Plastic bag Yarn

Since I posted my crochet Sea Creatures on Flickr in November, 2006, many people have asked me how I make the plastic bag yarn. So here is a How to lesson. There are many different techniques, but I found this one worked best for me. Be warned..... it's very time consuming, but strangely cathartic.

1.

The bags I use are thin shopping bags with handles. They come mostly in white, greys, blues and greens. Occassionally I find a pink,red or orange bag but these are very rare. Make sure the bags are clean. Wash and dry if necessary.

2.

Flatten the seams and smooth the wrinkles.

3.

Fold the bag longitudinally into a 2.5 - 3cm wide strip. Handles at one end and bottom seam at the other.

4.

Cut off handles and bottom seam. These can be used for other embellishments. See Cunjevoi Garden.

5.

Cut remaining folded strip into 'biscuits' to whatever width you prefer. A good width is approximately 2cm. I use a 2.5mm - 3mm steel crochet hook for this width.

6.

Unfold biscuits (loops). Knot loops together into one long piece of double-stranded yarn.

7.

Tighten the knot.

8.

Resulting double-stranded yarn.

9.

Wind the yarn up into balls.

This technique has been around for decades. I have been told by friends, their mothers and grandmothers made sun hats from plastic bread bags. The covered coathanger was given to me by my friend, Susan, who found it in an Opshop on the south coast (thanks). I especially love the colours of this piece.

Mmmmmm....... I have been toying with the idea of making a raincoat!

Comments

[Patricia R Cramer]

The article on plastic bag recycling sound like an ecologically correct use for these bags. The landfills are full of plastics which take forever to biodegrade.

Save the earth, crochet a plastic bag bag.

Pat C.

[aprill]

the hanger is so beautiful!!

[zabacorporation]

Thank you very much. I think your work's gorgeous:-) Thanks both for the inspiration and sharing this technique.

[Kristen]

This is great, and the best "how-to" for plastic bag design I've seen. Thank you so much!

I am now crocheting with plastic and searching out wonderful colors. (And grocery shopping with an eye to get more bags...) See www.gottoknit.blogspot.com

[Kate in NJ]

Very cool!!

[isabel]

Thank you for this great post! I am so going to do this! Thank you thank you thank you!

[Tiffany]

This is so neat!! what better way to make a re-usable market bag than with re-used market bags?!
If you are willing to buy the ever-so-rare red and pink, here you go!
http://www.papermart.com/templates/10-0-25.htm
http://www.papermart.com/templates/10-0-10.htm#GO_10010

[Hillbilly Housewife]

What a neat idea. The last time I recycled plastic grocery bags (other than putting them into the recycle bin), was when my daughter was in diapers... this sounds like a lot more fun. What a creative idea and it would be perfect for bags and such... of to dig through my pile of bags.

[crochetingfool]

You can also cut up red plastic table cloths....they work great

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[kiki]

thank you very much for sharing. i'll start making yarn from grocery bags.

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[Ann]

I was so thrilled to read about the plastic bag yarn. Can hardly wait to bring the idea into my senior craft group

Sorry I had the wrong e-mail addy in my first posting.....

[Ann]

I was so thrilled to read about the plastic bag yarn. Can hardly wait to bring the idea into my senior craft group

[sharon mascagni]

I am trying to teach some senior citizens how to use plaastic bags to make different articles. I would appreciate any help you can give.
Thank you,
Sharon Mascagni

[helle]

Recymicol........

Thanks for the tip. Don't think I'll use the rotary cutter technique. Personally I find a few snips with the scissors much easier. No need for cutting board or ruler....... in fact I can do it reclining in front of the TV. Don't forget the bags are folded logitudinally when cut. Also the cuts are quite neat and straight.
Any irregularities in the cut are insignificant once knitted or crocheted......they disappear along with any knots.

[RecycleMicol]

TIP: Use a cutting board, rotary cutter and ruler (metal or heavy plastic) to make neat and quick cuts!!! You'll never use your scissors for this once you go rotary!!!
-RM

[kristin]

HI!! this is so helpful!! years ago i started knitting a rug made from plastic bags because i remember my grandmother making them...however, i had no idea what i was doing...i have a half made rug because i was so frustrated at the uneveness of what i was making...well, duh! i had cut my bags into such wonky strips, it would make anyone a bit crazy...this tutorial has given me re-newed interest in persuing another approach to the rug. thank you! (i just linked here from Shula if you're wondering where i came from :)

[helle]

Thanks so much everyone. Let me know if you make something.
A friend found the red bags and pink bags and they are extremely rare.

[dawbis]

wow, who knew something so lovely could be created from plastic bags. thanks for sharing your technique. i rarely knit or crochet, but this is so neat, i'm going to have to try it out.

your sea creatures are incredible too!

[kelly]

Thanks so much! I've unsuccessfully tried to make yarn from plastic bags before. I think I can do this!

[juni moon]

dang! where did you score those wonderful RED bags??? I wish I could find better colors here where I live.

[bezzie]

Hee hee! I did a raincoat last year!

http://rkbezzie.blogspot.com/2006/04/its-raining-its-pouring.html

LOVE your seacreatures! (I'm jealous of those wonderful bag colors you have!)