Each photo below is thumbnailed, click on photo to view larger size
This process is a great way to recycle those old plastic bags into something useful. You can crochet or knit a cool tote bag similar to reusable totes that are sold.
Cutting
Lay recycled bag out flat
Fold in half lengthwise then fold in half again
Cut off top handles
Cut bag in strips about 1 inch wide or as desired
Set aside the end of bag where bottom edge was glued. The ends and the handles can be recycled either as stuffing for other projects, packing material for shipping, or taken to your local recycling bin for plastic bags.
Tying strips together
Take two strips and inter-twine together as shown
Gently pull on ends to knot two strips together
Connect next strip to last strip in the same manner
Continue connecting strips until you have a large ball of plastic yarn
Tips:
Pull ends evenly to create a smooth and flat strip.
If you find your strip doesn’t lie flat between knots, you didn’t pull
evenly which creates a bunched strip. Just make sure your strip is
even before you pull your knot tight between the two connected
strips. To fix a bunched strip, just loosen your knot between the strips
then pull on the ends again to make your strip flat and smooth.
I’ve copied these out as well. I love the idea of recycling things, giving them new life in our world of use and toss.
Just what I’ve been looking for!
Would it be sturdy enough for a net bag? That’s what I want to crochet.
Hello Peitseoga,
Yes you could crochet a net bag using plastic bag yarn. You can just wipe it clean and it’s a great way to use up some of those bags!
I was wondering if you use the strips doubled? It doesn’t say anything about cutting them apart.
I got another pattern a few years ago that suggested cutting the bag in 1″ strips going around and around which took a little longer but you ended up with one long “string” that could be used as “yarn” rather than having to link smaller strips together.
I am also finding that some of the bags I have gotten are a thinner plastic and it doesn’t seem to work as well, it stretches too easily.
Jeanne:
Yes my strips are doubled if you look at the pictures of the interlinking, you can see how I do it. I have tried the single long string method too. I didn’t like it as well as your “yarn” isn’t as strong and the cutting took longer. It is true that some bags are very thin and stretch too much. I try and not use those type except for a center motif or a small striped area. Best wishes on your recycling projects!
How cool! I’ve wondered how carrier bags were woven into things, and now I know 🙂
This is wonderful! My Mom is an avid crocheter as well as recycling fiend, she throws absolutly nothing away and often incorperates plastic soda bottles, wire, string and other bits in her crafts. She will adore this! I have printed off the pattern for the tote and instructions for the plarn and am mailing it off to her up in Canada today! Thank you so much, from a family of thrifty crafters before recycling was called green!
i have used the crochet version of making the recycled plastic grocery tote bag. i am not much of a crocheter, would love to find a knitted version, can you help?
sunfiregtgrl@yahoo.com
Judy,
I have a few knitted pattern links available on my patterns link page. Here is the link. Just scroll down to knitted patterns on that page.
I just wanted to say how clever this is! I’m going to try this as soon as I can!
roughly how many bags would you need to make your door mat?
@Periqrine:
This doormat rug requires between 30-40 bags. It all depends on the bag size and your cutting methods but that should give you an estimate. Thanks for stopping by.
It is my plan to use the waste plastic bottles that now clog our landfills
to build ocean rafts. The rafts could provide not only food, water, energy
and a place to live for billions of humans but would also lower the
temperature of the ocean beneath them.
The problem that I have is connecting the bottles in such a way that they
will support the weight of the structures on them and still be economical enough to be built by people in the third world. I believe that plarn might be the way to join these bottles, any suggestions?
@Jerry- Wow sounds like a wonderful project. I don’t know if plarn is strong enough. You may need a nylon rope or something stronger than plastic bags. You must be aware that some may be bio-degradable and therefore for not useful in the water or over long term use. You could try knots to connect the bottles using nylon rope and see how that works for you.
Best wishes and let me know how it works out. I’d love to see a picture.
This is amazing… I can’t wait to make my own!!! We use cloth totes most of the time but sometimes I forget to bring them, sometimes we don’t know we’re going to a store when we’re out so we don’t bring totes with us, and so we end up with plastic bags kicking around… I can’t wait to crochet my own bags, thank you so much for creating this site!! 🙂
I learned another way to cut your bag so you get one long continuous strip. I put it on my flickr account above, if you would like to see it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/annieofbluegables/sets/72157601475416398/
I just discovered your site and intend to explore it further when I get a chance.
~a
@Annie,
Yes I seen this method and even tried it myself. I personally still prefer the loop method but this is definitely another great way to make recycled plastic bags into yarn. Thanks for sharing this.
