Make a Plastic Bag Donation and Receive a Free Gift

STOP - PLEASE DO NOT DISPOSE OF THAT PLASTIC BAG !!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a reward for doing the right thing and not throwing away your plastic bags, send them to me. In return, I will send you a special gift as a thank you for doing your part in saving the Earth.

Here's what to do -

• Email me Crochooley@yahoo.com when you have at least 25 or more plastic bags collected and I will provide you with a mailing address.
• Follow the Double-Strand Cutting Tutorial and cut each bag into 1 to 11/2" strips. (The plastic strips can be from any of the following type bags: grocery bags, take-out bags (e.g. Subway, Taco Bell, etc.), plastic sleeve your newspaper is delivery in, dry cleaner bag, bread bag, etc.)
• Place the strips in an envelope with your mailing address and color preference.

How to Make Plastic Yarn (Continuous / Single-Strand Strip Cutting Method)

There are multiple strip methods you can use to make and connect plarn (plastic yarn) strips. The 3 methods I'm aware of are - 1) Double-Strand; 2) Continuous (Single-Strand) Strip and 3) Connecting Strip.

Tip: Any of the strip methods can also be used with fabric; t-shirts, etc..

Tutorial for cutting a Continuous (Single-Strand) Strip:Lay the bag out flat, straightening out the straps. Fold bag in half (folding bottom up to be even with the top) matching up the handles then a couple more times for easier cutting.








Cut straps off right at the base of the straps and cut off bottom seam of bag. Just a sliver is all that is needed.












Put your hand through the middle of the bag to pull it apart and lay flat as a tube. Fold this tube to within 1 inch from the top (I call the main fold the spine).









Continue the fold multiple times until your tube is small enough to make one cut. You’ll cut from the bottom to the top of the initial fold – not through the spine. Determining the width of you’re the strip is based on the needs your for your pattern. The rule of thumb is not less than 1”, 1 1/2 to 2” pieces are typical cut sizes.

Straighten out the strips – it almost looks like tentacles. Here comes the fun part – separate the strips by separating it at the spine. You can either lay it out on a flat surface or use one of your arms (I use the arm way which is why I'm suggesting it). To use your arm, take one hand at the beginning of the spine and separate each half.

Whether you lay it out on a flat surface or use your arm - to begin cutting place your scissors on the bottom half of the spine, angle your scissors in an upward motion to the next section over and cut. Continue cutting until you reach the other end. You should have a pile of one single continuous strip.

Making the Ball –
The easiest way I have found to make a ball is put your pointer and middle fingers together. Place the end of the strip between the fingers and begin wrapping the strips around both fingers about 5 times. Then pull off the fingers and begin wrapping the strips around it. Before you know it, your ball begins to take shape.

Copyright 2009 Plastique Recreations. All rights reserved.

How to Make Plastic Yarn (Double-Strand Cutting and Connecting Tutorial)

There are multiple strip methods you can use to make and connect plarn (plastic yarn) strips.

The 3 methods I'm aware of are - 1) Double-Strand; 2) Continuous (Single-Strand) Strip and 3) Connecting Strip.

Tip: Any of the strip methods can also be used for fabric; pillow cases, t-shirts, etc..

Tutorial for the Double Strand Method:

Cutting Strips -
Lay the bag out flat, straightening out the straps.

Fold bag in half (folding bottom up to be even with the top) matching up the handles then a couple more times for easier cutting.

Cut straps off at the base of the straps and bottom seam. Cut off bottom seam of bag. Just a sliver is all that is needed.

Put your hand through the middle of the bag to pull it apart and lay flat as a tube. Fold the tube in half then a few more times until your tube is small enough to make one cut. The strips are cut to the size needed to meet your pattern needs. (The rule of thumb is not any less than 1”. 1 1/2 to 2” pieces are typical cut sizes.)

Connecting Strips –
I have had excellent success with this 'visual' teaching method of showing how to connect the strips: Hang 2 strips on your hand/arm

Using your opposite hand, reach through the middle of the first strip to grab the bottom of the 2nd strip and pull through. (The picture shows the same hand but I didn't have another set of hands available.)

