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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.Plastic Bag Yarn Plarn - Facebook ad

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.



COMPLETE VIDEO TUTORIAL AVAILABLE! The video below is a preview with no audio, to watch the whole video tutorial, click the link How to Make Plastic Bag Yarn (Plarn) to watch in Youtube.


Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. We make a small commission on sales through the affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for your purchase and your support! Please see our full Affiliate Statement for more information.

 How to Make Plastic Bag Yarn

WHAT YOU NEED

  • Plastic Shopping Bags
  • ScissorExamples of Plastic Bag Yarn - Plarn

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. Plastic Bag Yarn Tutorial - Sort Shopping Bags

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. Plastic Bag Yarn Tutorial - Flatten Bags

STEP 3: FOLD BAG

Fold the bag in half lengthwise, then in half again. Plastic Bag Yarn Tutorial - Fold In Half

Plastic Bag Yarn Tutorial - Fold In Half Again

STEP 4: CUT OFF HANDLES

With a scissor or rotary cutter, cut off top handles. Plastic Bag Yarn Tutorial - Cut off Handles

STEP 5: CUT INTO PIECES

Begin cutting the bag into 1" strips forming loops. Discard the glued end. Plastic Bag Yarn Tutorial - Cut Strips

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. Plastic Bag Yarn Tutorial - Cross Loops

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. Plastic Bag Yarn Tutorial - Tie Loops

Continue adding more loops. Plastic Bag Yarn Tutorial - Tie Loops and Pull

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. Plastic Bag Yarn Tutorial - BasketYarn Balls

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!


QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about this project, contact us through the YouTube Video comments or our Contact Us page. We respond to questions in e-mails and YouTube comments regularly.

OTHER IDEAS FOR USING PLASTIC BAGS

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

Supporting Products and links: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. We make a small commission on sales through the affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for your purchase and your support! Please see our full Affiliate Statement for more information.

Eco-Friendly Knits: Using Recycled Plastic Bags

Eco-Friendly Knits: Using Recycled Plastic Bags #ad

Create project such as a mobile phone cozy, purse, belt, beaded earrings, handbag and more using plastic bags. Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose. by Emily Blades - Paperback - Published 2010 Affiliate Link to Amazon

Upcycled Accessories

Upcycled Accessories #ad

25 funky fused-plastic projects for all experience levels that use inexpensive, readily available materials. by Tracie Lampe - Paperback - Published 2010 Affiliate Link to Amazon






Plastic Bag Yarn Tutorial - Pin


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