Pantyhose & Plarn Multi-Purpose Scrubby Crochet Pattern

Dollar General plastic bag & black pantyhose


My scrubbies are crocheted with plastic yarn and pantyhose held together.  Don't be fooled by the plastic.  When you combine both material together, you get one thick and durable scrubby.  

These are machine washable and dishwasher safe.  I've been making these scrubbies for years to accomplish so many different cleaning tasks.  Mostly I use them for scrubbing pots and pans. However, I have found they are also good for ...



- cleaning the bugs off car windows
- cleaning my glass stove top and microwave messes because my son forgets to cover his dish
- they work awesome on cleaning bathtub rings and shower walls



Before we start - the following tutorial links show you how to prepare the pantyhose and plastic bags into yarn:
Pantyhose:  (1/2 to 3/4" width suggested)
http://plastiqrecreation.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-to-make-hosiery-pantyhose-yarn-aka.html

If you haven't crafted with pantyhose before, it is very different than plarn or regular yarn.  Due to the very nature of it being nylon, you don't get a 'tightning' feel with it.  My suggestion is don't pull it, use the same tension as the plarn.

Plastic Bags:  (1 to 1 1/4" width suggested)
Double Strand: http://plastiqrecreation.blogspot.com/2009/04/double-strand-cutting-and-connecting.html
Single Strand:  http://plastiqrecreation.blogspot.com/2009/04/continuous-single-strand-strip-cutting.html 



Meijer plastic bags and red pantyhose


You will need:

• Crochet Hook Size J (or K depending on thickness of pantyhose/plarn)

Important Note:   Not all plastic is made the same.  When using plarn, achieving the desired size or gauge is dependent on the texture, thickness and strip width of the plastic yarn. 

• 1 pair of adult size pantyhose (2 adult legs will net 3 scrubbies)
• Approx 1 1/2 standard size plastic bags (will net 1 scrubbie or 5 standard size plastic bags for 3 scrubbies)
• (optional) Craft needle or F Hook for weaving in ends  

Gauge:  There really isn't any but typically 3 rounds measure approx 3" to 3 1/4" wide.

Pattern is worked with holding 2 strands of plastic yarn and 1 strand of panthose held together.

Round 1:  Beg with a slip knot, ch 3 and join with sl st in 1^st ch to form ring or use adjustable ring method (click on the link for a tutorial) make 6 sc in ring.  Join with sl st to 1^st sc, tighten and close the starting hole.


Round 2: Ch 1 (counts as 1st sc) make another sc in same st, make 2 sc into each st around, join with a sl st to beginning ch 1.

Round 3:  Ch 1 (counts as 1st sc) make another sc in same st, *1 sc in next st,  2 sc in next st. *Repeat around. 

(add more rounds if you want a bigger scrubby) 


Publix plastic bags and green pantyhose


FO and weave in ends.

If you have any questions or find discrepancies, please leave me a comment or email me at plastiquerecreations@yahoo.com




Abbreviations:
Beg – Beginning
Ch – Chain
FO – Fasten Off
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
St – Stitch



COPYRIGHT INFO:
This pattern is for your personal use only.   This pattern may not be sold, published, reproduced-mechanically or electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying from any website(s) or electronic mailing lists, etc…  Please do not offer, sell or distribute this pattern in any way to anyone else.  ©2010


*Please do not copy my patterns on your blog site or post my patterns on Internet sites. I do not allow my patterns to be republished without expressed written permission. Posting of my patterns, without written permission is in violation of my copyrights and is content theft.

Dollar General Plastic Bags

It's All In My Head - or rather - on My Head

Plastique Recreations launched it's newest product line - Hats

And, of course, these were made from plastic yarn which is also known as plarn [plastic + yarn = plarn].

The ironic part of it all, I don't wear hats - never did. I don't even try because I just don't look good in them. I created these not only for the challenge but even more importantly, to have something new and different to offer my fashionista and/or fashion-gent customers.

I have always admired ladies that wore wide-brim sun hats. These are the cutest things ever!!! So, of course, what was the first hat I designed - a Sun Hat with a wide brim.

But it's not any ordinary sun hat - I designed this so the fasionista would have options. This awesome hat was made from WalMart produce bags. And, you know how soft they are.

Here are just a few of the different ways it can be worn:

Then the baseball cap came next

And, like all my plarn creations, these are completely washable and stretchable.

So while you're protecting your head from the harsh sun rays, you're even looooooooooooooooking good while doing it. You have to admit, these are a definite eye catcher.

