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

Fall Crocheted Ponchos

Although I am still finishing up some  summer crocheting ‬ I am already thinking about new ponchos. I love them for the Fall, comfortable,light yet warm and stylish.

Getting some patterns together for them

Crocheted mesh stitch with yarn and ribbon yarn.

 

Super soft crocheted poncho with ribbon yarn accent. Fringe made of ribbon yarn.

Until Next time keep the faith and plenty of yarn,

~ Cheryl

Crocheted Plain Trellis Stitch Head Wrap Pattern

 Some that may have followed some of my crocheting know that I love hats, facsinators and head wraps........Getting a chance to use my vintage bone crochet hook to crochet something was enjoyable. I have just about every color head wrap except gold. Gold really brightens up your skin, face and adds a nice touch to any outfit....I am a jeans person in the winter but more dresses in the summer.

How to Crochet the Trellis Stitch

Pattern:
 
Row 1: Crochet the single foundation chain. (If you forgot how here is my Foundation Single Crochet stitch .

  Work over a multiple of 4 chains plus 2. (Basically crochet enough chains as to how wide you want your head wrap to be on your head). (I always make a couple more chains then what I think I will need, because with crochet thread it is thinner and folds nicely. For mine I crocheted seventy chains.

Foundation - Row 2  Single crochet to the end of the row. crochet one chain then turn. 
Foundation  - Row  3: 1 sc into the 6th ch from hook *ch 5, sk ch3, 1 sc  into next ch, rep from * to end, turn.

Row 4 - *Ch 5, 1 sc into next ch 5 sp; rep from * to end, turn.

Rep Row 4 for length desired.

If you have any questions please post in comment section.

Thank you. Enjoy~

Until the next time keep the Faith and plenty of yarn!

~ Cheryl

Crochet Pattern Project Update

Crochet thread and vintage crochet hook

Crochet pattern

Finally had a chance to try out my vintage crochet hook (more about that in my next blog post). For the crochet head wrap pattern I wanted a very lightweight yarn for the summer months, yet one that would have a stiffness to hold my hair. 

I also wanted to use a stitch to allow comfort and finally worked that out well  too. Pattern and Youtube tutorial next post.

 I have two projects on the hooks. This yarn is my absolute favorite...silky,yet strong just enjoyable to work with. Of course I had to choose this color. This pattern should work up pretty quickly but being for a top, it is worked in a totally different manner. (More of that on the next blog post).

Crochet pattern for a top.