What is Plarn and What Can You Make with it?

Crocheting is a hobby of many individuals. Blankets, scarves, hats, sweaters and more can be made from an expert in crocheting. In most instances, yarn is the material that is utilized when crocheting. Yarn is already prepared for use, and crocheters can begin right away.

There are some individuals who enjoy crocheting who have a different method that is utilized when engaging in the activity. The product utilized is plarn. Plarn is a special material used to crochet that can be used to make many products. Continue reading more to learn more about what plarn is and how to use it.

What is Plarn?

Plarn is yarn that has been made from plastic bags. In other words, it is plastic yarn. It is fun to use whether you are a child or an adult. People literally turn plastic bags into yarn when utilizing plarn.

Plarn has been around for many years. Plastic bags are free when going to a grocery store or other retail store, so it is easy to get access to what is needed. It is a very inexpensive material to utilize in crocheting.

Plarn is waterproof. It is also durable and able to withstand the harshness of the environment. Plarn truly makes unique items when crocheting with it.

Plarn has a very unique look, and you have the ability to make many unique things with it. This is an innovative material to utilize in crocheting that is among the long list of innovative materials to utilize. There is a specific method to utilize in creating your plarn to make it possible to use in crocheting.

What is Plarn Made Of?

As aforementioned, plarn is made from plastic bags. Plastic bags are easily able to obtain from any retail store or supermarket. You do also need scissors in order to create it, however.

When beginning the process of making plarn, it is important to make your plastic bag as flat as possible with all sides straight. Fold the bag in half twice, and cut away the hands and bottom.

You will cut the bag into loops in a horizontal cut. Each loop will then be knotted together in a simple knot. Finally, wound your plarn into a ball just as you would with a yarn ball.

When your plarn is wound into a ball, you can begin crocheting right away. Utilize crochet hooks that are at least ten millimeters. This will ensure that it threads properly and makes it most appropriate for your needs.

What Can You Make with Plarn?

You can make many of the same items that you make with traditional yarn when utilizing plarn. You can also make more unique items that are durable for the outdoors. There are many unique, example items you can see in the list below.

• Charity Sleep Mats
  
• Bags
  
• Baskets
  
• Sandals
  
• Art
  

Charity Sleep Mats

Charity sleep mats are one of the greatest things to make with plarn. These can be made to supply homeless individuals with a durable cot to sleep on outside.

Bags

You can also make reusable bags that are durable in all kinds of weather. They truly offer a unique look.

Baskets

Baskets are really commonly seen made out of recyclable material. One such material that can be utilized is plarn to make a durable basket that will last for years.

Sandals

You can also create plastic sandals from plarn. These sandals will be able to withstand the worst spring and summer storms.

Art

Many individuals have made beautiful artwork utilizing plarn. These art pieces look like mandalas, rugs and even a play on paintings.

As you can see, there is so much to do with plarn. This is just the beginning of some unique ideas, but there are significantly more creations to be made utilizing this material.

What are the Pros of Using Plarn?

To start, using plarn is very eco-friendly. As you know, plastic can provide significant harm to the environment. When using this plastic based material, you are eliminating plastic waste and allowing for a practical use for it instead. There will be more detailed information on this later.

Second, plarn is free. All you need is plastic bags from a retail store or supermarket and scissors. It can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages as well. This is an inexpensive way to have your children become engaged in a hobby with you.

Finally, plarn has the ability to benefit many people. Being as plastic is such a durable material against weather related issues, homeless individuals can benefit from crocheted items that utilize plarn. You can create sandals, sleeping mats, blankets, hats and even clothing to assist these people in withstanding the worst of weather.

What are the Cons of Using Plarn?

It is important to know that when crocheting with plarn, you will have to deal with a lot of noise. The cutting and pulling of the plastic will make loud noise that will have to be withstood throughout the crocheting process. This is nothing more than a minor annoyance, but it is worth noting.

Another potential con of utilizing plarn is that a lot of shopping bags are required in order to complete a decent sized project. You will have to collect your plastic bags for a while before obtaining an ample amount for the creation of the material. It will be well worth it in the end, however, once you see the beautiful finished product that you created.

Environmental Considerations of Utilizing Plarn

When not recycled properly, plastic products provide a significant danger to the environment. Animals can choke on plastic or become trapped by it. Plants can become suffocated if plastic overlays on them because plastic is not biodegradable.

Even when plastic is recycled properly, recycling plants can have difficulties in processing it. The plastic bags especially create blockages and tangles in the sorting process. The plastic becomes tangled in the rotating machinery. It takes up the workers’ time as they have to consistently stop the machines in order to sort out the plastic and run it back through again.

Plarn is an excellent way to eliminate the dangers plastic poses to the environment and to recycling centers. It can literally be made from any plastic product, though this article has focused on plastic shopping bags. It can also be made from bags that frozen vegetables, bread, hygiene products, newspapers and any other product may come in.

Plarn is a great way to re-use this environmentally harmful material. You are able to repurpose and recycle the material into something more useful. You can even repurpose this material into providing a product for someone who is less fortunate such as the sleeping mats or sandals aforementioned. Plarn is truly great to utilize for the environment and for others.

Further Considerations

Plarn has been utilized for years in unique crocheting projects. You can create almost anything you can create with traditional yarn, and you can even make products that are durable for individuals sleeping outdoors. Plarn is easily created utilizing plastic bags of any form and scissors.

Help your environment and help others by utilizing plarn. Develop a new hobby to enjoy with you and your children that will give you a unique take and view on crocheting. Start collecting plastic bags today to eliminate harmful environmental effects, help others and begin a new, enjoyable hobby.