Trashy Planting

Tomorrow is Earth Day!  Here are some items that instead of throwing out I've been putting to good use:

Plastic bottles.  I cut them in half and use both the top and bottom halves as little green house domes for the newly started plants.

(banana peppers)

Ice-cream containers for the plants I plan on transferring outside later. I poke holes in the bottom for water drainage and there tops actually catch the water very well.  I haven't had one leak yet!

(cucumbers... I think)

This one was my dads doing!  It's a strawberry carton.  He added foil to keep the dirt from falling out of the holes.

And as always scrap fabric yarn!  Great for Earth Day projects!  Have I mentioned how creating alternative yarns is one of my favorite projects?  Hmm, I believe I have!  

Plarn

Scrap bracelets

Denim

T-shirts

See ya later!

♥♥♥

Scrap Fabric Knit Bracelets

Here's a fun idea for using up pieces of scrap fabric!  For both of these bracelets I used knit fabric, one was an orange and black striped knit and the other was a purple camo knit. 

I cut one inch width strips of fabric then cut a small hole on each of the ends to slip on strip through the other in order to connect them. 

I used U.S. Size 10 knitting needles and C.O. of 6 sts.  I knit for about 6 inches, till it wrapped around my wrist, then made a crochet chain for the loop at the end.

Happy knitting!

♥ 

Alternative Yarn (#3): Denim yarn

The last post for Alternative yarns I wrote about t-shirt yarn and that inspired me to look else where in my old clothes for yarn.  I decided to try making yarn out of an old pair of jeans.  Another great recycling project and a way to give new life to something old! :)

1. Cut off the legs of the jeans at the thigh so they're even at the top.

2. 3. & 4. Cut all around the leg creating one continuous piece however thick or thin you want, I did about half an inch wide. 

When you get to the bottom hem of the leg (the folded part) cut that off, but save it for later along with the back pockets.  I have another project I use them for and will post a tutorial for it later this week. :)

Wind up your "yarn" into balls...

... and create!  I'm knitting a rug with mine.  I bet denim yarn would make a cool tote bag too! :)

Happy Crafting!

♥

Alternative Yarn (#2): T-shirt yarn

T-shirt yarn is an awesome alternative yarn!  You get to use up those old t-shirts and create something new.  It's also a great way to recycle!

I knit this pouch with t-shirt yarn also using fabric from the t-shirt for the lining.  I added a zipper and a removable wrist strap.  The strap is a simple crochet chain. :)

There is a great tutorial on CraftPassion.com for making t-shirt yarn.

I definitely recommend giving this "yarn" a try, it's fun, it's something different, and it will make a great project for the upcoming Earth Day!

See ya later!

♥♥♥

Alternative Yarn: Plarn

I love to find new and different ways to spice up my knitting, one of those ways is to use alternative yarns.  Today's alternative yarn is Plarn: plastic yarn.  Using plarn is a great way to use up all those plastic shopping bags you get.

How to make Plarn:

1. Start with one bag, make sure there aren't any tears.

2. Fold the bag in half, then fold it in half again.

3. Cute off the top part with the handles and cut off the bottom part.

4. Cut the bag into strips.  I cut one inch strips when I'm knitting on U.S. size 8 needles and I cut three inch strips when I'm knitting on U.S. size 13 needles.

To link the strips together follow the pictorial above.

Tips: 

*Be sure not to cut your strips too thin so they don't break when you tighten the knot (pic #8).

*Don't knit with aluminum knitting needles if you want to preserve their color.  I tried knitting with aluminum knitting needles and the plarn rubbed off some of the color.

*I found that knitting plarn on wooden needles is much easier.  Be sure to wax your needles it makes the whole project much smoother.  I just use a piece of Reynolds wrap wax paper.

Different plarns:

1. Rose scented plastic bags.  I found these bags at a dollar store and I love them, they smell like roses!  I knit them into a coin pouch.

2. Garbage bags.  The garbage bags create a slight vinyl look, I made some into wristlets.

3. And of course, shopping bags.  I knit some into a wristlet.

4. In this pic you can see the difference between the one inch strips and the three inch strips.  The purse was done with three inch strips on U.S. size 13 needles.  The coin purse was done with one inch strips on U.S. size 8 needles. 

Happy knitting!

♥♥♥