Plastic Bag Pot Scrubbie

I've been knitting and crocheting for quite a few years now and I've always liked specialty yarns. when I discovered that you could turn plastic bags into yarn to knit or crochet I was so excited to try it out!

I came up with the pattern for these pot scrubbers a few years ago and made a bunch as Christmas gifts for everyone. I like how the plastic is a little stiff and abrasive but still soft enough to use on delicate items. Plus it's plastic so I wont get all smelly and gross!

I love knowing I'm recycling bags instead of just throwing them away and I try to use bags that already have holes or rips in them.

In this instructable I will show you my technique to turn a plastic bag in to yarn or as I like to call it, "plarn". Then I will show you how to crochet a little pot scrubber with your plarn.

Supplies

You will need:

• two different colored plastic bags
• scissors
• crochet hook
• tapestry needle

Step 1: Make Some Plarn

This part is a little confusing. Check out the pictures if you are having trouble following the instructions.

First take your plastic bag and flatten it out. Pull on the handles and bottom so that the sides tuck neatly in the middle of the bag. Cut off the handles and the bottom seam so that you end up with a rectangle.

Now pull the sides out so that the bag is completely flat. You should have a big tube of plastic.

Starting from the side fold over about an inch and keep folding until you have about 2 inches left. Now starting from the folded side start cutting strips through all the layers but stopping once you get to the unfolded part. I like to cut about 15 slits in mine.

Now unroll all your little strands. Lay out your bag so that the side that is still uncut is face up. Now we are going to cut diagonal strips to turn our tube into one long piece of plarn.

Start from the bottom and cut up at an angle to meet with the first slit on the left.

Now start at the first slit on the right and cut at a slight angle to the next slit on the left. Continue all the way up cutting the last strip up to the top.

Now wind up your plarn and repeat with your second bag.

Step 2: Crochet Your Pot Scrubbie

For this scrubber I like to use two different colored bags to give it a little contrast for the border.

I used a size 5.0mm or H crochet hook for this project.

Note: When working with plarn you need to be careful and hold it gently. It will stretch and break if you pull it too hard. If it does break on you just tie the two ends together and keep going.

Stitches:

sl st = slip stitch

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

To make this scrubbie I used the thermal stitch. You will only be working into the back loops on all the rows and into the back loop of the row below at the same time. This gives you a thicker fabric and I think It helps make the scrubbie more durable and stiff. Here is a link for a how to video for the thermal stitch.

To start ch 11.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each sts across. Ch 1, turn. (10)

Row 2: Sc across going through the back loop of your st and also through the back loop of the previous row's st. Repeat across, ch 1 turn. (10)

Repeat row 2 until you run out of plarn.

Join your alternate color and begin sc around the outside of your scrubbie. I like to sc around my ends so I don't have to weave them in later. When you reach a corner sc 3 times into it and continue around. Once you get back to the beginning sl st to the first sc, ch 8 and sl st again to the first sc. Bind off and weave in your ends.

That's it! Now go and scrub some pots!