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.
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.