Since we’re getting funky with yarn, we must not neglect the increasing popular eco-option. Whether you call it plarn or parn, a guild gallery or show-and-tell is now scarcely complete without items woven, knitted, crocheted or otherwise fashioned from recycled plastic bags. For a very nice tutorial on plarn manufacture, catch the video Plying Plarn (jazz soundtrack, very classy) or see how to spin plarn on a Navajo spindle. Plarn is yarn the world around, as you can see from this UK article on the latest “trashion” in recycling, this Peruvian guy who spins and weaves discarded plastic, and these lovely Gambian women who make their living crocheting purses from recycled plastic bags (to some more very nice music). And if you want some weaving inspiration, read how rigid heddle weaver Patty Anne used plarn to make a neat bag to hold her shuttles.
If you’ve woven something interesting with plarn, post a picture to Handwoven Gallery, and strut your eco-stuff!