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How to crochet with reused plastic bags

Posted on September 28, 2008 by magpie

Today I had the pleasure of meeting a friend of mine’s mothers. One of them pulled out a bag she was crocheting, and told us with pride that she had made it from reused plastic bags… in this case, newspaper bags (at the top) and grocery bags (forming the bottom). The thing is quite sturdy and remarkably ingenious. She of course demurred and has pointed out that she’s not the first to do this. But we were super excited and she graciously let us photograph the process of making plastic yarn.

First, she takes a plastic bag (a clean one, she points out) and cuts off the top and bottom, throwing these bits into the recycling.

Then she rolls the bag length-wise, making it easier to cut.

She cuts the rolled up bag, which leaves her with loops of plastic.

Then she loops the bags through each other, like you link rubber bands onto each other. This leaves her with a long line of plastic that she rolls into a ball like yarn.

Knitting Burns Calories

I have found a few sites that proclaim knitting can burn anywhere from 30-102 calories per hour! I find this fascinating. I am not sure which site is most credible, so take a look for yourself.

http://www.annecollins.com/weight_loss_tips/calories.htm

http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-burned-sitting-knitting-a83

http://www.fitday.com/webfit/exerciseinfopage.html

Basketweave Scarf (Small)

This is my fifteenth scarf.

This was made by a simple alternating garter and purl stitch pattern.

The pattern can be found below, although a made a few changes:

Instead of using thicker yarn, I used smaller needles (size 9).

Also, to obtain a thinner scarf, I had to make up my own pattern, casting on 13 stitches.

Basketweave Pattern

Basketweave Scarf Video

My Pattern:

CO: 13 sts

R1: K

R2: P4, K5, P4

R3: K4, P5, K4

R4: R2

R5:K

R6: K5, P3, K5

R7: P5, K3, P5

R8: R6

(Repeat)

The yarn I used was made up of 60% Cotton, 38% Acrylic, and 2% Aluminum.
I used 138 yards of yarn.
Yarn gauge: 4.25 sts = 1"
I used size US 9 needles.

When knitting this scarf, it is important to remember where you left off. You can write it down every time you stop or you can let the scarf talk to you. Remember:

*When the tail is at the top, you are on an even row

*When the front of the pattern is facing you and the needle is pointing up, you are on an odd row

Below, I will paste the instructions from the pattern link... in case the link is ever removed.

Instructions:

1. Cast on 19 stitches using your favorite method.
2. Knit in the following pattern:
   
   • Row one: Knit across.
   • Row two: Knit four, purl three, knit five, purl three, knit four.
   • Row three: Purl four, knit three, purl five, knit three, purl four.
   • Row four: Repeat row two.
   • Row five: Knit across.
   • Row six: Purl three, knit five, purl three, knit five, purl three.
   • Row seven: Knit three, purl five, knit three, purl five, knit three.
   • Row eight: Repeat row six.
3. Repeat pattern to desired length

Fun With Basketweave:

Basketweave is a lovely stitch pattern, but it is not reversible. That means this scarf has an obvious front and back that aren't the same. The back isn't ugly by any means--it has an interesting pattern of raised squares that would make a nice scarf in its own right.
If you like the look of a scarf that looks the same front and back, don't make this pattern. Otherwise, it is a fun pattern that's easy to work and very satisfying in how quickly it knits up. Just one pattern repeat will give you about two and a half inches of scarf and takes 10 minutes or less to knit.

Ripple Stitch Scarf

This is my fourteenth scarf.

 Ripple Stitch Scarf Pattern

This scarf was relatively easy and quick to make. The only trouble with it is that you are attached at the hip to the pattern instructions. Only towards the very end did I memorize all 10 rows of the pattern.

If you do not yet own a stitch counter, now is the time to get one as it is very easy to forget which row you are on.

It may be helpful to note that when what I will call the main pattern is facing you, you are on an odd row. 

As I have mentioned before, I normally like a somewhat skinnier scarf. However, I would have preferred to repeat this pattern twice (casting on 26 sts) to make a wider scarf with this pattern.

The yarn I used was made up of 60% Cotton, 38% Acrylic, and 2% Aluminum.
I used 138 yards of yarn.
Yarn gauge: 4.25 sts = 1"
I used size US 9 needles.

 In case the link is ever removed, I will include a copy of the instructions below.

Rippleicious:

This Ripple Stitch Scarf is a breeze to knit and a lot of fun as well, particularly when knit in a bright color like the one shown -- perfect for chasing away cold-weather blahs.