If you like these hats, wait until you see what kind of hat I'm designing next. Hint - fabulous sun visors but not just any ordinary sun visor.

Stay tuned......

I would luv to know what you think of my newest product line.

Thanks for letting me share with you!!!

Spiral Notebooks made from Fast Food Plastic Cups and Plastic Containers (e.g. CoolWhip, Parkay, etc.)

I have received several emails since introducing Plastique Recreations newest product line - plastic spiral notebooks - asking what made me think to create this.

We all know that there's a lot more to plastic than just plastic bags. Plastic comes in many shapes, sizes and textures. Everyone also knows that I am making it a personal challenge to do what I can to keep what I can out of the landfill.

I decided it was high time (again) to get creative beyond plastic bags and think outside the proverbial 'box' - and in my case, outside the 'cup' or 'container'.

Firstly, I had to decide what plastic item was I going to tackle... it just so happens I had just finished drinking a large diet coke from Burger King. I noticed a trend from some of our favorite fast food restaurants like Burger King, Taco Bell, McDonald's, etc. that large drinks are served in plastic cups. After I cut the bottom off the cup and layed it out flat, my first thought was to poke holes and crochet around it eventually turning it into a tote - very similar to what I did with the Coca Cola plastic cup

but then I thought, I do enough of those already. Then I looked around and knew an idea would hit me eventually and it did - a notebook.....

I love notebooks - I carry them in all my bags/totes and purses. They sit next to every telephone in my house and on every table sitting next to a chair in every room. I go through a lot of note paper because I'm always jotting down ideas; I typically have a running grocery list because I'm not going to remember on Friday what we needed or ran out of on Tuesday; my husband is always asking ME of all people to remind him that we have to do this or that later. You get the idea. And, I'm really rough on notebooks. The cardboard cover typically wears out, fades or just tears off before I even make it through half the notebook paper.

It was the perfect idea and more importantly, more conducive to my lifestyle!!! That's when I converted the plastic cup into a plastic cup spiral notebook ... it won't wear out, won't tear and what's even more awesome, you can bend it and curl it to fit in any pocket. When you unfold it, it goes back to it's original shape. I ask you, just how awesome is that???

But the creative juices were flowing even faster, I couldn't stop myself. I had to take it a step further - if I can do this with a plastic cup, I can do this with some of the plastic containers I wash out and reuse for left overs. Do you know how many margarine tubs and other plastic containers I have in my cabinets, my sewing room and my garage? I reuse them for everything. I turned this beautiful plastic tub into

This fantastic plastic spiral notebook

And, that's my story of how the plastic cup and plastic container spiral notebooks were born!!!

Now I know what you're thinking - now that I've used the plastic container, what good is the lid. Ye of such little faith in me.... stay tuned because I will show you how I 'reused' the lid.

MOLLY J. WALTER ... Environment Hero

As most of you know, back in January I did a blog post 'Until Plastic Bags are Banned' which was to draw attention to the harm plastic bags are to the environment and even more so, what they do to our animal friends. Until a permanent fix is in place, we have a responsibility to do whatever we can to keep as many plastic bags out of the landfill.

There are multiple shops on Etsy that take this responsibility very seriously. I refer to them as 'Environment Heroes'.

Let me introduce to you .....Environment Hero -

Q: What is the creative process you use to decide what to create for your Etsy store?Functionality is always first! If I can make something out of plastic that is usable and beautiful, I will! I don't follow any patterns, but just go, and then I get to see what comes of it. No two items are the same, which I really appreciate as an artist.

Q: Are you selling your products in any other online venue other than Etsy? At this point, no. But I have plans to launch my own website in 2010!

Q: Do you have any interest in selling your product in an actual store/market place? Yes! I have discussed some consignment with a few different outlet, but nothing seriously yet. I'd like to get a few more art shows/events under my belt first and have a few already scheduled for 2010.









Q: What are your favorite things to make with plastic bags? Rugs. They are so functional, practical, and can be machine washed, if desired. Rugs are fun to make with all types of plastic, in all colors and kinds of crochet stitches (i have even knit a rug or two lately!) and the BEST part is that guests in my home are surprised to find they are standing on hundreds of plastic bags (ie: my entry room rug).

Q: Take a wild guess on how many plastic bags you have to-date been able to keep out of the landfill? 6 - 10 thousand so far. I hope to use twice that much in 2010.

Q: What will you do when plastic bags are officially banned in the U.S.? I would just find something else to crochet with! It is a challenge to upcycle, a challenge I really enjoy. If plastic bags are no longer availabe, which would be great for the Earth, I'm sure I will find something else to create with.

