Learn how to make plarn to recycle that pile of plastic bags in your closet and turn them into some really cool creations! Read on to see how to make plarn. Wondering what to make with plarn? No worries, I have links to some fun plarn projects for you to try.
I’m always looking for ways to reduce waste and reuse and recycle what I can. Although I try to use reusable bags whenever I go grocery shopping, I inevitably forget once in awhile and end up with a stash of plastic bags. So what better way to use them than to make plarn and crochet them into something new!
What Is Plarn?
To put it simply, plarn is plastic yarn. Plarn is made by cutting plastic grocery bags into strips and tying them together to create plastic yarn, or plarn. Some of the benefits of using plarn, aside from the positive effects on the environment, are that finished items are surprisingly durable and can be washed in warm soapy water and reused again and again.
What to Make With Plarn
And what are those finished items? You can use plarn to crochet items such as doormats, tote bags (like this super-easy grocery tote crochet pattern), knee pads for gardening, dish scrubbers, storage baskets, coasters, beach bags, table accessories (like this festive outdoor placemat crochet pattern set), camping mats, and almost anything else you can think of. Some organizations are even encouraging their volunteers to use plarn to make bedrolls for the homeless. Now, I said it is good for almost anything … plarn really isn’t ideal for clothing, however. Besides that fact that it would probably not be the most comfortable thing to wear, it also doesn’t breath well. Plarn also shouldn’t be used for anything that would be used near heat, such as potholders or trivets, because it will melt.
How to Make Plarn
First, sort through your plastic bags and discard any dirty or ripped bags to your recycling container. Now it’s time to choose colors. You can choose bags of the same color or use a mix of colored bags for a variegated look. Or you can separate the colors to make different designs by switching colors every few rows.
Once you have your bags ready, follow the steps below to turn it into plarn. Once you are comfortable with the process, you can even stack two or three bags at a time help speed things along. …
Step 1: Flatten your bag making sure the sides are tucked in.
Step 4: Cut off the bottom of the bag and the handles and discard to your recycling container.
Step 5: Then cut the rest of the bag into 1-in. strips. Each of these strips creates a plastic loop.
Step 7: Working with two strips, bring one end of the second strip under and through the loop of the first strip. Then bring it over and back through the second loop, gently tug to secure.
Does anyone know of a specific address I can bring them finished math? I don’t want to go into the city and hand them out. Thank you.
I need pattern to make the sleeping mats for the homeless. Our local Grassroots Democrats group has decided to make these as a project for the homeless. I would appreciate any assistance. Thank you.
We make our mats 3 feet by 6 feet, we use a P or Q crochet hook. Plarn does not stretch like yarn so keep your tension loose so you can get into the stitches on the return. We generally use a double or half double stitch to work the mat so it doesn’t take so long to make.
We generally use plastic bags but to get bright color we cut and tie plastic tablecloths. They are thicker but lovely.
Let me know if you need more info.
This is such a wonderful idea!! A great way to reuse and recycle plastic bags!
Thanks for sharing! I intend to make baskets to sort my different yarn colors for my craft room! Much cheaper than buying baskets and better for the environment. My trash compactor is full of plastic bags!
I am going to do this and make a pad for my dog to lay on outside in her area of our yard.
Great idea!
Might be major problem with plarn: plastic bags are being made biodegradable – so all your crocheting or knitting will be for naught since the bags are supposed to disintegrate.
I’ve had some bags holding yarn become flaky and wind up as ‘dandruff’ on my carpeting!! Strange …
Is there any way to soften it? It is so stiff.
Not that I know of, Molly.
LOVE THE IDEA OF CROCHETING WITH PLASTIC BAGS. …
I HAVE A TON OF THEM EVEN AFTER I CLEAN THE LITTER
BOX DAILY!!!!!!!!
It’s a great way to put them to use 🙂
plarning plastic bags into sleeping mats for the homeless.
