Recycled Round Plarn Rug
Click to supersize photo
For all you rug lovers out there, I have a new recycled plarn rug pattern to share. It’s crocheted in the round and I used several different shades of creme, tan, and brown bags to create an earth tone look. These plastic rugs crocheted from recycled plastic bags make great boot or doormat rugs as you can just hose them off and hang to dry. Remember do not put these in the dryer as it will melt the plastic.
So grab those plastic bags, a big N crochet hook and lets do some recycled green plarn crafting!
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Free Crocheted Round Plarn Rug Pattern
Materials needed:
Several balls of plastic bag yarn or plarn in creme, tan, and browns
Hook: N (9 mm) U.S. size metal hook
Description: Earth tone round rug measures 19 inches wide
Directions:
Using Creme colored plastic bags (plarn) Ch 4, join to form ring.
Rnd 1
Work 12 Hdc into ring. Sl st to 1st st to join.
Rnd 2
Ch 2, Hdc in sm st, then 2 Hdc in ea st. Join with a sl st to top of ch 2. (24 sts)
Rnd 3
Change color to brown plarn by pulling up new color in last st of prior rnd. (I carried creme plarn on back of rug until rnd 8.)
Ch 2, work Hdc in sm st, *work Hdc in next st, then 2 Hdc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd. Join with a sl st to top of ch 2.
Rnd 4
Change back to creme plarn. Ch 2, Hdc in sm st, *Hdc once in ea of the next 2 sts, then 2 Hdc in next st*. Repeat between *. Join with a sl st to top of ch 2.
Rnd 5
Using brown plarn again, Ch 2, Hdc in sm st, *Hdc in ea of the next 3 sts, then 2 Hdc in next st*. Repeat between *. Join with a sl st to top of ch 2.
Rnd 6
Change back to creme plarn. Ch 2, Hdc in sm st, *Hdc in ea of the next 3 sts, then 2 Hdc in next st*. Repeat between *. Join with a sl st to top of ch 2.
Rnd 7
Using tan plarn, Ch 2, Hdc in sm st, *Hdc in ea of the next 4 sts, then 2 Hdc in next st*. Repeat between *. Join with a sl st to top of ch 2.
Rnd 8
Change back to creme plarn. Repeat in pattern but work only about 4 increases in rnd as needed to allow rug to lay down flat. FO creme color now.
Rnd 9-11
Using tan plarn, Ch 2, work even with a Hdc in ea st. (Rug should be flat now. Adjust your sts as needed so it is flat.) Join with a sl st to top of ch 2.
(Use tan plarn for the next 4 rnds and then I finished using another shade of tan the last 4 rnds of rug. You can also use any colors you have to complete the rug.)
Rnd 12
Ch 2, work Hdc in ea st and spread 5 increases of 2 Hdc around the rug to help it lay down flat. (Again adjust your increases as needed to allow your rug to lay down flat.)
Rnd 13
Ch 2, Hdc in sm st, *Hdc in next 10 sts, then 2 Hdc in next st*. Repeat between *. (Approx. 8 -9 inc sts depending on what you need to allow your rug to lay down flat.) Join with a sl st to top of ch 2.
Rnd 14
Ch 2, *Hdc in next 6 sts, then 2 Hdc in next st*. Repeat between *. Join with a sl st to top of ch 2.
Rnd 15
Ch 2, *Hdc in next 7 sts, then 2 Hdc in next st*. Repeat between *. Join with a sl st to top of ch 2.
Rnd 16
Ch 2, *Hdc in next 8 sts, then 2 Hdc in next st*. Repeat between *. Join with a sl st to top of ch 2.
Rnd 17
Ch 2, *Hdc in next 20-30 sts (adjust as needed to allow rug to lay down flat), then 2 Hdc in next st*. Repeat between *. Join with a sl st to top of ch 2.
Rnd 18
Ch 2, work 1 Hdc in ea st around. Join with a sl st to top of ch 2. FO and weave under ends.