Q: For someone to get to know you, how would you describe yourself? Creative, passionate, and dedicated. I'm always striving to improve my craft and stretch my abilities, in all areas of my life.

To receive additional information about her fantastic plastic bag creations, she can be contacted at: mollyjwalter@gmail.com.

See more of her designs at mollyjwalter.etsy.com.

And, if you want to meet her in person, she will showcasing her talents at the following upcoming shows:

• Crafty Wonderland, Oregon Convention Center in Portland Oregon, May 1st and 2nd (tentative)


• Recycled Arts Festival, Vancouver Washington, Esther Short Park, June 26th and 27th
  
  I hope you enjoyed meeting Molly J. Walter as much as I have.....

Please come back and visit soon so you can meet the next Environment Hero!!!!

Now Offering Plarn (plastic yarn) Kits

I introduced last week for the first time, since my shop has been opened, Plarn Patterns. Something I've wanted to do for sometime and finally took the plunge.




PDF Crochet Pattern - Medium Eco-Friendly Grab and Go Plarn (plastic yarn) Market Bag. This is just one of the 3, I'll be listing the other 2 (i.e. Mini and Mega) very soon.

PDF Crochet Pattern - Round Carry-All Plarn (plastic yarn) Tote









I'm really raising the bar on myself this year which as you know was one of my New Year's Resolutions. Here's another new for my shop ... drum roll please -

'I Can Make This Myself' Plarn Kits

So what made me decide to use this Tote as the introduction of the first Plarn Kit?

Petite Shoulder Tote

I receive emails from different individuals who tell me how easy I make it look. I respond with - 'it is'. Also, that they are very curious at trying it out but just don't know where to begin. For some of us, me included, taking that first step down any path can be a little trying. This is my small way of 'walking with you' down that path.

I designed this Tote as a 'first project' perfect for any beginner or someone who wanted to try their hand at crocheting with plastic yarn. It's not too big and it does not have a lot of variations. To put it gently, it's simple and 'petite'.

The kit comes complete with everything you need - a sufficient amount of plastic yarn, detailed pattern instructions with a picture gallery, helpful hints and tips... also included is a crochet hook.

So once it comes, you can sit right down and get started without having to do any pre-work.


As a token of my appreciation, it comes packaged in this cute little darning basket as my complimentary gift. You can keep all your supplies in this while making the Tote and when you're finished, use for the next project.

Thank you for letting me share with you my exciting news... please come back and visit!!!

p.s. Comments are always welcome...

BAGS BY MELISSA .....Environment Hero

Back in January I did a blog post 'Until Plastic Bags are Banned' drawing attention to the harm plastic bags are to the environment and even more so, what they do to our animal friends. Until a permanent fix is in place, we have a responsibility to do whatever we can to keep as many plastic bags out of the landfill.

There are multiple shops on Etsy that take this responsibility very seriously. I refer to them as 'Environment Heroes'.


Let me introduce to you .....
Environment Hero - Bags By Melissa

Q: What is the creative process you use to decide what to create for your Etsy store? I never really start out with a vision for a finished bag or wallet. It just sort of happens. I start out with a finished piece of fabric and then collage over it. I can find inspiration anywhere from bread bags to fortune cookie bags or sushi grass. I love to watch the bags take form.

Q: Are you selling your products on any other online venue other than Etsy? Not at the moment, but perhaps sometime soon. Etsy is the only online venue that I am currently using to sell my bags, but I do post many of them on my facebook page and have gotten lots of good response and ideas that way.

Q: Do you have any interest in selling your product in an actual store/market place? Absolutely. For a potential customer to be able to handle and try on a product would definitely have its advantages. I did have my bags in a shop here here in downtown Greensboro. I did a few holiday Bazaar's here also. I have a few places that have shown interest in carrying my bags locally and plan to get on that right after the Holidays.

Q: What are your favorite things to make with plastic bags? My favorite things to make with bags are purses/handbags. I get a lot of satisfaction out of turning trash into something that I see as beautiful. Often my handbag will catch someone's eye and they are wowed when they find out what it is made of. I also like to make wallets, business card holders and checkbook covers.

Q: Take a wild guess on how many plastic bags you have used to-date for your creations? It would be a very difficult guess as to how many plastic bags I have kept out of the landfill. Each bag that I make takes at least 8 bags just for the foundation and then I add on several layers. Best guess is that it is up over a thousand, maybe two. I bring my own bags to the grocery, and when I need more, I hit the recycle bin. I wish that more people would think to recycle their bread bags, news paper bags, food bags...etc.

