Seaside Stripe Plarn Market Tote: A Free Upcycled Knitting Pattern

Turn your stash of plastic grocery bags into a stunning, eco-friendly market tote with this free knitting pattern. The Seaside Stripe Plarn Market Tote is not just a bag—it's a statement. With its vibrant stripes, sturdy gusset, and integrated handles, this upcycled beauty is perfect for farmers markets, beach days, or everyday errands. Best of all, you're keeping plastic out of landfills while creating something genuinely useful and stylish.

This pattern is beginner-friendly, requiring only basic knit and purl stitches. The magic lies in the material: plarn (plastic bag yarn) gives the bag structure, durability, and a subtle glossy sheen that makes it stand out. Let's dive in and create something wonderful together!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather these supplies:

• Plarn (Plastic Bag Yarn): Approximately 40–50 plastic grocery bags, cut into 1-inch strips and joined into a continuous strand. You'll want a mix of colors for the stripes—white/clear bags for the base color and colored store bags (red, blue, yellow, green) for the contrasting stripes.
• Knitting Needles: US 10.5 (6.5 mm) straight or circular needles. Circular needles are helpful for managing the large number of stitches, but straight needles work fine too.
• Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends and sewing the side seams.
• Scissors: For cutting plastic bags and trimming yarn ends.

Gauge: 14 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Note: With plarn, gauge is flexible. If your tension is off, adjust your needle size up or down to achieve a fabric you like—the bag doesn't need to be exact.

How to Make Plarn

If you've never made plarn before, here's a quick tutorial:

1. Lay a plastic bag flat on a table, smoothing out wrinkles.
2. Fold it lengthwise into 1-inch strips (accordion style).
3. Cut off the handles and the bottom seam.
4. Cut the folded strips into 1-inch rings (you'll have a stack of plastic loops).
5. Open each ring and link them together by pulling one through another, forming a continuous strand. Pull gently to secure each link.
6. Roll the joined plarn into a ball, just like regular yarn.

Pro tip: Mixing bag colors as you join them creates a beautiful, organic stripe effect. For this pattern, we'll work in deliberate color blocks for a cleaner look.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked in three main sections: the base, the body (with handle openings), and the top edge. Follow along carefully, and you'll have a gorgeous tote in no time.

Part 1: The Base

The base is a simple rectangle worked in stockinette stitch. This will become the bottom of your tote.

1. Cast on 40 stitches with your plarn.
2. Row 1 (Right Side): Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl all stitches.
4. Repeat Rows 1–2 until the piece measures 12 inches from the cast-on edge. This forms the flat bottom of your tote.

Tip: Keep your tension consistent. Plarn can be slippery, so take your time and don't pull too tightly.

Part 2: The Body

Now we'll build the sides of the bag and add the colorful stripes.

1. Continue in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) for 14 inches, working in stripes as follows:
   • Knit 6 rows in Color A (e.g., white/clear bags)
   • Knit 6 rows in Color B (e.g., colored store bags)
   • Repeat this 6-row color block pattern for the entire body.
2. End with a wrong-side row (purl row).
3. Next row (RS): Knit all stitches, increasing 4 stitches evenly across the row. You should now have 44 stitches total. (To increase, knit into the front and back of a stitch—this is a simple kfb increase.)
4. Continue in stockinette stitch for 2 more inches, maintaining the stripe pattern. This extra width will give your bag a roomier shape.

Part 3: Handle Openings

This is where the bag transforms into a tote with integrated handles. Don't worry—it's easier than it looks!

1. Next row (RS): Knit 10 stitches, bind off the next 12 stitches, knit 12 stitches (the center), bind off the next 12 stitches, knit the last 10 stitches. You'll now have 10 stitches on each side, with two gaps for handles.
2. Next row (WS): Purl 10 stitches, cast on 12 stitches over the bound-off gap (using the backward loop method or cable cast-on), purl 12 stitches, cast on 12 stitches, purl the last 10 stitches. You're back to 44 stitches total.
3. Continue in stockinette stitch for 4 more inches, maintaining your stripe pattern. The cast-on stitches will form the top of the handle openings.

Tip: When casting on over the gap, keep the tension loose enough that the handle opening isn't too tight. You want comfortable shoulder room.

Part 4: Top Edge

A garter stitch border gives the top a clean, sturdy finish that won't roll.

1. Knit 2 rows of garter stitch (knit all stitches on both RS and WS).
2. Bind off loosely on the next row. (To bind off loosely, use a larger needle or bind off in pattern—knit two stitches, then pass the first over the second, but don't pull too tight.)

Part 5: Finishing

Now we assemble the tote. This is where the magic happens!

1. Fold the base in half so the cast-on edge meets the bind-off edge, with right sides together. The stockinette stitch should be facing inward.
2. Sew the side seams using a tapestry needle and plarn. Use a whip stitch or mattress stitch, starting from the bottom corner and sewing up the side. Leave the top 6 inches open for the handles—the handle openings should align at the top.
3. Turn the tote right side out. Gently push out the corners for a crisp shape.
4. Weave in all loose ends with the tapestry needle, hiding them inside the bag.
5. Optional reinforcement: To make the handle openings extra strong, crochet a round of single crochet around each opening. This adds durability and a neat finish.

Your Finished Tote

Congratulations! You've just created a beautiful, functional, and eco-friendly market tote. The Seaside Stripe Plarn Market Tote is roomy enough for a week's worth of groceries, sturdy enough for heavy produce, and stylish enough to carry anywhere. The glossy sheen of the plastic yarn catches the light beautifully, and the colorful stripes add a cheerful, seaside vibe.

Because plarn is waterproof and wipeable, this bag is perfect for beach days, pool trips, or rainy market runs. And every time you use it, you're keeping dozens of plastic bags out of the environment. That's something to feel good about!

Happy knitting, and enjoy your new eco-friendly companion!