This time of year, many knitters and crocheters are up to their elbows in their vegetable gardens. Hour upon hour is spent in battle, gardener pitted against the weeds. It’s an ongoing struggle, one of which I haven’t the stomach for.

Heat, bugs and sweat, will win every time over me. I will gladly show my appreciation of such hard work and determination by purchasing my vegetables at the farmers market. I would much rather choose to match wits with yarn and a knitting pattern any summer day.

Still despite all the excitement happening in the gardens, there needs to be a little creative down time. Summer just lends itself to trying your hand at something a little different. This is the time of year that I like to experiment. I’m currently trying my hand at crocheting with recycled plastic grocery bags. This is not my first time working with them. I have used grocery bags in my weaving, creating tote bags and runners. I recently saw a really good looking tote bag that had been crocheted with the plastic bags. It was high time that I made one of my own.

Now, I have purchased my fair share of the reusable store bags, some which are quite pretty. My problem is that I seem to use them to tote everything else but my groceries, and when I do manage to have them in my car, I forget to bring them into the store with me. I now, guilt ridden over these bags, I feel then the need to at least make good use of them.

Having started my first one tote bag, I’m reminded that there are so many other colors be side white available. I find myself spotting a new color bag, and snatching it up, so I could incorporate in my bag. Depending on how you start your bag will determine the shape of your finished piece. An oblong bottom was how I started the bag shown. A round bottom would make a great bucket style bag, or even a cute and very usable basket, especially if you add self made or purchased handles.