Instructions for cutting plastic bags & creating recycled plastic yarn
Each photo below is thumbnailed, click on photo to view larger size
• 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
Discard the end of bag where bottom edge was glued
• 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.
Tags: plarn, plastic-bag-yarn
April 12, 2007
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.
July 9, 2007
[...] by adding another strip to the last and so on until you have a long, continuous strip. Here is a link to a picture tutorial that shows the step-by-step process to create your own [...]
July 30, 2007
Just what I’ve been looking for!
Would it be sturdy enough for a net bag? That’s what I want to crochet.
July 30, 2007
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!
August 1, 2007
[...] Plarn! August 1, 2007 at 1:36 pm | In Uncategorized | That is what those in the know call that stuff I make out of plastic bags! I have discovered a new site called http://www.myrecycledbags.com/ And I love her way of cutting the bags so much better than the way I was doing it! instructions-for-cutting-plastic-bags… [...]
August 2, 2007
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.
August 2, 2007
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!
August 17, 2007
How cool! I’ve wondered how carrier bags were woven into things, and now I know
September 6, 2007
[...] about making and working with plastic bag yarn can be found all over the internet – try here, here and here for a some of the clearest and best illustrated discussions of looped yarn, and “How [...]
September 6, 2007
[...] about making and working with plastic bag yarn can be found all over the internet – try here[...]
November 24, 2007
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!
November 25, 2007
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
November 25, 2007
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.
January 3, 2008
I just wanted to say how clever this is! I’m going to try this as soon as I can!
January 9, 2008
[...] vortenjou In my quest for alternative fibers and eco-conscious options, I somehow happened upon this site – giving instructions on how to turn plastic grocery bags into “yarn”. Yes, of course, [...]
January 29, 2008
[...] get you started here is a detailed description on how you can make plastic yarn (or plarn as she calls it) out of plastic [...]
February 3, 2008
roughly how many bags would you need to make your door mat?
February 4, 2008
@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.
February 13, 2008
[...] get you started here is a detailed description on how you can make plastic yarn (or plarn as she calls it) out of plastic [...]
March 3, 2008
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?
March 3, 2008
@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.
March 6, 2008
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!!
March 9, 2008
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
March 9, 2008
@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.
March 15, 2008
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!
April 6, 2008
[...] My Recycled Bags.com » Instructions for cutting plastic bags & creating recycled plastic yarn [...]
April 19, 2008
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).
April 21, 2008
[...] is made using recycled plastic bags which have been repurposed into plarn or plastic bag yarn. Here is a picture tutorial to show you the step-by-step process to making plarn. What better way to celebrate Earth Day than [...]
April 21, 2008
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!
April 22, 2008
[...] of my shopping, but to rid my presence of all plastic bags I have been collecting them and preparing plarn (plastic yarn) with the intent of crocheting a tote bag with [...]
April 22, 2008
[...] Can you knit or crochet? Try using them instead of yarn. Check out these easy to follow instructions. – Ever thought of fusing them? Makes for an easily washable and fun textured [...]
May 7, 2008
[...] you want to know how to make plarn go here. and the pattern i used? this won’t be all that helpful, but i googled hobo bag knitting [...]
May 22, 2008
[...] also love My Recycled Bags which shows us how to create bags from old plastic bags using plastic yarn (plarn). I hope you’re feeling better Cindy, best [...]
May 22, 2008
[...] bag situation was so totally out of control that something had to be done. I was talked out of making plarn at the time and my everlasting bag stopper has helped. Now I’m down to only 3 huge bags of [...]
May 27, 2008
[...] being called “plarn” (plastic yarn). One way is describer in picture-perfect detail on My Recycled Bags website. I don’t cut mine up in this manner, but this is just as effective. Each technique [...]
June 16, 2008
I find your method of making ‘plarn’ easier than all the prevoius ones I’ve seen.
Thank you and keep up the good work!
June 17, 2008
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.
June 26, 2008
What do you do with the leftover ends?
June 26, 2008
@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.
July 18, 2008
This is awesome. I hope you don’t mind I blogged about this and linked to this blog.
August 5, 2008
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
August 5, 2008
[...] am having so much fun with plarn! I am using plastic bags that I had collected, and not yet recycled, from food shopping. I [...]