If you desire a larger rug, just keep working in the round in established pattern. Adjust your stitches as needed so your rug lays flat. You can also use some gentle heat from a blow dryer to shape and stretch your rug so it lies nicely.
If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.
Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
Sm – Same
St – Stitch
This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy of My Recycled Bags {dot com} and may only be used for private individual use. No commercial sales or use is permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable. ©2008
****Please do not copy my patterns on your blog site or post my patterns on Internet sites. I do not allow my patterns to be republished without expressed written permission. Posting of my patterns, without written permission is in violation of my copyrights and is content theft.
Tags: free-pattern, plarn, recycling
Sep 27, 2008
That is just plain PRETTY! I want to do that! Thanks for the pattern!
Sep 27, 2008
Wow! That looks great. It’s a very earthy looking colour combination.
Sep 28, 2008
this is great! I need a little carpet like this in the entrance closet just as you suggest, for boots… Not sure if I will get to it anytime soon, as I sewed myself cloth bags for groceries and now it seems, plastic bags are a real hard to find commodity in my house. I will have to go as my friends to save some bags for me…
Sep 28, 2008
this is very cool! you would never know this is made from plastic either! Brilliant!
Sep 29, 2008
All Things Eco Blog Carnival Volume Eighteen…
Welcome to the September 29th, 2008 edition of All Things Eco.
Glad everyone was able to wait an…
Sep 30, 2008
A friend is going to teach me how to knit/crochet this fall. Maybe…I will finally get to try one of your projects after admiring them for so long! Love the rug!
Oct 01, 2008
i have a few old (1970’s) macrame books if you know anyone who would be interested in them. I noticed someone said they used plastic bags in macrame…email addy above, Karen
Oct 01, 2008
[…] presents Recycled Round Plarn Rug posted at My Recycled Bags.com, saying, “Crochet this handy boot or doormat rug from recycled […]
Oct 02, 2008
This is so cool! I never knew there was such a thing as “plarn.” I can’t knit, but I can crochet. How cool!
Oct 05, 2008
http://www.flickr.com/photos/annieofbluegables/sets/72157601475416398/
I did a tutorial on my flickr account here.
~a
Oct 09, 2008
Oooh, this is good, so simple and genius!
As soon as I can find enough bags I’ll try this, because it’s much easier to clean than fiber rug.
I remember my grandmother used her huge (8×8 ft) loom to make carpets from strong polyester yarn and plastic bags.
Oct 26, 2008
Thank you so much for a great idea. I’ve used an old doily pattern to make an oval door mat. I’m trying to work out a square one that I can put “Welcome” or maybe a last name for really inexpensive Christmas gifts. Isn’t living on a fixed income is full of all kinds of challenges. I could really do without so many challenges.
Dec 02, 2008
Thanks for this! I’ve been thinking of trying a plarn rug, but wasn’t sure how it would turn out. You’ve proven it’s definitely worth the time! My grandmother used to have a rug in her bathroom made out of bread bags. But I was young and couldn’t figure out how it was made. It always intrigued me (still does), so maybe that’s where my love of recycling started. In any case, thanks for sharing this, I’m definitely going to give this a whirl!
Jan 06, 2009
I love this pattern!! This is my first attempt at this type of thing and I am a bit confused on Rnd. 8. Does it mean Hdc in ea of the next 4 sts, then 2 Hdc in next st.? I have never been able to understand increases. I have read on it and still don’t. I do understand the concept but that is about it. Does it refer to the number of stitches between the HDC’s? Help!
Jan 06, 2009
@Linda:
Only work 4 increases on this complete round. So work Hdc in each st and spread out 4 increases to make your rug lay down flat. The increases are done by working 2 Hdc in one stitch. I hope this helps. Email me back if you need help.
