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Log Cabin Scrap Dishcloth

I have wanted to make a log cabin design dishcloth for some time now. I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to use up some scrap cotton yarn that I have. I have looked at several different log cabin designs and just decided that I would grab a crochet hook and see what I could come up with.


Here is my first completed log cabin dishcloth. It’s not square but who says a dishcloth really needs to be. Well I used 6 different colors of cotton yarn to complete my dishcloth. I’m thinking it would be a great hotpad too and am starting another one right now which I’ll add a solid color for a back which will give it a double layer.

I wrote up the crochet pattern for this and hope it makes sense about where to attach your yarn as you change colors. I always started the new color on the right side (RS) of the dishcloth and you can use the photo to help you with your starting points. Remember you can always deviate and do your own thing with the colors and the number of rows. It’s kinda like doing a freeform but still keeping the log cabin design as your goal.

Well, I hope you enjoy the free crochet pattern below. If you use my pattern, please let me know how your dishcloth came out and I love to see photos of my reader’s creations.

Log Cabin Scrap Dishcloth Pattern

Hook:
H (5 mm) USA crochet hook

Materials:
Cotton yarn scraps in 6 colors
1/4 oz contrasting Cotton yarn for trim

Description:
8-1/4 inchesx 10-1/4 inches Cotton Dishcloth

Directions:
Row 1
With Cream color, Ch 12, Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st. (11)

Newborn Baby Sweater Vest


This crocheted newborn baby sweater vest is a variation of my Ana sweater that I created. The Ana sweater vest pattern is for a toddler’s size 2-3 but several people have asked for a smaller size which I am happy to share in this post today.

I crocheted a matching hat using Barb’s seamless baby hat pattern. I just added a few rows of single crochet stitches around the edge to match my trim on the baby sweater vest to complete the set.

This baby vest was crocheted using a sport weight yarn that I obtained from a free yarn swap so I’m not exactly sure what it is. It’s a soft yarn with a darker blue ribbon thread that runs through it. I used a pink contrasting yarn to finish off the project. For the newborn sweater, I used a bow tie at the front rather than a button closure but you can switch up the patterns and use either style for your sweater.

I hope you enjoy the free crochet pattern below — Enjoy!

Newborn Sweater Vest Pattern

Finished Newborn baby vest measures: 8-1/2 inches wide by 8-1/2 inches long
Hook: Metal G (4 mm) US sized crochet hook

Materials:
4 ozs – Sport or Aran weight yarn and a small amount for contrasting yarn for trim

Row 1 (Back piece)
Ch 36

Jumbo Plarn Beach Bag


I present the jumbo plarn beach bag. This is the largest recycled plastic bag that I have ever crocheted. It measures 16 inches wide by 20 inches tall. It features a 30 inch long strap that you pull through the front opening to secure your beach bag closed. Then because the strap is long, you can throw it over your shoulder and off you can go.

So if you need a jumbo beach bag or maybe you want an extra large grocery tote, this plastic bag pattern will definitely fill your needs. It also allows you to use several different colors of recycled plastic bags for the stripes. The colorful stripes add a nice touch to the otherwise plain white bags that are so abundant.

Free Jumbo Plarn Beach Bag Pattern

Materials needed:
One very large ball of plastic bag yarn or Plarn
Approx. 80 white plastic grocery bags for main bag
15 grey and 8 pink plastic bags for stripes

Hook: N (9 mm) U.S. size metal hook
Description: Jumbo Plarn Beach Bag
Bag measures 16 inches wide and 20 inches long with 30 inch strap

Directions:
Ch 34

Felted Cell Phone Cozy

You know if you have been reading this blog site for awhile that I’m all into being practical and creating things I need. So I really wanted to have a nice little cell phone holder and I just love felting so I crocheted myself this little cell phone cozy from some scrap wool yarn.


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Free Felted Cell Phone Cozy Pattern

Crochet this cozy using about an ounce of 100% wool yarn with a G (4mm) crochet hook. Chain 14, single crochet (sc) in 2nd stitch from hook and in each stitch down to end of chain (13 sc). Working around the back side of chain, sc in each stitch to create a seamless cozy. Do not join. Continue working in rounds until your cozy measures 4-1/2 inches long before felting (approx. 19 rounds.) Slip stitch into last few stitches of final round so your finished edge is smooth. Fasten off and weave under ends on the inside of your cozy. Finished size before felting was 3-1/2 inches wide by 4-1/2 inches long.

Buttonhole Loop:
Join yarn with slip stitch in 5th stitch from edge and ch 15. Attach in the 2nd stitch over from loop base to create the buttonhole with a slip stitch. Then Sc back up the chain evenly (approx. 18 Sc’s.) Join with slip stitch back into the beginning with a slip stitch. Finish off and weave under ends.

Felting:
Place your completed cozy inside an old pillowcase and tie it closed with a knot. I felted my cozy 15-20 minutes on the hottest water. Check your cozy after 10 minutes of agitation to make sure it hasn’t felted too much to fit your cell phone. Mine needed more so I put it back into the washer. After a total of 20 minutes, mine was perfect. I pulled it out and cold water rinsed it in my sink. Shape your cozy so it’s square and check to make sure the opening is wide enough to insert your cell phone. If it’s a bit tight, just stretch the opening a little. Air dry and shape as it dries if needed.

My final felted cozy measures 3 inches wide by 4 nches long which fits my Motorola cell phone that is 2-1/4″ wide by 3-3/4″ long. This cozy is a great way to use up scraps of wool yarn you may have on hand. Just make sure you use 100% wool so your project felts properly.

Once your felting is done and its dry, add a 1 inch or larger button as desired to the front of the cozy. Voila you are done — Enjoy your felted cell phone cozy!

Recycled Water Bottle Carrier


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