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/new-life-old-bags-ruth-werstler-homeless-recycle/Content?oid=11261669
Just yesterday a male friend of mine was using a popcan cover made out of plastic bags (plarn). I looked at the pattern and think I can recreate it, and I am so excited to find this tutorial, since I probably would have done a whole lot more cutting. Thanks!!!!
I love it! Reminds me of my Mom. She made use of everything she could out of whatever she could get her hands on. I think she was the original recycler!! I especially liked her Plarn and Rag Rugs at every door. Sure was easy to just hose em off and hang them up to drip dry. As we always had a garden they got a lot of muddy wear and tear 🙂 Thanks for the memories!!
That is a great way to be 🙂 I love thinking of new ways to use things. Thanks for your sweet comment!
OMG! This is the best thing ever for my library! My husband always gives me the bags from places like T and W. The ones with food, he recycles. I use them when it rains for our patrons,to protect the library books but some of the books are heavy and I end up using 2 bags. This just fixed all that! THANK YOU SO MUCH. And please remember to SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY!
Hi Marsha! I’m so glad you like it!! Sounds like a great use for you 🙂 I LOVE my library!! We are there all the time 🙂
I hope you don’t mind, but I have copied off your instructions, enlarged the font, and photos for my 88 yr old Mom. She’s blind in one eye due to macular degeneration and can no longer work with crochet thread, but thinks she can see welll enough to make some of these totes for the church bazaar this fall.
I don’t mind at all! I hope she likes it 🙂
What size crochet hook works best?
A larger hook works best, such as an M or N hook.
Thanks for sharing this tutorial and the pattern as well. I sponsor a Fiber Arts Club at the middle school where I teach. I think this will make a good Earth Day project for this month.
What a great idea!! I wish you much success!
Fantastic tutorial – thanks for sharing! I’ve made plarn before but this explains it really well. I included a link to this post on my blog this morning:
Thanks for including in your post! Very cool!
This is one of the best ways to recycle plastics. You can use it in making yarns. It is important to recycle plastics in order not to ruin our environment.
I agree! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Thanks for the instructions on making Plarn.
You are very welcome 🙂
This is so amazing! I would love to feature it on Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle. Feel free to stop by and grab a featured button. Thanks!
Hi Rachel! Thanks so much for featuring this!! I stopped by and grabbed a button 🙂
Thanks for linking up @CountryMommaCooks……hope to see ya next Saturday too:)
Oh I can’t wait to see the plarn tote bag! And thanks for adding a new word to my vocabulary! Can’t wait to try it out and see who knows what it means!
Hi Sharon! I’m glad you liked it. Make sure to check out the finished tote 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Wow! I can’t wait to see the finished tote bag! I might have to try that! 🙂
Also – I am awarding you with the Versatile Blogger Award. Your site is awesome. Stop by my recent post “Versatile Blogger and Versatile Blogger(cont.) to see what its about! Congrats! I am a new follower to your blog, can’t wait to get new ideas!
this is a really nice idea. I like it. just the other day I was complaining about taking the 500 million plastic bags I have to walmart to recycle them… might have to keep them and use them for this instead.
Glad you liked it. You’ll have to let me know how you make out 🙂
This is very cool I am featuring you tomorrow! Stop by and grab a button! And I would love it if you would link something up agian!
Kim@madeinaday
http://madeinaday.com
Thanks, Kim! I definitely will. And I will link up the plarn tote bag this time 🙂
A very green great idea.. Thanks for sharing at craftionary..
Love
Hani
And thanks for hosting! I will see you next week 🙂
I made a plarn bag before. My sister said it doesn’t look like it’s plastic bags! It’s pretty and strong. I go crazy over recycling! New follower.
evescrochet.blogspot.com
I know! It is hard to tell sometimes. Thanks for visiting my site and following along 🙂
oh Nice. It can be a great recycling & reuse..
All the best 🙂 would like to see your creation next week 🙂
Thanks!! And it’s lots of fun to make too 😉
My grandmother used to make rugs for kitchen out of plastic bread bags, they lasted forever, machine washable and line dry.