Many photos of mats were copied with permission from Crocheted Mats For Homeless, a US group which has distributed 2,000+ sleeping mats.
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About
Plastic bags may be used to make portable sleeping surfaces. The production of the sleeping mat has many benefits:
provides an insulating layer and warmth for people sleeping on the ground
mat is light, comfortable, easy to clean, and deters insects
reuses single use plastic bags that are easy to find
quick process to learn, and varied steps permit participation from most age groups
may be produced individually at home, even during a pandemic
provides something productive to do with free time particularly when required to stay indoors, provides a break from online schooling, stimulates the brain
may be produced by a group as social outlet
very inexpensive - just the cost of the crochet hook!
The sleeping mat is made from plastic bags and is an insulating layer from the ground, helps to protect from cold or hard surfaces, and retain body heat while sleeping. Bed bugs and lice don’t like them, and when they get dirty may be easily hosed off and shaken out and will then dry quickly. The completed size is about 2.5 x 6 feet, and may be used by people experiencing homelessness, campers, etc. With the accompanying strap, these lightweight mats can easily be carried over a person’s shoulder easing mobility. About 700 retail and outer milk plastic bags are reused for each mat, which is great for the environment. The process of flattening, cutting strips, looping together, and crocheting is quick to learn and the varied steps permit an increasing difficult skill set allowing young children through to seniors participating. The steps may be done individually at home, perhaps while watching television, and are virus safe when bags are quarantined before processing. Some people have more free time during a pandemic or need a break from online learning, and this inexpensive activity provides a productive break while stimulating the brain. The mats need to be functional, not perfect!!
The website and Facebook group are intended to work together to empower donors and volunteers to make sleeping mats. The website contains detailed information on the process, and the Facebook group is where members come together to share information, and find other members in their area who would like to help with some of the steps.
Background: This initiative is a good consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic! During the summer of 2020, Kathy Kibble was looking for something to do while watching television, so she was re-taught how to crochet by her sister-in-law, after not picking up a crochet hook since her teens. While in the process of crocheting cotton dish cloths, Kathy saw a post in a Facebook group from a woman who was asking for plastic bags. The donated bags were going to be crocheted to become sleeping mats for people experiencing homelessness. Kathy jumped on board this initiative and produced her first sleeping mat in the late fall of 2020. Unfortunately, Kathy found that her wrists became sore. Fortunately, she saw the many benefits and wanted to ensure that sleeping mats continued to be made in her community. This resulted in the creation of the website and Bags to Sleeping Mats Facebook group. These sites were promoted on several of her local Facebook groups, where some media noticed them. As the media promoted them, more members joined the Facebook group from across Canada and the US. As the interest grows, additional local Facebook groups are being created. Take a look at Contacts for the current list.
