JAZZED UP TOILETRIES BAG
I was walking down our market road with a friend the other day, when we chanced upon a man who (almost) begged us to purchase these small plastic zippered bags, saying that he was making them at home and he had a family and was out of a job.
My friend travels a lot, and though we really did not need them, we bought some anyway – and then I thought I’d just jazz it up for her.
So let’s have fun as we work on this creation… and if you like this idea, do keep an eye out for further such jazzed up ready-made bag ideas ..
I do have a few more we purchased from that day
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 on the right side 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 the highlighted links below 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.
Materials used : Today I’ve used Vardhaman as well as Oswal acrylic yarns, with a 4 mm crochet hook ; embroidery needle
For Indians : You could use Red rose , 4-ply knitting cotton , or unbranded knitting cotton or White Rose or bamboo knitting cotton , Milk cotton ; Silk yarns ; Baby soft acrylic yarn , Ganga Spectrum as well
General yarn info : 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 in this thickness, 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 , Lily Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn, Caron Simply Soft , Bernat Softee chunky.
Skill level : Easy to Intermediate
While the stitches used are easy enough, there is a fair amount of thought that goes into this creation.
Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw
Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs
What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw
What is a chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY
Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA
How to line your bag :
How to attach a zipper on your bag :
Easiest I-cord : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_AQ9m0QeZI
Abbreviations used : Using U.S terminology
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
fsc : Foundation Single Crochet
fdc : Foundation Double Crochet
dc 2-tog : Double crochet 2-together
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.
For this pattern, I’ve used a superb granny square from http://beacrafter.com/crochet-summer-sun-granny-square/
I then tweaked it a bit to fit the bag and covered it.
So come along and let’s see what we’re working on today.
As I mentioned above, I have decided just to jazz up a bag and have a ready-made inner bag with zip.
However, if you decide to work this pattern up for a bag, without a ready-made inner, then there are links above on how to line your bag and attach a zipper as well.
In this case you work the pattern starting with the granny square and then working all around it to create the bag, then check the links for lining it and adding a zipper.
This pattern idea will work for any sized bag. Just check that you place the granny square bang in the middle and work the plain pattern all around to finish.
My ready-made bag is 10.5 x 5”.
So I want a granny square that is approx 5” x 5” – and then I am going to extend just two sides to get the length of 10.5” such that I keep this beautiful sunshine square bang in the centre.
So for the pattern, off you go to http://beacrafter.com/crochet-summer-sun-granny-square/
BUT hold on .... Just before you go off.. a few pointers.
Measure the bag you are working with so you can decide which round you are going to end with.
I have worked this lovely Summer Sun Granny square all the way till Round 7.
Round 8 (light blue or my brown), I worked with sc.
So my Round 8 : 2 sc in the 1st dc ;
2 sc in the next dc ;
*sc in the next 13 dc ; 2 sc in the next 2 dc* ;
rep *to* all around ;
2 sc in the last sc.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.
Our “corners” are the 4 sc stitches.
So you are at one corner, and for your convenience, you could mark the next corner.
We have 17 sts from one corner to the other, and these 17 sts were just right for me (as they would make 5” when lightly stretched)
You can use a sc, hdc or dc in each of these 17 sts end to end.
I chose to use a hdc.
Row 9 : hdc in the 1st sc and the next 16 sc. Turn.
Row 10 : hdc in the 1st hdc and the next 16 hdc. Turn.
Row 11 - 15 : Rep Row 10.
Fasten off and weave in ends. We’ve completed one side of granny square extension.
For the next side, you will find the next set of 4 sc that mark the next corner.
We will skip the 1st 2 sc, and work in the next 2 sc and the next 15 sts to the end – so yet again in the 17 sts for the opposite side of the granny square.
Re-attach your yarn in the marked sc and work Rows 9 – 15 for this side as well.
*Read below
Fasten off and weave in ends.
*You have a really odd looking (like a wrist-watch of sorts!) piece of work. Now as I am working with a really stretchy yarn, I am going to literally mould this work to fit my bag. If your yarn is not as stretchy, please ensure that you work sufficient rows to get it to the length needed.. or maybe you don’t need as many rows.
Yes, I know this is an oddish shape, but hey, that’s what D.I.Y and creativity are all about… getting it whipped into shape
Right then, off you go to that link above.. make two of these odd shapes and come back here to see how we join it all up.
Finishing
We now have these two oddish shapes and one bag.
Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA
Invisible join : https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM
Single crochet to join : https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI
1. I first joined the sides (17 sts across), using an embroidery needle and yarn.
2. I then put my toilet bag on the inner side of the sewn edge, such that we now have the right side of the work facing outside, and the toilet ready-made bag on the inside. I then attached one side to the bag with a regular needle and thread (as the embroidery needle and this acrylic yarn will make very large holes, so ensure you use a thinner needle and regular sewing yarn). So slip your needle inside the bag, and sew through the bag and the crochet side, securing them both together. Fasten off when you reach from one end to the other.
3. I then continued with my embroidery needle and yarn, working on the crochet rectangle, down the longer edge and joined all the way to the end, ensuring I have a neat first corner.
4. I turned around at my second corner, once again ensuring I had a neat corner, and worked down the next set of 17 sts.
5. Once again, I joined the bag working from the inside as before, and worked a line of stitching down this side as well, securing the crochet work to the inner bag.
6. With three sides sewn and the bag now neatly inside, I decided to use a little of my water insoluble (very important) glue – securing the centre of my crochet neatly onto the centre of the plastic bag. As mentioned before, glue is optional, so you don’t need to do it.. but I just want my work to be neat and tight. Remember you cannot use a glue gun as the inside bag is plastic – and if you use glue that is not water insoluble, then you are defeating the purpose of gluing it down.. This is, after all, a toilet bag, and water and bathrooms .. ummmmm!
7. The final sewing is to secure the top of our crochet work to the top of the bag – and this once again, I did with a regular sewing needle and thread.
8. Fasten off and ensure there are no peeping ends.
Ta da.. you’re done. Now come on.. show off your color combination and creation on Facebook, and do remember to tell the world who took you on this craze journey.
If you’ve liked this pattern, I appreciate if you could share my blog when you make your creation
Please also remember to credit http://beacrafter.com/crochet-summer-sun-granny-square/ for the superb and sunny crochet square.
Enjoyed this ?? I sure did.. Come back right here for more freebie patterns
Remember to share this blog post when you share your photos with me on Facebook. I’d love to feature your photos on my FB page. Cheers.
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/
OR just my free patterns at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/free-patterns-made-by-me/
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
Do follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sweetnothingscrochet/
Find me on Ravelry at ravelry.com/projects/shyamanivas/
Have a great day and see you soon.
If you'd like to check out some of my other bag patterns, here goes
Here are some of my other creations.
and a doll’s top..
and some bolero/jacket/vests that will look grand on a top..
I have a few girls dresses, and just in case you want a dekho at those free patterns … here you go
For cute hair embellishments and motifs check the links below.
..and some belts..
and here are a few skirt patterns that you can use your belt for..
