Learn how to make plarn using old plastic tablecloths! Use this amazing, colorful plastic yarn for all kinds of amazing projects.  This post may contain affiliate links, which help to support this site. Â
Plarn – funny word, right? Plarn, Plarn, Plarny-plarn, Plaaaaaaaarn!
But, what is it, anyway? “Plarn” is a portmanteau of plastic and yarn. Get it? Plastic + Yarn = Plarn. Usually this crafty hybrid is used to make baskets, beach bags, mats – anything that needs to be durable or waterproof. And usually it’s made from old shopping bags, which makes plarn a great way to recycle, but unfortunately also means plarn is usually pretty limited as far as colors go.
But. I had an idea. What about tablecloths?
Good old cheap, plastic tablecloths. They come in loads of bright colors, and just one can make a big ball of plarn. Next time you have tablecloths leftover from a party, instead of throwing them away, just wipe them off and turn them into something new!
How to Make Plarn from Plastic Tablecloths
Start by folding your tablecloth up and cutting it into strips. I used long rectangular tablecloths (I used these). Fold the tablecloth width-wise several times until it is narrow enough to cut easily. I used my rotary cutter and cutting mat to quickly turn my tablecloth into a pile of 1.5″ strips.
Thinner or thicker strips will give you thinner or thicker plarn. I crocheted this plarn with a larger N hook (10.00 mm), and it made a thick and sturdy stitch. Try thinner or thicker strips to see what you like.
To join all of those strips together, here is the method I used:
- Lay one end on top of the other leaving a two-three inch overlap.
- Fold the overlapped section in half and snip a little slit in the middle. This will create a small hole in each end. The slit should run vertically along the strip and should be at least an inch from the end.
- Pull one end through the hole in the other end.
- Pull the tail of the other strip through the hole in that strip.
- Pull both strips to tighten the join.
That’s it! Continue joining all of your strips together and wind them up into a ball. Ta-DA! Plarn!
I like this join because it doesn’t make the yarn bulky and because it holds pretty well. It also makes crocheting go much quicker because you don’t have to worry about constantly adding in new pieces. The downside to this type of join is that the little ends can kind of stick out of your stitches, but I found it was pretty easy to crochet over the ends. This is harder to do with lacy, open stitches, so this joining method may not be the best for that type of project.
So, looking for ideas on what to make with that plarn? Check out this adorable Easter basket I made for my little girl:
Happy Making!
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Comments + Project Love
Christine says
You're crazy crafty! I never would have thought to use a plastic tablecloth for anything. And that plarn crochet is amazing!
bethany dearden says
This is AWESOME!<br />
Pops De Milk says
What a clever idea! I've been wondering what to do with the plastic table cloths I have collecting dust. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Miranda Essig says
If you have plastic table cloths just sitting around it would be a great way to use them but don't go and buy new ones just for this purpose. The idea of plain come from reusing and recycling of plastics that are very hazardous to the environment, you're missing the whole point of why plarn is used if you go purchase new plastic