What you’re seeing is part of a viral upcycling/craft trend that keeps resurfacing on TikTok, Instagram, and DIY blogs—usually under ideas like “Dollar Tree hacks,” “plarn crafts,” or plastic cord weaving.
The specific project you’re referring to (plastic colanders + cord/weaving) is basically this pattern:
- People take cheap plastic colanders from dollar stores (like Dollar Tree/Dollar Tree-style stores) (Dollar Tree Same Day Delivery)
- They thread or weave cord, yarn, or “plarn” (plastic yarn made from bags) through the holes
- The result becomes decor like:
- hanging baskets
- lampshades
- wall art
- “boho” style organizers or planters
This is why it’s suddenly everywhere again: it’s visually satisfying, cheap, and very “algorithm-friendly” DIY content.
A closely related trend that helped fuel this is the broader plastic cord / weaving craft movement, where everyday plastic materials (bags, cord, strips) are braided into functional items like baskets, mats, or decor pieces (The Cool Down).
Why it keeps going viral
- Dollar-store materials are extremely cheap ($1–$2 items)
- The finished pieces look way more expensive than they are
- It fits the “sustainable/upcycling” aesthetic
- Easy short-video transformation content (before → after)
Reality check
A lot of these viral versions are more decorative than durable. They look great for shelves or walls, but they’re not always strong enough for heavy use unless reinforced.
If you want, I can show:
- the exact step-by-step for the colander + cord version
- or the most popular variations people are making right now (lamp, planter, wall decor, etc.)
