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Homemade Shopping Bag Swapparoo

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Homemade Shopping Bag Swapparoo
Swap Coordinator:lamborama (contact)
Swap categories: Knitting  Crocheting  Handmade 
Number of people in swap:15
Location:Other
Type:None
Last day to signup/drop:February 15, 2008
Date items must be sent by:March 15, 2008
Number of swap partners:1
Description:

I know there are other people out there who dislike the whole paper/plastic/throw it away grocery bag procedure, and I love making my own reusable bags rather than paying a gazillion dollars for storebought cloth bags. So for this swap, you will make 1 reusable market bag in the material and style of your choice and send it off to your earth-friendly, bag-loving partner. To mix it up a bit, how about if we give a heart for a well-made bag constructed of any recycled material? Could be old jeans cut and resewn, yarn unravelled from an old cotton sweater, or just about anything else you can think of. Of course it's totally ok to go out and buy some new material for the project, but recycling is so much more adventurous! (just make sure that you are making something nice that you would proudly tote around while you shop!)

So... 1 partner, make 1 bag, international, 4.75 rating or higher, newbies contact me and must have a full profile... and of course, have some fun!

Discussion

Harold8Maude 02/ 5/2008 #

this is probably what I'm going to do. I just thought I'd put it out there for anyone who needs an idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB1mE8e35UY

pennysquisher 02/ 6/2008 #

I made a couple of shopping bags out of the fused plastic method in the YouTube video. The first one I followed some directions for making a tote without thinking about how big the bag would be and it turned out too big for me to use (1. I don't usually buy enough at one time to need a bag that big and 2. If I filled it up I wouldn't be able to lift it.). The second one I made turned out better but it has the disadvantage of not folding up very well or as neatly as my fabric bags meaning I can't put it in my coat pocket. I have been making some bags using a pattern on Crafster You use a plastic bag to make your pattern. They aren't flat bottomed like a regular tote but they work well if you are just buying a few things and they are easy to fold up and put in your coat pocket or purse.

lamborama 02/ 6/2008 #

Pennysquisher... I like that crafster pattern! I might try that out too.

lamborama 02/ 7/2008 #

Here a couple places to find knitting instructions for a string bag... You can make one of these easily with 2 balls of Peaches and Cream type cotton:

http://magknits.com/June06/patterns/market.htm

http://disdressed.blogspot.com/2006/08/string-bag.html

I usually use that second one, but I leave out 1 or 2 pattern repeats so the bag isn't so... draggy. Last time I made one it only took me one ball of cotton, but you would need more for a larger bag.

wyldturtle 02/17/2008 #

I found this pattern a while back and thought I'd give it a go for this swap.

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/BK4K-0702003.html?noImages=

~W

lamborama 02/19/2008 #

Oooh, I never saw that pattern before Wyldturtle. Let me know if you like the finished product, maybe I'll try it out myself one of these days.

pennysquisher 03/13/2008 #

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