Fabric Softener Recycled Bottle Craft- Crocheted Purse

One of the things that we looked for when we purchased our RV was that it included a washer and dryer.  Since we live in it full time, I did not want to spend a ton of time at laundromats.  Ah, college day memories…

Anyway, we discovered pretty quickly that the RV dryer takes a  lot of time to dry clothes. Using fabric softener not only provided a solution, but a pretty bottle to go along with it.  Hence, my Recycled Bottle Purse!

Yep, you know I can’t seem to pass up a recycled project.  Especially a colorful one.

For this project I used:

One empty fabric softener Bottle (clean and dried)
Assorted colored yarn in bright colors
Pony Beads in bright colors
Matching ribbons
Hole puncher
Size H Crochet Hook
Colored Paper
Mod Podge

For your convenience, you can download the full pattern here: Recycled Bottle Purse Crochet Pattern

Cut the plastic bottle evenly just under the handle to create a base for the purse.  My plan was to remove the label next, but the folks at Suavitel use some mighty fine glue.  So, my plans changed a bit.

If you cannot remove the label, add a coat of Mod Podge and cover the label with pretty paper.

Use a hole puncher to punch holes evenly around the top of the container.  Make your holes approximately 1/4” apart.  I found this little hole puncher at Walmart for under a dollar and practiced on paper first to see where I should line things up.

I ended up with 48 holes.  (The number of holes that you end up with does not have to be the same).

Crochet Pattern:

1st rnd: With white yarn, make 2 dc in each hole around the bottle. Join with a Sl St.

This photo shows the first round completed.

2nd rnd: Join dark blue yarn, Ch 2, 1 dc in first sp. * Skip 1 sp; 2 dc in next sp. Repeat from * around. Join with Sl St to top of first shell.

3rd rnd: With pink yarn, string pony beads onto the yarn before beginning.  Count how many holes you have in the bottle and string that many beads.   Join Pink yarn.  Ch 2, 1 dc in first sp. * Move a bead into place, 2 dc in next sp. Repeat from * around. Join with Sl St to top of first shell. 

Here is a close up of the beaded row.

4th rnd: Join green yarn, Ch 2, 1 dc in first sp. * 2 dc in next sp. Repeat from * around. Join with Sl St to top of first shell.

5th rnd: Join orange yarn. ch 2, *work 1 dc into next dc of 3rd rnd (pink row), 1 sc into top of next cluster; rep from * around omitting sc at end, sl st to first sc.

6th rnd: Continue with orange yarn.  ch 2, dc in each st, Join with Sl St to top of first dc.  

7th rnd: Join yellow yarn, Ch 2, 1 dc in first sp. * Skip 1 sp; 2 dc in next sp. Repeat from * around. Join with Sl St to top of first shell. 

8th rnd: Join blue yarn. ch 2, *work 1 dc into next dc of 6th rnd (orange row), 1 sc into top of next cluster; rep from * around omitting sc at end, sl st to first sc.

9th rnd: Continue with blue yarn.  ch 2, dc in each st, Join with Sl St to top of first dc.

10th rnd: With white yarn, string pony beads onto the yarn before beginning.  Join white yarn.  Ch 2, 1 dc in first sp. * Move a bead into place, 2 dc in next sp. Repeat from * around. Join with Sl St to top of first shell.

11th rnd: (Decrease rnd)  Join green yarn, Ch 2, 1 dc in first sp. *2 dc in next sp; 1 dc in next sp. Repeat from * around. Join with Sl St to top of first shell.

12th rnd: Continue with green yarn.  ch 2, dc in each st, Join with Sl St to top of first dc.

13th rnd: Join orange yarn.  Ch 2, 1 dc in first sp. * Skip 1 sp; 2 dc in next sp. Repeat from * around. Join with Sl St to top of first shell.

14th rnd: Join pink yarn. ch 2, *work 1 dc into next dc of 12th rnd (green row), 1 sc into top of next cluster; rep from * around omitting sc at end, sl st to first sc.

15th rnd: Continue with pink yarn.  ch 2, dc in each st, Join with Sl St to top of first dc.

16th rnd: Join blue yarn.   ch 2, trc in each st, Join with Sl St to top of first dc.

 17th rnd: (Trim) Join white yarn, Ch 2, 1 dc, 1 sc in first sp. * Skip 2 sp; 1 dc, 1 sc, 1 dc in next sp. Repeat from * around. Join with Sl St to top of first shell.

Finishing

Optional: run a pretty ribbon through any of the rows for another nice detail.

Finish by running a 24” long x 1” wide ribbon through the blue trc stitches at the top.  Gather and tie.