How to make Plarn

If anyone would have told me that someday I would be having so much fun recycling by crocheting with plastic shopping bags....well, I probably would have thought they were nuts. But, I really, really, enjoy my plarn projects. It also really helps cut down on plastic that goes in the trash at our house and into our local landfill. I have several friends and neighbors supplying me with plastic bags now for my rugs and tote bags I make which you can find at www.lifeenergytherapy.etsy.com

I can't even remember where I first saw or heard about making yarn out of plastic shopping bags which is called "Plarn". But, I looked it up on the internet and found some really good directions that helped get me started. I spent one whole summer and endless hours with a cramping hand using scissors patiently cutting up my bags. So, todays entry is about sharing my own personal method in making plarn that has made the process go a bit faster. It is still time consuming but, it does help to save some time and make it easier.

Truthfully, it was my mom's idea and in fact this is what she bought me for Christmas that year of 2010. A fabric wheel and cutting board. Soon, I was off to cutting up plastic bags faster than I ever dreamed possible.



First I take the bags and lay them out flat. I may stack up anywhere from 10 - 15 bags. Like this picture below.



Then I fold the bags in half and then in half again until I have a strip that fits on my cutting board.



Then I take my cutting wheel and cut off the end seam of the bags.



Then I cut about 1 1/2 inch strips. I like to make the strips this size so it makes the plarn nice and thick for the rugs I make with them.


As I get to the top I cut off the handles on the bags.



This way I made about 60 loops all at the same time. Saving a lot of time and wear and tear on my hand!




Then I loop the loops together by a simple move of putting one end of the bag through the other and then pulling it tight.



The knot will look like this picture.



Now you roll your plastic yarn into a ball and your ready to make something!