Remembering polybag recycled rug of 1986

As i promised ......

in my previous post, i describe the method of recycling the polubags into making yarn and how to crocheted rug out of yarn (by recall method, my beautiful rug is still in my mind it was very beautiful and unique to look at)...

These rugs resemble my first polybag rug in shape and somewhat looks; instead mine was of very pastel colours. I dig out this photograph from net.

Method making poly bag yarn

Lay recycled bag flat, cut off the bottom seam (see illus; a to b) and handles (c to d). draw diagonal lines as shown in illus above.

When all the polybags, has been reduced to strips fold each individual strip into small-small bundles.

Next step is conversion of strips into polybag yarn: take a bundle open it, fold the outside edges, a and b (see illus below) toward the central dotted line, (like single fold bias tape) and begin to roll them individually into balls. When you come near the end of the strip sandwich the end point of another strip and fold like the previous part of the strip as shown in the illus above and below.

By rolling it into a ball, you effectively press the poly material into place by the time you get ready to crochet with it.

You will need a size J metal hook.

Begin by making a chain for the foundation. Start your work with measuring the chains as per your desired mat/rug size (I made 14 inches, and chains to accommodate for this size). Leave a tail of yarn (big enough to be sandwiched while crocheting the 1^st round of mat). The entire rug is worked in single crochet (sc).

After making chains of your desired length, turn and skip chain and make 3 sc in next st (one end of the rug started).

Round 1^st --------Working with one loop only of foundation chain, make 1 sc in each st down one side; make 3 sc in other end and work 1 sc in each st back to the 1^st sc.Join the round with slip stitch on 1^st sc of 3 sc.

Round 2^nd ---------Make 2 sc in each of the 3 end sc’s of previous round on each end 1 sc in each sc along the sides.

Rounds 3 and 4------- It’s safe to say you can make 2 sc in each end sc on each end sc on rounds 3 and 4, but after that you have to “feel” your way along for the increases. As the rug increases in size try to keep from making increases directly over those of the previous row...stagger them a bit. Proceed all the coming rounds using your excretion for perfect shape, till your desired size of the rug.

On the final round, try to make it around without any increases...more often than not this works and makes a nice finished edge.

When the rug is at the size you desire, finish off by slip stitching in the next stitch (you can do 2 of these if you like over the next 2 sts). Then use your hook to pull the tail end through some of the stitches on the back of the rug.

If you wish you can leave the rug unbaked (I used backing for my rug after several years of use I unravel the backing and my rug was as new as I made it years back but again I made backing for the worn-out/used side, that’s why it had a very… very…. longer life) , so that it is reversible. If you prefer to add a backing cut Hussein or any old cloth to the rug size plus 1cm. ( ½" ) all round. Lay the backing over the wrong side of the rug, turn in the backing edges about 2 cm. ( ¾" ) so the edges will be hidden on the right side and slip stitch the backing in place all round the edge of the rug. Backing saves the back side of your rug, so that you can use the rug as new one again after the right side’s wear and tear stage.

This makes your rug ready; you can place them where you want. Where mats are placed on linoleum the floor immediately beneath them should not be polished, otherwise they will slip when steeped on and may cause accidents. On carpeted floors, in particular, dust quickly accumulates underneath mats, and for this reason the latter should always be removed when the carpet is swept.

don't use poly bags,in case you have to recycle them for making other useful items.

try to stick to the phrase"say no to poly bags" practically.

try to help make Mother Earth a beautiful place to live in!