A few posts ago, I showed you my very first attempt at tapestry crochet, in which I made a little “bowl”.
Well, I was not satisfied and went on to transform it into a little bag. I did not make the sides using tapestry crochet, but instead made little puff stitches – like the ones used in the infinity scarf which I posted about in my last post. Here it is – what do you think?
I love winter, and it is slowly on its way in 🙂 One of the things I love about winter is the clothes – those warm, soft & fluffy woolies, in which you wrap up tight. So, here is my first project in preparation for this season : the infinity scarf.
I love infinity scarves as they are so versatile and you can wear them in many ways.
For this one, I have used a variegated yarn by Katia which has a gold thread running through it, but you can use any yarn of your choice. As for stitch choice, I used the puff stitch because it forms double-sided bobbles that are both thick and fluffy – just what you want for your scarf.
This is a really easy project, and in case you have not made a puff stitch before, here is an explanation :
Step 1 : –Â Start by making a chain (Â it should be in multiples of 2 stitches plus 4) till it is as wide as you would like your scarf to be.
Step 2: – Once you have made the chain, yarn over hook and insert the hook into the 4th chain from hook. Yarn over again and draw up a loop. You should have three loops on your hook. ** Yarn over hook and insert the hook into the same 4th chain from hook. Yarn over again and draw up a loop. Repeat from ** once more. You should now have 7Â loops on the hook. (N.B. some people will even make puff stitches with 9 or 11 loops – it’s totally up to you – but I opted for 7.)
Step 3 : – Yarn over and draw the yarn through all the loops. This is your Puff Stitch.
Step 4: – With the loop pulled through the puff stitch, make a single chain to secure your Puff stitch.
Step 5: – Skip 1 chain stitch and make your next puff stitch in the next chain stitch. Repeat till you get to the end of the chain. You should end the row with a puff stitch.
Step 6: – At the end of your row, flip your work and make 3 chain stitches.
Step 7:- For all subsequent rows, make your puff stitches in the chain-1 space from the previous row.
Repeat till the scarf is as long as you like. Once done, I joined the last row to the initial row with slip stitches – but you can sew this if you prefer.
Enjoy!!
I came across this lovely pattern on a blog called Mille Makes and adapted it to make a stylish baby blanket:
Something Pretty – Free Pattern →
I lined it with flannel (that was quite challenging!), as the design has holes and you don’t want little fingers getting caught. This is also a fantastic way to use up any leftover yarn.
What do you think?
Here are some more booties I made. 😊
I modified the pattern from my earlier Cute Elmo Baby Booties → post and embroidered some little flowers all around to make them pretty.
What do you think?
Baby things are so cute, and these couldn’t be any cuter! What a great way to start baby’s shoe collection — I’m a firm believer that you can never have enough shoes! 😊
I made these using the Elmo Inspired Baby Booties pattern by Olivia Kent of Hopeful Honey.
Elmo Inspired Baby Booties – Free Pattern →
I am always on the lookout for new techniques and ideas when it comes to crochet and recently, I came across something called tapestry crochet. This technique will allow you to make the most beautiful and intricate designs – some can look very complex and you might think that they are for very experienced crocheters – but other than multiple colour changes, tapestry crochet is practically the same as normal crochet, using a single crochet as the main stitch, and using several colours of yarn at the same time. So give it a try!
Here is my first attempt where I wanted to get a feel of the technique – the pattern I made up as I went along. It’s a little bowl 🙂
If you’re new to tapestry crochet, this step-by-step Tapestry Crochet Tutorial → has some useful tips on carrying your yarn, changing colours and getting started with the technique.
Now – I’m off to start my next tapestry crochet project – so stay tuned….
I have fallen in love with this bag — so much so that I ended up making several more, with a few variations. Here they are!
If you’d like to make one yourself, you can find the pattern and my original tips in my Turquoise Sturdy Handbag post →
With ribbon :
2 colours :
With a wide shoulder strap
Did I mention I love bags? Well, I couldn’t help making this one and I am very pleased with how it turned out. I will be making more in different colours…..and maybe even mixing colours up a bit 🙂
The free Daisy Fields Market Tote pattern by Dorianna of The Lavender Chair can be found here:
Daisy Fields Market Tote – Free Pattern →
TIP: While the pattern calls for chunky cotton yarn, you can also crochet this using two strands of DK acrylic and a 6.5mm hook. It will take almost 4 × 50g balls.
TIP 2: I cut out a piece of cardboard in the shape of the base of the bag (from a shoebox I was going to throw away), covered it with a nice fabric, and placed it inside the bag. That way, the base stays flat. It isn’t sewn in, so you can easily remove it before washing the bag.
I love bags ! And when I came across this gorgeous bag by Christine Bateman – I could not resist! It’s so very cute! And a fantastic use for left over yarn. For the lining, I used a ready made fabric tote bag – which I adjusted to the correct size, however, it is not as stiff as I would like – so next time, I will try a hessian type stiff bag as suggested in the design.
Here is the pattern I used for the bag, designed by CatsWhiskers Crochet:
The Jackfield Tile Tote Bag – Pattern →
Please note that the pattern is now a paid pattern on Ravelry.
