Crochet graffiti is a fun craft that repurposes and recycles everyday household items into strands of crochet thread/string. The strands are then crocheted into usable items such as baskets, placemats, handbags and hats.
Make yards of crochet thread by cutting newspaper, paper bags, wrapping paper, packaging paper and/or plastic bags into long strips. Roll the paper strips into long strands. Turn the strip so the long edge is on a vertical axis. Roll the bottom right hand corner at a diagonal across the strip. Continue to roll the strip into a long strand. Overlap a second paper strip approximately 2-inches from the end. Continue to roll the strips. The overlap will hold the strips together to create a long strand. Roll the strand into a ball for later use.
Plastic strips are connected together using a loop method. Fold the end of the strip up approximately 1 ½-inches. Cut a slit in the center of the fold ½-inch long. Repeat the process with the remaining ends. Connect the strips by opening the end on one strip. Insert the end of a second strip through the slit on the first. Pull the inserted strip through the hole approximately 6-inches. Now, take the opposite end of the second strip and insert it in the top slit in the same strip. Gently pull the second strip until it forms a loop around the first. Continue to pull the strip until it forms a knot flush with the plastic. Roll the plastic into balls for later use.
Crochet the balls of paper or plastic strips using a single, half double, double or triple crochet stitch. The process to crochet the strips is the same as using yarn. Use a crochet hook large enough to accommodate the width of the strip.
Practice making a placement or table runner as your first project. Use a size J or larger crochet hook. Create a chain that is the desired length. Add one more chain. Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and each stitch across. Chain 1 and turn. Single crochet across the row. Continue this process until the placemat or table runner is the desired length. When using plastic, the piece is now complete. When using newspaper, spray the entire surface of the placemat or table runner with 5 to 10 coats of acrylic spray sealer. Allow 15 minutes between coats. The acrylic spray sealer helps to protect the paper for cleaning with a damp cloth.