How to Make Plastic Bag Yarn (Plarn)

TURN PLASTIC BAGS INTO YARN

More and more people are doing the four R's: Recycle, Re-purpose, Reduce and Reuse!

Plastic shopping bags can be re-purposed into plarn. Plarn is short for plastic yarn. This sturdy plastic yarn can be used to crochet, knit, braid and weave projects including tote bags, rugs, doormats. coasters, hats, baskets and more. But before you can get to work creating something, first you must make it.

To make plarn, plastic shopping bags are cut into strips and joined together to make a long continuous strand of plastic yarn. Watch this video tutorial and read on for a photo tutorial with step-by-step instructions on how to make plastic yarn.

Do you want some other ideas for crafts to make using plastic bags? Our Plastic Bag Recycling page has free projects and tutorials.

 How to Make Plastic Bag Yarn

WHAT YOU NEED

• Plastic Shopping Bags
• Scissor

plastic bag yarn INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1: SORTING

To make plastic bag yarn, any size or kind of bag can be used as long as they are clean. Sort the plastic bags by color.

STEP 2: FLATTEN

After sorting, it is time to make the plarn. Lay the plastic bag flat on a table - flatting seams and smoothing out wrinkles.

STEP 3: FOLD BAG

Fold the bag in half lengthwise, then in half again.

STEP 4: CUT OFF HANDLES

With a scissor or rotary cutter, cut off top handles.

STEP 5: CUT INTO PIECES

Begin cutting the bag into 1" strips forming loops. Discard the glued end.

STEP 6: JOINING LOOPS

After cutting a lot of loops, begin linking the loops together using a Lark's Head knot. Place the end of loop #1 under loop #2.

Take the end of loop #1 over and in front of loop #2, now insert the end of loop #1 through the loop and pull to tighten.

Continue adding more loops.

STEP 7: ROLL YARN INTO BALL

After linking the loops together, begin to wrap the plarn into a ball. This yarn can be used on many crochet, knitting, weaving and braiding projects just like normal yarn.

Making plastic bag yarn is that simple! Plastic bag yarn can be cut in different widths depending on the project. The plarn is ready for your knitting or crocheting project.

NOTE: The handles and glued ends of the bag can be recycled by using it as stuffing for other projects, packing material or taking it to a local recycling bin for plastic bags.

Start recycling those plastic bags now!

OTHER IDEAS FOR USING PLASTIC BAGS

• Newspaper Plastic Bag Yarn
• Fuse Plastic Bags into Fabric

Scroll down for some books and ideas for using plastic bag yarn.