Finding Free Crochet Patterns for Plarn Items

Crochet is an adaptable and extensive needlecraft. You can crochet with yarn and thread, but you can also crochet with anything that you can make into strips, which includes old tee shirts and plastic grocery bags. When you crochet with plastic bags, cut in strips, and joined the resulting braid is ‘plarn’ ([plastic yarn). You might wonder how you could possibly crochet with plastic, and an internet video tutorial will show you. Crocheting with plarn is the ultimate recycling, turning plastic bags into useful items, such as floor mats, a reusable grocery bag, shoulder bags, jewellry and much more.

Crochet Pattern Central’s plarn links amply illustrate plarn’s versatility. There are links to patterns for flowers, jewellry, a Christmas stocking, various bags, planters, and even a doormat. Plarn doormats are eminently practical because, when they are dirty, you simply hose them clean.

It is unusual to look on recycling sites for crochet patterns but many feature free crochet patterns. The shoulder bag on the Bags be Gone site would be jolly useful. My Recycled Bags has a very practical laundry basket pattern. Thrifty fun has one rug pattern and links to two others. The Organic Sister has a useful bag pattern and comprehensive word and picture tutorial from making the “yarn” to crocheting the bag.

Crochet web sites too have free plarn patterns. Crochet Freedom has links to several plarn patterns as well as other interesting ideas, such as spinning “yarn” from newspapers. Petals to Picots has a plarn tote bag pattern. There are some innovative items including a useful wheelchair or walker tote bag, water bottle holder, and shoes.

There are some thrilling plarn patterns at Ravelry. Here you will find more than 100 plarn patterns for some surprising items, including a lampshade, bangles, hair ornaments, a hat, and a plarn snowman.

Plarn is so useful, versatile, and adaptable to many projects. Crocheting with something that might otherwise end its days in a landfill site, where it will not break down, is very satisfying. Turning “rubbish” into something useful and giving it another life is even more pleasurable. Making something from plastic bags, such as a laundry basket, means that you need not buy that article. It is the perfect virtuous circle. Not only do crocheters have the pleasure that comes with crocheting, but also the happiness that comes with knowing that they are recycling in the best possible way.