The bulky yarn is a dream to work with, and you can knit one of these up in two or three evenings in front of the fire, or the television set. For gift knitting, make this one up in the recipient's favorite color, the color of their favorite sports team, or even stripes. Either way, it will be good to go in no time.

Instructions for Ripple Stitch Scarf:

1. Cast on 14 stitches.
2. Work in Ripple Stitch pattern (below) for 60 inches.
3. Bind off in pattern.
4. Cut yarn and weave in ends.

Ripple Stitch:

Row one: Knit 6, *purl 2, knit 6.

Row two: Knit 1, *purl 4, knit 4, purl 4, knit 1.

Row three: Purl 2, *knit 2, purl 2. Repeat from * across.

Row four: Purl 1, *knit 4, purl 4, knit 4, purl 1.

Row five: Knit 2, *purl 2, knit 6, purl 2, knit 2.

Row six: Purl 6, *knit 2, purl 6.

Row seven: Repeat row 4.

Row eight: Knit 2, *purl 2, knit 2. Repeat from * across.

Row nine: Repeat row 2.

Row ten: Purl 2, knit 2, purl 6, knit 2, purl 2.

Repeat these rows.

Zoey Scarf

This is my thirteenth scarf. This is a scarf I've been wanting to make since I walked into my local knitting store and saw it.

I had to use three needles for this (including a cable needle).

I used thicker yarn for this pattern (I'm not sure of the weight, but the wrapping suggesting using size US 11 needles with it). For this particular pattern, I used size US 13 needles with a larger cable needle. I needed approximately 110 yards of yarn for this pattern.

 Abbreviations:

K: Knit

CN: Cable Needle

Cast On = any multiple of 4 + 2

I cast on 14 sts (I like a thinner scarf)

Using size 3 light weight yarn, use size US 9 needles

Using worsted weight yarn, use size US 10 needles

My yarn called for size US 11 needles, so I used size US 13 needles

Pattern Stitch:

Row 1: Knit

Row 2 and all even numbered rows: Purl

Row 3: *Work right crossover on 2 sts as follows: slip 2 sts on to sn and hold in back of work, K2, K2 from cn*; repeat from *to*, ending K last 2 sts

Row 5: K2, *work left crossover on 4 sts as follows: slip 2 cn and hold in front of work, K2, K2 from cn*; repeat from *to*.

Repeat rows 3 through 6 for this pattern.

It is very important to end on a row where a cable needle was used (row 3 or 5) before casting off... otherwise the end of the scarf will bell outward.

My Method of Casting On with 2 Needles

Casting On with 2 Needles Video

To cast on with 2 needles, follow the instructions supplied by the video link above. That is, until 1 minute and 8 seconds have passed. At this point, I have found another way of casting on that I like better.

In the video, they teach you to put the needle through the loop you have just made. Instead, I recommend trying to put the needle under the loop you have just made and the continuing as normal. This way, the cast on end does not look all loopy, but more like the cast off (bind off) end. 

I always hate it when the two ends look so much different from each other. Problem solved.

I have found (probably better) instructions on how to do this. If my explanation above does not suffice, please follow the link below:

Cable Cast On

Basketweave Scarf

This is my twelfth scarf.

This was made by a simple alternating garter and purl stitch pattern.
The pattern can be found below. However, instead of using thicker yarn, I used smaller needles (size 8).

Basketweave Pattern
Basketweave Scarf Video

The yarn I used is 50% Peruvian Wool and 50% Tencel.
Yarn gauge: 4.5 sts = 1"

When knitting this scarf, it is important to remember where you left off. You can write it down every time you stop or you can let the scarf talk to you. Remember:

*When the tail is at the top, you are on an even row

*When the front of the pattern is facing you and the needle is pointing up, you are on an odd row

Below, I will paste the instructions from the pattern link... in case the link is ever removed.

Instructions:

1. Cast on 19 stitches using your favorite method.
2. Knit in the following pattern:
   
   • Row one: Knit across.
   • Row two: Knit four, purl three, knit five, purl three, knit four.
   • Row three: Purl four, knit three, purl five, knit three, purl four.
   • Row four: Repeat row two.
   • Row five: Knit across.
   • Row six: Purl three, knit five, purl three, knit five, purl three.
   • Row seven: Knit three, purl five, knit three, purl five, knit three.
   • Row eight: Repeat row six.
3. Repeat pattern to desired length

Fun With Basketweave:

Basketweave is a lovely stitch pattern, but it is not reversible. That means this scarf has an obvious front and back that aren't the same. The back isn't ugly by any means--it has an interesting pattern of raised squares that would make a nice scarf in its own right.
If you like the look of a scarf that looks the same front and back, don't make this pattern. Otherwise, it is a fun pattern that's easy to work and very satisfying in how quickly it knits up. Just one pattern repeat will give you about two and a half inches of scarf and takes 10 minutes or less to knit.

