Net Grocery Bag

The dangers of plastic bags landfilling our planet is at an all time high, and it doesn't help that the distribution of them can be found anywhere, even at your local grocery store. Here's a fun DIY Up-Cycle project for a net produce bag that can hold all of your goods and produce in. It's environmentally friendly, trendy, and chic! Make an appearance and impression on your next trip to the Farmer's Market or a picnic by the beach.

Step 1: Step 1: Gather Supplies

All you need are scissors, ruler/measuring tape, and approximately 5 yards of rope material! It is up to your discretion about which rope material you'd like to use. For this tutorial, I used 100% cotton macrame cord. However, this can be done with paracord, leather strips, old fabric, etc.!

Step 2: Step 2: Measure Rope & Start Knotting!

Cut 18 strands of cord 96 inches long each. You’ll also cut one main rope that all the others will be knotted to that’s about 80 inches long. Lay the main rope horizontally across your work space. With each 96 inch. strand, fold the rope in half, take the middle of the rope, and knot it around the main line. Use this youtube video to help guide you on how to do a macrame knot around the main line:

Pull the knots tight and continue down the line. You want them to be pretty close together, approximately less than an inch apart so the bag’s holes won’t be too big. Continue down the main line for about 20 inches.

Step 3: Step 3: Knot Rows

After you’ve gone all the way down the line, you’ll start gathering one strand from each knot to connect them into a second layer of knots, leaving the first string unattached. You can do any kind of knot you'd like for this as you best see fit. For me, I just did a basic tie knot. Make sure that each knot is tight and secured.

Step 4: Step 4: Continue Knotting Down the Row!

Continue with another row, with the same knotting you did before. You’ll make the knots all the way down the length of the bag. I've made about 10 rows, but feel free to make less or to add more!

Step 5: Step 5: Forming It Into a Bag

Fold it in half and grab the extra strand you left out. Now you’ll be weaving the unattached string through the two open sides, making knots between each loop to connect them together and forming the weaving into an actual bag.

Step 6: Step 6: Finishes

Take an extra piece of cord and tie a tight knot around the bottom in the front and back, trimming the bottom of the fringe as well. Take the extra cord from the main line and attach it with a knot to the bottom to make a shoulder strap or backpack.

Step 7: Step 7: Done!

And now you're done!

To add a personal touch, you can dip dye your bag with natural dye or add charms around the knots or fringe.