Lady saves her onion bags and grocery bags then crochets them together. This recycling project is suddenly everywhere

The art of crocheting with recycled materials is gaining popularity not only for its eco-friendly aspects but also for its creative potential. By combining onion bags and grocery bags, you can create a durable, weather-resistant lumbar pillow perfect for outdoor seating. This project elevates humble materials into a chic, functional piece, addressing the need for sustainable home decor while reducing waste.

The finished crochet outdoor lumbar pillow can be styled on a patio bench or outdoor sofa. Its texture is slightly rugged due to the plastic materials, providing both visual and tactile interest. Opt for a color palette that complements your outdoor space—perhaps earthy tones from green grocery bags mixed with the bright red or orange of onion bags. Place it alongside softer fabric pillows for contrast and to highlight its unique recycled charm.

5-10 onion mesh bags (cleaned and cut open)

Cut the plastic grocery bags into strips approximately 1 inch wide. Tie the strips end-to-end to create 'plarn' (plastic yarn). Wind into a ball.

Lay an onion mesh bag flat. Using the tapestry needle, reinforce the edges by weaving plarn along the perimeter to ensure durability.

Using the 5mm crochet hook, attach the plarn to one corner of the mesh bag with a slip knot.

Chain 1, then single crochet (sc) through the mesh openings, working evenly across the bag. Continue single crocheting until the entire surface of the mesh is covered, ensuring an even distribution and tension.

Once the mesh bag is fully covered, place the pillow insert inside.

Using plarn and the tapestry needle, sew up the open ends of the onion bag to encase the pillow insert completely.

For added detail, consider crocheting a border in a contrasting color using the remaining plarn. Simply attach the plarn to the edge and work a round of single crochet stitches around.

Consider using different colored grocery bags to create a vibrant pattern or ombre effect on the pillow. For a softer texture, mix in strips of fabric from old t-shirts with the plastic plarn. Adjust the pillow size by using more or fewer onion bags and customizing the mesh coverage. Experiment with crochet stitches such as half double crochet (hdc) or double crochet (dc) for a different texture, ensuring the base structure remains intact.