Grocery bags?

[SevenVeils]

I've been wanting to make some of these for a long time but I haven't gotten around to it. Apparently, in a few days there will be a .15 charge for each bag that a store provides. I don't know the details, and that fact could be pretty inaccurate considering the source, but anyway...

Does anyone know where I can find a free pattern or tutorial on making grocery bags? I'd prefer them to be pretty big.

[HoneyTree]

whoops...double post

[HoneyTree]

There's knitty.com's kitchensink and MagKnit's Saturday Market Bag. From Plymouth's Web site. On Ravelry, Elisa's tote and Crochet Grocery Bag.

And y'all know I love knitting, but I must say that for my volume of grocery shopping, I had to supplement my knit and crochet market bags with big canvas bags that are always aplenty at my local thrift store for 50 cents each. A someday craft idea of mine is to silkscreen or embroider my own designs to cover up the obnoxious bank and business logos on the front of these sturdy, cheapo totes, if that earns me back any crafty cred...

[kimberlychapman]

I started a few different patterns but found them to be too complicated in terms of how much I had to pay attention to stitch counts, which is hard when knitting in a room with a toddler making constant demands. Also, too many involved seaming when I wanted something simple in the round.

So I whipped up my own that's far from perfect, but I'll experiment further at a later date. Basically I just did a garter stitch bottom (using size 15 needles and handicrafter cotton), then picked up sts all the way around the bottom, increased a bit, then did one row of k1 yo repeat, then the next of k1 drop the previous yo. That made a simple, stretchy bag pattern.

Straps generally work by binding off the sides of the bag and working up the straps partway to graft together in the middle. I made mine taper for better bag stability.

The kitchensink one looks interesting to try some day, thanks for the link. I've put it in my huuuuuuge Rav queue.

[iowaorganic]

If you sew at all you can make some pretty cool and easy ones. I think I made 6 in an hour and they were all mostly recycled fabric. They work awesome. Or t-shirt bags. All way faster and quite possibly cheaper than knitting or crocheting bags.

[lilyka]

http://www.purlbee.com/elisa-nest-tote/

I made that one and love it. it was super easy and I didn't have to concentrate too much. it knits up really fast and the tutorial is awesome.

here is the finished product (excuse the messy house)

empty
full


hanging on the door

close up of pattern

[lilyka]

and i was going to say . . . at all the stores here they have various reusable grocery sacks for $1. they are actually pretty nice and hold a lot of groceries. anyway . . .something to use while you are furiously knitting.

[llamalluv]

I've posted a tutorial for one made from an old t-shirt, and someone else posted another sewn pattern, over in the Sewing forum....

In case you need one FAST and aren't 100% committed to having only knitted bags.

[lilyka]

llamalluv - I couldn't find it. could you post a link?

[llamalluv]

Originally Posted by lilyka

llamalluv - I couldn't find it. could you post a link?

Sure! Looks like the sewing board is a LOT busier than I originally thought!


T-shirt grocery bags


Lined grocery bag with pocket This thread also has a link to additional designs/tutorials

[flapjack]

I saw a great tut for sewn bags through a blog a week or two back. I'm in a similar situation though, that we're now no longer in a situation where we're collecting plastic to reuse at home, so this is my big project for the coming weeks.

[DawnaRose]

I purchased a ton of canvas bags from the thrift store too, and the logo's drove me nuts... I turned each bag inside out, I can deal with seams more than I can some random logo of a place I've never heard of or support

Originally Posted by HoneyTree

And y'all know I love knitting, but I must say that for my volume of grocery shopping, I had to supplement my knit and crochet market bags with big canvas bags that are always aplenty at my local thrift store for 50 cents each. A someday craft idea of mine is to silkscreen or embroider my own designs to cover up the obnoxious bank and business logos on the front of these sturdy, cheapo totes, if that earns me back any crafty cred...

[Yo Becca]

I'm knitting one right now from "Fabulous Felted hand Knits" by Jane Davis. I got the book from the library. The bottom is a knitted circle you felt in the machine. then you pick up the stitches and knit the body in *k2tog, yo* for about 12" (that part went really fast). I just have to bind off the top and make the i-cord handles.

I'm making it to donate to a school art auction fundraiser - I personally use chico bags (from MDC co-ops) and old canvas totes for groceries. And Ikea bags too. The t-shirt bags look awesome!

[llamalluv]

Originally Posted by DawnaRose

I purchased a ton of canvas bags from the thrift store too, and the logo's drove me nuts... I turned each bag inside out, I can deal with seams more than I can some random logo of a place I've never heard of or support

Another alternative (because the seams would drive ME nuts ) would be to put something OVER the logo. Either paint or a pretty fabric patch.

I know, more work than just turning them inside out, but I've rarely been accused of sanity.

[notwonamesalike]

I'm getting ready to crochet my unfortunate huge stash of plastic grocery bags into a sturdy, recycled plastic grocery bag.

[pumpkin]

I really like the magknits pattern. I've made some very handy, super stretchy bags. Seriously, love the pattern. The bags stretch really well but are sturdy as all get out.

But my string bags aren't my main grocery bags. I wanted something with a little more structure for big trips. Most grocery stores have cloth bags for $1. I got some great ones at Whole Foods.

So even if you knit some bags, a few cloth or canvas bags come in really handy.

[barefootamy]

Originally Posted by notwonamesalike

I'm getting ready to crochet my unfortunate huge stash of plastic grocery bags into a sturdy, recycled plastic grocery bag.

Oooo! Tell me more! This sounds like a really cool project. I have way too many plastic grocery bags in my bag hanger in the kitchen.

[lilyka]

I knit mine into door mats and misc other junk.

the basics for starting is to lay them out flat. then sut them into trips with a rotary cutter. I do one inch strips. this will give you a loop. and I don't know how to explain mking them into chains. do you know how to make loop chains? Its hard to explain. . . if you do know than keep attaching. roll into a ball as you go. the chains are easier to make if you keep the ball rolled. Once you have a ball knit or crotchet as usual. I use a size US 15 needles.

[kuhlmom]

Originally Posted by notwonamesalike

I'm getting ready to crochet my unfortunate huge stash of plastic grocery bags into a sturdy, recycled plastic grocery bag.

WHAT a GREAT idea!!!

Are you using a pattern? I'd like to try this too.

[notwonamesalike]

Originally Posted by kuhlmom

WHAT a GREAT idea!!!

Are you using a pattern? I'd like to try this too.

I'm going to use the pattern on this site. She has great stuff!


http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/1...cery-tote-bag/