Milton woman crochets mats for homeless from plastic bags

BAGDAD — For the last six years, Barbara Craig of Milton has crocheted 6-by-3 mats for the homeless out of plastic grocery bags. She brings them to her church, St. Mary’s Episcopal, and also to Ferris Hill Baptist Church where they go to those in need in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.

Made of plastic, the mats act as insulation between the person and the ground.

"It keeps the dampness off," Craig said.

Over 1,000 bags go into making each mat. It takes Craig about three weeks to make one and she averages one mat per month, she said.

"It saves the landfill," she said.

The process involves folding each back multiple times, then making about three cuts resulting in loops of plastic. Craig ties the loops together then uses the single-stitch crochet technique to put the mats together.

Not all of each bag goes into the mat. The leftover pieces Craig takes to the grocery store for recycling.

Craig receives grocery bags from five to six people at the Bagdad Community Center and the same number from St. Mary’s, she said.

Those interested in Craig’s work can reach her during her Thursday shift at the Shoppe at St. Mary’s, 6849 Oak St.

Contact the shop at stmarysmilton@aol.com or 623-2905.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton woman crochets mats for homeless from plastic bags