Plastic Basket

Stuck in on a rainy day yesterday I made this basket by crocheting plastic bags. On Thursday night at the Craft and Cocktails fundraiser for Oxfam we will be demonstrating how to make plarn (plastic yarn) from your old plastic bags and we'll get you started on a simple circle. I used a 4mm crochet hook and the plastic was cut into half inch strips.

The base is made by increasing the number of stitches in alternate rounds and is done in trebles. Small coasters can be made in this way, or larger place mats. Keep going and you will have a plarn crochet rug! To form the sides I did one treble into the space between each treble in the previous round. Basically, if you add stitches you will have a flat circle if you don't you will create a cylinder. Plarn can be a bit more awkward to use than normal yarn and it can be quite a workout for the fingers and neck muscles. 

It's a good idea to do your crafting in short sessions and change to another activity regularly to avoid repetitive strain. Though this is easier said that done as you will know if you are already a bit of a crochet junky. We are thinking of setting up a support group for the neglected children of mother's who are addicted to doing just one more line...

 

If you can't make the night please consider donating to Oxfam they're really doing amazing work that is transforming the lives of women around the world. And if you want to bring your own craft project to our event please do; knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing; I'd love to see what you're up to.

Can a scarecrow crow scare crows?

We have a new resident at the allotment; his name is Colin the crow. Though with his big orange beak he's more like a blackbird, with green eyes. I'm hoping he'll scare off the birds and animals that spend a good deal of time devouring all my hard work. He's made from black bin liners stuffed with supermarket plastic bags. I read that movement and sound frighten the birds away, so Colin has 'feathers' that flap about in the wind. However, I have a feeling that every mammal and bird in the neighbourhood will be congregating on my plot to laugh at the new curiosity.