From the 1st January this year Italy has banned shops from giving out plastic bags. Shops can now give out only paper or biodegradable bags. This is a huge step for a country who was previously Europe's biggest consumer of plastic bags. I've been using canvas shopping bags for years however, there were often occasions where I forgot to take them with me and I'd have to use a plastic bag. I think it's fantastic that now I don't have that option. Either I take my own reusable bag or I have to use a paper bag.
Despite the ban I still seem to have quite a few plastic bags around the house from packaging or from shops who are still using up their stores of plastic bags. I decided I wanted to do something with all of this plastic rather than throwing it out.
From a google search I discovered 'plarn' or plastic yarn so I decided I'd try making some. You basically cut the plastic into strips, join them together and then you can use it to knit or crochet all sorts of things from pot scrubbers to handbags.
I've started to knit a pot scrubber. It's not very easy to knit, I think I made the plarn a bit thick and it's difficult to pull the plastic through, if you pull too hard the plastic breaks. However, I'm persevering and I should have a pretty durable pot scrubber when I'm finished.
What do you do with your plastic bags?
