Prepare the plastic yarn
_ Turn the bag sideways. Trim the handles and bottom edge off the bag. Smooth the bag out.
Fold the lower side edge up to sit 3 cm under the top edge. Fold the new side edge up to the same position and repeat one more time.
Cut through the layers at 2 cm intervals, keeping the 3 cm upper section intact.
Open out and flatten the upper section. Cut diagonally from the right-hand side in line with where the lower vertical cuts finished across to where the higher first cut finished. Continue cutting diagonally from the bottom right to the top left point across each of the strips until all of the upper sections have been cut. Then roll the long strip of plastic yarn (plarn) into a ball.
Fold the lower side edge up to sit 3 cm under the top edge. Fold the new side edge up to the same position and repeat one more time.
Cut through the layers at 2 cm intervals, keeping the 3 cm upper section intact.
Open out and flatten the upper section. Cut diagonally from the right-hand side in line with where the lower vertical cuts finished across to where the higher first cut finished. Continue cutting diagonally from the bottom right to the top left point across each of the strips until all of the upper sections have been cut. Then roll the long strip of plastic yarn (plarn) into a ball.
Crochet the squares
_
Crochet two large granny squares with 16 rows each and six
smaller granny squares with 8 rows each. Ensure that the same coloured plarn is
used in the final row of each square. In crocheting these bags, a tight tension has been applied using a 2.5 mm steel crochet hook and 2 cm wide plastic strips. The sides of the 16 row squares measure approximately 22 cm.
Abbreviations:
cs – chain section
tr - treble crochet (using UK/AU terminology - equivalent US terminology is dc - double crochet)
sl - slip stitch
ch – chain
cc – corner chains
sl, ch 8, sl in first chain to form a loop
Row 1: Ch 2, 2 tr in the loop, ch 3, repeat to the comma 3 times : 3 tr in the loop + ch 3, sl between the first 2 ch and tr to close the row.
Row 2: Rotate work, ch 2 + 2 tr + ch 3 + 3 tr in the cc, ch 1, repeat to the comma 3 times : 3 tr + ch 3 + 3 tr + ch 1 in the cc, sl between the first 2 ch and tr to close the row.
Row 3: Rotate work, ch 2 + 2 tr + ch 1 in the cs, repeat to the comma 3 times : 3 tr + ch 3 + 3 tr + ch 1 in the cc then 3 tr + ch 1 in the cs, 3 tr + ch 3 + 3 tr + ch 1 in the cc, sl between the first 2 ch and tr to close the row.
Fourth and subsequent rows: rotate work, in first single chain section : ch 2 + 2 tr + ch 1, in all cc sections : 3 tr + ch 3 + 3 tr + ch 1, in remaining single chain sections : 3 tr + ch 1, to close the row sl between the first 2 ch and tr.
Continue until the desired number of rows is completed. Sew the ends into the work.
There is a great video for crocheting a granny square here which shows the steps in slow motion. Alternatively, I have created the video below showing how I crochet my granny squares. Unfortunately my video is fuzzy in some places so at some stage I will try to create a better video.
Abbreviations:
cs – chain section
tr - treble crochet (using UK/AU terminology - equivalent US terminology is dc - double crochet)
sl - slip stitch
ch – chain
cc – corner chains
sl, ch 8, sl in first chain to form a loop
Row 1: Ch 2, 2 tr in the loop, ch 3, repeat to the comma 3 times : 3 tr in the loop + ch 3, sl between the first 2 ch and tr to close the row.
Row 2: Rotate work, ch 2 + 2 tr + ch 3 + 3 tr in the cc, ch 1, repeat to the comma 3 times : 3 tr + ch 3 + 3 tr + ch 1 in the cc, sl between the first 2 ch and tr to close the row.
Row 3: Rotate work, ch 2 + 2 tr + ch 1 in the cs, repeat to the comma 3 times : 3 tr + ch 3 + 3 tr + ch 1 in the cc then 3 tr + ch 1 in the cs, 3 tr + ch 3 + 3 tr + ch 1 in the cc, sl between the first 2 ch and tr to close the row.
