Comments on: CRAFTIVISM: Crocheting Recycled Plastic for Kids

By: Elysa

Elysa — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:08:41 +0000

I run a club at a Toronto middle school and the students would like to take this on as a project this year. Is there a place in the Toronto area that will accept donations?

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:08:42 +0000

Hello,
Does anyone have a drop off location for milk bags in the Toronto area or Durham Region ( Whitby, Ajax, OShawa)
Please let me know asap. We have a large quantity to donate for busy crocheters for this worthwhile project.
Linda.
lindamintz1@gmail.com

By: June

June — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 21:06:24 +0000

I have just started crocheting a ‘mattress’ with milk bags. We were also shown a finished plastic mattress that had been woven. It was lovely, and much softer than the crocheted version. However no one knows who made it or where it came from. Several of us thought we’d like to make one and hope someone will send us the instructions.
Thanks.
June

By: shelly reider

shelly reider — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 23:25:06 +0000

I am currently crocheting a mat but can’t seem to get my hands on enough bags to keep going – I have composed a flyer which I intend to send to the surrounding schools and churches in the new year but I need bags right now – I am in Pickering Ontario – I can either come and get the bags if they are close or make arrangements for them to be picked up – you can contact me at
hihoneitsyourmom@hotmail.com – any would be appreciated – I am a crazy crocheter lol

By: Barb

Barb — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 04:15:04 +0000

Holy Family Parish, 777 Valetta St. London, Ontario, Canada N6H2Y9
519-472-0057, has a group that crochets the mats on Tuesday nights (I think…). They may be willing to take pre-crocheted mats or milk bags (outer bags only, washed and dried).

I read on another site that milk bags are better than grocery bags because they are uv-protected to preserve the milk…They apparently hold up longer in the Haitian sun…and they are stronger…our grocery bags are thin and tear easily.

By: Sally

Sally — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 23:31:14 +0000

Hi, this is so cool. I have a multitude of milk bags in my livingroom right now that I am making into yarn for the mats. Our church is putting them together to deliver to the lady mentioned for delivery to 3rd world countries. I was actually looking for the pattern for the tote bags when I found this page – too exciting. For the poster (Tarryn) are you located in Ontario? That is where the group mentioned is located. Our church is located in the Niagara Region.

By: Tarryn

Tarryn — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:04:18 +0000

Hi there,

I have an abundance of milk bags that need to be donated to a cause such as this. They are pre-cut and ready to be crocheted. I am not sure how to get in contact with these lovely ladies in the article. I clicked the links in the article but they don’t seem to be working. Does anyone know their phone number or email address or a link or website?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Tarryn

By: Dano

Dano — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:41:33 +0000

In response to the Toronto Craft Alert’s last post – I was under the impression that it was the outer printed plastic bags, not the clear ones? I would assume you could use the clear ones too – has anyone noticed a difference at all in the durability between the two?

I’m working with my Starbucks in Kingston Ontario to get these bags shipped down to Haiti in the next couple weeks. They work well for sleeping mats, and even hospital beds to conduct surgeries if need be. Unlike cots which can grow mould and are hard to clean, retain water, etc., these little plastic beauties rinse quick and are easy care.

Much love to everyone – this topic is great, we need more of this!

-Dano

By: Toronto Craft Alert

Toronto Craft Alert — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:53:31 +0000

here is a picture of a milk bag for reference: http://realrealsoft.tumblr.com/post/160055158/the-states-might-be-on-to-something-drinking
i had no idea it was a canadian thing!

they are thick, clear plastic bags. it depends on your grocery store, but i think they may be thicker than the average plastic bag.

please contact Dianne Scott directly for any interest in contributing to the project. she does not use email but can be reached at 1-905-774-7941.

By: Elena Knickman

Elena Knickman — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:22:06 +0000

I’m visiting Canada from the States for the year. The only place I have seen milk sold in bags like in Canada is Wisconsin, so they should definitely be made aware of this. I do crochet, and I’d be happy to help with making some mats if someone knows of a group doing this in the London ON area.

By: Karianne Gledhill

Karianne Gledhill — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:45:16 +0000

My niece and I are interested in starting a collection of milk bags through our local public and catholic schools. Should I just contact Ms. Scott directly, or is it better to attempt to make the mats ourselves. I would love to possibly make the yarn ready for her if that would be helpful. Any information that anyone could provide us would be greatly appreciated. I believe that getting out entire commuity involved will be a great experience.

