Plastic Bag Leis

Preparing your bag yarn

Step 2 – Cut off the bottom and handles

Step 3 – Cut your bag into strips (about 1 inch is good – the strips don’t have to be perfect)

Repeat Steps 1-3 with other bags

Step 4 – Make a loop chain

Step 5 – Wind into a ball

Learn to finger weave

Step 2 – Weave the plarn in and out between your fingers.

Trouble shooting – the plarn should be loose enough to manipulate the loops. If the loops pinch your fingers, the weaving is too tight. Try spreading your fingers apart as you weave to encourage bigger loops.

Step 3 – Loop the plarn all the way around your pinkie finger and continue to weave between your fingers in the opposite direction.

Step 4 – Loop the plarn all the way around your first finger and continue to weave between your fingers in the opposite direction. When you reach the end repeat Step 3.

Step 5 – Carefully pull the bottom loop on your first finger up and over the back of your finger. The top loop should remain on your finger.

Repeat Step 5 with the remaining bottom loops on each finger. At this point you should have one loop on each finger. Push them down to make room for the next row of weaving.

Step 6 – Loop the plarn around your first finger and repeat Steps 2-3. Then work the bottom loops over the backs of your fingers (Steps 5-6).

Repeat Step 6 until your finger weaving chain is the desired necklace length.

Trouble shooting – Snack break! If you need to set your work aside, carefully pull the loops off of your fingers and push a pen through the openings to hold your place. When you’re ready to start again, place the loops back on your fingers. Remember! The working yarn should be next to the loop on your first finger.

Binding Off Your Finger Weaving

Step 2 – Transfer the remaining ring finger loop to the top of your middle finger. Pull the bottom loop on the middle finger up and over the back of the finger.

Step 3 – Transfer the remaining middle finger loop to the top of the first finger. Pull the bottom loop on the first finger up and over the back of the finger. This leaves you with one loop on the ring finger.

Step 4 – Leaving a few inches of string, cut your working string. Pull the last loop off of your finger and insert the working string through your loop.

Step 5 – Tie the tail of the working string to the other end of the chain and secure with a knot.

Trouble shooting – Don’t be too hard on yourself if your braid looks lumpy or if the loops are uneven. Practice makes perfect!

To watch a video of finger weaving in action try: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3LKAlDz9ig