Drop the 1st strip from your hand. (In the picture above it will be the strip in the middle.) You now have something that resembles a ‘T’.

Now take the bottom strip (In the picture above it will be the strip closest to the fingers) and lay it over the strip still sitting on your hand.

Now grab the strip closest to the fingers (strip on bottom) with one hand and pull to form a small knot. (Reminder: Your primary objective is to avoid breaking the strip which is very easy to do if you pull too tight).


Keep adding strips using this same method (eventually you’ll grasp the concept of connecting the strips and won’t have to use the ‘hand method’).


Important: Here are some important tips to remember:
· Avoid ripping the strip from pulling too tight.
· Keep the 2-strand strip even.
· Make the knot as small as you can. You’ll find that some strips will knot gracefully but believe me there’s always those few that will make you work for it. When this happens you just have to do a little pulling and tugging on the knot.

Forming the Ball –The easiest way I have found to make a ball is put your pointer and middle fingers together. Place the end of the strip between the fingers and begin wrapping the strips around both fingers about 5 times. Then pull off the fingers and begin wrapping the strips around it. Before you know it, your ball begins to take shape. (Side Note: To avoid tangles, I usually start making the ball after I have 6-10 strips made, then make another 6-10 strips and wrap.)


Copyright 2009 Plastique Recreations. All rights reserved.

Plarn Strength Test - Adjustment Ring Method

The same pre-planning decisions made with yarn are just as critical with plarn to ensure a successful project. One important decision to make is understanding the weight and strength necessary for the project which will determine what type of plastic to use (e.g. grocery sack or trash bag). Also, I need to consider how the item will be used when it is completed.

My secret to testing the strength of plarn is quite simply the ‘The Adjustable Ring’ method or ‘The Magic Circle’ or ‘The Magic Loop’. The same technique with different names.

The main objective with using this test is to see if the plarn breaks when pulling the stitches together to close the center hole.

Here's my 2cent tutorial on this method:

Make a loop

Insert your hook through the middle of the loop and grab (aka as yarn over or in our case, plarn over) the strand from behind and pull through. You have 1 loop on your hook.

Plarn over and pull through loop on your hook.

You've made a chain. Note: The standard is chain-1 represents a sc; chain-2 represents a half dc and chain-3 represents a dc.

Begin making additional number of desired stitches around the adjusable ring by inserting hook through the middle of the loop, plarn over and pull through. Important Note: I strongly suggest making the stitches alittle loose so pulling the plarn will be easier when closing the hole in the middle.

Now for the fun part - grab the short plarn strand and gently pull the stitches together. You will notice the center hole getting smaller. You determine how big or small the hole should be.

Copyright 2009 by Teresa Wooley (aka Plastique Recreations) all rights reserved.

Plarn Thoughts and Suggestions

You gain an even more appreciation for Plarn (plastic yarn) because of the activities necessary to begin using it. Because of this, I treat plarn as if it were a precious commodity. As part of my pre-planning activities, I always try to think of how I can use something else with it to avoid using as much plarn while still accomplishing my goal.

Here are a few suggestions for your pre-planning efforts -

Bags of plenty will be needed for most projects. It will take several bags to make even a standard size tote. Some suggestions I have for acquiring bags:

• Ask the cashier to double bag your merchandise (e.g. groceries, clothes, etc.)
• Ask friends, family and acquaintances to save their bags for you (i.e. grocery bags, bread bags, etc.)
• Check with local businesses to see if they recycle and how they dispose of their plastic bags
  

I would not recommend using a bag that contained:

• Chemicals – whether it was in sealed container or not. It’s just not safe even with thorough washing.
• Meat or poultry. Especially with fluid leakage. You could try washing the bag with hot soapy water.

If in doubt, smell it. Smell the inside of the bag when it dries. If it still smells bad and you really want to use it, I would strongly suggest making something like a rug.

In any given situation .... My ‘Rule of Thumb’ - use your own best judgment.