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knit plastic tote
Reuse plastic bags by recycling them into an electric-colored tote for toiletries.
Cut into strips and then knitted or crocheted, these recycled bags cast a brand new light on the art of needlework.
Choose bags in an assortment of colors - green, blue, orange, white... Cut off the handles and the bottom seam of each bag. You will now have a "tube" of plastic. Starting from one side, fold or roll up the bag, but leave the opposite side free. Next, cut the folded/rolled portion into sections about half to 1 in (1 to 1.5 cm) wide. The side left free should still hold all the strips together. Then, unroll the bag and make diagonal cuts through this section to form a spiral-like continuous strip. To see a demonstration, as well as beautiful examples of completed work, go to: hellejorgensen.typepad.com.
Making the tote:
Cast on 30 stitches and stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl the next row) for 1 ft 4 in (39 cm). You will need about 5 bags to make this piece. When you get to the end of one strand, tie it to a new one. You can change colors to make a striped tote, or use all one color. Plastic is fun and pleasant to knit, and gives the finished product an interesting texture, both supple and strong.
To cast off stitches, knit the first 2 stitches and then pull the first stitch over the second one you knitted. Knit another stitch and again pull the first stitch over the second one you knitted, and so on. This large rectangle will become the bottom, front and back of the tote.
Cast on 18 stitches and stockinette stitch for 5 ½ in (14 cm). Repeat to make a second side panel. Assemble the panels using fishing line. Then sew long stitches over the seams with colored thread, for a decorative finish.
From some spare terrycloth fabric or an old towel, cut two 1 ¾ in (4.5cm)-wide strips to make handles. Then use a sewing machine to make the lining. Sew the handles and lining onto the tote.
Note: Adapt the width of the plastic strips you cut to the type of plastic you use.
With thick plastic bags, strips should be thinner, and vice versa.
It is possible to mix different types of plastic, but to make knitting easier, it is best to use relatively thin plastic bags.
June 2008 [sewing]
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