I love this pattern! Another use for the crocheted totes……beach/picnic use! The sand will fall out of the bag as it’s packed (if you give it a good shake after it’s packed the loose sand will fall out) and if the towels/clothes are wet it won’t matter. Wish I had this 30 years ago! Keep up the great work, and thanks so much for sharing!
I have come across this site when looking for a pattern for a crocheted rug… I am very excited about new and unique projects. I have many grocery bags around the house, because I can not bear to throw them out. I have started cutting bags… this is my weekend project (April 19/20).
Your bags combine two of my passions: crochet, and reusable shopping bags. I can hardly wait to make my own bags, instead of buying them!
I find your method of making ‘plarn’ easier than all the prevoius ones I’ve seen.
Thank you and keep up the good work!
This is similar to what my grandmother did years ago with bread wrappers. She cut them in one long strip around and then used them to make crochet rugs. Bread wrappers have more color to them.
What do you do with the leftover ends?
@Jennyleigh,
Here are a few ideas:
Use them for packing material, stuffing in craft projects, fringe on plastic projects, or make plastic flowers. These are just a few ideas that I have heard or seen done.
This is awesome. I hope you don’t mind I blogged about this and linked to this blog.
This method works much better than the single strip methiod, especially for those of us who have a naturally tight tension. I’ve found that with 3/4 strips, and your standard grocery bag, you can get 20 to 21 strips per bag, after looped, you get about 10 yards of workable plarn, I’ve also found that folding the bag again allows you to cut each strip in one snip, which minimizes time, and reduces breakage from snags while assembling and crocheting. When I first tackled this project, it was of pure curiosity, I now have 4 shopping bags, working on my fifth right now, and plotting patterns for different sizes and shapes. I decided to use an octogonal motif style pattern I found on the internet, and after getting the base the desired size, I work in joined treble crochet (instead of several YO’s, you go thru the little slanted loop on the stich just made, or the back loop of the starter chain, then pull thru like it was a YO) It uses less plarn this way, and provides unbelievable strength and flexibility. I then do a 70’s style gypsy shoulder sling strap style, or long wide triangle base straps, as well as simmple “handles” I’ve recently gotten a request for your messenger bag, which I’ll be making after my next grocery bag. I was amazed at how many places have “used bag boxes” and let me take them, provided I return with the finished result. I’ve even got my grandma in on the Plarn process, she loves it as well, she’s made several hook cases, and even some yarn holders, instead of using soda bottles. I’ve also discovered that crocheting with a grocery bag/bread bag double stringing, provides alot of needed stress to the base of your bag.
I should probably spread these hints and tips through out, but I can no longer resist my balls of plarn, if you’d like, I can provide the pattern for my version of the grocery bag, its quite large, but I don’t like return trips to the vehicle (I’m on the 5th floor, no elevator), and its quite durable, I’ve used it for laundry, groceries, and even for overnight stays. I’ve also found that if your bag gets kinda grimy, soaking it in a 1:10 peroxide / water mixture for about 10 minutes, rinsing it with cold water, and setting infront of a fan cleans it right up. ( I use peroxide because it works just as well as bleach, is cheap, and is an anti-bacterial/disinfectant, and most of all, doesn’t damage the often pleasant color patterns on the plastic)
Thank you very much for your time and effort,
Lauren
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I used your instructions and created some plarn of my own! It was a wonderful experience, and I can’t wait to make more. I’m enjoying creating a useful item out of something that would have ended up in the trash. It’s such a blessing to have that ability!
You can read about my own plarn adventures here:
http://yourimpactmatters.com/?p=19
Janeen
I’m interested in making macrame type items out of plarn. Anyone have some good links for patterns that work well with this?
@Chris:
I would just try a macrame pattern but use plarn. I do plan to make a plant hanger using plarn but just haven’t gotten to it on my to-do list.
Thanks for stopping by.
I just happened on this site today, and am very excited, I’ve been experimenting with my plastic bags and the family thinks I’m crazy. Lo and behold, here’s a whole universe of plastic bag crafters! For Jennyleigh: I couldn’t stand to waste the ends and handles and other bits, so anything long enough to make a knot gets knotted in a long string. Often the knots are just side by side, but I try to leave the ends about an inch long. Then I crochet this knubby stuff into an oval, round and round, always keeping those ends to the same side. It’s kind of hard sometimes and I’ll have to pull the ends through the loops, but the end result is just a little bit amazing. I call it a “Spa Mat.” Imagine a fluffy chenille rug — you can trim the ends or leave them irregular. It’s soft to step on, doesn’t mildew in the bath! Be careful not to slip on wet tile floors, though. Another good thing is that the ends and handles of bags are generally a solid color, and your mat will not have words or logos (but lots of knots to massage your feet!).