Crochet Plastic Bags
An interesting way to mix up your crochet life is to try crocheting with new material! Transforming plastic bags into crochet-able yarn is a fun adventure to try. If you hate it, then at least you can say that you tried, but if you love it, there is so much you can create by crocheting with plastic!
Why crochet with plastic?
- A new adventure!
- You can recycle your plastic grocery bags and turn them into something amazing!
- Some things are just better when they are made with plastic, such as a crocheted soap dish.
- Crocheting with plastic creates a very strong material, which can be great for making bags that will carry heavy objects.
How to crochet with plastic bags?
That’s simple! Here is a tutorial for “how to make plarn (plastic yarn)“. This post shows you the easy process of transforming your plastic bags into crochet-able plastic yarn, or as enthusiast say, plarn. Crocheting with plarn is just like crocheting with regular yarn. The only difference is the texture that may take a little while to get used to. There are even crochet pattern on my site and other sites that are specially designed as a plarn project. But don’t limit yourself to those patterns, regular crochet patterns can be made using plarn as well! Just make sure to check gauges when needed.
Most importantly, have fun with this new adventure in crocheting plastic bags! If you ever need any help or would like to share your knowledge in crocheting with plarn, feel free to leave a comment!
I love crocheting with plastic. It is all I work with now. I love the look on peoples faces when they see a new purse I made and I tell them that its all out of old plastic bags. My boyfriend is not too thrilled on my new obsession, but he understands that it makes me happy.
Rachel,
Great post about crafting with recycled plastic bags. Using recycled plastic bags and other re-claimed material to create “yarn” is not only eco-friendly but very frugal. During these times of economic concerns and many people out of work, using free materials to create things can be a very useful. The person can sell the items to earn money or give them as gifts, thus saving them money from having to buy gifts. There are lots of sites that offer fun and frugal crafting projects that are free for personal use such as your great site here. One just needs to ‘Google it’ to find literally thousands of free crafting ideas on the web.
For those who have used “plarn”: I have wondered if it is hard on your hands when crocheting with it? I had seen a project where people were usung plarn to make sleeping bags/mats for the homeless. I was considering doing this with my Girl Scouts(I would have them help make the plarn and I would do the crochet-unless one of the girls wanted to learn), but I have Rheumatoid Artritis and even under normal circumstances, my hands can only crochet for so long befoe they give out.
When I first stared it was rough on my hands! I guess it can vary from person to person though. You can try crocheting something small and simple to see what it’s like
My mother told me that her grandmother used to crochet with the plarn and when she did, she would soak it overnight in a solution of 1/2 liquid fabric softner and 1/2 water. Then let it dry and it would be easier and softer to work with and use.
Oh, cool Janice! I’ve never heard of that technique before! I’ll have to try it. Thanks for sharing
I got a bag crocheted out of plastic bags as a wedding present. It’s in the colours of my country (red, white, blue, orange) and lined with an old pillow case made of a traditional fabric. It’s also got a little dangly thing on the zip made out of Hama beads. It is TEH AWSUM, to use some awful netspeak.