Sweet Nothings Crochet: 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.

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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 e 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

http://pattern-paradise.com/2014/06/12/tutorial-how-to-line-a-crocheted-bag/

How to attach a zipper on your bag : http://frogknitting.blogspot.se/2013/08/att-sy-i-dragkedjor-installing-zippers.html?m=1

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 1^st sc.

Round 1 : 2 dc in the 1^st sc ;

2 dc in each sc all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc. (24 dc)

Round 2 : 2 dc in the 1^st dc ;

2 dc in each dc all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc. (48 dc)

Round 3 : 2 dc in the 1^st dc ;

*dc in the next 3 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc. (60 dc)

Round 4 : 2 dc in the 1^st dc ;

*dc in the next 4 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc. (72 dc)

Round 5 : dc in each dc all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc. (72 dc)

Round 6 : 2 dc in the 1^st dc ;

*dc in the next 5 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc. (84 dc)

Round 7 - 8 : dc in each dc all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc. (84 dc)

Round 9 : 2 dc in the 1^st dc ;

*dc in the next 6 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc. (96 dc)

Round 10 - 11 : dc in each dc all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st 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 1^st st.

Round 1 : 2 dc in each sc all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc. (16 dc)

Round 2 : 2 dc in the 1^st dc ;

*dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st ch (0r 3^rd ch from hook)

Row 1 : 2 dc in the 1^st dc ; dc in the next dc ;

2 dc in the last dc. Turn.

Row 2 : 2 dc in the 1^st dc ; dc in the next 3 dc ;

2 dc in the last dc. Turn.

Row 3 : 2 dc in the 1^st 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

c) How to attach a zipper : Check this link at http://frogknitting.blogspot.se/2013/08/att-sy-i-dragkedjor-installing-zippers.html?m=1

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