Tuesday 6 October 2015

MY TACO CASE


Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, photo of the fantastic Taco Case
MY TACO CASE

I saw a photograph on a online purchase page for a tailored watermelon pencil case, and on the same page was this one for a taco case.. so obviously Imagination went into overdrive and I thought hmmm.. let’s do this in crochet .. so here’s what I’ve come up with.

This has been made with a pencil case in mind, but it can be used as a case for anything – from pencils, to make-up / cosmetics, travel, a First aid kit, and if you add on a strap, then a cute little bag for a little girl as well.  So have fun.. let’s create.

Thank you for joining me.

In case you have just joined me, know that you can access all of my earlier creations by checking under ‘categories’ on the right hand side of this blog under “Labels”.  Then, for your convenience, follow me here or on Facebook, You Tube, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.

Check out all my social media handles at the bottom of this blog

Oh, and may I add that the fastest way to find any of my blogs is via Pinterest.


All my blogs can be printed.  Find the printer friendly (green) link at the bottom of this blog.  You can also hit Control P (or Command P for Mac) on your keyboard, and the blog will go directly to the connected printer.

Remember that you only print if absolutely essential.  Save paper – Save Our Earth. 


Do remember to add my blog URL when you make and show off your creation. 

Just copy the link on the search bar above - that's the blog URL.


To purchase this or similar yarn online, click here to buy your yarns online via Amazon.  While you will still pay the same, I may get paid by Amazon as well. 

This is a free blog - so do pay it forward for me.  Cheers.


As usual, I’m using yarns available locally in India, and here I’ve used our lovely polyester purse yarns.

And while we’re at it, let’s throw in a little 3D, shall we? So our basic taco shell is flat and then we’ll make the ‘ingredients’ separately and assemble it all in .. what do you say ?

Materials used : polyester purse yarn in cones , with a 4 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends ;  stitch markers ; embroidery needle.

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros or unbranded knitting cotton as well
General yarn info : This polyester yarn is available only in India.
The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.
International yarns :  Among the international yarns I have used, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn ; Hobby Lobby's I-love-this-cotton ; Spotlight's 4-Seasons Marvel & Stallion 8-ply acrylic yarns.

Skill level : Easy to Intermediate ; also needs basic sewing skills.
Easy enough pattern, but there are several elements that may be a bit tedious to attach.

Size : 9.75” diameter
You can make this to any size, using any yarn with a suitable hook

Gauge : 5 dc (across) x 2 dc rows (high) = 1”
Gauge is not important


Stitches used : (Using U.S terminology)
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps.  One sc made.  Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice.  One dc made. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA 

How to line your bag : Check this link below



Abbreviations used :
lp(s) : Loop(s)                       sc : Single crochet
dc : Double crochet              ch : Chain
sp : Space                            sl-st : Slip stitch
st(s) : Stitch(es)                    hk : Hook
yo : Yarn Over                                                               
dc 3-tog : Double crochet 3-together
fsc : Foundation single crochet
           

Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.
In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement.  This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project. 


We start with a circle of brown that we will fold in half to make our taco.  
We will then make the little ingredients that we will attach to the top of our taco case, and then when it’s lined, zippered and finished, these little fillings will stick out of the top and look really yummy. 

So for the base, (taco) I've used brown, then green for the iceberg lettuce, red for the tomato and finally yellow for the cheesy bits.

Sound interesting ?? Let’s start.

Start (using brown) with a magic circle and 12 sc in that circle. 
Pull lightly to close circle.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.

Round 1 : 2 dc in the 1st sc ; 
2 dc in each sc all around.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc. (24 dc)

Round 2 : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; 
2 dc in each dc all around.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc. (48 dc)

Round 3  : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; 
*dc in the next 3 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* all around.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc. (60 dc)

Round 4  : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; 
*dc in the next 4 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* all around. 
 Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc. (72 dc)

Round 5  :  dc in each dc all around.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc. (72 dc)

Round 6  : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; 
*dc in the next 5 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* all around.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc. (84 dc)

Round 7 - 8 :  dc in each dc all around.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc. (84 dc)

Round 9  : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; 
*dc in the next 6 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* all around.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc. (96 dc)

Round 10 - 11 :  dc in each dc all around.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc. (96 dc)

Fasten off and weave in ends.


TACO INGREDIENTS
So peeping out of the top of our taco shell, we’re going to make tomato slices, cheese triangles and a long leaf of ice berg lettuce.

So get your red, yellow (or off white) and light green yarn ready… and let’s do this.


TOMATO
Make in red, as many as you’d like for your taco. 
I made 6, three per side of my taco shell

Start :  with a magic circle and 8 sc in that circle. 
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Round 1 :  2 dc in each sc all around.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc. (16 dc)

Round 2  : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; 
*dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* all around.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc. (24 dc)
Fasten off and leave a long tail to join.


ICE BERG LETTUCE
Make in green. 
I made 2, one per side of my taco shell
Start :  with a fsc chain of 56 fsc 
or as long as you need to go from one side to another of your taco shell, in multiples of 7.

Row 1 : sc in the 1st fsc ; 
*sk next 2 fsc , 5 dc in the next fsc ; 
sk next 2 fsc , sc in the next fsc* ;
Rep *to*till end. 
Fasten off and leave a long tail to join.


CHEESE TRIANGLE
Make in yellow or off white. 
I made 3.

Start :  with a ch 3.  Turn and 2 dc in the 1st ch (0r 3rd ch from hook)

Row 1 : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 2 : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; dc in the next 3 dc ; 
2 dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 3 : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; dc in the next 5 dc ; 
2 dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Fasten off and leave a long tail to join.


Finishing :
Now for the really fun bit – putting our taco together.

So I’ve thought of putting my tomato slices and cheese triangles right against the taco shell, and then attaching the green iceberg lettuce on the inside, as this will make it easier to line the bag. 

However, it does not matter how you decorate your taco shell.. so go for it.

Weave in all ends for each colour from the inside of your pouch.  

a)   How to line the bag : View the link below to see how to easily line your handbag. http://pattern-paradise.com/2014/06/12/tutorial-how-to-line-a-crocheted-bag/

b)   Easiest I-cord : Check out this video for a really easy I-cord at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_AQ9m0QeZI






Enjoyed this ?? I sure did..come back right here for more freebie patterns 

If you're visiting me here for the first time, and have liked the experience, do add me to your mailing list (for your convenience) , and all my future free patterns will come straight to your mail box.  
 
I’d appreciate if you could credit my blog (and link the original pattern link) when you make your own creation.  Thanks.

Check out my awesome pins on Pinterest at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/

 
Join me on YouTube at https://youtube.com/shyamanivas 

And on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Sweet-Nothings-Crochet/ for more patterns.

Do follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/ShyamaNivas


Find me on Ravelry at ravelry.com/projects/shyamanivas/

 
Have a great day and see you soon. 

And here are links to some of my beautiful and unusual bag / purse patterns.











































































.. and some more bag patterns...