Making Plastic Bag Yarn (Plarn!)

Sometimes you want to weave something a little bit different. And sometimes most likely you have some plastic bags just laying around that you keep forgetting to bring with you to the store to recycle.

It happens to all of us.

So what can you do with all of these bags you have stuffed under your kitchen sink?

You can make yarn!

What You Need:

Plastic bags

Plastic bags are going to come in different colors when they come from different stores. This gives you the ability to have multiple colors in your weaving without having to do anything extra or mix it with yarn if you don’t want to.

If you are looking for more color options or just more bags in general then ask around for someone else’s plastic bags that they are not using.

Scissors (not fabric scissors!)

I would like to repeat that you shouldn’t be using your fabric scissors to cut your plastic bags! You don’t want to dull them and have them not in top shape when you go back to using them for what they were made for. Instead, just use any other pair of sharp scissors you have laying around.

First, why would you want to do that?

Well, what else are you doing with them?

You can instead use them to make something beautiful and/or useful.

Plastic bags add texture to your weaving

Weaving with plastic bags adds a new type of texture that you are not going to get when using regular yarn. Due to their shine and their loft, they create a more three-dimensional textile than some of your more conventional yarns.

Despite this specific texture, it may not be seen as plastic yarn at first glance.

This makes for a fun surprise for those that see it for the first time.

Great for when you are stuck in a weaving rut

Even if you are not interested in reusing or upcycling plastic bags, breaking outside of your yarn stash can be a fun way to try something new.

You should always allow yourself to experiment and try new things to further your artistic ideas.

You never know what is going to inspire you. Sometimes just the act of trying something new can stir your creative juices and get you ready to plan your next or next few projects.

Table of Contents

• The Magic Of Materials: Discover The Fab Five Of Basket Weaving
  • Bamboo Materials And Basket Weaving
  • Rattan Materials And Basket Weaving
  • Seagrass Materials And Basket Weaving
  • Water Hyacinth Materials And Basket Weaving
  • Faux Or Plastic Rattan Materials And Basket Weaving
  • The Tre Natural Color Trend for Home Decor and Home Furniture
  • Can Cane Furniture Be Left Outside?
  • What Is The Difference Between Rattan, Wicker, And Cane Furniture?

  Basket weaving is an age-old art honed by countless generations across various cultures worldwide. Like a symphony where each instrument plays a unique role in creating a harmonious composition, the materials used in basket weaving have their unique characteristics.

  Today, let’s delve into the world of bamboo, rattan, seagrass, water hyacinth, and faux or plastic rattan — the five stars that make basket weaving a joyous adventure.

  Bamboo Materials And Basket Weaving

  Steeped in tradition and revered for its immense strength, bamboo is an essential material in the basket weaver’s repertoire.

  1. Renewable & Eco-Friendly: Bamboo is a fast-growing plant, with certain species able to grow almost a meter a day. This rapid growth rate makes it an incredibly sustainable and environmentally-friendly choice for basket weaving.

  2. Strength & Durability: Bamboo is synonymous with resilience. Baskets made from bamboo tend to last for years, even generations, resisting wear and tear gracefully.

  3. Flexibility: Despite its strength, bamboo can be bent and manipulated into intricate designs without breaking. This malleability enables artists to create a wide variety of shapes and patterns.

  4. Aesthetic Appeal: The natural hue of bamboo adds a rustic charm to baskets, making them attractive décor items.

  5. Availability: Given that bamboo grows abundantly in many regions around the globe, it’s often readily available and cost-effective.