WATERMELON
SHAPED CASE
I
saw a photograph on a online purchase page for a tailored (in felt, I think) watermelon shaped pencil
case, and thought one in crochet would be swell too.. 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.
As usual, I’m using yarns available locally in India, and here I’ve used our lovely polyester purse yarns.
So
there are two ways to make this case – either you work the little black seeds
in as you’re working the red watermelon part, OR you can work that in later.
Materials used : Polyester purse
yarn, with a 3.5 mm crochet hook ;
(Optional, if adding seeds in later) embroidery
needle
Skill level : Easy to Intermediate
While the stitches used are easy enough, if you
decide to work the black seeds in, then there’s yarn switching and carrying,
which makes it Intermediate.
Size : 9” across (the widest part) x 5”
Gauge : 5 dc (across) x 2 dc rows (high) = 1”
Stitches used : (Using U.S terminology)
Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLuSVyKvoUg
Chainless dc start : Instead of
the usual start with ch 2 or ch 3,I’d like to introduce a lovely way of
starting a double crochet row. Do take a
look at this self explanatory super video
In
case you are unhappy with this start, or do not like it, do continue with the
usual ch-2 or ch-3 start. However, all
instructions will be given assuming that you are using this chainless dc start.
dc 3-tog : Double crochet 3-tog : [yo, insert hk in st or ch-sp, yo and pull up a lp ; yo and draw
through 2 lps] 3 times (4 lps on hk) ; yo, draw through all lps on hk. One dc 3-tog made.
How to carry your yarn along : To refresh your skill, do read http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-carry-yarn-in-crochet.html
How to change colours : To refresh your skill, do view one of these you-tube videos
How to line your bag : Check this link below
How to attach a zipper on your bag : Two self-explanatory links for you here http://www.liz-makes.com/2014/01/liz-makes-crocheted-clutch-with-zipper.html?m=1rochet
How to make a rounded cord for the handle
: View the
video link below for a really simple way to make a rounded cord handle for your
handbag. http://vimeo.com/88972371
How to make an I-cord : A neat way to make an I-cord in this video by June
at http://www.planetjune.com/blog/how-to-crochet-an-i-cord/
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
Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)
We start with a circle of red and then working
outwards, we’ll add on off-white and finally the green skin. We will work in
the little black seeds as we go along.
In case you find it difficult to carry the black and red yarns along
(when making the seeds), you just work in the red portion first, and then you
can embroider or fill in the black seeds later as well.
Easy enough.. let’s start.
Start (using red) 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.
Round 2 : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; 2 dc in each dc all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
Attach your black yarn in now. In the following row, we will be using both
the black and red yarns alternatively.
So we will carry our unused yarn along.
We will also be using a dc 3-tog.
For a “how-to”, please go to the top of this blog
for informative links
All dc in this round will be done in RED , and ALL dc 3-tog will be done in BLACK, and
carry unused yarn along.
Round 3 : (using red) dc in the 1st dc
;
*(using black) dc 3-tog in the next dc ;
(using red)
dc in the next 3 dc* ; rep *to* 11 times ;
(using red)
dc in the last 2 dc .
Join with a sl-st
to the 1st dc.
The next round will be done totally in RED , so at the end of this round, remember to bring
your black yarn up.
Round 4 : (using red) dc in
the 1st 3 dc ;
*dc in the next dc 3-tog ; dc in the next 3 dc* ;
rep
from *to* all around. Join with a sl-st
to the 1st dc.
Round 5 : (using red) dc in
the 1st dc ;
*2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next 3 dc* ;
rep from
*to* all around ;
dc in the last 2 dc and join with a sl-st to the 1st
dc.
We will repeat our RED and BLACK round once more to
add another round of black seeds.
Round 6 : (using red) dc in the 1st dc
;
*(using black) dc 3-tog in the next dc ;
(using red)
dc in the next 3 dc* ; rep *to* 14 times ;
(using red)
dc in the last 2 dc .
Join with a sl-st
to the 1st dc.
Fasten off black yarn.
The next round will be done totally in RED
Round 7 : (using red) dc in
the 1st 3 dc ; *dc in the next dc 3-tog ; dc in the next 3 dc* ; rep
from *to* all around. Join with a sl-st
to the 1st dc.
Round 8 : (using red) dc in
the 1st dc ;
*2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next 3 dc* ;
rep from
*to* all around ; dc in the last 2 dc and join with a sl-st to the 1st
dc.
Round 9 : (using red) dc in
the 1st dc ; and in each dc all around .
Join with a sl-st to the 1st
dc.
Attach your off-white yarn in now. Fasten off red yarn.
Round 10 : (using off white) dc in the 1st dc ; and
in each dc all around . Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
Attach your green yarn in now. Fasten off off-white yarn.
Round 9 : (using green) dc
in the 1st dc ; and in each dc all around .
Join with a sl-st to the
1st dc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Finishing : Weave in all ends for each colour from the inside of your pouch. Attach a lining, zipper and a cord as required. (“How to” links
provided above)
And wow.. just look at what you’ve created. One little kiddo is going to be mighty pleased
Enjoyed
this ?? I sure did.. come back right here for more patterns. J
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Have
a great day and see you soon. J
And here are links to some of my beautiful and
unusual bag / purse patterns.
