Crochet Sleeping Mats for Unhoused Folks, Using Plastic Grocery Bags

It takes 500-700 plastic bags to complete a sleeping mat that measures 6 feet by 2.5 feet. These are very useful items for people who must sleep on the ground. Come and get started this month!

• Bring clean and dry plastic grocery bags to any events you attend at the Humanist Community Center. The bags we can use are the ones you get a the grocery store check out.
• Make plarn (plastic yarn) from plastic bags. This is an easy first step in starting a mat and anyone can do it, even if you don't want to crochet! You can make balls of plarn with the group or at home and pass them along to the people who crochet.
• Crochet the plarn into mats. Using a 10mm or 11mm crochet hook is recommended for this project, so if you have one, please bring it along! Hooks are available to use or purchase for those who don't have one. If any previous class attendees have finished or partially done mats, please bring them to drop off or continue working on.

Ask about other fabric craft activities, such as heat relief bandanas and water bottle koozies, that you can learn to make too! You can even make a plarn mat using a weaving loom!

Families are encouraged to attend! Children can contribute to the project by learning and working as a team with their grownups.

The completed mats and other projects, along with hygiene items and needed essentials, are donated to the Human Services Campus every month. Thank you for giving to our neighbors in need.

Here is a video explaining the project from beginning to end.

There are different ways to hold the crochet hook and different stiches you can use. It's just a matter of comfort and control. If you are learning to crochet, many videos are available to get you started. You can also learn several different techniques from the teachers in the group. We look forward to seeing you there!

Here is a video tutorial on single crochet stitch for beginners.

Feel free to bring your beverage of choice, and if you'd like to share some snacks, it's always appreciated!