Crochet for Charity with This Plastic Mat Pattern
Are you feeling inspired after reading Shelene Codner’s article “Crochet for Good: Craft, Recycle, and Help People” in Interweave Crochet Fall 2018? In the article, Shelene describes how stitching groups are turning plastic bags into yarn, which they crochet into sleeping mats for people experiencing homelessness. If you’re looking for your next crochet for charity project, this is it! Here’s a video tutorial and a pattern for a crochet mat to get you started.
Getting Started
Finished Size 24” wide and 78” long
Yarn Made from old plastic bags (approximately 1,500 bags) using this yarn hack video.
Hook Size K (6.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Gauge 8 stitches and 8 rows in sc = 4”
Notes
Gauge and stitches do not have to be exact as long as the mat ends up approximately 24” wide and 78” long.
Continue joining loops of plastic bags as you need more yarn.
Mat Pattern
Ch 51.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn—50 sc total.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn—50 sc total.
Rep Row 2 until piece measures 78” or desired length.
Finishing
Bind off and weave in loose ends.
Once your plastic mat is finished, find a good place to donate it. Shelene recommends getting in touch with your local homeless shelter. You can find the shelter closest to you at www.homelesssheltersusa.org.
If you’re interested in more crochet projects with recycled materials, try out the Rag Yarn Vase Cozy from Interweave Crochet Fall 2018 and read up on Maria O’Keefe’s tutorial on how to make Rag Yarn.
Happy stitching!
Sara
(Featured Image: A mat made from plastic bags in progress. | Photo Credit: Sara Dudek)
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