How to Make Plastic Yarn
To knit with recycled plastic bags, you first have to turn them into "yarn." Here are two different methods of creating plastic yarn.
I recently talked about organic yarn, made from organic wool and cotton, but also from a host of non-traditional fibers such as bamboo and corn. I've also heard a lot about "recycled" yarn, which can be made from such varied sources as old dresses, tinsel, audiotapes, and plastic bags. In fact, last week a casual acquaintance showed me a handbag she made, knit entirely out of recycled plastic bags.
Just One Word: Plastic
Before you can knit with recycled plastic bags, you first have to turn them into plastic yarn (known affectionately as "plarn"). Your best bet is to use grocery bags or other regular-weight bags (i.e. clothing and electronic stores). Heavy, stiff bags are harder to manipulate and really thin bags may break while you're knitting. I've seen some nice results with those red and white Target bags, as well as the ubiquitous blue Walmart bags.
Here are two different ways to make plarn. One method uses linked strips, while the other shows you how to cut a bag into one long strip. Either will work for knitting--it's just a matter of preference.
Intertwined Strips
-- Lay bag flat on a flat surface
-- Fold in half lengthwise, and then in half again.
-- Cut off handles and bottom of bag.
-- Cut bag in strips of 1 inch, or as desired.
-- Lay one strip partly over the other. Take top overlap and pull under the other strip and through.
-- Gently pull on ends to knot strips together.
-- Repeat until all strips are knotted together.
-- Be sure to pull ends evenly so strips are smooth and flat.
One Long Plastic Strip of Yarn
-- Lay the bag flat on a flat surface, still pleated.
-- Cut off the handles and the bottom (about 1/2 inch in from edge).
-- Unfold the pleats, and spread the bag out flat.
-- Mark 3" from one closed edge.
-- Turn the bag so open edges are on left and right, and fold the bag over to meet the 3" mark.
-- Fold again to meet the 3" mark.
-- Across the folded section, mark 3" intervals.
-- Cut only through the folded section at those marks.
-- Draw diagonal lines on the unfolded section, running from the left side of each 3" cut section and ending at the top of the bag, 1 1/2 inches to the right.
-- Fold that top strip over and continue drawing a line over the top and to the right until it meets the slits in the folded piece.
-- Cut on those lines only through one layer.
-- When you pull on the end, you will have one long piece of plastic ready for knitting.
Whichever method you choose, roll the plarn into balls and stay tuned. I've got some cool bag patterns for all of that plastic yarn you just made.
