Sleeping Mats

On Tuesday I dropped off sleeping mat numbers 13 - 17.  That is 17 mats in total made in 16 months!!

Hopefully it means 17 people getting a slightly warmer, slightly more comfortable nights sleep.

I'd like to thank Sam from West Victoria Homeless Support Group who provided me with a peg loom to use to make the mats.  The mats made using the loom were a lot quicker compared to the first three that I crocheted.

At the moment there is another mat that is in progress, it is being completed by a Year 2 class of boys at Tintern Grammar.  Mrs G has got the boys weaving a mat so they too can help someone that is sleeping rough.  Thank you Tintern Grammar for taking on this project as well.

Plastic Bag Mats for the Homeless

The other week I was scrolling through Facebook and a post jumped out regarding these mats.

Plastic bag Mats for the Homeless.

What You Need to get started:
500-700 plastic shopping bags (for a person-sized mat, but can vary depending on what you're using the mat for)10 mm or larger Crochet hook Scissors

Instructions:

Flatten the plastic bag to best you can and straighten any of the bags creases

Cut off the handles and the bottom seam so that you're left with a rectangle. This can then be cut into four strips that become loops when opened up.

After you have lots of loops, hook them together with a basic larks head knot. This is done by overlapping two of the loops end-to-end, then pulling the top of one end through the middle intersection of the two loops. Repeat this step.

From here you can start to crochet! You'll need approximately 42 chain stitches, and then continue to crochet until you arrive at your desired length.

Recycle the scrap plastic at your local grocery store to ensure that nothing is wasted.

Approximate size of the finished mat is 3' x 6' or 90 cm x 180 cm.

If you would like to join the group here is the link

Special Thanks go to Deniz for starting this project, I am helping by making mats and spreading the word about this great initiative.