Instructions for cutting plastic bags & creating recycled plastic yarn
Each photo below is thumbnailed, click on photo to view larger size
This process is a great way to recycle those old plastic bags into something useful. You can crochet or knit a cool tote bag similar to reusable totes that are sold.
Cutting
Lay recycled bag out flat
Fold in half lengthwise then fold in half again
Cut off top handles
Cut bag in strips about 1 inch wide or as desired
Set aside the end of bag where bottom edge was glued. The ends and the handles can be recycled either as stuffing for other projects, packing material for shipping, or taken to your local recycling bin for plastic bags.
Tying strips together
Take two strips and inter-twine together as shown
Gently pull on ends to knot two strips together
Connect next strip to last strip in the same manner
Continue connecting strips until you have a large ball of plastic yarn
Tips:
Pull ends evenly to create a smooth and flat strip.
If you find your strip doesn’t lie flat between knots, you didn’t pull
evenly which creates a bunched strip. Just make sure your strip is
even before you pull your knot tight between the two connected
strips. To fix a bunched strip, just loosen your knot between the strips
then pull on the ends again to make your strip flat and smooth.
Tags: making-plarn, plarn, plastic-bag-yarn
Jan 09, 2012
[…] bags make yarn in a cool, inexpensive way.  I decided to give plastic bag yarn making a try, using these instructions. Note: normally I would not have plastic bags, but I am living in a world of no reusable bags, if […]
Feb 16, 2012
Thank you very much for this wonderful work
Feb 18, 2012
Thanks for the idea. I have decided to incorporate it into my scrapbooking project. Check out the picture link on my progress!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150682689410350&set=a.10150576840035350.441252.285761260349&type=1&theater
Apr 14, 2012
[…] Her site also includes a picture tutorial on how to make your own plastic yarn […]
Jun 26, 2012
Hi Cindy!
I was wondering if you or any of your readers have tried this method to make plarn out of heavy plastic bags (similar to the “yard” bags). I have a bunch of heavy (almost rubbery) bags I was going to do this with, but once I got the plarn made, I wasn’t able to crochet or knit with it as the material sticks to my hooks or needles. I’ve tried plastic and metal needles. Any suggestions?
Aug 09, 2012
THANKS so much for sharing.
I, too,am a breast cancer survivor (diagnosed Dec. 2005)
I am trying to print some of your patterns to try.
Have a good day.
Aug 26, 2012
[…] how do you make Plarn? I had no idea and so turned to Google and came up with this page which I found easy to follow. As I had no handles on my bags I simply had to cut the bottom off, […]
Sep 18, 2012
[…] Make Plarn from My Recycled Bags […]
Jun 05, 2013
[…] is a portmanteau of plastic bag yarn. I used this tutorial to make yarn from the collection of plastic bags I’ve got kicking […]
Jun 28, 2013
[…] a single strand to crochet with it. For the plastic retail bags, I made plastic bag yarn using my plarn making tutorial which is done using the looping […]
Oct 06, 2013
[…] http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/02/17/instructions-for-cutting-plastic-bags-creating-recycled-pla… […]
Oct 09, 2013
Thank you for this tutorial! It is *exactly* what I was looking for.
Jan 16, 2014
Thank you Cindy for sharing! I’ve been wondering how to make plan. My hubby was recently with lung cancer and am looking for a plan cancer ribbon wrist band for him. WE are raising my 2 year developmentally delayed grand daughter and don’t have much time for myself with chemo and all. I W want to buy this ribbon, actually two, from you if you at available to do so?
Jan 17, 2014
@Nora – I sent you an email about the ribbon. I wish you and your dh the best as you face his cancer battle. These things are never easier. Take care and best wishes.
May 06, 2014
I have made outside seat covers with plastic bags, only I crochet scrap yarn with it. All colors are great.
Jul 06, 2014
[…] bags. Cut the bags into strips, join, and roll into a ball. There are many talented designers like Recycled Bags that make a living turning plastic into yarn.Here’s a video tutorial on how to make plarn […]
Sep 19, 2014
[…] you want to know how to make plarn from regular plastic retail bags, here is my picture tutorial on how to make plarn. Maybe you have the thin newspaper bags and wonder how to make plarn from those. Here is my […]
Oct 15, 2014
[…] in making your own bags? Check out this guide on making your own bag […]
Oct 31, 2014
Wow! I have been looking for something like this for ages. I saw a cute crocheted plastic bag rug a while back and would love one for my patio. Thanks for all your hard work in creating these patterns, I look forward to making more than a few
Nov 03, 2014
[…] Instructions for cutting plastic bags & creating recycled … – Each photo below is thumbnailed, click on photo to view larger size. This process is a great way to recycle those old plastic bags into something useful…. […]
Feb 11, 2015
[…] bags. Cut the bags into strips, join, and roll into a ball. There are many talented designers like Recycled Bags that make a living turning plastic into yarn.Here’s a video tutorial on how to make plarn […]
Oct 18, 2015
This technique would also work with t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sweaters, for making things like rag rugs and chair pads…
Feb 18, 2016
Something to Share…
Members of the Fallston Presbyterian Church, Baltimore MD, are crocheting 3X5 foot PLARN mats for the homeless to use as a soft moisture barrier. The article was in the the local Towson Times Baltimore community paper. I’m not a member but thought this was newsworthy.
Thanks for all you do!
Feb 18, 2016
@Lil – Thanks for sharing this info. I love that people are recycling bags and helping out those in need.
Jan 30, 2017
I had a good friend who had her students help her make mats for homeless people out of Wal*Mart bags. These helped keep them off the ground where they slept outside. They were so great because they were easy to dry. I always wondered how she made the “yarn” and now I know!