Upcycled Plarn {Plastic Yarn} Coffee Cuff

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine. This post contains affiliate links.

Last week I shared a post telling you all about the crafting hand tools that Cricut has in addition to their machines and this week I want to show you a fun project I created using some of those tools: an upcycled plarn {plastic yarn} coffee cuff! This fun craft combines two of my favorites, knitting and repurposing, into a really simple but useful recycled craft. It’s a great way to use up all those grocery bags and it works so well to keep the heat of the coffee from burning your hand. Ready to see how you can make one?

To make a plastic yarn coffee cuff, you’ll obviously have to start by making plastic yarn. Save your grocery bags, especially the thicker ones or the nicely colored ones, for plarn projects.

How to Make Plarn or Plastic Yarn

To make plarn, you’ll need a number of plastic grocery bags. This coffee cuff will take two bags and most projects will take at least that and generally more.

This project also uses these Cricut craft tools: the Cricut Self-Healing Mat, the Cricut Rotary Cutter, the Cricut TrueControl Knife, the Cricut Cutting Ruler, and the Cricut Acrylic Ruler. These tools are all available in both mint and lilac colors which makes crafting way more fun, doesn’t it? I have them in mint and I love the pop of color!

To make the plastic yarn, start by laying the plastic grocery bag out on the Self-Healing Mat and flattening it as much as possible.

The 18 inch by 24 inch Self-Healing Mat is such a versatile work space, perfect for cutting with its precise gridlines, multi-angled gridlines, and easy-to-read numbers but also gorgeous when you turn it over {click over to my previous post to see the other side}.

Hold the Cutting Ruler along the bottom of the bag and use the Rotary Cutter to slice off the bottom hem of the bag.

The Cutting Ruler is perfect for tasks like this because it has a textured, non-slip base that grips the project and the mat and the protective guard shields hands from getting nicked with the Rotary Cutter. It’s such a genius design.

Once the bottom is removed, use the Cutting Ruler and Rotary Cutter to cut the top handles off the bag and discard both the top and bottom scraps.

This 60 mm hand-held Rotary Cutter makes it so quick and easy to make this plastic yarn. The comfortable handle gives precise control and the symmetrical design is ideal for both right and left handed users. There’s a quick release button to activate the blade and a sliding quick-release blade cover that protects both the blade and hands when it’s not in use. It’s such an easy tool to use and slides like butter through the plastic bag but also easily cuts multiple layers of thicker materials like batting and denim as well as cotton fabrics, paper, and other lighter materials. It’s one of those tools that is a must-have in the crafter’s arsenal.

Once the top and bottom of the bag have been removed, spread the sides open.

Use the Acrylic Ruler and the Rotary Cutter to cut one inch strips leaving about an inch uncut all along the top.

Because the Acrylic Ruler has a frosted finish and easy-to-see measurements, it gives you visibility on both light and dark surfaces. The 3 inch by 18 inch size works perfectly for this project, allowing you to make one smooth and precise cut for each strip. I didn’t have to cut angles for this project but the diagonal lines at 30, 45, and 60 degrees plus the measurement marks in 1/8 inch increments make it easy to account for even the smallest details in a crafting or sewing project.

Once you’ve cut one inch strips all the way across the bag, open the bag up and use the TrueControl Knife to cut diagonally from the first cut line across the solid top to the second cut line. Continue joining each cut to the one diagonally across from it …

… until you have one long strip of plastic yarn.

I love using the TrueControl Knife for small details like this because it allows you so much control, just as the name says. It has a razor-sharp edge, a piercing tip, and a blade lock system that means the blade won’t turn or spin. That, combined with the cushioned grip and protective anti-roll design, allows great precision and accuracy along with safety and comfort. In addition to light plastic, it also cuts smoothly through cardstock, paper, canvas, and fabric.

And a feature I love? The TrueControl Knife has a patented hands-free blade changing system so you never have to touch the blade!

Tips for Making Plarn or Plastic Yarn

Before you start knitting, let me give you a few tips for making plarn.

Before you start cutting, be sure the bags are clean and dry. If you need to wash them, hang them to dry, turning inside out if needed.

Really flimsy grocery bags tear easily during the knitting process and super thick bags {like department store bags} are hard to knit with. Bags that are somewhat in between work best. A hint: if a bag tears easily while carrying groceries, skip it, and if it’s too thick to easily wad into a ball, skip it.

Don’t cut the strips much narrower than one inch. If you cut them thinner, you’ll lose some of the body in the knitting. You can experiment with cutting the strips a bit thicker but I wouldn’t go beyond two inches.

Using a sharp blade and long ruler, like those found in these Cricut accessories, make the job much easier.

How to Make a Plarn {Plastic Yarn} Coffee Cuff

Ready to get knitting?

With size 8 or 9 US knitting needles, cast on ten stitches.

Knit each row until you have enough rows to wrap around a cup …

… joining a new strand of plarn as needed by tying a knot along the edge or hiding it in the middle of a row.

When the piece is long enough to wrap around the cup, cast off, leaving a strand of plarn long enough to sew up the seam with a tapestry needle.

Sew the seam, weave the loose ends of plarn into the cuff, and slide the cuff onto your coffee cup for a recycled way to protect your hands from the heat!