Crocheted Market Bag – Work in Progress

I started a new project today, in part to use up the last half of a ball of yarn. I really like the colors a lot, they make me happy, and I want to make sure it doesn’t end up forgotten at the bottom of a box.

I don’t have a pattern, yet again.

I started the bottom with the Magic Circle for the bottom and I’m stitching out from there. I believe I made 10 sc after the initial ch 2. Each successive row (circle?) starts with an extra ch and then 2 sc in each sc from there. I’m doing it in sc because it’s the bottom of the bag and I want it to be sturdy, not stretchy.

And I’m being tacky (frugal?) by using a paperclip as a stitch marker.

I’m not counting rows because this pattern doesn’t need to be precise, plus I’m making it up as I go! I’ll just stop when it looks like it’s big enough to be a decent sized bag. I’ll report in when I make up my mind what happens after that.

Crocheted Headband and Two Washcloths

Snazzy title I know.

I made another washcloth based on the pattern I used before although this one turned out markedly better. Because I’m still a newbie, there are still a few imperfections, and I’m okay with that since I am getting better.

This time it’s nearly square and most of the stitches are how they should be.

Mostly I’m just pleased that I can write and follow my own patterns!

Next I made a smaller “face” washcloth without the hanging loop. This was done without a pattern and I just gauged an appropriate size.

Lastly, I made a headband. This was partly just to use up the last of the yarn and partly because it seemed like a good addition to a spa package. Again, this was done without much of a pattern. I didn’t do too shabby using up the yarn; I only had about 10″ left!

A Non-Pattern Pattern for a Crocheted Headband

ch 7

Row 1 – 29: *row of sc, ch 3 (counts as first tc), tc to the end*

sc to the middle of row 29 then create a chain roughly 10″ long, tie off end

This creates a wide headband that is adjustable and stretchy. I have it tied on at the right size but it stretches enough that I won’t have to adjust it again.

Crocheted Soap Saver

This month, I’m participating in a bath/spa swap from craftster and I wanted to make my partner several crocheted items. She has expressed a love for them although she herself can’t knit or crochet. I’m always happy to have an excuse to try the things I haven’t yet!

The first item I set out to make was a soap saver, or soap sock, for the Dr. Bronner’s Soap I’m sending her as well. We’re both big lavender fans so of course I bought one for myself too.

I searched high and low online for a good (i.e. readable and doable) pattern. Several that I found were completely incomprehensible or just plain had a ton of errors.

Finally, I decided to try making my own version since I had tried 4 patterns by this point and none of them were working right.

This pattern should work for many kinds of soap as the Dr. Bronner’s is quite large (roughly 4″x2 1/2″x1″).

I made it using some acrylic yarn I had in my stash, worsted weight, because it has less of a chance of getting moldy with the soap. Acrylic yarn has the added benefit of being a “scrubby” surface.

Soap Sock/Saver

Finished size: roughly 4″x3″, empty

G Hook

ch 20

Row 1: sc

Row 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc) * dc, ch 1, skip one sc* to end

Row 3: sc

Row 4 – 15: row of dc, row of sc, repeat row 2

Row 16 – 20: sc

Row 21 – 32: row of sc, row of dc, repeat row 2

Row 33: sc

Row 34: repeat row 2

Row 35: sc, do not bind off

finishing: fold the long rectangle in half lengthwise and stitch together using sc, including across the bottom. when you reach the other side, bind off. make a chain at least 20″ long using sc, or longer if you desire; thread chain through eyelets across the top and insert soap.

If you find any errors or problems with this pattern, please let me know!

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License.

Learning to Crochet

I’ve spent the last week teaching myself to crochet. I wanted to start with something simple but useful, so I chose a washcloth.

I don’t think I did too shabby for a first try, and without a pattern and very little instruction from anyone.

Obviously it’s not exactly square, even though I bound the edges, but it works!

I used Peaches & Creme yarn (don’t remember the color) and only needed about half the ball for the one washcloth. Honestly, I just picked the color because it made me happy.

Here’s the pattern I came up with as I went along:

Washcloth

Finished size: roughly 6″x6″

G Hook

chain 35, or customize to the size washcloth you desire

Row 1: dc

Row 2: sc

Row 3 – 18: continue alternating rows of dc and sc, this gives stretchiness with stability

edging: sc around the entire washcloth; when you reach the corner on which you started the edging, create a short chain (mine was 20 ch) and close loop back onto the cloth; bind off.

I did end up with several imperfect stitches and rows although I’m sure the next washcloth will be better.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License.