Green Watch
Knitter finds a novel use for old bags
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| Jenny Shurgold with one of the bags she has knitted using plastic shopping bags |
OLD plastic bags have been given a new lease of life - thanks to the handiwork of a keen north Hampshire knitter.
Instead of throwing used old plastic bags away, Jenny Shurgold, of South Lea, Cliddesden, has been saving them up and knitting them together to create large, strong, reusable bags.
As well as being kind to the environment, the knitted bags are pleasant on the eye, as different coloured plastics are used to make each one.
Mrs Shurgold, 67, said: "I just thought it was terrible to have to throw so many plastic bags away after they've been used a few times, so I thought I'd try knitting them together to see if I could make them into something. The bags are nice and colourful, as well as strong."
To make the knitted bags, Mrs Shurgold chops off the handles and bottom of each plastic bag and then cuts the rest into one long continuous strip of plastic, a few centimetres wide.
Only non-biodegradable plastic bags can be used, as biodegradable ones won't last.
Once the plastic has been knitted together, Mrs Shurgold uses coloured wool to stitch the different pieces that make up the bag together.
The bags have proved so popular with the pensioner's friends and neighbours that she has already sold several of them, and is now looking for more plastic bag donations so she can knit some more.
"I've been given up to £5 for each bag, but I've given all the money to charity as I'm only using things that would otherwise be thrown away," she said.
10:56am Friday 22nd February 2008
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CommentPosted by: Jacqueline Walker on 8:18pm Fri 22 Feb 08
Although this is a good idea it is not an original one. Costello Technology held a competition last year for original items knitted from plastic bags, some of which are on display in the Art Block.
Instructions for knitting items from plastic bags can be found on the internet.
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Although this is a good idea it is not an original one. Costello Technology held a competition last year for original items knitted from plastic bags, some of which are on display in the Art Block.
Instructions for knitting items from plastic bags can be found on the internet.
Posted by: Patricia Sovell, Basingstoke on 12:36am Sun 24 Feb 08
Of course its not an original idea, its just a brilliant one. Well done to Mrs Shurgold for making something beautiful out of a load of old rubbish!
Of course its not an original idea, its just a brilliant one. Well done to Mrs Shurgold for making something beautiful out of a load of old rubbish!
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