make stuff

How To: Make Plarn

March 3, 2012

how to make plarn

Have a bunch of plastic bags stashed away in one big plastic bag waiting for the day you actually remember to take them with you to the grocery to recycle? (I always forget).

Stop trying to remember and make something out of them! Here’s a tutorial for making Plarn, err, plastic yarn, that is.

plarn tutorial

To cut the strips:

plarn tutorial

I haven’t made anything with mine yet, but I’ll let you know how it turns out!

Happy Saturday!

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22 Comments

  • Reply Jody Thompson March 4, 2012 at 1:56 am

    Maybe this is something I could use to make a rug?

    • Reply steph March 4, 2012 at 11:25 pm

      I think you could! However, I’m not sure how well it would hold up if it got a lot of traffic.

      • Reply Jody Thompson March 5, 2012 at 12:45 am

        Good point but maybe I could double up on using more “product” to make the rug thicker?

        • Reply steph March 5, 2012 at 9:44 pm

          yeah! Go for it and let me know how it turns out!

          • Jody Thompson March 5, 2012 at 10:07 pm

            I have plenty of stuff to make something with- ha.

  • Reply snappy009 March 5, 2012 at 11:33 pm

    smart idea!

  • Reply Kathleen Fox March 6, 2012 at 1:25 am

    My daughters church ladies crocheted them and made them into sleeping mats for the poor. I also think you could make also use it for laying out. (Tanning, and of course with a beach towel on it.)

    • Reply steph March 6, 2012 at 8:19 am

      Great ideas! Thanks, Kathleen!

  • Reply A simple song | stuff steph does March 7, 2012 at 7:48 am

    […] navigation ← Previous Next […]

  • Reply Martha Rice March 7, 2012 at 2:08 pm

    How about making a purse?

  • Reply Jessica C. March 7, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    I am trying to figure out how to get this task done on my spinning wheel…I got a jumbo attachment for it but so far I can’t get it to go super smoothly- or quickly… STILL WORKING ON IT 😉

  • Reply Jeannie Ownsbey March 7, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    I have made rugs, purses & a backpack with my plarn. I just found simple crochet pattern(s), grabbed a larger hook than called for (at least a J or K), and followed the pattern.

  • Reply Kathy Sommers March 7, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    I have made crochet shopping bags with “plarn” – like the ones you pay $1 to 1.99 for in the stores… They hold up very well and are colorful… Just four sides and a flat bottom with handles crocheted double for strength. Also the rugs are good if you not only double the “plarn” but crochet in single crochet for strength… I use one to hold boots in the hallway…

  • Reply Kristine Trudeau March 7, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    You don’t want to try making a rug to walk on, they are uncomfortable. I’ve made hats, purses, and tote bags. I’m trying to figure out how comfotable those sleeping mats would be, because the knots are uncomfortable against your skin. Maybe they are okay if you have a heavy coat or blanket between you and the plarn mat.

  • Reply Stephanie Hensel March 7, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    My friend crochets them into shopping bags- they’re great for groceries and really sturdy. Just make sure the handles are wide so they’re comfortable.

  • Reply Teresa Phenow March 17, 2012 at 12:03 am

    I crochet a whole variety of bags and use them for gift bags. that way I don’t have to buy those pricey store bought bags. The recipient is just as happy recieving the bag. I just make sure I tell them they have to reuse them and can’t throw them away.

  • Reply Freya April 25, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    I am knittIng a bird feeder with mine using 8mm needles! It’s reAlly cool

    • Reply steph April 25, 2012 at 5:20 pm

      Freya,
      That sounds really cool! I would love to see it when you’re finished!

  • Reply morenapirri May 12, 2012 at 4:51 am

    Ciao, hai realizzato gia’ qualcosa? Sono curiosa!!

  • Reply Mona Wolfert November 5, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    Many cities, provinces and states are now banning “single use plastic bags”. Fabric bags (cotton is preferred) are the thing that is encouraged. They’re washable and re-usable. Plastics are killing our environment. The oceans and the creatures that call them home are dying. And did you know it is even passed on to us? The fish and seafood we eat can also be contaminated with plastic toxins. That’s the food chain at work. Plastic is ruining this chain and the environment. I wouldn’t make a plarn bag or anything else for that matter if my life depended on it. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s the truth. Regards, Mona

    • Reply steph November 5, 2015 at 2:23 pm

      Hi Mona,
      I whole-heartedly agree that plastic bags are not good for the environment, and I fully support stores that do not provide them at the checkout. However until they finally go away, I would think repurposing them into something that is useful and will not end up in a landfill (or worse) is a more positive impact on the planet for a rather unfortunate product, don’t you think?

      • Reply Kath November 11, 2015 at 4:10 am

        I couldn’t agree more! Reuse what is already here, don’t just screwm at the darkness!

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