How to Make Plastic Yarn

This Instructables is here to show you how to create plastic yarn or plarn. Plastic yarn is made from old plastic bags and saves you money from buying regular yarn! You can do all kinds of crafts with plarn. Crocheting and Knitting are just two of the few that most people know. Now lets get started!

Step 1: Materials

Materials:

* Plastic Bag/s
* Scissors

Step 2: Flatten and Fold

Flatten your bag out. Then Fold 2 times

Step 3: Cut Bottom and Top Off

Take your scissors, and cut off the bottom and top off from your bag.

Step 4: Cut

Cut your folded bag into stripes about 1 inch. you don't have to measure because it won't matter. 

NOTE: YOU CAN CUT THEM ANY WIDTH but i like them thick for durability. 

Step 5: Unravel

Unravel two strips

Step 6: Tie Together

Then, to tie them together, you place one on top of the other. Next you take the one that is under and stick your hand in. Then, grab the one on top.


Connect them all together using this. Then tighten it. Make sure the knot is small so it is easier for you when you crochet, knit, or do anything else. But don't pull too tight because the plastic might tear.

Step 7: Roll Up

Now that you have a long line of Pling (plastic string) roll it all up into a ball.

Step 8: Completed!!!

Now you have Plastic Yarn!!! This is so versatile. If your an expert crocherer or knitter, this is easy. It is not that hard. Yarn is easy, but plarn is a bit harder to slip through. But I am a beginner, and if I think its easy, you should think its a piece of cake!! Enjoy and leave me pics, comments, and questions down below!

Comments

[craftmachine]

I made this today on my Knifty Knitter loom. It's a really neat project!

[krabs]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[HappyCamy]

It worked!!! you could get more pling if you cut it width ways leaving about an inch at the top and then cutting diagonally as you would t-shirt yarn

[krabs]

Yay I'm glad it worked for you! That is a very good tip thank you!

[mclare50]

Awesome thanks!

[krabs]

No Problem!! :)

[mclare50]

Are the strips supposed to be looped when you unravel them? Thanks!

[krabs]

Yes, so when you crochet, it will be double, which makes it more durable and strong.

[hohum]

what size needles did you use for this project?

thanks

[krabs]

I used a 6mm or a J-10 Size

[GeekTinker]

Children in Zambia make footballs (soccer balls for the Americans) out of this material by wrapping it around a core material in an intricate weave. They learn to do this from the other children and are quite adept at it. After some time of playing with it, the ball needs to be repaired, but it does last for longer than you might expect. They do not cut up the bag, but twist it and tie one bag onto the next. When we brought many actual soccer balls with us on the mission trip, they said it made them feel as though they were professional players. If the material can stand up to that purpose, it should be able to handle almost anything you can throw at it.

[krabs]

That is fascinating!!! I never knew that! Thank you for sharing your wonderful piece of information. I think people in other countries should do that too! It would save lots of resources and money.

[deathnotx101]

This is sweet! Going to use this to make little owls with signs that say, "Give a hoot, don't pollute."

[krabs]

WOW! Really cool idea!!! I totally support you! keep it up and when you are done, post a pic here or send me one!

[krabs]

Actually, you might need to fold it 3 times. My mistake. Sorry!

[jessyratfink]

Very nice. :)

[krabs]

Why thank you very much! I really appreciate your kind words!