PLARN. If you have never heard of this word, then let me shed some light. Plarn is short for Plastic Yarn aka Yarn made out of strips of plastic bags.
Plarning is the art of weaving with plastic strips ie crocheting, knitting, or hand weaving into usable/ wearable items. Some of the things that can be made into wearable and usable items include sandals, doormats, totes, and bags!
It has been known that inmates at a correctional facility in Ontario upcycles plastic bags into plarn and crochets them into sleeping mats. These are then donated to homes or to the less fortunate who needs them. How awesome is that!
Since plastic bags are generally paper-thin, you may wonder if plarn woven items are sturdy or strong. Well once they are woven together ie crochet/ knit, they can become extremely resistant and durable!
Carry them 2 ways!
This year I plan to reuse and reduce! I do a lot of my grocery shopping at Fred Meyers and last-minute essentials at Target, hence I do have a lot of plastic bags 😅 .
In a way, I still make use of them at home for trash in the bathroom, or for packing up dirty shoes, etc. But there are always more bags! Anyone else just like me? 🙋♀️.
In case you need this for later, PIN It!
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DESIGN INSPIRATION
This summer, we have plans to vacation in Hawaii and that means a lot of beach time! The kids love playing in the sand and yes they do have a huge bag of sand toys!
Because their toys are constantly wet and sandy, I needed to find a mesh-like bag that would sieve off the sand and stay dry at the same time. That's when I had a 💡 Light bulb moment!
I knew I needed to make them a mesh-like sand toy bag that would stay dry! And that's how this plarn bag idea came about! Thanks, kiddos!
If the kids are happy, mama's happy too!
DESCRIPTION
Any type of plastic grocery bag works. Once they are cut into strips, join each strip and start plarning! Working from the base in the round, continue to crochet in the round using "V" stitches. This is a quick and great project for you and the environment! Plus it’s free!
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Tools and Materials:
Material: Plastic bags 11 x 13 in / 28 x 33cm (or any size is fine)
Color: Tan and White (I used Frey Meyer and Target bags)
Hook: 5.5mm
No. of bags (skein): Tan: 12 , White: 7
Skill: Beginner
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Things to Note:
No Gauge is required for this as the bag size depends on the thickness of the plarn used
Size shown: H x W: 10 x 14 in / 25 x 35.5 cm
Chain up does not count as a stitch unless mentioned otherwise.
Definition of 2Dc Vs Dc2 : Work 2 Dc in the same St vs 1 Dc in the next 2 Sts.
Abbreviation page available in English US format
Plarn beach bag free crochet pattern
PART 1: How to turn Plastic bags into Plarn
1. Flatten bag and fold approx 1 in/2.5cm length wise and cont to fold over.
2. Cut where the handle ends and cut 1 in/ 2.5cm at the bottom
3. Unfold about 2in/ 5cm at the top and cut folded side 1 in/ 2.5 cm apart. Note: If your plastic bag is fairly thick, you should cut between ½ - ¾ in / 1.3 – 2cm
4. Open bag and cut the first strip diagonally.
5. Cut the next strip diagonally across through to the other slit. Repeat on all strips.
6. Pick up plarn and roll up into a ball.
7. Cont steps 1 – 6 until you have enough plarns. Join plarn ends with a simple knot.
Part 2: Bottom Base (Tan plarn)
Foundation row: Magic Ring (MR)
Rnd 1: Work 10 Sc on MR, Slst to close round, Ch up 1,
Rnd 2: Work 2Dc in each St, Slst to close round, Ch up 1 [20 Sts]
Rnd 3: Through the 1st St, *(work 1 Dc, then 2Dc in the next St) Rep (*) in the round. Slst to close round, Ch up 1 [30 Sts]
Rnd 4: Through the 1st St, *(Dc 2, 2Dc in the next St) Rep (*) in the round. Slst to close round, Ch up 1 [40 Sts]
Rnd 5: Through the 1st St, *(Dc 3, 2Dc in the next St) Rep (*) in the round. Slst to close round, Ch up 1 [50 Sts]
Rnd 5: Through the 1st St, *(Dc 4, 2Dc in the next St) Rep (*) in the round. Slst to close round, Ch up 1 [60 Sts]
Next round: Cont to increase 1 St on every round ie (Dc x + 1, then 2Dc). Rep until you have reached preferred diameter. For ref, I have worked a total of 10 rounds with a diameter of 14 in / 35.5 cm
Last round: Stop increasing and work 1 Dc in each St. On the last St, drop tan plarn to the back and draw up the white plarn and Slst to close round. Ch up 1. (Do not bind off)
Part 3: Body
1. Rnd 1: Sc bet each post in the round. On the last St, drop white plarn to the back and draw up tan plarn and Slst to close round, Ch up 4
2. Rnd 2: *(Sk 2 Sts, Tr on the next St, Ch 1, Tr in the same St,). This is a “V” Stitch. Rep (*) in the round. On the last St, drop tan plarn to the back and draw up white plarn and Slst to close round, Ch up 1
3. Rnd 3 - 8: Rep Rnd 1 and 2 for 3 more rounds.
4. Rnd 9: With the White plarn, Ch 3 more *(Sk 2 sts, Tr on the next St, Ch 1, Tr in the same St) Rep (*) in the round. On the last St, drop white plarn to the back and draw up tan plarn, Slst to close round, Ch up 1
5. Rnd 10: Sc each St in the round. On the last St drop tan plarn to the back and draw up white plarn, Slst to close round, Ch up 4
6. Rnd 11: *(Sk 2 sts, Tr on the next St, Ch 1, Tr in the same St) Rep (*) in the round. On the last St, drop white plarn to the back and draw up tan plarn, Slst to close round, Ch up 1
7. Rnd 12 - 14: Rep Rnd 10, 11, 10
8. Rnd 15: *(Sk 3 sts, Tr on the next St, Ch 1, Tr in the same St) Rep (*) in the round. on the last St, drop white plarn to the back and draw up tan plarn to close round, Ch up 1
9. Rnd 16: Sc each St in the round, on the last St, on the last St, drop tan plarn to the back and draw up white plarn, Slst to close round. Bind off
Part 4: Straps/ Ties
1. Take 1 pc of white and tan plarn each and tie a knot together.
2. Pick up the top plarn like you would when working a stitch, and hold on to the bottom yarn (image 1)
3. Wrap the bottom plarn over the hook from the front to the back, while holding on to the bottom plarn and Pt the top plarn. (image 2)
4. Rep step 3 until you reach your pref length. I have made the straps approx. 50in/ 127cm in length. Make 1 more strap
Part 5: Attaching Strap ties
1. Count No of “V” stitches and divide that number by 4. I have 27 “V” stitches which gives me a count of 6.75 spaces.
2. Insert both ties into any one “V” space and skip 6 spaces. Then I will pull out the 2 ties through the next space.
3. Cont to skip 6 spaces and weave in/out 2 more times until you’re back in the round.
4. Tie 2 knots. You can leave a “tassel” if you pref or cut off both ends.
5. Weave in all loose ends by inserting your hook through the Sts and pulling them through the ends.
END
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Happy hooking
Shaz 🌺
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