Make Mats Out Of Plastic Bags

Gather the plastic bags.

Make mats out of plastic bags.

Straighten out each bag by pulling at the end and the handles so that it becomes as nice smooth and flat as the plastic bag in the picture. Come on let s make some mats how to crochet a plastic sleeping mat step 1. The bag ladies as they call themselves also specialize in making large tote bags out of the plastic. 500 700 plastic shopping bags for a person sized mat but can vary depending on what you re using the mat for 10mm or larger crochet hook.

How to make plarn. Cut off the plastic bag handles and the bottom of the bag. This is a great way to involve your local church group knitting or crochet group youth group or scout organization with collecting and sorting the bags. It also makes a great addition to any camping trip.

Our media partners at the dallas morning news say to make just one mat it takes about 600 bags and more than 50 hours from start to finish. Plastic bag mats in small sizes look gorgeous on a craft table or home office shelf large floor rugs made with plastic bags make beautiful home decorations for kitchens bathrooms mud rooms or entryways designs. Instead of becoming landfill plastic bags can be used for fun craft projects. How to make plarn.

A word of forewarning when putting out the call to action for collecting plastic bags be prepared for an avalanche of plastic bags. These sleeping mats make great supplies for the homeless population allowing them to sleep comfortably wherever they need to. Flatten the plastic bag to best you can and straighten any of the bags creases. Plastic bag recycling for making pompoms and creating unique floor mats in two colors.

One easy project appropriate for ages six to adult is weaving a doormat from left over bags. Parents can teach about recycling in the house and how plastic bags take years to decompose. So far they have spent at least 100 hours on the project producing 18 mats that have been handed out to the homeless and there are many more to come. Regardless of who uses it it s a great way to recycle.

Start with about 10 plastic bags at a time.