How to Crochet a Transparent Bag: A New Accessory Made from Plastic Bottles

Transparent bags are most often used for the beach, but they have recently gained significant popularity, and like all original items, they are quite expensive. I offer a simple and affordable way to make such a bag yourself using unwanted plastic bottles and leftover yarn.

To understand how to crochet a bag from individual transparent elements, watch this simple tutorial.

What you will need for the bag:

1. Transparent plastic mineral water bottles. It is important that they have smooth sides. The number of bottles depends on the size of the bag you want to crochet. 2. Strong, non-elastic thread. Silk, nylon, or thick cotton will work. 3. White thread for finishing. 4. Crochet hook. 5. An old thick knitting needle. 6. Cardboard or thin plastic.

How to crochet

Step 1***

Make a template out of cardboard or thin plastic for the future fragments. In this case, these are 5 cm squares. Mark the placement of the holes and pierce them with a thin awl.

Step 2

Cut squares from the middle part of the plastic bottles using the template, transfer the hole locations with a needle, and make them using a heated knitting needle.

Step 3

Crochet around each element one by one. To do this, secure the thread with a knot, insert the hook into the hole, and work 3 double crochets into each hole, and for the corners, work a pair of three double crochets separated by one chain stitch.

Step 4

Introduce a contrasting color thread and crochet around in a circle with single crochets.

Step 5.

Connect 16 elements together for the front and back of the bag.

Step 6

Cut a solid base from a vertically positioned bottle, make holes, and crochet around as indicated above. Make the sides either from a single piece of plastic or from 4 connected fragments.

Handles

For the handles, chain 10 stitches and crochet to the desired length. You will need 2 such elements. Finish by crocheting around with white thread using single crochets.

Assembly

Connect the sides, bottom, and handles to the two parts of the bag using slip stitches.

If desired, the bag can be made in a different size, and not from transparent elements, but from thick solid-colored nylon.

If you prefer a sewn reusable bag instead of a crocheted plastic-bottle version, see also: how to sew a reusable eco bag.