August 7, 2008
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
August 7, 2008
I’m interested in making macrame type items out of plarn. Anyone have some good links for patterns that work well with this?
August 7, 2008
@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.
August 18, 2008
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!).
September 1, 2008
[...] The purse is crocheted using recycled plastic bags or plarn. In case you are new to the term plarn here is the link to my picture tutorial on how to create yarn from recycled plastic [...]
September 9, 2008
[...] doing something creative and useful with all those plastic bags spilling out from under your sink, here is a great plarn tutorial and some nifty [...]
September 14, 2008
[...] awful fate. At least if I would have taken you home with me I could have crafted you into some plarn like the diehard environmentalists [...]
September 15, 2008
[...] it got turned into “plarn” (yarn made from a plastic bag — you can find instructions here) and then into this [...]
September 23, 2008
Very cool! Will try this project with my 6 year old, who loves to turn all of our recylcables into various things. Lately, she’s been turning cardboard boxes into musical instruments by filling them with a few dried beans and taping them up. This will be a great craft to learn together. Thanks!
September 23, 2008
Plastic bags + Crochet = Plochet?…
So I discovered “plarn” about a week ago, and was instantly interested. I mean, there’s all these plastic bags laying around with no real use other than taking up space and using as a garbage bag for the bathroom trash basket. We were just recycli…
September 26, 2008
Oh, wow, that’s such an easier way to cut the strips for ‘plarn’ than what I’ve been doing. ‘m trying to use my extra plastic bags to make grocery bags, and it’s the cutting strips that’s making it a tedious project.
Thanks for the tip!
September 27, 2008
[...] of plastic bags from our porch (enclosed, used for storage – not the homey kind with a swing) and made plarn and then made a bag loosely following hakucho’s big bag pattern – this is what I [...]
October 17, 2008
[...] will also be a great project for kids. The yarn used is made using plastic bags – plarn. There is a picture tutorial here and it looks quite [...]
November 3, 2008
[...] from cutting the bags into strips. I offer a picture tutorial on how to make the plastic bag yarn here. The free crochet pattern for my net market bag is found here. Thank you.” Lisa Spinelli presents [...]
November 9, 2008
Great for small, but I like industrial. I do the same locking pattern with the handle loop and a hole in the bottom of another bag. Fold in half lengthwise 4 times (pattern inward or outward depending on your color preferences) and cut a perpendicular 3/8″ slice on fold about 1/2″ from bottom. Open 1 fold to reveal 6/8″ hole to thread the handles through. Much quicker and thicker. No waste of bag or time.
November 16, 2008
[...] is a drop in the bucket but I went out and spun some plastic yarn AKA “plarn” as per their directions. They have tons of projects you can make out of plarn, such as the dishcloth pictured [...]
December 1, 2008
[...] In case you are new to crafting with plarn or plastic bag yarn, I also have a few tutorial found here if you need to know how to make your own plarn.” AdmirableIndia.com presents Trip to Kanyakumari: [...]
December 5, 2008
Thank you for sharing your great idea,so far I`ve only used bags for garbage collection. Now I`ll make shopping bags, to help cut down land fill.
Thank you again
Lois
December 12, 2008
[...] with recycled plastic bags is also known as plarn. If you need to know how to make plarn, check out this picture tutorial. You can crochet this gift bag using plarn with this free [...]
December 14, 2008
[...] - two different sites do a pretty good job of explaining. This one has better pictures while this one has more pictures… for the two types of learners in all of us. Once you slice and link one [...]
December 27, 2008
[...] instructions-for-cutting-plastic-bags-creating-recycled-plastic bag yarn [...]
December 27, 2008
Harris Teeter has an annual bag drive in their Together In Education program where they team up with Trex and have a competition amongst their enrolled schools. Each participating school collects plastic bags (when I contacted them last year they said ANY plastic bags, ziploc, grocery, or otherwise) and whichever school turns in the most wins–in 2007 it was $500 towards beautification of school grounds and a Trex park bench.
I don’t know what the balance is in regards to pros and cons of Trex and the production of their products, but on the surface I like the idea of making useful and durable things like patios and benches out of recycled plastic. They might be worthy of the scraps leftover from the plarn crafting AND the discards when the scrubbies, and bags, do finally wear out. *shrug*
thanks for all the great info.
