Introduction: Recycled Woven Plarn Wallet
Recycling is very important, it prevents a lot of pollution. Most stores don't use recycled plastic bags because it is actually more expensive for them than just manufacturing more. There are many things you can make with plastic bags one of which is plarn. Plarn is a cross between plastic and yarn. In this Instructable I will show you how to make your own plarn, loom and wallet.
Step 1: Supplies
You will need:
- Scissors
- About four plastic bags
- Cardboard(About 9 1/2" by 9 1/2")
Step 2: Making the Plarn
Take a plastic bag, lay it flat and smooth it out (it should look like it's new). Next fold it in half twice. Now cut off the handles of the bag and the bottom of the bag. Cut the bag into about 3/4 inch strips going the short way. The thicker the strips are, the thicker the plarn will be.
Step 3: Tying the Loops
Now unravel the strips into loops and attached them together using a larks head knot. First place one loop down then the other, overlapping. Next, take the top of the loop to the right and loop it over and under the other loop. For a better explanation on the larks head knot, click here.
Tip: Tie one more loop onto the other to make a chain of three loops, this way while your weaving you don't have to pull through a ton of plarn every time. When you run out you cant just tie on another loop.
Step 4: Making the Loom
Take the piece of cardboard and cut 16 small slits on the top using the lines in the cardboard for reference. Each slit should be one line apart. Cut slits on the bottom that are parallel to the top. Next take the 16 single loops of plarn and place them in the slits going horizontally. Try to make the excess plarn on both sides as even as possible. Tuck all the excess plarn under the cardboard. The plarn should hold in place without having to secure it.
Tip: After placing the loop in the top slit twist the plarn before putting it in the bottom slit. This makes it less likely to get tangled while weaving
Step 5: Weaving the Wallet
Start weaving the plarn through the first time, it's just a simple under and over(starting with under). Leave the end with a decent amount of plarn left, tie it to the string to secure it. When you get to the end of the row loop it under the last string on the loom and pull the plarn all the way through. Continue weaving until the loom is full(it doesn't matter what side you end on). Carefully take the woven plarn off the loom.
Tip: Every now and then push up the plarn so the finished product isn't loose.
Step 6: Finishing the Wallet
First fold the woven plarn in half (make sure you do it the long way). Next starting with the beginning top loop tie it to the closest bottom loop. Continue tying the loop together, one from the top with the nearest bottom. Do this with both sides. Next tie together every loop again the same way but skip the first one. Skipping the first one should shift all the new knots over, after doing it do it again with the same loops. Now cut off all the loops but make sure you leave some of it left otherwise it will unravel
Tip: If your knots aren't that tight you can knot them again until they are, otherwise it might unweave all the work.
Step 7: Enjoy!
Now you have a recycled, stylish bi fold wallet! Thank you for viewing my instructable. Please comment down below with your thoughts and suggestions.