Colin Snow
Sleeping mats are a necessity for the homeless, providing a layer of protection and comfort. While there are various types of sleeping mats available, one innovative and eco-friendly solution is to create mats from recycled plastic bags. These mats are durable, lightweight, and moisture-resistant, making them ideal for those sleeping outdoors. With around 500-700 plastic bags, individuals can crochet or knit these bags into sleeping mats, offering a creative way to support the homeless community. This process involves cutting and weaving the bags into strips, which can then be distributed to those in need through local shelters and nonprofit organizations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic bags |
| Type of plastic bag | Shopping bags |
| Number of plastic bags | 500-700 |
| Plastic bag preparation | Cut off handles and bottom seam, cut into four strips |
| Plastic strip preparation | Tie strips into loops |
| Crafting method | Crochet, knitting, weaving |
| Crafting tools | Crochet hook, loom |
| Distribution | Local homeless shelters, churches, charities |
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What You'll Learn
How to make a sleep mat from plastic bags
Sleeping mats made from plastic bags can be donated to homeless people, who can definitely use them. These mats are durable, lightweight, easy to store, and provide a great temperature barrier. They can be made through crocheting or weaving.
Crocheting
To crochet a sleep mat, you will need plarn (plastic yarn) made from plastic bags. Cut off the handles and the bottom seam of the plastic bags so that you are left with a rectangle. Cut the rectangle into four strips that become loops when opened up. After you have a sufficient number of loops, hook them together with a basic larks head knot. This is done by overlapping two of the loops end-to-end, then pulling the top of one end through the middle intersection of the two loops. Repeat this step until you have enough plarn to start crocheting.
For a person-sized mat, you will need approximately 500-700 bags. To start crocheting, chain stitch about 42 stitches, and then continue to crochet until you reach your desired length. You can make the mat 4'x6' for adults and 3'x5' for children.
Weaving
To weave a sleep mat, you will also need plastic bags cut into strips. Start by taking three bags of one color and one bag of another color so that you can keep track of which bag is your weft (the bag doing the weaving). On the side of the bag, under the handle, cut from the handle to the bottom end.
To attach rows, bring one bag over and through an opening in the previous row. Continue with the over, under, over, under weaving. When you get to the end of a bag, attach another bag to it by bringing the left end of the bag you are adding through the bag that it's being attached to. Take the right end of the bag being added and put it through the left end. Repeat this process until you reach your desired length and width.
Tips
- If you make a mistake, you can usually fix it with a dab of Shoe Goo.
- You can cut the plastic bags into strips using a paper cutter.
- If you are using different sized bags, make the size of the strips consistent with each bag, and cut narrower strips for thicker bags.
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How to recycle plastic bags into 'plarn'
Plastic bags can be recycled into "plarn", or plastic yarn, which can be used for knitting and crocheting. Making plarn is a fun way to upcycle old shopping bags into something useful. You can make about 8-10 yards of plarn per plastic bag, depending on how thick you cut your strips.
- Collect your tools: You will need a pair of sharp scissors, a ruler, and optionally, a large self-healing cutting mat.
- Prepare your plastic bag: Place your grocery bag on a table or self-healing mat and cut off the handles and uneven edges, including the sealed bottom seam of the bag. You should be left with a cylindrical tube shape. Flatten the bag so that the sides are straight, forming a rectangle.
- Cut the bag into strips: Fold your bag lengthwise (like a hot dog) once, then a second time, and then a third time. You should have a long, skinny rectangle. Use your ruler or the grid on your cutting mat to cut 1-inch thick sections of the bag. Cut the bag at a diagonal, moving in a spiral, taking care to keep the strips the same width. You can also try the ""slit skirt" method, where you cut vertical lines from the closed bottom edge to about 3 cm from the top open edge. Make the lines as wide or narrow as you like for fine or chunky plarn.
- Assemble your plarn: Once you have a big pile of loops, lay two loops on a table next to each other and overlap the right piece with the left piece, placing the end of the right piece between the two legs of the left loop. Pull the right loop through gently so that the two loops are connected with a knot in the centre. Continue with as many loops as you like.
- Store your plarn: Wind your new plastic yarn into a ball and you'll be ready to knit, crochet, or craft with it!
Plarn can be used to craft a variety of items, such as coupon pouches, bracelets, bowls, bags, storage pots, and garden ornaments. It is a great way to reduce your waste and teach kids about recycling and upcycling.
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Crochet a sleep mat with 'plarn'
Plastic sleeping mats are an excellent way to provide the homeless with a comfortable, portable, and hygienic place to sleep. They are also environmentally friendly, keeping 500-700 plastic bags out of landfills.