Fourth and subsequent rows: rotate work, in first single chain section : ch 2 + 2 tr + ch 1, in all cc sections : 3 tr + ch 3 + 3 tr + ch 1, in remaining single chain sections : 3 tr + ch 1, to close the row sl between the first 2 ch and tr.
Continue until the desired number of rows is completed. Sew the ends into the work.
There is a great video for crocheting a granny square here which shows the steps in slow motion. Alternatively, I have created the video below showing how I crochet my granny squares. Unfortunately my video is fuzzy in some places so at some stage I will try to create a better video.
Join the squares together
_
Join the 6 smaller squares together in pairs by placing two
squares side by side and looping plarn (plastic yarn) between the stitches of
each square using a tapestry needle. Tie off and sew the ends into the work.
These square pairs will become the bottom and sides of the bag.
Loop the plarn along the edge of a 16 row square placed against the longer side of a square pair, which will ensure that the bag stands up in a stable way. Ensure that the best sides of the large square and square pair are facing outwards. Tie off and sew the ends into the work.
Place the second 16 row square against the remaining longer edge of the same square pair and loop plarn through these edges. The bag should now be taking shape with front and back sections attached to the bottom. Tie off and sew the ends into the work.
Attach the short end of one of the remaining square pairs against a short end on the bottom, again with the best side of the square pair facing outwards. Repeat by attaching the third square pair against the remaining short end on the bottom. Join the edges of the front and back squares to the sides. Tie off and sew the ends into the work.
Loop the plarn along the edge of a 16 row square placed against the longer side of a square pair, which will ensure that the bag stands up in a stable way. Ensure that the best sides of the large square and square pair are facing outwards. Tie off and sew the ends into the work.
Place the second 16 row square against the remaining longer edge of the same square pair and loop plarn through these edges. The bag should now be taking shape with front and back sections attached to the bottom. Tie off and sew the ends into the work.
Attach the short end of one of the remaining square pairs against a short end on the bottom, again with the best side of the square pair facing outwards. Repeat by attaching the third square pair against the remaining short end on the bottom. Join the edges of the front and back squares to the sides. Tie off and sew the ends into the work.
Crochet the handle
_ Use the same coloured plarn to crochet the handle that was
used in the final row for each of the squares.
Row 1: Sl + ch 2 + 2 tr in the third chain section from the right side of the front (or back) square, ch 2, tr 1.
Second and subsequent rows: Rotate work, ch 2 + 2 tr in the cs, ch 2, tr 1.
Continue until 34 rows are completed. Place the top of the 34th row side by side with the third chain section from the left side of the same (front or back) square, ensuring that the handle isn’t twisted. Loop through to secure the handle to the top of the bag. Sew the ends into the work.
Repeat for the second handle on the other side of the bag.
Row 1: Sl + ch 2 + 2 tr in the third chain section from the right side of the front (or back) square, ch 2, tr 1.
Second and subsequent rows: Rotate work, ch 2 + 2 tr in the cs, ch 2, tr 1.
Continue until 34 rows are completed. Place the top of the 34th row side by side with the third chain section from the left side of the same (front or back) square, ensuring that the handle isn’t twisted. Loop through to secure the handle to the top of the bag. Sew the ends into the work.
Repeat for the second handle on the other side of the bag.
Alternative handle
In fifth cs from the right side of the front (or back) square, sl + ch 2 + 2 tr, then repeat 6 times: ch 1 + 3 tr into next cs. Rotate work. Ch 4 then repeat 6 times: 3 tr into next cs then ch 1. Tr 1 to finish the row. Rotate work. Repeat previous 2 rows 3 more times (excluding the "sl" stitch) to create an 8 row flap.
Fold flap through and over the base of the handle towards the inside of the bag. Position the top edge of the flap against the first (bottom) row of the flap. Using a tapestry needle, loop plarn between the stitches of the top and bottom sections of the flap to attach the handle. Alternatively, crochet through both layers of stitches (as above) picking up the plarn from beneath the work.
Repeat for the second handle on the other side of the bag and enjoy!