Making Plarn from a Plastic Tablecloth
I received a nice email from Anne asking about making plarn (plastic bag yarn) from some old tablecloths she had. She asked “Have you ever used any of the fairly inexpensive plastic banquet length table covers to make plarn?” And if so how do you do it? Well I replied to Anne at the email she left but it came back undeliverable so I thought I’d take this opportunity and respond in a post explaining the process.
Yes you can recycled those inexpensive plastic tablecloths into plarn. If the plastic is very thin, I would cut them about 1 to 1-1/2 inches wide depending on the thickness of plarn you desire. You want to cut the plastic in one long continuous strand as I did when I recycled some large plastic wedding gift bags.
The wedding gift bag plastic was very heavy so I cut it thinner but use your judgement depending on what you what to do with your recycled plastic yarn. I made a simple diagram below to show how you start cutting and just go around and around the plastic tablecloth to create one long strand. Should the plastic strand break, just tie a knot to join two strands. Roll the knot between your thumb and finger to flatten it and make it smooth. Don’t worry about the knot as they really don’t show once you crochet or knit with the plarn.
You cut around and around, similar to peeling an orange in one continuous piece.
Anne — I hope you find this useful and know that I tried to reply to your email. Best wishes and happy plarn-making to you!
Tags: plarn, plarn-cutting, plastic-bag-yarn, tablecloths-recycled
Dec 06, 2014
Great post. This post provides a clear idea how to making plarn from a plastic. I like this method very much.
Jan 01, 2015
wow its a unique, creative and cheap
thanks for sharing
Jan 24, 2015
I have made t-shirt yarn before, and it turned out amazing! I’m going to try the plarn very soon. I think I will us the same way of cutting as in the t-shirt yarn.
Jan 26, 2015
Ahh! It has a name! PLARN. I like that. My Aunt Polly makes amazing attractive tote bags using plarn cut from grocery bags. She sells them at craft fairs. They are (obviously) waterproof, so good for carrying swim suit, etc.
May 31, 2015
I have made several of your patterns and love them. Instructions are easy to read. Many of my family that I have made them for, love the ones I have made, and love the idea if they get dirty, all they have to do is spray them off. Keep them coming, love your ideas, they are all so helpful Thanks
Jun 02, 2015
Thanks Mildred for leaving such a nice comment. I’m always so glad to hear from people who enjoy using my patterns and want me to keep going with this blog and creating new patterns. You inspire me to continue writing and making new things. Thanks again for stopping by!
Aug 03, 2015
nice idea of converting plarn from plastic bag. Excellent post and nice idea.
Apr 16, 2021
Who knew!!! Awesome job. thanks