Thanks in advance.

Karianne Gledhill and Jazmin Campbell

By: Rosemary Webb

Rosemary Webb — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:01:18 +0000

I use large plastic trash bags to make my sleeping mats.

By: Janet Ford

Janet Ford — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:12:37 +0000

Here is a photo link on how to make “yarn” (otherwise known as PLARN) from plastic bags.
http://www.marloscrochetcorner.com/bag%20cutting%20instructions.html
Janet

By: Janet Ford

Janet Ford — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:04:03 +0000

At the end of the article there is a line that says “Check this out for a few patterns”. This link takes you to the teddy bear pattern at “About.com”.
The mats in the picture appear to me to be crocheted in “Single Crochet” (US terminology). The sizes are 30 x 45 inches for a child and 36 x 65 inches for an adult (also mentioned in the article).
I live in the USA and the only thing I can think of that would work here is plastic grocery bags.
Thanks,
Janet

By: Lu G

Lu G — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:13:44 +0000

Could you send me a picture of a milk bag? is it like the plastic shopping bags used in the USA? Also can u send me the pattern instructions for matts & bear? Very good project for us ladies in NC!

By: Jean R.

Jean R. — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:59:17 +0000

I have read all but have yet to get the pattern for the mat and teddy bear could you please send it to me I need the size of the hook also thank you jrf

By: Heather Riediger

Heather Riediger — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:06:00 +0000

My mother inlaw makes quilts for third world countries with the ladies from her church. I think they maybe interested in making the mats and the teddy bears. Would it be possible to get the mat and the teddy bear patterns?

Thank you
Heather

By: Kelly Chislett

Kelly Chislett — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:40:30 +0000

Wow This is a great idea!! I live in Whitby, Ontario & would like to know how I could get involved in such a project (or start 1 at local high school). Could you please send me more information on the patterns.

Thank you
Kelly

By: Debbie

Debbie — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:58:49 +0000

Would you be able to forward the pattern for the mats as well as the teddy bear? Thanks Debbie

By: angelune

angelune — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:18:12 +0000

Winnie – I will do some research for you and see if I can get you in touch with the women who make these sleeping mats.

By: Winnie

Winnie — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:02:40 +0000

I am in Nairobi Kenya and I am interested in learning how to make the sleeping bags using the recyled plastic bags. how can I learn

By: sandy

sandy — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:33:51 +0000

A group in my c hurch would like to make sleeping bags……we are in the US. Can we use plastic grocery bags ?(is that the same as milk bags?) Also what agencies do you recomend to give the bags to?

By: angelune

angelune — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:54:54 +0000

Cathy – I don’t have any of these patterns, please contact the people featured in the story.
I tried googling a few patterns, and came up with this: http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa110897.htm

By: Cathy Blake

Cathy Blake — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:57:15 +0000

We are looking for the pattern for the teddy bear from milk bags. Do you have it and can you send it? Thanks
Cathy Blake

By: Jafabrit

Jafabrit — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:49:58 +0000

that teddy bear is just adorable and I LOVE the concept :) the recyled bags links is fabulous.

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:05:05 +0000

There’s a site with lots of info on recycling bags, including how to make “yarn” from plastic bags. http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/04/12/creating-plastic-bag-pattern-headquarters/

By: angelune

angelune — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:36:49 +0000

With a bit of research I found this: It takes approximately 250 milk bags to create a sleeping mat. The mats are used as packing material around fragile items en route so that they can be delivered to their destination without cost.
The mats are presently being made in two sizes – one for adults that is 36 x 65 inches, and a child’s mat that is 30 x 45 inches. One of the challenges facing those involved at The mats are made not from the individual 1 litre milk bags but from the outer bag in which they are delivered. To be usable in the project the milk bags must be thoroughly washed, dried carefully and then folded flat. Dianne Scott (905-774-7941) would be delighted to hear from anyone willing to gather bags from neighbours and friends to expand their supply of materials or from anyone who desires to learn more about how to actually make the mats.
Info Source: http://www.presbykirk.com/news.html

By: Terri Hooker

Terri Hooker — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:38:56 +0000

Could we find out the how to of this project somewhere?What are the measurements expected and where can we send finished mats? Thanks Terri