How to Make Plarn

I originally learned how to make plarn so that I could knit durable, weatherproof mats. Now I use it for all kinds of projects! It’s a great way to pare down the grocery bag drawer… you know, the one that always seems full no matter how many reusable bags you have!

What is Plarn?

Plarn is a portmanteau for plastic yarn. Creating it is a way to repurpose plastic that may otherwise end up in a landfill as recycling facilities for this type are scarce.

If the idea of wearing plastic is making you shudder, you’ve got the right idea already. Plarn isn’t smooth and soft; it’s crinkly, thick, and rough.

For this very reason, it makes excellent doormats, placemats, coasters, situpons, and baskets. It washes easily, dries quickly, and is sturdy!

How To Make Plarn

There are many methods for making it and I’m going to share the one we use, which I think is simplest and produces the most consistent results.

Here’s the video walkthrough. (Find written directions with photos below.)

Materials

• plastic bags
• scissors

Yep, that’s it!

Prepare

Gather your bags and smooth them out on a flat surface. Note the location of the bottom “seam” of the bag.

For each bag, fold in half down the center, lining up the straps. Smooth out any big wrinkles.

Fold in half again, smoothing as you go.

All right, one more time! You want it small enough to snip. This depends on the size of your scissors, but is usually about an inch or two wide.

Cut

Snip off the bottom of the bag. Don’t cut more than you need to cut to remove the seam. Try to get it as close to it as possible to avoid waste. Discard this portion. (Recycle where facilities exist!)

Next, snip off the handles. Make one cut straight across, cutting as close to the bottom of the handle as possible. Discard the handles/top of the bag. (Recycle where facilities exist!)

Now you have one long, even piece to work with. Begin making consistent cuts about 1-2″ apart, all down the bag.

Repeat with all the bags you plan to use.

Turn It Into Yarn

Gently unroll the snipped pieces and you’ll find you have several identical (and quite long) loops of plastic.

Working one at a time, create a chain.

Fold Loop A in half over the edge of Loop B.

Slip one half of Loop A under the other and pull gently away from Loop B.

Loop A is now knotted onto Loop B.

Repeat with additional loops.

You can find an overview of the entire process in the video posted above.

You can also create patterns by using bags of different colors!

Wind

I find plarn works best from a ball, so I wind mine by hand. If you have a winder or swift, you can use that, too. Work gently with it as the tensile strength is low when it hasn’t been worked.

Knit or Crochet

The springiness and stretch of plarn works best with a looser gauge. I use US #13/9.00 mm or US #15/10.00 mm knitting needles (or a US N/P/10.00 mm hook) when working with mine.

And don’t worry about the knots; these will blend in as you work!

What are you going to make with your plarn?