A “Go to project” with a purpose - crocheted mat for the homeless made from grocery bags

Crochet Plastic Bag Tutorial with Marj

SUPPLIES:

PART 1

Take a grocery bag, fold in half, fold in half again. You can even cut two at a time.
Cut off the bottom edge, cut off the handle edge, fold in half, cut, fold in half again, cut.
Now each one is prepared to crochet.
Take one of the squares you have cut
Open like this, add to the bag, pull tight, add another square with just a slip knot until you have all the bags and roll into a ball.
Next I will show you how to crochet the rug.

PART 2

Once you have crocheted your first row you’re ready to move to the next row and repeat the pattern for each subsequent row. To get a gauge similar the width of this, you use the crochet hook N.
Once you have completed the first row, you chain up 2, turn your work and repeat the pattern.
Wrap around, go in the second chain (ch) from the hook, double crochet (dc), wrap around, go into the next chain (ch), (you have 3 wraps on your hook) crochet through 2, crochet through the final 2 hence “double crochet (dc)”, wrap around, go in the next row, crochet 2, crochet the remaining 2. Then you will repeat row 2 and each subsequent row until you get to the desired length.
Your width is 50 chains (chs), and the length of your work will be as you desire.

PART 3

Once you have crocheted the length, which is about 45 double crochet rows (45dc), you are now ready to attach the finishing loops that will be able to roll the blanket as well as have a nice strap to carry the blanket.
Attach a pipe of yarn that will give you a soft shoulder strap, chain 45 (ch 45), attach to the last row and simply do a single crochet (sc) all the way across.
Once you get to the end of the row, then chain another 45 (ch 45) so that you have the other handle on the opposite side.
Come halfway or about 10 chains, and then make another 45 chain (ch 45) and attach it to 10 chains from the end so then you will have the loop to carry the mat.

PART 4

After you have made your length of 45 and have done the exact same thing on the other side, you also want to make another length of 45 in the middle.
As you are crocheting back and forth, do a slip stitch (sl st)back on each chain, and then return to your handle and do double crochet (dc) in order to give a nice firm handle.
Now you’re ready to roll your mat up.
Remember this mat can be used at the beach and at the park but my heart’s desire is to help ensure that some of the homeless in our area, which is very significant.
Take your ties and secure the strap, that helps to keep the mat rolled up, and the one in the middle.
Then I trust the Lord to lead me to an individual that will benefit being able to keep his/her own blanket secure and dry with the crochet plastic mat made from grocery packets.