February 6, 2009
Hi Cindy,
Many thanks for these instructions. I’m going to give them ago and try to reduce the amount of plastic I send to landfill by knitting with plarn.
All the best,
Transition housewife’s last blog post..Hate plastic, love plarn
February 25, 2009
[...] learn how to make PLARN and find or make your own patterns, the instructions with clear images are here. Check it [...]
February 25, 2009
Thank you for this! I have been wanting to make plarn for market bags for a while now… but the idea of cutting each bag into one long strip seem like way to much work! This is way better! Thank you so much!
Jaclyn Bailey’s last blog post..On the bright side.
February 28, 2009
[...] Instructions for cutting bags and making plastic yarn [...]
March 1, 2009
We started this last night, just a few bags really makes a lot of loops! My children took the ends…stuffing for something or other.
We’re going to try a rug first, thank you for all the info.
Denese’s last blog post..Travel Alert: 441 Through the Great Smoky Mountains is Closed
March 3, 2009
[...] learned to make the plarn from My Recycled Bags. I searched all over, but these instructions seemed to be the easiest to follow. I also watched [...]
March 17, 2009
Here is a related story you might find interesting: The recycling of plastic bags into crocheted carrying bags, called Mochilas which are used by both men and women, is being used by Proyecto Titi to help save the Cotton-top Tamarin, an endangered small primate found only in the tropical forests of Columbia. The bags were littering the environment and jeopardizing the health of the cotton-tops. This project not only gets the bags out of the environment but, by providing funds for the village families, reduces the impact on the forest resources. And they are the cutest little primates in the Americas!!
March 18, 2009
[...] It’s plastic yarn and right here is: How to make Plarn. [...]
March 21, 2009
This is sooooo kewl. I had a baby afghan kit for 30+ years. After I retired, I learned how to crochet, starting with a potholder. The baby afghan was the next project I completed.
I love to crochet, but the yarn plays havoc with my allergies–so this what the doctor ordered!!!
I don’t know how to do it, but I would like to put a link in my blog where I can click on your name and it points to you. Would you be able to instruct me as to how this is done? Or where there is a site that can explain what the difference is between subscribing, following and all that bloggie stuff?
Lucy
Lucien’s last blog post..My First Softie
March 22, 2009
Lucien:
Glad you stopped by. As you use Blogger for your blog, you can just add my site to your blog roll. Just go to your admin page in Blogger and add http://www.myrecycledbags.com/
March 26, 2009
Cindy, this is really awesome! I’ve got tons of these bags at home. I’ve started shopping at Aldi recently, and you have to bring your own bags. I’m going home to get started tonight
-HannaH
April 1, 2009
[...] learn how to make PLARN and find or make your own patterns, the instructions with clear images are here. Check it [...]
April 2, 2009
Hi Cindy,
Well it took a while, but I’ve created my first plarn purse. Many thanks again for these instructions it worked really well.
Transition housewife’s last blog post..Plarn purse
April 2, 2009
[...] so I’m going to give it a go. I will probably use a similar (if not that exact) pattern. This website has the best instructions I’ve found thus [...]
May 2, 2009
[...] This site gives step by step (with photos!) instructions on how to make a “yarn” out of your old bags and weave them into a new one! [...]
May 6, 2009
RE: Jerry Scovel’s idea using plarn and plastic bottles…
If you go to the Instructables web site “plastic rope” into the search box, you’ll get a number of projects that use plarn to make rope. The best one (in my opinion) uses a rope-making machine to twist the plarn into real rope. Go here for the details. The nice thing about this technique is that you can take the rope you’ve made and use the rope-making machine to twist it into thicker rope. Very strong and easily done in a third-world country.
May 18, 2009
[...] plastic yarn, or “plarn”. GooseFlesh blog has very good instructions and pictures, My Recycled Bags is another good sourceand has many good articles about green [...]
June 3, 2009
[...] savers/scrubbies: Use this pattern with plarn and save soap and the environment. Once empty of soap, the ’saver’ becomes a reusable [...]
June 10, 2009
[...] bag basically consists of two large granny squares crocheted out of plarn with a 9 mm hook. I then crocheted the two squares together, went around the top a few times to [...]
June 12, 2009
[...] is made using recycled plastic bags which have been repurposed into plarn or plastic bag yarn. Here is a picture tutorial to show you the step-by-step process to making plarn. What better way to celebrate Earth Day than [...]