Do you remember those plastic bag/baskets which had holes and used to be quite popular for carrying grocery shopping?- It’s baskets like the green one shown below that I remember seeing commonly used by housewives doing their grocery shopping at the corner grocer shop. Today, there are very few little grocers left – being replaced by the large supermarkets or chains of mini-marts. Also, few people have baskets like this – often opting for totes or other branded shopping bags which you can buy from the supermarket when checking out.
This bag is inspired by the plastic one above. I have lined it as well so that it stays sturdy, but this is not a requirement. But if you do line it, then it’s perfect for carrying a laptop and notebooks/books. Here is my bag:
I used Katia’s multicolour cotton yarn (Funny rainbow star) for this using a 3.0mm hook. You will need approximately 100g. The instructions are written using US terms.
Abbreviations:
CH – chain stitch
SlSt -Slip Stitch
SC – single crochet
HDC – half double crochet
DC – double crochet
TR – triple crochet
Bag Body
CH 101
Row 1 – 100 HDC in front loop of each chain starting from the 2nd chain.
Row 2 – 100 HDC in back loop of each chain and SlSt into the 1st HDC made in Row 1.
Row 3 – CH 2, DC in each HDC all the way round , joining with a SlSt into the 2nd chain you started this row with.
Rows 4-5 – Repeat Row 3.
Row 6 –Â CH 2, DC 4, (CH 3, skip 2 stitches) x 30 times. 10DC, (CH 3, skip 2 stitches) x 30 times, 5 DC, and join with SlSt into 2nd chain you started this Row with.
Rows 7-10 – repeat Row 6.
Row 11 – CH 2, 199 DC all the way round and join with SlSt.
Rows 12-16 – repeat Row 6.
Row 17 – Repeat Row 11.
Rows 18-22 – repeat Row 6.
Row 23 – repeat Row 11.
Rows 24-28 – Repeat Row 6.
Row 29 – Repeat Row 11.
Rows 30-34 – Repeat Row 6.
Row 35-36 – Repeat Row 11. Cast off.
Lining
I took some cream coloured cotton fabric and cut and sewed it into a bag that would fit. Then, I sewed it to the crochet bag at the bottom, and also at intervals – I chose to do so through Rows 11, 17. 23 and 29, making sure as much as possible that there are no creases in the fabric inside bag and it sits straight. Fold the top of the bag over the inner fabric bag and sew along the edge.
To finish this off nicely, using a very small hook (I used a 1.1 mm), 200 SC over the top and into the fabric all the way round the rim of the bag. SlSt to close and cast off.
Button flap
I’ve used a double crochet method to have a nice and sturdy flap. This is how it’s done:
Using the 3.0 mm hook, skip 38 SC from previous step.
Step 1 – 26 SC in back loop of SCs from the Lining Instructions above. Turn.
Step 2 – CH 1, 26 SC through front loop of SC just made + loop which you didn’t use from the previous SC (lining Instructions). Turn.
Repeat Step 2 until the flap measure 6 cm.
Now, we will make the button hole.
Step 3 – CH1, 11 SC (through front loop of previous SC + loop from the row before), CH4, 11SC (through front loop of previous SC + loop from the row before). Turn
Step 4 – CH 1, 11 SC (through front loop of previous SC + loop from the row before), 4 SC in back loop of CHs , 11 SC (through front loop of previous SC + loop from the row before). Turn.
Repeat Step 2 twice. Cast-off.
Find an appropriately sized button and sew it onto the bag, making sure that it lines up with the button hole.
Strap
I decided to make a braided strap. To do this, crochet 3 cords measuring around 70 cm as follows:
In a magic ring, 3CH, 6 DC. Join to 3 CH with SlSt.
Repeat 3 CH, 6 DC, join to 2CH with SlSt – until cord measures around 70 cm.
Once you have made 3 cords, braid them – securing them by sewing together along the way, so make sure they don’t unravel. Then sew each end of the braid to opposite ends on the inside of the opening of the bag.
FlowerÂ
Here is how to crochet the flower:
Step 1 – In a magic ring, CH3, 12 DC, and close by joining with SlSt.
Step 2 – Repeat (CH 4, skip 1 DC, SlSt into the next Stitch) all the way round – you should have 6 loops.
Step 3 – Repeat (CH 5, skip 1 DC, SlSt into the same Stitch as in step before this) all the way round.
Step 4 – Repeat (CH 6, skip 1 DC, SlSt into the same Stitch as in step before this) all the way round.
Step 5 – Working in the 4 Ch loops formed in Step 2, Repeat (SlSt into loop, SC, DC, SC, SlSt) in each 4 chain loop. Close by SlSt into first SC.
Step 6 – Working in the 5 Ch loops formed in Step 3, Repeat (SlSt into loop, SC, DC, TR,DC, SC, SlSt) in each 5 chain loop. Close by SlSt into first SC.
Step 7 – Working in the 6 Ch loops formed in Step 4, Repeat (SlSt into loop, SC, DC, 2TR, DC, SC, SlSt) in each 6 chain loop. Close by SlSt into first SC. Cast off.
Sew the flower onto the bag.