Braided Scarf

This is my eleventh scarf. This scarf uses an unusual braiding pattern . I had tried to make it 3x before, with no success. The trick to making this scarf is to knit in rows of three across over and over and over again and then braid those resulting strands. I couldn't find any yarn locally that was large enough to braid without knitting it wider first. 

I used size US 13 needles for all strands and varying yarn sizes. I kept knitting until the strands were 10ft long. Ten feet may have been too long; 8 or 9 feet should suffice. I knit 6 strands altogether. You can add more for a thicker scarf as long as they are in groups of two.

I have gotten many comments on this one and my mom loves to borrow it all the time!

It goes faster than most scarves, so I would definitely recommend it!

I will also include the instructions below in case the link is ever removed.

First, cut the yarns to the desired length. I had 12 of 10' long yarns. 2 of them as a group and tie them together. like the photo shown below.

**( it could be 14 of 8' long yarns or 16 of 7' long yarns. you will have shorter but wider scarf.)

 
so you will have six group of them. Tie them to the clothes hanger.

Follow the instruction here. I quickly did some sketches here. I hope this is helpful.

I hung my hanger to my book shelf structure so I can sit on my chair. The Ikea book shelve I have happens to have the steel rod structure so I can easily adjust the height I want. I also tried to hang it to the bath room's towel hanger but then I could not adjust the height. It's a bit painful to stand for a couple hours. Also you need a clean floor space for the excess yarns. remember they are 10' long yarns!

I think I was inspired by those back strap loom which attached to wood trunk and human body. It reminds me that I can simply use my clothes hanger to finish this project.

 No. 8 is the end condition. You need to always adjust the shape of the scarves. Pull them tight!! but not overly.
try to do some swatches before you did a real project. to check the texture, color and get used to the braiding patter. Also you will know what kind of the tension you need. This is the swatch I used the irregular shape yarns so you can see that it got various width.

Here is the original illustrations from the book. You will notice that actually the yarns are fixed by the nails. you also can do this way. I tried this at the very beginning . I used foam core and pins but it failed. The pins doesn't hold the yarns well. I just don't have a surface can nail on and also bigger enough for those 10' long yarns.

   

Zoey Scarf

This is a scarf I've been wanting to make since I walked into my local knitting store and saw it. However, it is the most advanced scarf I have ever made and I needed to warm up to it a bit. This is my tenth scarf.

I had to use three needles for this. I had to buy yarn to get this pattern, but I will give this to you here. 

I used thicker yarn for this pattern (I'm not sure of the weight, but the wrapping suggesting using size US 11 needles with it). For this particular pattern, I used size US 13 needles with a larger cable needle. I needed approximately 100 yards of yarn for this pattern.

 Abbreviations:

K: Knit

CN: Cable Needle

Cast On = any multiple of 4 + 2

I cast on 14 sts (I like a thinner scarf)

Using size 3 light weight yarn, use size US 9 needles

Using worsted weight yarn, use size US 10 needles

My yarn called for size US 11 needles, so I used size US 13 needles

Pattern Stitch:

Row 1: Knit

Row 2 and all even numbered rows: Purl

Row 3: *Work right crossover on 2 sts as follows: slip 2 sts on to sn and hold in back of work, K2, K2 from cn*; repeat from *to*, ending K last 2 sts

Row 5: K2, *work left crossover on 4 sts as follows: slip 2 cn and hold in front of work, K2, K2 from cn*; repeat from *to*.

Repeat rows 3 through 6 for this pattern.

The end of my scarf belled-out quite a bit and I had to sew it thinner. I recommend not ending in a knit or purl row, but ending with row 3 or 5 then casting off.

Easy Drop Stitch Scarf Pattern (Made w Circular Needles)

This is my ninth scarf.

I made this just like I made my very first scarf, only I used circular needles. It was a little harder to do than what the regular pattern calls for because I had to cast on 206 stitches and then count them to make sure I had the correct amount for the pattern. Other than that, however, it was fairly simple. I think I like using the circular needles better because I have more control over the width of the scarf with this pattern.

I used size US 11 circular needles and worsted weight yarn.

to .pdf of scarf pattern

I will also include a picture of the .pdf below in case the link is ever removed.