Backpack Backpack

Hey.... it's been a while! But I digress. In the last couple days I've crocheted up this little backpack using #18 nylon cord. I don't remember the exact brand, but there a few out there and are pretty much the same, I think. The final size is 7.75" (h) x 7.5" (w) x 3" (d).

click on any photo to enlarge

I started out with a chain about 15 or so stitches long and then I just continue in the round with single crochet stitches, increasing 3-4 stitches around the ends. The rounded rectangle bottom measures about 6.5 x 3 inches.

When I felt the bottom was the size I wanted I stopped doing the increases. I made two sets of three stitch openings about two rows apart that I used to insert small rings (made from the same cord) that could be used to insert the straps at the end. I tried to take some pictures of what I did. I suppose you could also crochet in d-rings or something similar. I like to try doing things with no metal or plastic findings if I can.

I wanted to make the backpack as versatile as possible. The strap I made is six rows of slip stitch with the same cord. It's about 106 inches long and threads through the front and back of the top and then to the rings at the back in the bottom. You might not need one that long, but I knew I would be knotting it in places and I'm not a petite woman so I wanted to be able to make the straps long enough to be comfortable on my back even with a jacket on. Be sure to do some measurements for yourself. Better to make it too long (you can always put a few knots in it) than not long enough and have to make another. The advantage of making the strap one long strip instead of joining it together is that I can untie it from the bottom of the bag and doubled it can serve as an over the shoulder or crossbody strap.

More of the Scrappy Doily

In the end, my scappy little doily measured 24" in diameter. It seemed to crochet up really quickly. It was fun to make and I've already started on a second one. Here are some of the pics taken along the way:

Scrappy Doily

Starting a doily.... or doiley, doyly, doyley if you prefer..... using odds and ends of size 10 thread. I'll see how big I can make it!

Another little one

Yet another little crocheted bag with tatted edging in the works! 

Small Stuff

Working on some small things lately. .. my credit/gift card holders.

More bags

Below is a pic of two bags I just finished up this weekend. These are also two of my favorite colors! The purple one is done with Lizbeth size 3, needle tatted and crocheted, lined with dark purple felt. The green one was made with Lizbeth size 10, shuttle tatted and crocheted, also lined with dark purple felt.

Hmm....yeah, I make lots of bags...freaky!

The Blue Bag Project

I like to make all kinds of small bags.... probably because I can usually get them done fairly quickly, not to mention that I'm a bag-o-holic, so it's just something I enjoy! Over the last few years I've been working on combining crochet and tatting in various ways and I really like the way it looks.... plus it's a great way to use tatted edgings since I love to tat, but I'm not exactly a lacy collar or cuff kinda woman.

crocheted bags with tatted embellishments

People often ask me about a pattern for these, but since I don't follow any and I'm just too lazy to write one up, I decided to do a photo essay (with a little video added in) on how I go about making these. Just click the link below to the Blue Bag Project. I hope someone finds it helpful!

The Blue Bag Project

The Blue Bag almost completed.

Spring forward

I need some warm weather thoughts so I figured I'd start working on this baby afghan for a friend. I'm not much for those traditional baby pastel shades, so I picked a couple bright colors from my stash.  It's an April baby so I wanted a stitch pattern that was light and airy. I think this one works well!
On Google+ someone mentioned that the color combo reminded her of daffodils.... Love it...so here's the progress so far.

doing the craft fair thing

I hadn't done a craft fair in a while, so I decided to do a local one last weekend. Here are some pics I took of my table.

I've been into making a line of party bags lately... for proms, weddings, parties, etc!

Along with my standards little bags, I did a series of American Girl hats with matching backpacks.

A close up of a tatted bag, lined in felt.

A bunch o' little bags and crunchies!

freeform

A piece of freeform crochet I did almost ten years ago... yikes!

As I was attempting to tidy up my portable hard drive I came by this photo of a freeform crochet piece I did about ten years. It was done with various pearl cottons. I have absolutely no idea whatever became of it. I think I like it more now than I did when I made it.... and I do love working with pearl cottons. I haven't delved into any freeform for a while, but perhaps I should! If you've never tried it before, it can be quite a challenge and a good way to break out of old habits and think creatively.

If you'd like to give it a try and you're looking for more inspiration, two of my favorite freeform crocheters are Margaret Hubert and Prudence Mapstone.Check out their work and drool ... it's awesome!

warm & cozy flutes

My bamboo flutes. Brrrr.... they look chilly!

For those of you who might not know already.... when I'm not tatting or crocheting I'm often playing some musical instrument, and usually something from the flute family. Needless to say I've been creating flute cases for some time now.

I recently bought some new bamboo flutes recently from Erik the flutemaker, and coming from Florida I thought they might get cold here during the New York winter to come, so .... I've gathered up some bright wool yarn to use to crochet a big flute bag to accommodate them all.

A couple of single sized flute bags (upper right) and the beginnings of my larger flute bag that I'll felt once the crocheting is done.

