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What the Cool Kids are Doing with Plarn

I've worked with plastic bag yarn (plarn) a total of one time. It was a neat experience to learn what it's all about and I was doing it to participate in an eco-awareness project called Something in the Water so all in all it was a good thing. But it wasn't for me. I didn't really enjoy prepping the bags and I didn't really enjoy the feel of plastic in my fingers where soft baby alpaca fiber should be. I'm glad I did it, though, because it gave me an even greater appreciation for the crocheters out there who are doing truly cool crochet work with plastic bags. I thought I'd mention a few of my favorites here ...

Crochet Plarn Purses

One of the most common items to make from plarn seems to be purses and other bags. There are a few people who are really taking this work to the next level though. For example, Tina Dean Designs has combined savvy business and marketing sense with her plarn work to get her crochet plastic purses featured in swag bags at the Emmys and Oscars. Another plarn bag business owner is Jacky Acosta; she's an undocumented student which means she has to pay full price for college here in the United States and she sells her crochet bags to afford that education. And then there's 83-year-old Billie Johnson who crochets plarn handbags for a different reason: her health. Johnson says that the material and activity help with her arthritis.

Plarn Art

Functional crochet is certainly great but I'm personally a fan of crochet art so I've been interested in the art that people are making using plastic bags. Some examples:

1. Julie Kornblum

2. Lisa Young

Plarn for Good Causes

I mentioned that I had done my plarn work for a good cause. A bunch of us crocheted plastic breasts for an art project designed to raise awareness of the impact of plastic on the drinking water, and therefore the breast milk, of mothers around the world. This is one of many causes using crochet plarn to either raise awareness of an issue or to directly help someone. Plastic bag sleeping mats for the homeless are a great example of directly helping someone with plarn.

Do you crochet with plastic bags?

Tags: bag, crochet, plarn, plastic

2 members like this

Member Comment by Cassie Crews on March 19, 2012 at 10:40am: What a perfect idea!!!!

CroPro Comment by CrochetConcupiscence on March 19, 2012 at 11:18am: Thanks @Irene ... I didn't realize there was a difference between the types of plastic bags so that's something good to know.

CroPro Comment by Irene Lundgaard on March 19, 2012 at 11:32am: The Polythene bags are the ones that makes the "crackly-crinkly" sounds as distinct from the more heavy duty ones. Here we get the polythene bags in veg shops a lot... Good luck with your plastic hunt! ;-)

CroPro Comment by Laura on March 20, 2012 at 8:27am: For me, the idea of using plarn is to help reduce the chance that they'll end up in earth's water systems. You can, however, buy brand new bags that come in a box, assuring they're clean. They also come in multiple colors. Question is, do you want to buy an entire case? (http://www.universalplastic.com/prod/T-Shirts-Bags.php)

For my market bag, I used a pattern that usually calls for yarn.

CroPro Comment by Irene Lundgaard on March 20, 2012 at 8:31am: I'm with you Laura, the whole point of using plarn is to reduce our environmental impact on this wonderful planet of ours! And let's face it, a flight all the way to Europe to get fancy bags does not exactly work out in that economy... ;-)

Member Comment by Cassie Crews on March 20, 2012 at 2:19pm: Well drat, I already made my reservations!

CroPro Comment by Irene Lundgaard on March 20, 2012 at 2:36pm: Enjoy @CassieCrews! Crochet us a postcard! ;)

Member Comment by kathy kalynowski on April 4, 2012 at 7:34am: I made a plarn tote bag. I cut grocery bags, cut strips & cut knots (ends) off, rolled the plarn into a ball and crocheted. I was a lot of work, BUT worth it.

I still collect bags! cheap hobby when your low on cash! and helps the environmental.

Now & then I sell a few. There great for the beach.