Knitted carrier bag from carrier bags

[Mrs Ava]

I finished knitting this at the weekend.  I have already taken several orders but the problem is, I haven't used carrier bags for ages so now I have all the neighbourhood gathering theirs up for me.  This was my first attempt.  I have some interesting ideas to try for the next one.

[Mrs Ava]

[glosterwomble]

WOW!!!  :o How fab!!! You clever thing!

[kenkew]

Ebuygumbay? And one for the DIY section?

[gardenqueen]

Must have taken ages just to cut up the bags into knittable strips?

[Ninnyscrops.]

That looks sooooo neat too.

I've been crocheting one and just thinking about the handles - what are yours made from please EJ?

Linda

[Lauren S]

Wow, what a fab idea......Clever you. I bet it's as tough as old boots. Should last years  :D

[Mrs Ava]

Thanks everyone.

The straps Linda are made from an old pair of brown jeans that had long seen better days.  I just cut up the legs,  joined them together to make a very long ribbon, sewed along the edges to make a long tube, turned it rightside in, pressed it, then ran it through the machine with the red cotton as a contrast and to keep the edges nice and neat and pressed.  I sewed it on using buttons and wool, thinking cotton would cut through the bags.   One button outside and one in, sewed through the strap and the bag.  For a first attempt, I am really pleased and lots of people have commented on how great it looks.  I am now halfway through a different style of bag, and am knitting a fish design onto the front.  The fishy one will be for my daughter.

I would love to see a picture of your crochet one Linda.

[Froglegs]

   :o  Looks like my swim trunks  8)        :-[     ;D

[kenkew]

This is also a winning one for the 'Sumfink from Noffink' thread.

[Ninnyscrops.]

Not as neat as yours EJ, I just added another colour in the middle of a row  ;D, but it's got a gusset each end.

Linda

[Sparkly]

How many carriers did you use to make the bag? Did you just cut the bags into strips and then tie them together?

[thifasmom]

these look great guys ;D.

but a word of warning i have noticed that tesco bags disintergrate after long storage periods about 3- 6 months, not sure which bags you both have used just thought i would let you know.

[hippydave]

this may sound stupid :-[but how do knit a carrier bag out of carrier bags ??? im very intrigued.

[Ninnyscrops.]

Sparkly, I used about 50 or so bags cut into inch wide strips, some bags were larger than others and some were of a thicker quality which I cut a little thinner, all tied together (hence no piccy of the inside of my bag  ;D ;D ;D). I'm sure EJ will let you know how many for the knitted bag.

Unfortunately, or fortunately thifasmom, most of the bags are bio-degradeable that I've used so it'll be interesting to see how long it lasts with my weekly trip to town.

Linda

[Emagggie]

Now they are impressive, what clever ladies you are!

[Mrs Ava]

Took me a similar amount of bags, and cut in the same way.  I do have a selection of thicker bags, but they are a bugger to knit with as they are quite sticky on the needles, but I think I will get used to it.  Honestly, I now have loads of orders!!

Anyhow, knocked this one up this evening for a bit of fun for my daughter.  Only about 10 inches wide, just knitted a continuous rectangle then sewed the sides together with wool.  Picked up 6 stitches at the side and knitted the strap, casted off and sew the other end in place with wool again.

[thifasmom]

Took me a similar amount of bags, and cut in the same way.  I do have a selection of thicker bags, but they are a bugger to knit with as they are quite sticky on the needles, but I think I will get used to it.  Honestly, I now have loads of orders!!

Anyhow, knocked this one up this evening for a bit of fun for my daughter.  Only about 10 inches wide, just knitted a continuous rectangle then sewed the sides together with wool.  Picked up 6 stitches at the side and knitted the strap, casted off and sew the other end in place with wool again.

my 9 yr old daughter just saw this and in her words

that's amazing

and when i told her what it was made of she said

what a clever recycler

:)

[lolabelle]

very very clever... what size needles???

[Mrs Ava]

For the first bag I used size 5.5 circular needles, for the second one I used size 7, so a looser knit.

[Borlotti]

I am just so, so impressed, in fact I am speechless.  If I were that clever I would have a go, I can knit, but ...... still no words are coming.  I think you should go on Dragons Den and make a fortune (to spend on seeds) and people would queue up to buy your lovely bags.