Blogs > Look Good > Jewelry & Accessories
Learn How to Turn Plastic Bags into Yarn
by Adam W.
A DIY tip to turn old plastic bags into yarn and then knit them into anything you want!
I have already reviewed the website where i got this tip from (it's Instructables, just search it in that handy search box above). But i absolutely had to write a specific review of this diy project that i just saw.
Most of us have a drawer full of plastic bags laying around, even though we now use totes for everything. Sometimes, you forget your tote, sometimes the farmers market people foist bags on you - there are lots of reasons. Anyway, bringing those old bags back to the grocery store means they will just melt them down to make new bags, which releases tons of pollution into the air.
This project is one of the best uses I have ever seen for all those plastic bags, Basically, you cut them all into little strips and tie them together, then use them to crochet just like you would yarn. The difference is that these are unbelievably durable and waterproof because they are made out of plastic bags. Now this is no reason to start picking up plastic bags again, but if you have them lying around, its a great way to reuse them instead of recycling. Remember, recycling is always the second option.
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Eliza G. says:
This idea looks a lot better on paper than it does in practice. I checked out the website, and the number of plastic bags needed to construct anything useful is beyond obscene.
Is it still recycling if I raid the bin at Whole Foods?
Adam W. says:
There is no question that the fact that one bag takes 900 plastic bags (yes, you read that correctly) to make is obscene. The question is whether it is better for the environment to use those plastic bags for recycling like at whole foods, or to actually reuse those plastic bags. On the one hand, the idea of having 900 plastic bags is pretty gnarly. On the other hand, I know people who have entire drawers full of this stuff. There is no doubt in my mind that my mom for instance has that many bags in her garage. Instead of taking them to be recycled, which still emits pollutants and carbon and requires energy, you can turn them into something really cool on your own. Who knows, depending on your worldview, it might even be worth it to raid the whole foods bin - at least you would stop those bags from ever emitting pollutants again!
Eliza G. says:
How about you raid your mother's garage and we meet on a street corner to make the exchange? As someone who's taken canvas bags to stores for years and years, I sometimes have to ask for paper just to be able to put the garbage out. The only time I get plastic is in Chinatown - there's no avoiding it there, I've tried.
But - I also have a super-sized crochet hook and would love to make my own unique shopping tote. Interesting to see how what ought to be a straightforward recycling project can branch into something else. The human condition?
I promise not to start taking plastic bags in order to recycle them!
Shira K. says:
I just read the bags aren't waterproof because of all the little holes you get with the crochet, but the bags themselves are definitely water-safe. I wish I had time to cut up 900 plastic bags and turn them into practical art. Alas, I do not....but what about sending our plastic bags to developing nations to create woven objects to sell back to the people who donated the bags? Is that cool or depressing? I can't decide.
Kate C. says:
Right on! I own a crocheted platic bag tote. Bought from a local woman who made them from bags from local stores. The one I bought is made from the distinctive plastic bags from our small town grocery store. Everytime I go there I take it with me and every time the checkout people rave about what a cool idea it is. I've told them they should sell them in the store. Unfortunately, they are more expensive than most people want to pay ($8). But there is a lot of time and labor that goes into making one. If you crochet, you could definitely make one yourself. The only drawback on mine are the handles, which I don't believe will handle a lot of weight - the bag itself expands beautifully. I hope more and more people start making these wonderfully recycled bags.
Adam W. says:
That is so cool - i wonder if she sells them on ETSY? I would definitely fork over $8 for something unique. I mean seriously, if someone will shell out hundreds of dollars for a cool purse (in my case backpacks), then why not a measly 8 for an awesome tote?
Kate C. says:
Like I said, this is a rural (poor and lower educational level) part of Minnesota and many people can't fathom paying $8 for a bag, when they can still just use the free ones from the grocery store. At least this grocery store pays a nickel for every bag a customer brings in. I've lost track of the woman who makes them, but I doubt she does any selling of them on line.
Lorraine W. says:
I also have tried this with limited success. Plarn is the devil to work with. I know I have seen pictures of pretty gorgeous bags made with it but I found the process of making the plarn tediously slow (and I didn't have enough to make anything larger than a small wallet sized bag) then actually crocheting with it a total nightmare.
It is a very good idea but it hasn't worked out for me at all.
Oh yes and with regard to raiding bins for bags: be very, very careful. You don't know what has been in the bag and they could make you very sick. Some people do this and wash them first. But I have to question the environmental impact of that decision.