Flatten the plastic bag to best you can and straighten any of the bags creases.
Make mats out of plastic bags.
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.
These sleeping mats make great supplies for the homeless population allowing them to sleep comfortably wherever they need to.
One easy project appropriate for ages six to adult is weaving a doormat from left over bags.
The bag ladies as they call themselves also specialize in making large tote bags out of the plastic.
A word of forewarning when putting out the call to action for collecting plastic bags be prepared for an avalanche of plastic bags.
Come on let s make some mats how to crochet a plastic sleeping mat step 1.
Meanwhile in norwalk iowa the mighty mat makers meet once a week at st.
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.
How to make plarn.
John the apostle catholic church to create their own mats using about 700 plastic bags apiece.
Gather the plastic bags.
How to make plarn.
Cut off the plastic bag handles and the bottom of the bag.
The mats are made entirely 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.
Instead of becoming landfill plastic bags can be used for fun craft projects.
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.
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.
It also makes a great addition to any camping trip.