Basic Purse Free Pattern

Materials Needed:

WW Yarn – 1 skein (7 or 8 oz) should be plenty, though barely since there wasn’t much left when I finished it. If you do the flap closure, you’ll need 2 skeins.

Yarn Needle

Size “H” hook

Medium to Large Button (optional if you pick the flap closure)

Zipper (optional)

Fabric for Lining (optional)

Needle and Thread (used for lining and zipper or button)

Basic Purse Pattern:

chain 36

add 4 dc to each end to form corners (80 dc total) slip stitch to beginning dc.
row 2: chain 3 then dc evenly until 4 “end” stitches  then 2 dc per stitch for those 4  to round out ends (88 dc total)
row 3 – 13: dc evenly until end (with chain 3 for beginning of each row of 88 dc)

Add liner (optional)
Add zipper (optional)
Closure alternative :

chain 16, turn and chain 3
Row 1: dc across evenly, turn chain 3 repeat for rows 2-7
Row 8: dc in first stitch decrease, then dc in next 10 stitches, decrease, dc in last stitch (14 dc total)
Row 9: dc in first stitch, decrease then dc in next 8 stitches, decrease, dc in last stitch (12 total)
single crochet all around the piece, when you get to the 12 dc end, 5 sc, chain 5, skip 2 stitches, sc to end. This gives you a button hole. With same color yarn, sew to center of purse side, fold over, mark where the button should be, and sew it on.

strap:

chain 8
In 3rd loop from hook, dc and in every stitch across (5 dc total)
row 2 – 50: (begin with chain 3 or pull up a tall loop and dc in first stitch rather than chain 3) dc across evenly, tie off and weave in end at end of row 50.

Using extra yarn of same color, sew each end of the strap to the corners of the purse.

If you have any questions or anything is unclear, feel free to ask. This pattern is untested. I counted everything out from the completed purse.

Roll-Up Hook Case Free Pattern

Materials Needed:

WW yarn (your color of choice)
Size “H” hook
Yarn needle
sewing needle and thread
Elastic
3 medium to large sized buttons

Begin by chaining 31.

Row 1: In first loop from hook, sc and then across to end (30 sc) chain 1 & turn
Row 2 – 49 (worked in back loop only): sc across (30sc total each row)
Row 50: sc across (30 sc) then sc down edge until you get to the beginning chain. On the beginning chain row (this row is where you’ll make your button holes), 3 sc, chain 5, skip 1 stitch, sc in next 9 stitches, chain 5, skip 1 stitch, sc in next 9, chain 5, skip 1 stitch, sc in next 3, turn and work sc up the edge, tie off and weave in end.

When you’re done, there should be ridges and grooves in the crocheted section. This makes deciding where to put the hook “slots” so much easier.

Take the elastic and measure out a length that stretches from just before the 3rd “groove” from one end to the 3rd “groove” from other end. You’ll need 2 elastic straps.

The first hook “slot” will go into the 3rd groove from the edge. Sew elastic to ridge before hook slot and to the ridge after hook slot on both the top and bottom elastic bands. Then repeat for each ridge across until you have a total of 20 hook slots.

Roll the case up, and use stitch markers to mark where the buttons need to be placed to line up with the button holes. Sew them on and there you have it. One handy, dandy roll-up hook case. Enjoy!

Finished product holds 20 hooks from sizes “B” to “N”. There’s also enough space at the ends to hold a yarn needle and safety pins or stitch markers.

T&T: Makeshift Stitch Markers

If you’re like me, you despise the little round, plastic stitch markers they sell in the hobby section of the store. I cannot stand the things. I don’t like how they attach, not to mention, they just look and feel cheap. I refuse to use them, even though, yes, I do own some.

So what do I do for stitch markers when I need them? I use makeshift ones, that’s what I do. I use safety pins. They come in all sizes and different colors or, as my husband is threatening to do, you can spray paint them. I use large safety pins as stitch holders and smaller ones as stitch markers. Saves me a headache, and they’re quick and simple to use. They’re also small and easy to carry plenty of. I just pin them to my crocheted hook case, which makes toting them around really easy.

I tried making myself a stitch marker, but the fasteners I bought aren’t quite right and they ended up catching on the yarn. Since I can’t find the type I’m looking for as replacements, I’ve given up on that idea. What’s left of the supplies I bought to make stitch markers will be used to make myself some bracelets and maybe some necklaces, because I really like ones made out of beads, and I bought some rather nice beads.

So, if you find yourself in the same boat I did and don’t like those cheap things from the store and maybe never thought about safety pins, give them a try.

Back Scratcher

Who doesn’t need a good back scratching every now and again? If you’re like me, it never fails. There’s no one around to help you out and that insufferable itch is just out of reach. I’ve found when it comes to crochet, necessity can spawn some rather unique, fun and/or useful ideas at times. This time, it spawned a back scratcher. This is super easy and quick to make and works up in one easy piece.

PATTERN:

Size “N” Hook

Three strands of WW yarn (any color; I used scraps)

Chain 50. With a stitch marker or safety pin, mark stitch #50, then chain 5o more. Chain one and begin single crocheting up the second set of 50. When you reach your marker/pin, chain two and pull them under the beginning chain, then single crochet back up the other side of the second set of 50. When you reach the end, put one single crochet in the end (this gives both ends of the scratcher part a rounded look) then chain 50. Tie off and there you go. Works like a charm. My husband even asked for one, and he rarely asks for anything crocheted, so I take that as a compliment from him.

Enjoy!

Halloween Costume

Halloween will be here before we know it, and well, costumes are quite pricey. In fact, I buy my son’s costume the year before when everything goes on sale. *grin* He’s going to be Megatron from the Transformers this year, btw. I have no idea what he’ll be next year, since it depends on what we can find on sale after Halloween and what will fit him out of what’s left over by the time we get there.

Anyhow, my gorgeous 3y/o nephew, Logan, is a Super Mario Bros. game nut. He LOVES this game, especially the character Luigi. The costumes are priced $20 and up, and IMO, don’t look all that great. So, I sat down one night and decided, I can make one. I dug through my stash and just happened to have the two primary colors I needed:  green and blue.

Here’s what I came up with.

And here’s a pic of our boy wearing it. Ain’t he adorable?

Loganigi

I didn’t use a pattern to come up with this, just sat down and whipped it up. The hat was partially done from a pattern and partially made up as I went. Have I mentioned how bad I am about following patterns? I either forget I’ve got one or I go off and forget to take it with me, which is what happened in the case of the hat.

This is my first attempt at a pull over sweater and pants of any type. I think they turned out pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. I know the sweater is supposed to be long sleeved, but I didn’t want the poor child to burn up in it, because crocheted items can get very hot in a hurry. It’s a size 4T. The great thing about it? They can be used as a regular ole shirt or pants because without the hat, you can’t really tell it’s a costume. In fact, I bet a lot of people still wouldn’t know it’s a costume even with the hat!

Everything but the “L” on the hat is crocheted. The “L” is done in plastic canvas and sewn on. Why the change up in crafts for that one bit? My crocheted “L” left much to be desired, so I had to come up with a alternative that looked good. Plastic canvas was it.

I know it’s a month early, but I’m going to say it anyhow.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

LOL

Heather