Q: What will you do when plastic bags are officially banned in the U.S.? I am not really worried about what I will do when plastic bags are banned in the U.S. It would be better for the planet. We are currently drowning our oceans, our forests, and our back yards in them and I do not think that I will find a shortage of plastic bags anytime soon. If there is a shortage of them in our near future, I am a pretty resourceful person and will find a way or another passion.

Q: For someone to get to know you, how would you describe yourself? I am a Mother, a Massage Therapist and an Aesthetician. I have always had a passion for crafting and for re-cycling. y My home is decorated in found, refurbished objects. I was home from work about two years ago with acute tendonitis when a friend told me that you could make fabric from plastic bags. I was living in a town in Louisiana that did not recycle and had a mountain of bags that I did not know what to do with. My first couple of attempts at fusing were hysterical. Determination, trial and error is about the only advice that I can give. I gave up on the idea for a little while and started to crochet things made from plarn (plastic bag yarn). When I moved to North Carolina, my sewing machine came back out of storage and I went back to the ironing board. Once I got the hang of it, it did not take long for my creative juices to start flowing. I have always been the sort of crafter that only gifted. When I started making bags, the really fabulous friends that I have here encouraged me to market them. I was reluctant at first, but it has really been loads of fun. It makes me happy when I sell a bag to see the smile on the purchaser's face and how happy that they are with their new "green" bag. They also feel that they are doing something for the planet by carrying one of my creations.

Here are a few additional creative designs for you to enjoy:

Don't forget ........ Green is the new Black!

I hope you enjoyed meeting Bags By Melissa as much as I have.....

Please come back and visit soon so you can meet the next Environment Hero!!!!

Plastique Fall Tote Featured on Craftgawker

As I was weeding my way through the various Etsy forums, I encountered a title indicating '...acceptance on Craftgawker..'. I had never heard of them before and from what I read, getting accepted was difficult.

What is Craftgawker - here is a copy and paste from their website of what they are all about:

"craftgawker is a gallery where anyone can showcase their art, crafting and photography skills. It's a place for you to discover new artists and handmade goods to inspire your own creations."

It was indicated in the Etsy forums that in some circumstances, it has taken an artist multiple to several submissions before getting accepted.

So I decided to give it a try. I had just finished creating my Plastique Fall Eco-Friendly Tote (made from Home Depot plastic bags) and had received several compliments on it. This is one of my favorite totes because of the gorgeous color combination of orange, green and brown.

Can you believe it, my first submission was accepted: http://craftgawker.com/post/2009/11/14/7958/

Other than a purchase, that is the second best form of flattery.

Thanks for letting me share this experience with you.

Follow me:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PlastiqRecreat
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PlastiqRecreat
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/plastiqrecreat
Blog: http://plastiqrecreation.blogspot.com/

The 7-10 Split anyone can pick up

Hi -

I'm always looking at new idea to let my creative juices run wild and make more than just market bags from plarn (plastic yarn).

My 19yr old son asked me to make a graduation gift for a female bowling friend. And, of course, when I asked him to tell me alittle something about her to get a few ideas of what to make, all I got was - she's a girl mom, what more is there to say. That was a big help.

I wanted to give her something bowling related so I just let my imagination run wild and before I knew it, I had made a bowling pin. Well, you can't have a bowling pin without a bowling ball. Before I knew it, 1 pin led to making this bag.

Hence, the birth of a 7-10 Split Plarn bag.













He's somewhat of a quiet kid so I got the biggest laugh when he told me he gave her the gift out in the parking lot so not to draw too much attention inside the center. That didn't work because she ended up taking it into the bowling center and before the tournament started, showed it to EVERYONE.

This picture shows alittle bit of the bowling fabric I used for the lining that I sewed into the bag. I tried to get closer but when I got too close, the image started to blur:

I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed making it.

When is a lid to a deodrant can no longer a lid?

To kick off my 'ONE LESS' campaign to encourage individuals to do anything and everything possible to keep 'One Less' from ending up in the landfill, I will be sharing ideas on how I try to accomplish this.

Question: When is a lid to a deodrant or any other can not a lid?

ANSWER:
When it is transformed into a cute little holder or container - whether it is for trinkets, jewelry, coin, etc. or even a small planter. Even use it with a drawstring.

All of these were crochetted with plarn. To prove that plarn and yarn 'can play together nicely', I crochetted the drawstring top (pic #3) with Caron Simply Soft yarn.

I will be providing the patterns for each very soon.

Let me know what YOU would use the lid for?

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 (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.