June 19, 2009
I have heard of this but could not picture it, now I see it. Interesting! I make purses out of coffee bags. freecycle.org is a great site to find people who will save stuff and you either pick up or mail a SASE.
Greendesigns’s last blog post..Large Funky Eco Tote/Bag/ Purse made with Recycled Coffee bags
June 30, 2009
[...] 1. Turn your plastic bags into plarn: I like this simple YouTube video and these step-by-step instructions. [...]
June 30, 2009
[...] 1. Turn your plastic bags into plarn: I like this simple YouTube video and these step-by-step instructions. [...]
July 10, 2009
We make long strips by cutting the handles and bottoms off then folding the bags like you do but leaving about 3″ hanging out. When you cut the strips, don’t cut the end 3″. Now starting at the end of the uncut strip across the middle, cut from outside end over to the first slice and continue cutting from 2nd slice to 3rd slice. You will end up with one continuous strand.
July 10, 2009
@Debora,
Yes, this is another good method for making plarn and also works great for cutting a tee-shirt into T-yarn.
July 11, 2009
Hi Cindy, That was a great idea and very useful. Thank you for posting it.
Weblogian’s last blog post..Top Indian Web Blog Hosting
July 13, 2009
Hi, I love the whole recycling thing, but I’m a bit worried about the number of plastic bags all these “eco-friendly” people are collecting. And if it’s such a great idea, isn’t there a temptation to go out and get more bags to make more plarn? This increases the demand on the bags that should really have been abolished from our supermarkets long ago. In the end, it’s still non-biodegradable rubbish when you get fed up with your hand knitted plarn bag and want to make another one. Hope everyone out there will use their plarn bags to go shopping from now on, stop picking plastic bags up from supermarkets and shops, and keep spreading the message that they are a bad idea, whatever good use you put them to.
July 20, 2009
[...] http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/02/17/instructions-for-cutting-plastic-bags-creating-recycled-pla... [...]
July 20, 2009
[...] har jag förstått att det finns ett liv efter detta även för mina plastkassar. Här får du lära dig hur du gör garn av dina gamla plastkassar. Vad man ska göra med garnet? Fortsätt läsa här så lär du finna [...]
July 28, 2009
[...] of what to do with all my white plastic bags. I knew I wanted to transform them into “plarn” and do a crochet project. The problem: white plastic bags are ugly. I don’t care what [...]
September 10, 2009
[...] in making your own bags? Check out this guide on making your own bag that Valerie passed along for a tutorial on getting [...]
September 18, 2009
[...] 11. Balene II size P – This is sort of half way between Boye and Bates shapes. I don’t love it but it’s perfect for plarn. [...]
September 26, 2009
This is exactly what I was looking for. This way of making plarn is so much easier than what I imagined it would be. It will be a perfect way to do my homework for college. I have a dress and humanity class that requires me to recycle something and make it into something new. This is a perfect idea.
October 6, 2009
[...] plastic bags [...]
October 9, 2009
[...] Here you will find instructions on how to create the plastic yarn. [...]
October 10, 2009
Just to say thank you for a very easy thing to try. i can see making twine for my garden this way too. so many uses and unfortunately so much plastic!
Plard , I love that !
Terica´s last blog ..Wow ,how time passes when you are having Fun…
October 15, 2009
[...] Do some recycling. Knit with plarn, make baskets from old magazines and decoupage with candy [...]
October 26, 2009
This is such a great idea – we have used your information and some of your patterns on our site about living a green life in Australia!
At times I feel like my kitchen is swamped with these bags, even though I am not much of a crafter this really does look simply enough to follow! I will give it a go and cut back on the bags that I use the shops with the new bag I plan to make!
Thank you again – and the doormat idea is also a really good one too. The cat will love to laze around on something new now!
http://www.mygreenaustralia.com/2009/10/plastic-bag-craft/
Rebecca´s last blog ..Plastic Bag Craft
November 9, 2009
[...] can learn how to plarn at myrecycledbags.com. Plarning is incredibly easy, and makes a fun project for youn [...]
November 18, 2009
This is so easy to do!!! I need my mom to teach me how to knit but this was fun and e-z to do. I have already done 7 bags in about 10 minutes!!
Thanks!