DIY Plastic Yarn (Plarn)
Create your own plastic yarn ("plarn") from recycled grocery bags to use in place of your traditional yarn, for crochet or woven projects. Its a great way to reduce, reuse and recycle grocery bags into lightweight, functional and sturdy baskets, handbags, beach totes or weather-resistant sleeping mats for donating to the homeless community.
CROCHET
Maria Jennings
5/7/20261 min read
Required Supplies:
Grocery bags
Scissors
Yarn Winder (optional)
Instructions for Making Plarn:
Lay the grocery bag flat on a cutting surface.
Cut from side to side to remove the bottom seam.
Cut from side to side, across the top, detaching the handles.
With the bag still flattened, cut 1-2 inch strips across, from side to side, producing smaller connected loops.
Connect the loops by threading the ends of loops through each other, with one end passed back through itself before gently pulling tight (lark's head knot).
Roll the connected strips into a yarn ball or use a yarn winder to wind plarn into cakes.
Utilize the plarn instead of bulky yarn for your crochet projects!
Useful Tips:
Inspect bags for any holes or weak areas and refrain from using those sections.
Any plastic bag can be used; however, grocery bags are generally sturdy and thin enough for crochet crafts - denser plastic bags will require more effort when crocheting, complicating the project.
To expedite the process, stack multiple bags prior to cutting.
To reduce cutting, fold the plastic bag lengthwise before cutting your 1-2 inch strips.
Winding the plarn into yarn cakes using a yarn winder, rather than rolling into balls, can be faster and allows you to stack yarn for easier storage.