Jan 07, 2009
[…] http://whipup.net/2007/12/13/recycled-plastic-bag-wreath/ http://creaturecomforts.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/11/diy-eco-happy-pom-pom-gift-topper.html http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/12/weekly-wrap-up-diy-wreath-project.html http://www.myrecycl… […]
Jan 22, 2009
[…] Want a round rug try this pattern: http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2008/09/27/recycled-round-plarn-rug/ […]
Feb 12, 2009
this is one of the best websites I’ve visited lately. what great ideas for recycling, platic bags especially. I’m placing a link from my site to yours.
Beth’s last blog post..Are your deepest desires, your unspoken wishes merely selfish sentiment ?
Feb 28, 2009
[…] Recycled Round Plarn Rug […]
Jun 07, 2009
[…] “yarn” with some recycled rags would make it just about perfect for the job. Visit this site for […]
Jan 10, 2011
So great! I love plarn but its so hard to crochet with for me! I think it might be the hook, the biggest I use is a K. it’s hard to hold onto the big ones!
Apr 12, 2011
[…] da bagno lavorato all’uncinetto con strisce ricavate da vecchi sacchetti di plastica. Qui trovate tutte le istruzioni per realizzare passo passo questo complemento d’arredo plastic […]
Mar 10, 2012
[…] This rug is crochet from plastic bags. The how to is at my recycled bags. […]
Mar 11, 2012
This is so fabulous! Ijust found out about plarn and this is the perfect project. I also have always wanted to make a rug but couldn’t bear to see something I had worked so hard on using costly yarn get trampled on! Now I have a solution!
Thank you so much for sharing. I admire your abilities.
Jun 23, 2012
I love this but have a question. How are the bags best cut to do this? How wide are the strips and how are they joined?
Jun 23, 2012
@Mari – I just used regular retail type plastic bags for this rug. I cut them about 1 inch wide and use the looping method of joining. Here is a link to my picture tutorial on how I join plastic bags to make plarn.
Nov 27, 2012
[…] buste di plastica. Potete realizzarlo in diverse forme, tondo o circolare, l’importante è seguire le istruzioni. Lavabile e di varie dimensioni, unico difetto la poca resistenza del materiale.  Quindi … […]
Jun 26, 2015
How do I print a copy of the instruction for the recycles rugs????
I had 3 brain aneurysms and a stroke–so it is hard for me to write all
the instructions by hand.
Is there any way you could help me print the patterns that I want.
I will NOT put them on the web or blog or anything else.
I just need the patterns for myself.
Please help this old Navy/ER Trauma nurse.
Thank you.
Dawn Gard RN BSN
Jul 01, 2015
Dawn – Just cut and paste the words to the patterns you want in a word document. That is an easiest way to print them out. I am sending you an email with this pattern’s directions for you to print out. It is fine to print out my patterns for your personal or charity use. Let me know if you need any other help and I will be glad to send you other patterns too.
Sep 20, 2017
Like it. I made something like it out of old cotton socks. Cut the tops off and connected the loops like plarn. Boy did my hand hurt afterwards. Too bad I used it outside and it rotted or I could send a photo. Thanks for sharing.
Sep 17, 2018
I want to make bigger but I don’t understand “rnd established in pattern”.
What rnd do I start from?
Thank you
Rose
Sep 22, 2018
@Rose – What I am saying is to continue working in the round as you have been doing. “Working in the Round” just means not attaching or chaining at a new round.
Continue with the pattern, adding stitches as need to get it to lay flat and not ruffle. Remember you can always use a blow dryer to help flatten the rug and shape it as needed with gentle heat from a blow dryer. Just get it warm and flatten it with your hands or stretch gently to help it lay down nicely.
Dec 23, 2019
Thank you for your reply; I appreciate the Recycled Round Plarn Rug pattern you Emailed me, and you also answered my question as to what size crochet hook I will need.
Back in the 1950’s my mother made similar circular rugs by cutting up old dresses and used nylon stockings. We had not been introduced to plastic bags yet, and this handmade item was very popular.
I am very much an environmental activist, and appreciate being able to help the ecological betterment of our planet. Thank you. Joan