To crochet a sleep mat with plarn (plastic yarn), you will need approximately 500-700 plastic bags. Start by cutting off the handles and the bottom seam so that you're left with a rectangle. Cut this rectangle into four strips, and then cut each strip into four equal pieces to create rings. You should now have a lot of loops that can be hooked together with a basic larks head knot. Take two loops, overlap them end-to-end, then pull the top of one end through the middle intersection of both loops. Repeat this step until all your loops are linked and you have one long strip of plarn.
Now you can start crocheting! Using a crochet hook size 10 or above, create a chain that is as wide as you desire your mat to be (for an adult-sized mat, you'll want it to be about 4'x6'). A larger crochet hook will make it easier to crochet looser, resulting in a cushier mat. You'll need approximately 42 chain stitches, and then you can continue to crochet until you reach your desired length.
Remember not to make your chains and knots too tight, or they may break. If you want to add a tie to your mat, crochet two rows of single loops to create an 80-inch string. Your mat is now ready to be distributed to someone in need!
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Knit a sleep mat with 'plarn'
Plastic sleeping mats are a great way to help the homeless. They are moisture-resistant, durable, lightweight, and easy to store. They also provide a great temperature barrier.
To make these mats, you can use a technique called plarning, which involves knitting or crocheting with plastic yarn, or "plarn," constructed from plastic bags. This is a fantastic way to recycle plastic bags and provide a useful item for those in need.
Step 1: Source Your Materials
You will need around 500-700 plastic shopping bags. You can source these from your local community, putting out a call to action for collecting plastic bags. This is a great way to involve local groups, such as church groups, knitting circles, youth groups, or scout organizations, in a community service project.
Step 2: Prepare the Plastic Bags
Cut off the handles and the bottom seam of each bag, so you are left with a rectangle. Cut this rectangle into four strips that become loops when opened up.
Step 3: Create the Plarn
Take two loops and overlap their ends. Pull the top of one end through the middle intersection of the two loops to create a basic larks head knot. Repeat this process to join all the loops together, forming a long strip of plarn.
Step 4: Start Knitting or Crocheting
Create a chain that is as wide as you desire your mat to be (approximately 4'x6' for an adult-sized mat). Then, continue knitting or crocheting until you reach the desired length. For a person-sized mat, you will need to crochet approximately 42 chain stitches.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
When your mat reaches the desired length (around 6 feet for an adult), finish it off. You can add a tie by crocheting two rows of single loops to create an 80-inch string.
Remember, don't make your chains and knots too tight, or they may break. Also, if you have different-sized bags, try to make the size of the strips consistent, and cut narrower strips for thicker bags.
By following these steps, you can create a practical and eco-friendly sleep mat that will provide comfort and protection to those in need.
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Where to donate homemade sleep mats
Homemade sleep mats made from crocheting plastic bags can be donated to homeless shelters or organizations that work with the homeless. These mats provide a soft, lightweight, and durable sleeping surface for individuals without a permanent home.
Before donating, it is important to ensure that the mats are clean and free from any tears or damage. Here are some specific organizations and suggestions for where to donate homemade sleep mats:
- Shelters or Charities for the Homeless: These organizations are dedicated to supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness. They often accept donations of various items, including sleeping mats. Contact local homeless shelters or charities in your area to inquire about their specific needs and donation process.
- The Melbourne Period Project and Essentials for Women: These organizations, based in Melbourne and Perth, Australia, primarily focus on providing sanitary items and other necessities for women living on the streets. They have also agreed to accept plastic sleep mats, which can be especially beneficial for women facing homelessness.
- American Legion Auxiliary Units: In California, American Legion Auxiliary members have initiated a project to provide crocheted sleep mats to homeless veterans in their community. Similar initiatives may be ongoing in other states, so reaching out to local American Legion Auxiliary units or veteran support organizations is worth considering.
- Direct Donation to Individuals: If you know of anyone in your community who is sleeping rough or is in need of a sleeping mat, you can reach out and offer your homemade mat directly. This approach ensures that your mat goes to someone who needs it and allows for a more personal connection.
Remember, when donating homemade sleep mats, it is essential to ensure that they are in good condition, clean, and free from any pests or odors to protect the health and well-being of individuals without a permanent home.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleep mats for the homeless are made from recycled plastic bags.
Approximately 500-700 plastic bags are required to make a person-sized mat.
Plastic bag mats are moisture-resistant, durable, lightweight, easy to store, and provide a great temperature barrier. They are also eco-friendly and nearly indestructible.
You can learn how to make sleep mats from online tutorials and books. Reach out to local homeless shelters and non-profits to distribute the mats.
Yes, you can crochet, knit, or weave plastic bags into mats. Crocheting and knitting use "plarn" (plastic yarn), which is made by cutting plastic bags into strips.
