Thursday, 8 September 2016

JAZZED UP TOILETERIES BAG 3

free crochet pattern, free crochet D.I.Y bag, Free crochet toileteries bag

free crochet pattern, free crochet D.I.Y bag, Free crochet toileteries bag
JAZZED UP TOILETERIES BAG 3

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 my earlier pattern on the D.I.Y bag, check https://shyamanivas.blogspot.in/2016/07/jazzed-up-toiletries-bag.html

For this pattern, the African flower and more patterns is from https://shyamanivas.blogspot.in/2015/02/flower-power-granny-squares.html

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 ; fabric glue to seal ends stitch markers ; embroidery needle ; and a ready-made toiletry bag or a simple zippered bag (if you are doing this D.I.Y bag) 

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 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.

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 : 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 

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

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 

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

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 

How to add beads : Check this video at https://youtu.be/EcpgMgBox8I

How to work with beads in crochet : Check out this video at https://youtu.be/yanbAnF_pr0

How to change colors seamlessly : Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to change from the Main color to the Contrast or second color of yarn seamlessly.  View it at https://youtu.be/fRzSBja9jno 

How to carry your yarn when using two colors : Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to carry your yarn along when working with two colours.  


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.
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. 
                                                           
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 ready-made 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 African Flower in the centre.

So for the pattern, off you go to http://made-in-k-town.blogspot.in/2013/02/african-flower-square-tutorial.html for the African flower pattern.. and then you can come back here if you want to follow my tweaks – or you just go and create your own tweaks! 



Decide if you’re making one or two African flower motifs. 
So if you’re making two motifs, then you will just make the extensions for the sides. 
If you decide to make one motif, then you will make a plain back for the bag.
Yet again.. choices & decisions for you.

Also, measure the bag you are working with so you can decide which round you are going to end with on your African flower.


 The ready-made bag that saves me lining :)

I have worked my African flower and got it about 5” x 5”, which is perfect for my bag.

I decided to add one more row of dc all around, with (2 dc ; ch 2, 2 dc) in each corner ch-sp and I have the perfect size I need (so I can manage to join sides and bottom without stretching and buckling)

So for this bag, I’m going to add sides to it, and then attaching the front and back together.

If you’ve followed my earlier two blogs on jazzing up this bag, then you’ll know what I’m about to suggest.. but let’s get it done too.

So you’ve got your two African flower motifs that you are going to keep in the centre of your bag, and then figure out how much you will need to extend on either side.

Look at the motif.  You have four corners with ch-sps in each corner.  
For the side extensions, you will attach your yarn, in the dc just after the ch-sp and then work all the way along that dc row till the dc just before the ch-sp.  
Continue working dc in each dc all the way down this side till you have the little extension you need to make it fit this side of the bag.
You will then repeat this three more times for the other side of this motif, and both sides of the back motif.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finishing

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



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 flower square.

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



































































































































































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