Make Your Own: Eco-Friendly Shopping Bag

To make this shopping bag, we'll use the macramé technique, which is popular all over the world. It is based on tying knots. Special cords are used, as well as strings of various thicknesses.

How to make a macramé bag?

First, prepare wooden rings to use as handles. Of course, you'll also need macramé cords. Choose the thickness you like, but we recommend a width of 4 millimeters. You'll also need scissors, a ruler or tape measure, and a small pillow.

Instructions:

Cut 20 pieces of string, each 180 centimeters long. Fold each cord in half and use a loop to attach it around a wooden ring. Before moving on, make sure all the ends are the same length. Exactly 10 pieces of string must be tied to each ring so the finished bag is symmetrical.

Photo: Cchobby.com

Each ring now has exactly 20 cords to work with. The bag's pattern is made using knots formed with four pieces of string, so divide the cords on each wooden ring into five groups of 4. About 4 centimeters below the handle, tie a double knot with the first group of four, with two cords inside the knot (as shown in the picture). Tie knots at the same distance with the remaining strings.

Photo: Cchobby.com

Make the same first row on the second wooden ring. Then place both rings next to each other (as shown in the picture). Tie the knots the same distance apart to maintain the bag pattern. This time, however, leave the first two cords loose and tie a knot using the next four cords (from left to right, cords 3, 4, 5, and 6). Then continue without skipping any cords, following the same steps as for the first row, until you have two loose cords left at the end.

Photo: Cchobby.com

Now it’s time to use a pillow to help the bag hold its shape. Tie the last four loose cords from the second row into knots, just like the others. At the start of the third row, take two cords from one knot and two from the adjacent knot. This continues the same pattern.

Photo: Cchobby.com

After making nine rows, it’s time to close the bag. Simply take two cords from the front of the bag and two from the back, then tie a double knot (as shown in the picture).

Photo: Cchobby.com

Join the individual knots with another double knot (as shown in the picture). This creates a sturdy bottom for the bag.

Photo: Cchobby.com

The bag is now finished. You can cut off the remaining cord and secure the ends with a drop of glue. If you then turn the bag inside out, the knots will be inside.You can also use the remaining cords to make a decoration. Tie a knot a little farther down on each cord and fray the end (as shown in the picture). In this case, you don’t need to turn the bag inside out, as the cords will make an interesting finishing touch.

Photo: Cchobby.com

What we used to make the bag:

4 mm cord available HERE.
Ruler available HERE.
Scissors available HERE.
And a small pillow, which you’re sure to have at home.

We hope your bag turned out well! If you’d like to show it off, tag us in a photo on social media.

Now, get crafting!

Lea