For anyone looking to make a cute, new handbag and to use of some of the millions of plastic shopping bags you have around your house, here is a free pattern for you!

This handbag looks great at the end of each stage - you could leave it without the buttons, and/or you could leave it without the wrist strap. You’re the artist - it’s up to you!

Materials:
- N15/10mm Crochet Hook - I used Boye brand
- Less than 25 plastic shopping bags (Less than 4 Gray bags)
- Tapestry Needle for Weaving in Ends - I used a #18
- Stitch Marker, Optional
- 1 Button - I used a 7/8” (22m) Black Colored Button from Crafting with Buttons found at JoAnn’s, but not available for purchase online from JoAnn’s.

Pattern Notes:
I do have a DIY Plarn tutorial should you be interested in making your own plarn, or if you just need a refresher!

I would recommend using a hook that is more open. I tried a K10.5/6.5mm, a L11/8mm and the N15/10mm. The 6.5mm and the 10mm were of the same brand - Boye - with a more open mouth so they worked better than the 8mm - Susan Bates.

Usually I go to Hobby Lobby for my buttons - the Sewology brand. They are available in multiple sizes and shapes in each color, available in any color, great price and sturdier. When I went to buy buttons for this project (and a few others waiting on buttons), I happened to be going to a restaurant that was in the same plaza as JoAnn’s and I ran in five minutes before closing. I quickly grabbed three packages of different colors and raced to the register.
When I got them home, I was disappointed. These buttons are halves. They have a regular smooth top side, and a flat bottom side, which made me feel like these weren’t as sturdy. I ended up having to use two of them held together to complete one full button.
I’m sure for many other projects in which you need a flat back button with holes (ie sewing a monogram or picture on a pillow or hoop art), these buttons would be great but I wouldn’t buy them again to use for closures.

Time Spent:
It took me about an hour and 15 minutes to work up this bag from start to finish, not including making the plarn.
It took me about an hour to make the plarn used for this bag.

Measurements:
This handbag measures 9” wide by 6” in length with no stretch, and the optional wrist strap measures 10” around.

Abbreviations
SC - Single Crochet
CH - Chain
ea - each
st/ST - stitch
BLO - Back Loop Only
sl st - Slip Stitch
sc2tog - Single Crochet Two Stitches Together/Decrease