How to use recycled plastic bags for home decor and rugs

Save the environment by recycling! Use old plastic bags to create clever and usable doormats, rugs, placemats and more!
Learn the basics and create your own designs. No need for a loom!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• plastic bags
• scissors
• large crochet hook size J or larger

1. 
    
   Using different colored bags will create interesting textures in your project.

   This image shows a rug I made with "Hobby Lobby" plastic bags since I spend quite a bit of money in that store! You can utilize various size, types, and colors of bags to create a fascinating pattern in your final project.

2. 
    
   Flatten the bag and cut off the straps

   Before we can begin assembling our project we must first gain the maximum length out of our plastic bags. Cutting the bags in a certain way will gain you the most out of each bag. We begin by cutting off the tips or straps of each bag.

3. 
    
   Cut off the bottom seam

   Now, at the OTHER end you have a seam that runs across the bottom of the bag. Cut closely to the seam and snip it off.

4. 
    
   Fold and cut as pictured above, about 2.5 to 3.5 inches apart.

   Now, fold your bag (with the two open/cut ends to the left and right)
   up to within about 3 inches of the top. Once it has been folded, cut as pictured..all the way through leaving a small uncut section at the very top. (usually cut about 2.5 to 3.5 inch strips)

5. 
    
   Cut across at an angle through the uncut portion to make one strip. Repeat.

   This is the trickiest part of cutting but it is what gives you a long and continuous strand of plastic to use for your project. You want to begin at the left edge and cut across the UNCUT portion to the FIRST edge of the CUT portion. See the photo..

6. 
    
   Goal: one complete, long, strip of plastic from each bag.

   Once you have cut an angle across each section you will find you have a long strip using all the plastic. Your finished strips should be one long continuous piece as pictured.

7. 
    
   Use your hook to make a loop

   Your next step is to begin working with your long strip. Make a loop at one end with a single knot. Insert your hook into this loop and pull through another loop of the plastic. Pull another loop through that loop and continue this process creating a "chain" of loops.

8. 
    
   Make your chain one/half the final length you desire for your finished rug or mat

   Continue to pull another loop through your current loop and continue making your "chain" until it is half the length you wish for your final length.

9. 
    
   Learning how to work back along the length of the chain

   Once you have the chain the proper length, simply turn your hook and place it through a hole in your first chain stitch. Next, pull a loop of the plastic through that hole as well as the loop as you did when making the chain. As you gain practice, you will be able to pull the plastic through both loops at once. This is called a "Single crochet" stitch. Do this stitch all along the length of your chain back to the origination end.

10. 
     
    Enlarging the rug with the single crochet stitch

    Continue doing your "single crochet" back along the chain till you reach the end.

11. 
     
    second row 1/4 done

    Single crochet on around until you have encircled your original chain completely. See photo for how this will look in progress.

12. 
     
    begin adding corners to make rug square and adding more plastic

    If you run out of plastic strip, simply add a second strip and overlap it. Work both pieces together as if one. Now begin process of making corners. At the end work THREE single crochet stitches into ONE opening. Do the same thing in the adjacent hole. You have now made two corners at one end. Continue single crochet around to far end.

13. 
     
    how to add/overlap plastic strips for more

    Repeat corner process at far end as well. You have now made 4 corners with single crochet everywhere else. Continue single crochet throughout until you reach the 3 stitch corners again. Single crochet to the MIDDLE stitch, put 3 stitches in the ONE middle stitch and continue with single crochet to the next corner. Repeat this throughout.

14. 
     
    Rug nearing completion

    Continue working your corners and adding single crochet until you are satisfied with the length and width of your rug. Simply tie off the end, knot it, and work the loose ends back into the rug and you are done! Congratulations!

Tips & Warnings

• Heavier weight plastic can be cut into more narrow strips.
• Rugs can be left outdoors and cleaned with a garden hose!
• If you find your stitches are too tightly woven and difficult, switch to a larger size hook. The actual pattern for the basket will be added later so check back for that particular pattern.

[Susanh]

on 6/13/2009 Oh my goodness! What a fun recycling project! I want you to know how much I appreciate your step-by-step photos. I've been searching for articles on tote bags and the like on eHow this morning and yours is the only one so far with photos. Kudos!

[AbbyNormal]

on 6/2/2008 This is soooo cool. This should definitely be "Article of the Day" !!!!

[tcup345]

on 4/27/2008 I've done this before, the rugs are comfortable to stand on, are durable and interesting. I've made tote bags with plastic bags, they stretch a little when filled but are tougher than they look. It takes forever to cut the bags but the work is worth it in the end.

[GreenGardenChic]

on 4/3/2008 Great idea.

[emcue]

on 11/2/2007 FABULOUS idea for making your home more "green." I can't wait to try this out! Now I have another reason to shop... I need the bags!! LOVE the article!