Crocheted Plarn Mat and Basket

crocheted plarn mat - bottom of crocheted cotton yarn basket

*Using plarn and crochet cotton yarn, basket is worked in rounds and using single and double crochet.

Difficulty: Easy

Materials:   About 6 plastic bags:  grocery store, or other store plastic bags

Scissors (very sharp), crochet hooks: size I/9 (5.50MM) or J/10                                         (6.00MM

          I skein of cotton crochet yarn I used this.  

          1 Stitch marker

          Optional: plastic liner for inside of basket

Stitches Used:

Single crochet (sc)

Double crochet (dc)

Preparation:  Cut plastic bags into plarn. See my video tutorial  for explanantion:

  Cut off the bags’ bottom and handles

  

                          Cut into ½ inch to 1 inch wide strips

  

                              knot the plastic strips together

  All knotted and ready to crochet with

Be sure to check the video for further explanation!

Basket Pattern:

Round 1: Crochet 3 or 4 chains. Join with a slip stitch

Round 2: Single crochet in each chain.

Round 3:  *Single crochet in single crochet, then 2 single crochet in next chain, continue around. There is no joining b/c we will crochet in the round.

Continue pattern until circle is the width you want for your basket.

Round 1: Join yarn to plarn and sc  around the circle.

Round 2: Sc around the circle.

Round 3: Dc crochet in each sc around the circle.

***If you want to change colors you can do so. **

Round 4: Continue round 3 alternating 2 rows of dc with 2 rows of single crochet until your basket is the height you desire.

Until next time

~~ Keep the Peace~ ~

Cheryl                                        

Tutorial: Adding A Lining to Crocheted Handbags

This is  a first (let me remind you first written) crochet tutorial of how I add linings to my crocheted handbags. I believe it is simple enough but always welcome questions and comments.

Laying out for measuring:

                The materials pictured below  are old (well let's say well used). After my son starting walking I got back into my sewing. I have a hem gauge I use because it is flat and has every measurement marking (1/4 inch and 1/2 inch) that I use for cutting out my material. I use the marking pen (which washes away) or the tailor's chalk to make my markings. The scissors I use are (I believe the best) Gingher pinking shears. (Yes they are older than my 21 yr old son. Pinking shears because it keeps the cotton (and other materials edges neat and from unraveling (unless you want to sew extra seams) and I don't. I also use a yardstick.


  

 

Marking:

Just in the picture above, you see my cutting board (plastic), a yard of Pellon interfacing (or your brand choice) and a yard of your choice of lining material. For this particular crocheted handbag I used the satin material instead of cotton. Both this material and cotton are great to use.   

I used my marking items (pen or chalk ) and make little markings all around the handbag. I use my yardstick to connect the dots. Then I use the pinking shears to cut out both materials. I need to say that the interfacing keeps the material from sliding around while you are cutting and sewing the material.

I use interfacing for most of my linings now to give it more body so I bought the medium weight interfacing. I laid the handbag on top of the  material and the material top of the interfacing. Then I made my markings of 2 sets: From the top,sides and bottom of the handbag mark 1/4" and then 1/2 inch on both sides and the bottom. The 1/4 inch will be an extra sew (safeguard if you will) while the 1/2 inch is the sew for the lining and to fit the bag.

Machine Settings:

Now to sew on the 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch markings on both
sides of course and the bottom.














I tuck the material right up to 1 inch below the material. There is minimal bulk. You can even press the material down with a low setting iron for a crisper edge. I generally don't have to.
 














    I then use the blind sewing stitch to attach the lining to the handbag.   This site gives a good blind stitch hand sewing tutorial.

Using the blind sewing stitch to attach the lining to the crocheted handbag

 

How the blind stitch looks just under the lining attached to the handbag

        TIP
  I hand stitch the bottom seam to the bottom of the bag. Right in the seam. Makes it very nice to pull something from your handbag and not have the whole lining be pulled up and   out of  the bag as well.

 

Tip for sewing the lining to my crocheted shell stitch cotton handbag.

Crocheted shell-stitch handbag with wooden handles

Until the next time ~ Keep the Faith and Plenty of Yarn!

~Cheryl

Crocheted Bucket Handbag

Hi All:

In my perfect world I would spend all day crocheting (well along with caring for my plants and reading from my Kindle) but other duties call. I began crocheting a new handbag design about a month and a half ago. Due to 2 finals, all of my crochet went into hibernation until a couple of week ago. Crocheting handbags are really interesting to me since there are so many crocheted handbag shapes to explore. Finding an unusual shape is always half the fun of crocheting. That was one of the reasons I learned crochet, I can add or subtract any detail to the crocheted project. So here is the beginnings of the bucket bag or purse. Can you guess why this shape is great? Yep you guessed it you can fit the kitchen sink in it, well at least a pile of dishes. Lots of room. If you are like me it has to have room for many things. This carries in addition to the "usual ladies items" my Kindle, small notebook, Ipod and a crocheted shrug (they fold up to nothing). I wanted 2 colors of the Autumn/Winter hues. On the left is a rust color and on the right a mixture of greens,gold,orange and beige. Wasn't sure how it would work but "Viola"..... the texture was perfect. I used a H crochet hook and when finished it is almost like a canvas material. Stiff yet flexible. This is where my crocheting so tightly comes in handy.  I could not have been happier!  I love handbags but they have got to stand the test of time and the many things I carry.



















Discovered this "tweed-like" look of yarn and loved the way it does look like a tweed material when crocheted. The greens,browns,gold and a hint of burnt-orange specks leave room for various colors to add so I went with a burnt-orange yarn.  Had thought about a burgundy which I feel would have worked just as well.

 

Of course if need be this photo is showing the bucket bag packed with 4 skeins of yarn. (I forgot I always carry a crochet project to work on. (I even have the hooks and hardware down at the bottom of the bag.

 I set the bag to the side for about 2 weeks while I tried  choosing several wooden handles. They just didn't seem to fit this bag. Then while watching Knitting Daily I found my answer. They featured a segment Twisted Cord Handle Tutorial .   Great it worked except I needed to really add lots more yarn strands. This cord measured 31" from tip to tip. To give it a little more stiffness I sprayed the cord with the Aleene's Stiffen Quick spray. Still soft but stiffer. The challenge came with how to attach the cord to the loops I crocheted at the top. It took some working but got it just right. I looped each piece individually (yes time consuming) then sprayed with the Stiffen Quick. I had almost decided to use the metal holders but felt that distracted from the look I wanted. Last sprayed the entire bag with Scotch Guard.




Until next time Keep the Faith and Plenty of Yarn!

~Cheryl