Plarn Mats for the Homeless

Special Thank You to my Mom for sharing this project with us.
Items needed for the project:
• Plastic Bags - LOTS and LOTS of bags
• Size “Q” Crochet Hook
• Scissors
• Alcohol Wipes
• Hand Sanitizer
• Trash Can
Help to learn how to create the crochet stitches:
• Learn to Crochet: 5 Ba...
Directions to make PLARN:
• Flatten the plastic shopping bag - using bottom seam and handles to get flat as possible
• Fold the flatten bag length wise
• Trim off the bottom seam and the bag handles
• Fold the remaining piece in half and cut
• Then fold in half again and cut again - yielding 4 pieces from each bag
• Lay one loop end over another loop end and then pull - but not too tight
• Loop several bags together and then wind into a plarn ball
Directions for the MAT:
• Chain stitch 47
• Make a ½ double in the 2nd stitch - then add ½ doubles in the remaining stitches in the row
• At the end of the row, chain 2 stitches, then turn and add ½ double in the 45 remaining stitches
• Repeat rows until desired size is created (ours was 6’x3’)
Directions for the STRAP:
• Chain stitch 90
• Slip stitch into 1st chain stitch (creates the loop/circle)
• Chain 2
• Make a ½ double in each chain stitch
• At the end of the row, use slip stitch to fasten the plarn
Wash hands and use hand sanitizer often.
We work with our local Homeless Coalition to get mats to folks who need them.
Hope you get inspiration from the video. Please let me know in the comments below if you have any questions. If you have made a mat, please post a pic below.
If you enjoyed this video, please give me a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel!
Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Jamie@JamiesArtsalaCartes .
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#JamiesArtsaLaCartes

[@mamamia4745]

Love the way you work together! Some people may want to do one part or the other according to their skills.

[@alfredathomson9663]

Bless you and your Mom, I often wondered how they are made. I will give this a try. Us up here in Canada have stopped using the plastic bags at the supermarket but Walmart and others still have them. Happy crafting , you do beautiful work 🙋‍♀️

[@jamiesartsalacartes2310]

Thank you very much! If you can't find plastic bags you could try using the disposable plastic tablecloths. Please let me know if you have any questions. So glad you liked the video!

[@bobinmissouri]

My Walmart has White bags ans in Des Moines Iowa there gray lol

[@jamiesartsalacartes2310]

Our Wal Mart has both colors. At our Dollar Tree they have yellow and our grocery store's bags are brown. Haha - you can get pretty colorful!

[@ashleyhanson5001]

I seriously love this it melts my heart!!! My grandma is avid crocheter but ive never been able to get the hang of it other than a simple chain. My question is how does she keep count???? It blows my mind. If she only needs 47 one way...and stops for a drink or to talk or whatever???....i would seriously be lost then and have to recount. How does she do it....any tips or tricks?

[@jamiesartsalacartes2310]

I am so glad you liked the video! You can use "place counters" which a smallish plastic rings. They can be placed at whatever increment you like... but honestly once you get into a rhythm the counting just falls into place. When you have made a few you kind of get a feel of where you are at in the row/stitch. Again, thank you for liking the video!!! Please let me know if you decide to make something yourself!

[@mamamia4745]

I wonder if you turn the bag strips inside out if the imprint may not leave as much residue.

[@jamiesartsalacartes2310]

Yes, I actually do use the inside of the bags as a "drop cloth" when I am painting a small project. I think you are right - it would be a good idea for these too. Thanks!

[@tsmeman63]

Fun to see how your mom got stuck with a knot that was too tight and she couldn’t unravel it at the end of the mat, despite you emphasising in the beginning to NOT make the knots too tight. Every so often her hands are off camera. It would have been easier to show us (in close up) the stitches in a the beginning (crochet a tinier mat, just for example). It’s not viewer friendly to just refer the viewer to links on how to crochet the two stitch types you used for this project. There’s another lady who gives a tutorial on how to make a plant mat, but she also makes a bigger strap that is attached to the mat, for carrying over the head and shoulder like a seat belt and two ropes (also crocheted) to secure the rolled up mat. She also mentions how much bags are needed per mat, in stead of saying lots and lots. She also says: “for people who experience homelessness” and not “for the homeless”, which is highly appreciated by persons who have been in that situation, because that’s what it is, a situation, not a stigma. Last remark: I love your initiative, but you sound a bit too patronising towards your mother (especially by explaining what she says). We’re not stupid and I think she deserves more respect.

[@tsmeman63]

Autocorrect turned plarn mat into plant mat, my apologies.

[@jamiesartsalacartes2310]

@@tsmeman63 Hi, thank you for watching! Thank you for sharing your views. My video method was derived from questions during several face-to-face mat creating sessions. Folks have benefited from actual stitch instructions. I wanted every skill level to feel as though they could take on this project. We practiced multi times prior to the actual filming. We agreed, beforehand, that I would reinforce what she said - in order to help her remember all the aspects of what she wanted to share. She had never attempted anything like this before and that little bit of security gave her the confidence to step out and try something new. She really wanted to get this message out and I wanted to help her do that. She has begun to experience tremors as evidenced as her hands moved in and out of the frame. I will choose not to share that with her. She feels quite accomplished by contributing to the video. Our verbiage was taken directly from the coalition that provides these mats to the individuals that need them. The recipients seem to be very grateful that someone in the community remembered them. We did not provide the exact number of bag because it really depends on how wide you cut each strip from the bags. I did not want this to a discouragement to anyone wanting to attempt the service project. My channel is to help share my knowledge be it existing or newly acquired skills. I would never intentionally patronize or belittle anyone. Thank you again for watching the video. When you make your first mat, please let me know. I will be happy to celebrate with you.

[@kimstepp9673]

Are theyvwarm

[@jamiesartsalacartes2310]

I am told they help keep folks dry. I am not sure about warmth.

[@sonyadiggs2841]

Can you connect two mats together

[@jamiesartsalacartes2310]

Hi, I have not connected two together myself - I would think you could use a whip stitch to connect two mats together. Or if you knew ahead of time you needed a wider or longer mat you could incorporate the need when you first begin to make the mat - either add stitches at the beginning to widen the project or keep going and crate a mat as long as you would .like.

[@ichymcgee2315]

Do they catch fire?

[@jamiesartsalacartes2310]

They are made with recycled plastic bags. They would most likely not be fire retardant. My goal was to create a moisture barrier for the homeless. I have not had any feedback with regards to flammability. If that is a concern, maybe try searching for flame retardant material for outdoor use and use that to create the mats. Thanks for watching.