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Year: 2020

Christmas Tree Dishcloth

Cindy2 Comments

I started working on some Christmas gifts and recently came across this pretty Christmas tree dishcloth pattern. The pattern features crocheted bobbles for the tree design and edging on the dishcloth.

One thing I found after I crocheted the first dishcloth was that the side edging had different stitch counts on either side of the cloth. One side had 2 stitches and the other had 3 (see photo below). I thought I made an error in the pattern but after frogging the pattern a few times and checking other crafters’ pictures, I found that all the dishcloths had this discrepancy.

So I set out to see if I couldn’t make both sides even and came up with some changes to the original dishcloth pattern.

Details on my version of the original crochet pattern:
Chain 34 and work 32 stitches across.

Recycled Plastic Messenger Book Bag

Cindy8 Comments

I crocheted this messenger book bag from recycled plastic Safeway bags. People ask me all the time how many bags it takes to crochet different projects of mine. I did a calculation on this project as I crocheted it. I found that I used about 3 bags for two full rounds on the crocheted body of the bag. Therefore I used about 39 bags to crochet the main body of this book bag. Overall I recycled about 60 plastic bags to crochet the messenger book bag.

I cut my plarn about 1 inch wide using the looping method to create my plastic bag yarn.

I crocheted 26 rows in half double crochet (HDC) before starting the flap. For the flap, I crocheted 12 rows in HDC before starting the decreases for the tapered flap. I crocheted a total of 25 rows and then added a edging of single crochet stitching around the edges of the flap. By adding the single crochet stitches, it helps even out the edges and makes for a smooth finish to the flap.

I crocheted my strap even on 6 stitches wide for a 35 inch long strap.

The original crochet pattern for the messenger bag is found here. It’s a free plarn crochet pattern and I just tweaked it a bit to make this smaller book bag of 14″ wide by 11.5″ long. The original crochet pattern makes a

Front Post Hat Band

CindyLeave a comment

I want to share a new twist on an old hat pattern of mine. My original ribbed hat pattern features a hat band that alternates between front post double crochet (FPDC) and back post double crochet (BPDC).

For this new hat band, basically you want to follow my original crochet pattern for the ribbed hat but stop at about 7 inches in length while working the half double crochet (HDC) rounds. Depending on the yarn, I find that I crochet about 18-19 rounds of HDC to reach 7 inches. Then it’s time to work all FPDC for 5 rounds. The final length of this crocheted FPDC beanie is about 8 inches.

Here is a closeup of the FPDC hat band. It does tighten up the hat and makes a nice finished brim.

One last comment about the brown hat. I tried a new idea so I didn’t have to do a Ch-2 and join with a slip stitch at the end of each round. You don’t have to use this method but it does help the hat look as it doesn’t have the noticeable joining seam on each round. Here is what I did.
At round 3, I worked a SC into the next HDC stitch to start the round. Then I just crocheted using HDC stitches to round 18 all without joining or the Ch-2 which leaves a seam. On round 18, I did a sc and slip stitch to join the last rounds together. Then Ch-2 and worked FPDC for 5 rounds for the hat brim with the typical joining.

Here is one other hat style idea to share.

Christmas in July Stockings Part 2

Cindy1 Comment

I just had to follow-up on my Christmas in July stocking making. I crocheted 17 mini stockings in July for the Warmth for Warriors. We are having a stocking-along event for them over at Ravelry at the Good Things Together group. We are having so much fun and accomplishing so many stockings that we have decided to extend the event until August 8.

So it’s not too late to join in on the fun of crafting mini stockings for the troops. Plus there is even a prize that you have a chance to win should you participate. You just simply need at least one stocking to be entered for the prize drawing of a free pattern. Click here