before with someone trying to pass off one of my patterns as theirs so this is a little leap of faith for me. We're using the honor system here so please be kind and follow the disclaimer.

Standard Rabbit9 Disclaimer for pattern use:

• My pattern is free for personal use.
  
• Do not sell my pattern.
  
• Do not sell bags made with my pattern.
  
• Do not pass my pattern off as your own.
  
• Do not post my pattern on your page.
  
• Do not post my pattern on any group pages.
• Do not direct link to the PDF file.
  
• Please DO Post a link back to Twisted Fibers Burrow or my Ravelry page if you want to share the pattern.
  
• All patterns posted here are © Rabbit9.

And now the moment you've all been waiting for, except for those that read the back of the book first, ;-) [crosses paws and hopes the link works]

Rabbit9's Plarn Grocery Bag Tutorial