Plarn 2

Addicted to Plarn
Just to explain how addictive plarn has become for me . . . Each day I cut up one plastic bag (or two) and crochet it. If I still want to crochet, I rip out something else I've already made and crochet it into something new. I've been at this for about a week and already I've run out of bags, primarily because I mostly use cloth bags . . . use plastic bags for trash.

What is the Draw?
What is this fascination with plarn? A free craft material? Perhaps, but I think it's more than that. It has something to do with:

• The way the plastic yarn transforms as it is crocheted.
• The squishy feel of the crocheted fabric.
• Each vendor's bag transforms into a unique texture and color.

Exploring the Variety

Plarn from Thank You bags

How each plastic bag will work-up can be a surprise. I have learned to predict the characteristics of the plarn fabric based on the characteristics of the bag. Those with a tissue papery weight and sound, tend to make a more straw like fabric.

My Favorite

I've come up with a favorite. Sort of. I'm also drawn by the variety. The bag is white with thin red letters that say "Thank you." It's plarn has a nice clean look with pale pink markings.I had one of these bags and I have no idea where I got it. I vaguely remember getting a bag some place that did not have the name of the vendor but don't remember where. I'm hoping more show up.

Plarn 1

Plarn

After nearly two months of little or no creating, I ran across "Plarn" -- yarn made from plastic shopping bags.

One Thing Led to Another
I experimented with with different bags, with different width strips, with different ways of cutting the bags. I made a tiny bag from grocery bags and was amazed at how soft the fabric is when the strips are narrow.

Next, I cut-up a high quality bag . . . the size that fits over an air conditioner . . . in one continuous strip. Voila! A bowl. This has a very different hand from grocery bags. I like it's stiff but squishy feel. It's fun to work with this stuff. After it's crocheted, it can be stretched a bit. I wonder if it can be ironed between freezer paper to create something else.

The width of my strips varied a lot but it really does not show. The hard part is cutting the transparent bag while trying to not cut the strip you just created. (I did not do that but I came close several times. Certainly, this was not the best pair of scissors for the job.)

Cutting the Bags
Many people cut and join loops but I prefer the feel of the narrower stuff and using a continuous strip. Today, I discovered this alternate method for cutting a continuous strip. It's a longish video and you may be able to figure it out just watching this much shorter video with a very pretty finished product done on a spinning wheel!

Spinning Plarn

It turns out some people spin Plarn. In fact, this video shows you how to spin Plarn on your sewing machine bobbin winder! When I saw what she was doing I started laughing out loud! I'm sure the neighbors wondered what I was up to!

Thinking . . . Too Much?
Sometimes it's just fun to make things. Most of the time, it's fun to make things! Maybe I should stop worrying about:

• How will I use this bowl?
• Is this a good use of my time?
• Is this a good use of materials? 

At the very least, I am grateful that I have very few bags in my home (because I mostly use cloth bags). I do not want to be tempted by one more craft until I finish my (neglected) Dear Jane quilt.