PATTERN: Crocheted Baggy Coin Purse

Strips of plastic bags are surprisingly strong when crocheted to make this cute coin purse.  Vary the lengths of strips and color for a unique look.

Materials
Assorted plastic shopping bags, cut into ½”-wide strips and rolled into a ball (see note below)
Size 00/3.50mm steel crochet hook
Buttons, washers and other embellishments (optional)

Size
3 ¼ inches wide; 4 inches high (with flap closed)

Gauge
5 stitches and 4 rows per inch

Stitches Used
Single crochet (sc), slip stitch (sl st)

Note:  Before crocheting the coin purse, the plastic bags need to be prepared.  Tie or intertwine the ends of varying lengths and colors of plastic strips and roll into a ball.  The purse is crocheted as one piece, folded and crocheted together.
 
Instructions
Fdn Row: Ch 15
Row 1:  Starting in 2nd chain from hook, sc in each ch to end (14 stitches).  Ch 1, turn.
Row 2:  Sc in each sc across.  Ch 1, turn.

Continue in pattern until piece measures 6 inches.  Place markers at the beginning and end of this row.

Dec Row: Insert hook in first sc and pull up loop.  Insert hook in second sc and pull up loop (3 loops on hook).  YO and draw through all 3 loops (1 decrease made).  Sc in each sc across to last 2 stitches.  Decrease.

Continue to decrease 1 stitch at the beginning and 1 stitch at the end of each row until there are 2 stitches (flap).  Fasten off.

Finishing
Fold purse to markers.  Starting at lower corner and holding edges together, sc edges together.  Continue sc evenly around flap and again sc edges together.  Fold flap. 

© 2005 L’Tanya Durante

Comments

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After hearing people argue over the environmental costs of "paper"
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paper grocery store bags.