Crochet

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PLARN WORLDWIDE EXTRAORDINAIRE

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We’ve all seen plarn, right?  The plastic bags cut into strips (plastic yarn) and crocheted into rugs and totebags.  There are some good crocheters out there cutting away on their huge stash of plastic shopping bags to save the world and make something for nothing.  Good idea. You can also purchase plarn ready made here via Etsy.

But, this gal has a GREAT IDEA and the artistry to back it up!

Not only are her plarn backpacks attractive, she’s making it her business to teach the world how to use their plastic bags to create these virtually indestructible backpacks and totes from materials that are, sadly, abundant even in the third world.

Right now, she’s touring India, teaching people how to create and crochet with plarn.  Check out her blog for all the details.  And, when you check out the pictures of her projects, be sure to scroll ALL the way down to see the cool plastic skirt someone made!  Visit Cristen here

http://bagsbegone.com/plastic-creations/

Comments

  3. I’m trying to do a similar thing with my abundance of plarn!

    I’ve found that striping my white and red Target bags with my brown and black Cub Foods bags makes a great pattern. That, and I’ll gather similar colors and put them together. I have a grocery bag in progress that’s all greens, browns, clears and some white.

    I’m excited to see plarn bags getting some more press. Now if there were only a quicker way to cut them all!

  4. I had all of my friends saving their black bags for me. Mine is black with a tan stripe. Very cool!

  5. I love this! Have you also tried mixing in old cassette tape or VHS tape? It is a little harder to work with, but the end results are unique and fun!

  8. Here’s fast way to cut plarn strips. Use a rotary cutter. Just lay the folded bags on a cutting mat, preferably a measured mat, hold your straight edge on the width of your choice and make a cut with the rotary cutter. It makes the cutting alot quicker!

  9. I’ve been using plarn to make Dorset Buttons and needed quite thin yarn so I cut 1 cm wide lengths of the flimsier type of carrier bag and used a home made drop spindle to spin the plarn. You need to allow it to relax afterwards or it just twists back on itself but you end up with a very thin raffia type effect yarn which is useful for weaving with and it’s surprisingly strong. I love experimenting with the plastic bags.

  10. Clare,
    What you describe is amazing to me. I don’t spin, but ai understand the process. It never occurred to me that anyone would be able to spin with plarn. You are quite creative, clearly. Thanks so much for sharing your idea.
    jd

  11. Jd,you say these backpacks are virtually indestructible. I wonder how long they actually last. Have you or any reader here have any personal experience of usage and durability?
    In Australia most plastic bags are now made of biodegrable materials, some are even made of corn husks on so on and other compostable materials. I fear it is not worth the sore wrists in our case!
    Personally I have been “saying no to plastic bags” since August 1981, when I moved to Alice Springs in Central Australia.
    I am a “mad recycler” and have used plarn, vhs, cassettes tapes etc, so please don’t take my reflections above as a criticism. Kudos to Bagsbegone.
    Yours in crochet And recycling 🙂

  12. Jacq,
    You raise a good point. More and more of the plastic bags that are widely used here are of the biodegradable type. The older bags – and many that are still available – are very durable. I’ve got a welcome mat at the entrance to my garage door that is many years old, crocheted of plastic bags. It’s quite durable, looks almost like it did the day it was first put into use, and can just be hosed off when it gets dirty.

    In many parts of India where Cristen of Bagsbegone does her teaching, plastic bags blow down the streets en masse. The clog up drains, get trapped in tree tops, and are unsightly. These are not the biodegradable type, unfortunately. I think Cristen would be happy to see the need for her classes to vanish with the demise of plastic bags. I suspect there will always be everyday items we can upcycle with crochet – like the cassette and vhs tapes – altho, those devices are now dinosaurs. I was informed today that even the recently minted CD’s and DVD’s are being discontinued in favor of all digital media. Rats! Another car radio deck becomes outdated.

    jd

Have you read?

How to Crochet the Suzette Stitch: An Easy Textured Crochet Stitch for Beginners

Learning a crochet stitch is much more satisfying when you have an actual project waiting at the end of it. The Suzette stitch is especially versatile because its dense, softly textured fabric works for everything from practical cotton washcloths to cosy scarves, hats and blankets.

Here are some Suzette stitch crochet patterns worth adding to your project list.

Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket

The free Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket pattern from Premier Yarns uses the stitch to create a softly textured crochet blanket with a subtle tweed-like appearance.

This would make a lovely handmade baby shower gift, particularly when worked in a washable baby yarn. The stitch creates more visual interest than plain single crochet without introducing large holes that may catch tiny fingers.

Easy Suzette Stitch Blanket

The Suzette Stitch Blanket pattern by Stitching Together is another approachable blanket project for crocheters who enjoy a relaxing stitch repeat.

This is the sort of project you can keep beside the sofa and work on a few rows at a time. Just keep an eye on those skipped stitches—television crochet is wonderful until an extra stitch quietly sneaks in three episodes earlier.

Casey Suzette Stitch Scarf

The free Casey Scarf crochet pattern uses the Suzette stitch through most of the design, producing a cosy scarf with a softly scalloped, zigzag-like texture.

It is a good first wearable project for beginners because scarves do not require complicated shaping. You can also adjust the length fairly easily or use a self-striping yarn and let the colour changes do the decorative work for you.

Quick Suzette Crochet Scarf

For another scarf option, try this free Suzette Stitch Scarf pattern from Hooked by Robin.

The designer includes written instructions and a video tutorial, making it helpful for visual learners who prefer watching the stitch placement before beginning. It is designed as a quick project and would make a practical last-minute handmade gift.

Suzette Colour Block Scarf

The free Suzette Colour Block Scarf pattern is a cheerful option for using several coordinating yarn colours.

Colour blocking also makes this a handy stash-busting crochet project. You can use leftover yarn from other makes, although it is worth choosing yarns of the same weight and similar fibre content so the sections behave themselves after washing.

Chunky Suzette Stitch Beanie

The free Chunky Suzette Stitch Beanie crochet pattern turns the textured stitch into a warm winter hat.

Chunky yarn helps the pattern work up quickly and makes the raised texture especially noticeable. This would be a useful project for craft stalls, charity donations or quick handmade Christmas gifts.

Hazel Textured Crochet Beanie

The free Hazel Beanie crochet pattern combines simple ribbing with the Suzette stitch.

The ribbed brim gives the hat a neat, finished appearance while the Suzette stitch adds texture to the main body. It looks more complicated than a basic crochet beanie but is still built from familiar beginner stitches.

Suzette Stitch Washcloth

For a small practice project, try the free Suzette Stitch Wash Cloth pattern from The Purple Poncho.

A washcloth is one of the best ways to practise a new crochet stitch because it is small, useful and not terribly demanding. Even if the first one is slightly wonky, it will still wash perfectly well.

Use a smooth cotton yarn so the cloth is absorbent and the stitch texture remains clearly visible.

Suzette Ridge Crochet Washcloth

The free Suzette Ridge Crochet Washcloth pattern adds another layer of texture to this familiar stitch combination.

Make several in coordinating colours and pair them with handmade soap for an easy spa-style gift. They are also useful little projects for testing unfamiliar cotton yarn before committing to a larger set.

Corner-to-Corner Suzette Stitch Washcloth

The free C2C Suzette Stitch Washcloth pattern gives the stitch a slightly different construction by working it from corner to corner.

This is a good next project after you have mastered ordinary flat rows. It lets you explore increasing and decreasing while still using the familiar Suzette stitch combination.

Suzette Stitch Afghan Square

The Suzette Stitch Afghan Square pattern turns the textured stitch into a smaller crochet block.

Afghan squares are useful for charity blankets, sampler blankets and portable crochet projects. You can make the squares individually, use up leftover yarn and join everything together once you have enough—although “enough” has been known to become a surprisingly flexible number in my craft room.

More Suzette Stitch Crochet Pattern Ideas

Once you are comfortable with the basic stitch, you can also use it to make:

  • Crochet mug cosies
  • Ear warmers and headbands
  • Fingerless gloves
  • Cushion covers
  • Tote bags
  • Baby rompers
  • Crochet cardigans
  • Lap blankets
  • Double-thick potholders

You can browse additional Suzette stitch crochet patterns on Etsy, including sweaters, baby blankets, beanies, mug cosies and accessories from independent crochet designers.

When choosing a pattern, check whether it uses US or UK crochet terminology. Also check whether it uses the traditional Suzette stitch—one single crochet and one double crochet worked into the same stitch—or a designer’s variation of it. That quick check can prevent a great deal of confused unraveling later.