I plan on felting it when the crocheting is over. I'll let you know how that goes!

beaded

I've been quite pleased with how little purse/smart phone pouch worked out. The base, the pouch itself, is crocheted with two strands of size 20 thread held together. One is orange, one is more of a pale coral color. As I created the pouch itself, I tatted, with the orange thread, strips of beaded lace that I then crocheted in as I went along. The beads are size 11 seed beads in a mix of colors that I felt coordinated with the thread colors.

For anyone who can crochet and tat, this is a really easy sort of project and the result is quite lovely. Just find a favorite edging pattern and off you go.

 

Here's how it looked in the beginning!

Three rows of lace added at this point, there are seven in all.

the finished purse

close up of the tatting

skinny scarves

frilly loopy skinny scarf, hand dyed yarn, crocheted

I'm on a roll of trying to finish up some projects before starting anything new... at least that's what I tell myself (I get distracted by wanting to try something new very easily).

Here are two "skinny scarves" that I designed and have just finished. They are both crocheted from the same hand-dyed sock yarn. Each is about six feet long. Great for Summer wear since they're really a cross between a necklace and a scarf... more of a neck adornment!

rings and chains skinny scarf, crocheted

more fancy phones

A few weeks ago I showed off my latest smart phone cover up:

I was so pleased with the result of combining crochet and tatting that I set out on making another. Here are the pics!

I used Lizbeth 10 for the crocheting and a matching Lizbeth 40 for the tatting.

Again I made the pouch itself as a wristlet that opens easily to get at your phone.

Here's a detail shot of the single crochet and tatting. This time I used clusters of three seed beads (size 11) on the picot of the chain.

Since I had some leftover thread, I tatted this lock stitch chain bracelet/necklace. The beginning and ending rings just slip over one another to hold it secure.I've never had a problem with one of them coming undone (you'd really have to get it a pretty hard tug).

Next up! I have a new idea for another phone pouch, but this time I'll be using different tatted ornamentation. Pics to follow!

fancy phone

It's been forever since I updated this blog, well, not forever, but about three months. After the Christmas season I found I needed a bit of a break from fibers, and apart from a few small projects I was not too active. So now I'm back at it and decided to come up with a little smart phone pouch that combined crochet with some tatted lace adornment ... so here it is!

In the beginning: I used Lizbeth 10 (Caribbean)  for the pouch itself and Lizbeth 20 for the tatted trim. The beads are amethyst. The trim was attached as I went along by crocheting directly to the pouch.

I had just enough of the amethyst beads that I could do four rows of trim. Once I complete the bag, however, I didn't' like the placement of the first row I had joined (the one at the bottom), nor did I like how I had finished the closing at the top, sooo... I ripped it all out!!

Here's the redone version with better placement of the trim and a new closing at the top.

Detail of the closing. The strap was done in crocheted slip stitch, three rounds (which I threaded through the openings in the pouch as I started the second round so that I could crochet continuously.

The strap is long enough to go over the wrist when it's drawn up tight and securely holds the phone in place.

By moving the inner part of the strap aside the phone easily slides out. I tend to experiement with different ways of closing that don't involve too much sewing.... I'm a horror at putting in linings and zippers, but I have done it on occasion.

Detail of the tatting.

I'm happy with the result of this one overall and I've started the next! Once again I'll use a combination of Lizbeth 10 for the pouch itself and this time size 40 for the tatting. Here's a sneak preview!

Hues of orange, red and yellow for the next one with red seed beads.

ribby scarf

With Fall in the air, I get on the mood to crochet scarves, oh, fine, I'm in the mood almost anytime to make scarves.

I'm crocheting this one using a post stitch to give it that ribbed look. Can't decide if it's going to be a narrow one of if I'll make it wider and warmer... It is 100% wool. I'll know when I get there!

favorite model

Just a shot of my most popular model with some of her favorite toys. She's sporting a new crocheted hat. She's the quiet type, but that's ok.

hand dyed thread

It may cost more, but the results you get when using hand dyed thread or yarns is so worth it. Going back to craft chain yarn varigateds or even many preminum yarn "painted" colors just don't cut the mustard!

Above is a smart phone case I just finished crocheting up using hand dyed size 10 cotton thread dyed by tatter extraordinaire, Karey Solomon.

Gorgeous colors! Do I gave to sell it?!?

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recycled crochet

The other day I crocheted this little bowl using an old shirt of my sons. He had insisted it be cut in strips, which his dad did for me a few years ago now, but I've only just now gotten around to crocheting it up.

Its a fun way to reuse old clothing and it always reminds me of my mother's story of how, as she and her sister grew up, they cut their old clothes into strips, sewed them together and crocheted them into rugs. I think they each had nine or ten by the time they married.

Hard not to think of that six or seven year old boy each time I look at this.

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starry night

I was crocheting this motif and I'm really not sure where it is going. It will either be a scarf or some type of wrap. I'm using the last of my beloved Opera size 5 in purple, double strands.

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