Wednesday, 17 August 2016

HEXAGONALLY YOURS – A JAZZED UP TOILETERIES BAG 2

HEXAGONALLY YOURS – A JAZZED UP TOILETERIES BAG 2

If you’re following my blog, you’ll know that some days back I chanced on someone selling some simple bags, and I bought a few just for kicks.. and then decided to ‘up-cycle’ and bling them up.  I gave the first one to my friend, who travels a lot, and she totally loves it – so I thought I would carry on with the others I have purchased too (else they *could* have joined some of that stash lying way way way back in my cupboard.. you *know* what I mean, right)
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 toilet bag ideas .. I do have a few more we purchased from that day

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For this pattern, the original star flower is from http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/starflower-hexagon

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.

Materials used : Acrylic yarn, with a 4 mm crochet hook ; Embroidery and sewing needles ; and a ready-made bag with a zipper (if you are doing this D.I.Y bag) ;
Optional : Water Insoluble Glue.

Skill level : Easy to Intermediate While the stitches used are easy enough, there is a fair amount of thought that goes into this creation.

Abbreviations :
sc : Single crochet                   yo : Yarn Over                          
st(s) : Stitch(es)                        hk : hook
lp(s) : Loop(s)                          dc : Double crochet
sl-st : Slip Stitch
sc-blo : Single Crochet Back Loop Only   
fsc : Foundation single crochet
hdc : Half Double crochet     
                              

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

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

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

Half Double Crochet : Hdc :  yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ; 
yo, draw through all 3 lps.  One hdc made.  
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8 

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


Pattern 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 (as well as through the 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.
                                                           
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 an readymade inner, then there are links above on how to line your bag and attach a zipper as well.

My bag is 10.5 x 5”.
So *ideally* we want a granny square that is 5” x 5” – and then we will extend two sides to get the length of 10.5” such that we keep this beautiful starflower hexagon in the centre.

So for the pattern, off you go to http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/starflower-hexagon for the original hexagonal pattern.. and then you can come back here if you want to follow my tweaks – or you just go and create! 

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 Starflower hexagon all the way to the end and have a 7 x 7.5” hexagon (as measured from one flat side to flat side and then from one point to point)

Now I am going to keep this hexagon such that the centre of the hexagon is at the bottom of the bag – and my bag is 5” wide, so folded, this hexagon is just under 3.5”, which means minimum I need to add 1.5” to get the length right.. so let’s tweak!

As you’ve done till Round 8 on that pattern sheet, let’s go ahead and start here with Round 9, shall we?




 Round 9 : dc in the 1st sc ; 
(dc, ch 1, dc) in the next ch-2 sp ;
*dc in each st till the next ch-2 sp ; 
rep (to) once in the next ch-2 sp* ;
rep *to* all around and join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Round 10 : Rep Round 9.



At this point, I find that the hexagon has the width I need for my bag.  So here’s what I’m going to do.

I folded the hexagon, and am now going to work in rows along three sides of this hexagon ; working back and front sections separately.

Now at this point, all I’m going to give you is an idea.. as we’re both probably working on different sized bags.



Imagine this :
You have one side of your hexagon at the far end of your bag, along the width, but we have to get the sides of that triangle (from the side of the hexagon) squared up.. and will probably have to stop increasing on the top of the hexagon shortly too.

So first work along the three sides of the hexagon, and just keep increasing the stitch size (i.e) at the corner of the hexagon, work sc, then go from hdc, to e-dc (extended double crochet) and then dc to an e-trc (extended triple / treble crochet)  to a trc (triple / treble crochet). 
You will do this along the side of the hexagon till you reach the ch-2 sp ; [dc, ch 1, dc] in that ch-sp.
Work dc along that top edge in each dc all through till the next ch-2 sp (on that top edge);
[dc, ch 1, dc] in that ch-sp as before and then you mirror whatever you have done on the third side of our hexagon for one side of your bag.

Make a note of what you’re doing as you will need to repeat it even on the other side of this hexagon.

In my case, one row of dc along the top edge of my bag evens the length out for me.

So I have then worked just the two *triangle* parts along the sides, till I have got it to the squared up shape I needed.

Once again, write whatever you are doing here too, for repeating not just on the other side of this front, but also for the back.

Fasten off and weave in ends.  We’ve completed one side of hexagon extension.

Repeat all that you’ve done her for the next side as well.


Finishing
1.       I first joined the sides, 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 side.
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 hot 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 crazy 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 for the superb hexagon.

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Have a great day and see you soon. 

If you'd like  to check out some of my other bag patterns, here goes





























































































































































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