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Year: 2010

Crocheted Baby Poncho

Cindy1 Comment


Check out this cute baby poncho project I recently crocheted. This pattern is fantastic and works up so quickly with no seams to sew when you finish. Aggie May’s free poncho pattern makes about a 2T child’s size poncho using a G (4.25 mm) crochet hook. You could add additional stitches in your beginning row to make a larger size.

My poncho has 16 rows before the trim and it’s 16″ long at center from the top. 19″ across the top of shoulders. In case you are wondering, the yarn is some 100% mercerized cotton I found at my local thrift store. I used about 350 yards of the cotton to crochet the poncho.


Click to supersize the closeup photo above. I crocheted around the neckline to create eyelets for a drawstring closure. I worked a SC and chain 2 in each stitch around the neck opening. I then just made a long chain and threaded it through the eyelets to complete my drawstring. And that’s it — The poncho is finished!

Go Green Items

Cindy4 Comments


Check out this cool reusable tote bag I received in the mail. I just love the size and the message of this bag. It’s a roomy 14″ by 14″ tote constructed of heavy canvas and is one of the go green items that Dakota’s Personalized Gifts is offering their customers. They generously sent me this bag along with a set of their bamboo kitchen utensils to review.

The bamboo kitchen set includes 4 different spoons and spatulas along with tongs, chop sticks, and even a potholder. Plus it comes in an authentic bamboo stalk for storage. It features the wide grain of bamboo slats for beauty and durability. Overall an attractive and useful set for the price which includes free personalization on the items.

All the items I received were very nice but I must say that the tote bag is my favorite item. While I love making my own recycled bags, I am really going to enjoy using this beautiful tote bag with its great eco message. So if you are looking for some green gift ideas, please check out Dakota’s green living line of products.

Striped Wool Felted Purse

Cindy6 Comments


Here is my latest felted wool purse project. It’s crocheted using 3 different colors of wool yarn. I crocheted each section using the blue, teal, and then creme yarn. Below are my before felting pictures of the bag and a side shot.


I felted my pieces on the hottest setting on my washer for about 18 minutes.


Here is a picture taken after I felted the main bag.

Click on photos to supersize
Here are photos of each side of my strap which was crocheted using one of main colors on each side.


I finished off the felted purse by attaching the strap and lining my bag complete with a zipper. Here is a my purse lining tutorial if you need instructions for lining a crocheted bag. The full detailed crochet pattern is below — Enjoy!

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Free Pattern for Crocheted Felted 3-Color Striped Purse

Materials needed:
3) 100% Wool Yarn (100 grams/110 yard skeins each)
Blue, Teal, and Cream colors used
Small amount of fabric for lining and pockets
9 Inch Zipper

Hook: H (5 mm) U.S. size metal hook
Description: Felted Blue Striped Bag
After felting bag measures 13 inches wide at base and 9 inches long with 39 inches strap

Directions:
Using blue wool yarn, Ch 45.

Cross Bookmark

Cindy1 Comment

Here are two thread crosses I crocheted with #10 thread. I used a “C” crochet hook (2.75 mm) for both. The first one I used a single strand of #10 thread and the larger one was crocheted using double strands of thread. The small one is 6″ long and the larger one is 7″. The pattern calls for a #7 steel crochet but it was too small for me as I tried to work the pattern. But now that I know how to work the pattern, I want to try it again with the steel hook.

The pattern indicates that you can use it to make a cross bookmark or ornament so I may just not add the tassel and use these for ornaments. Here is the free crochet pattern link for the cross bookmark.

This was my first real experience using thread to crochet. I got two small balls at the thrift store for 49 cents so I wanted to give it a try. I love the pretty and delicate look of thread but it’s a far cry from crocheting with recycled plastic bags like I usually do. I do love my thread crosses and hope to make more for Christmas gifts now that I’ve learned to crochet with the very thin yarn.

Recycled Water Bottle Carrier

Cindy7 Comments


I am sharing a reader’s designs and crochet pattern for a plastic water bottle carrier. These water bottle carriers are made from recycled plastic bags and have been fashioned into some amazing designs by Cecile Chi.

Cecile has allowed me to reprint her pattern and photos in this post. Her designs are beautiful and shows how plastic trash can truly be transformed into treasures. While she doesn’t give all the details for creating the special designs shown in the photos, her beautiful creations do provide us with numerous ideas for crocheting our own unique designs with recycled plastic bags.
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Recycled Plastic Water Bottle Carrier Pattern By Cecile Chi

Directions for a carrier for a half-liter water bottle:
Cut strips across the bag, 5/8 to 3/4 inches wide to create your plarn (plastic bag yarn)

Beginning the carrier
Begin by making the base, a flat circle with one end of the yarn, make a slip knot loop
Use size F and G crochet hooks as directed
Ch 3