Upcycled orange bag

 Orange Bag Redone

Materials:

1 nylon net bag used for oranges or onions or other fruits and vegetables.

Worsted weight (DK) cotton yarn ( I used two small leftover balls about the size of a large egg each.)
Crochet hook  sized for the holes in your net.  (I used an H/5mm.)

Yarn needle (optional, but makes tail weaving easier)

Method:

1.  Trim the ends so that they are square or even.
2. Starting at bottom, fold over about one inch of the bag evenly.  (Make a "hem" or "cuff")
3. Join yarn with a slip stitch in any hole along the fold. (the holes are a bit hard to see. Stretch the bag to find them easier.)
4. Chain 1, single crochet in each hole around making sure that you go through two layers of bag. Join with a slip stitch to first single crochet.
5. Chain 1, single crochet 2 together around. (or single crochet , single crochet 2 together if a larger base is desired) Join with slip stitch to first Single crochet.
6. Continue single crochet 2 together ( or SC, SC2Tog) and joining each round until 3 stitches remain. Fasten off leaving long tail.
7. With yarn needle, close hole and weave in tails.
8. Top:  Fold over about two inches then fold again so that there are four layers for your hook to go through.
9. Join yarn and crochet around like you did in steps 3 & 4.  this time make sure you go through four layers of bag.
10. Chain 1, Single crochet around. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet.
11. Chain 1, Single crochet in first 10 stitches (Omit If you don't mind having your handle at your join ), chain a nice handle length (10-12 inches), Join with a slip stitch on the opposite side of the rim.  (I just laid the bag flat with the stitch the chain started from on my right and carefully without twisting the chain dove into the stitch that was on my far left..)
12. Single crochet in each chain back to the first chain then continue Single crochet around to chain join. Slip stitch to opposite side of  the chain Single crochet the other side of the chain, slip stitch in the space at chain base , and finish the round. join to first single crochet with slip stitch and bind off.
13. weave in ends.

Printable Documents

I totally dislike finding recipes or patterns on blogs that I can't just download with a few clicks.  I am very guilty of that myself.  My recipes and patterns are embedded in the text of blog and therefore must be copied  and pasted to be saved by you, my audience.

I am working on trying to figure out how to upload a printable copy of each recipe and pattern.  I've started with our favorite Mac and Almost Cheese recipe (September 2011).

I'm double checking that the print copy and the blog copy are the same. I sometimes make changes to one and forget to make changes in the other.  Be patient, if this works I hope to have all the files available by the end of 2013.  If you have a special interest, drop me note on G+  and I'll see about moving that file to the head of the line.

Ribbed Brim Hat (Crochet pattern)

I wrote this pattern in 2010.  Our oldest daughter made a hat from it.   I used Lion Wool Ease Thick and Quick.  Daughter used Red Heart Super Saver.

Increasing every other round makes the cap fit better and not "ride up".   The reverse single crochet edge gives a very finished look.

As always, if you try my pattern (or recipe) and have a comment please post it.

Ribbed Brim Hat
Crochet hook US size K-P hook
Worsted-Bulky weight yarn
No gauge-Fit is by individual measure

Starting Round: Chain 2; 8 sc in 2nd chain from from hook; join with slst(8 sc)
Increase Rounds: ch 2, hdc in 1st sc:: 2 hdc in next 7 sc :: join with slst to top of ch 2. (16 hdc ch2 counts as hdc)
ch2, hdc in top of chain the previous round; hdc in the next hdc :: 2 hdc in next hdc, 1 hdc in next hdc around:: join with slst to top of ch 2. (24 hdc)
ch2, hdc in top of chain the previous round; hdc in the next hdc :: 2 hdc in next hdc, 1 hdc in next 2 hdc around:: join with slst to top of ch 2. (32hdc)
ch2, hdc in top of chain the previous round; hdc in the next hdc :: 2 hdc in next hdc, 1 hdc in next 3 hdc around:: join with slst to top of ch 2. (40 hdc)

CONTINUE INCREASE ROUNDS UNTIL YOU HAVE A CIRCLE MEASURING 4 INCHES (3 INCHES FOR CHILD)

Body Rounds:  Work one round even- Ch2, 1 hdc in every hdc, join with slst to top of ch 2.
work next round as an increase round: ch2, hdc in top of chain the previous round; hdc in the next hdc :: 2 hdc in next hdc, 1 hdc in next "x" hdc around:: join with slst to top of ch 2.
Stop working increase rounds when hat fits comfortably around head.
Work even until hat is long enough to cover ears.

Ribbing: Ch3, dc in each hdc around, join wth slst to top of ch 3.
two post rounds: ch2, ::fpdc, bpdc :: join with slst to top of ch 2, twice.

Finishing edge: ch 1, reverse sc around.

"Blitz" wearing my hat.

Bind off, weave in tails.

Cat's Paw Scarf (Knit pattern)

I'm writing my first knitting pattern.  Definitely a work in progress.  

I got the lace stitch pattern from The Knitter's Bible Stitch Library by Claire Crompton, (David & Charles 2010).   Try it and tell me if I got it completely wrong or only slightly off.

I will update this as I work through the project and find my errors.

Cat's Paw Scarf

Lace inserts shaped like cat's paws climb this scarf. The two panels are not even. I offset the start by two rows for a “walking” effect. 

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn, 1 skein or more depending on length

Knitting needles (10 mm US 15 or size of your choice)

Stitch makers (4)  Optional, but I find it really helps to remind me where the Pattern is.

Stitches used:

Knit – K, k

Purl – P, p

Knit two stitches together – K2tog, k2t

Slip, slip, knit – SSK, ssk

Yarn over – YO, yo

Slip, Knit two together, Pass over – SK2PO, sk2po

Instructions:

Cast on 36 using cable or knitted cast on.
Row 1. *K2, P2* repeat * *
Row 2 Through Row 8. Repeat row 1.
Row 9. Knit
Row 10. Purl
Row 11. Knit
Row 12. (Foundation Row) P5, place marker, k3, k2t, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3, place marker, p4, k11, p5

Start repeat: (suggest running lifeline here and after every repeat)

Row 13. K5, p11, k4, p11, k5

Row 14. P5, k2, k2t, yo, k3,yo, ssk, k2, p4, k3, k2t, yo, k1,yo, ssk, k3, p5
Row 15. K5, p11, k4, p11, k5
Row 16 P5, k4, yo, sk2po, yo, k4, p4, k2, k2t, yo, k3,yo, ssk, k2, P5
Row 17.K5, p11, k4, p11, k5
Row 18. P5, K11, P4, k4, yo, sk2po, yo, k4, p5
Row 19. K5, p11, k4, p11, k5
Row 20. P5, k3, k2t, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3,, p4, k11, p5

End repeat:

Repeat rows 13 – 20 to desired length..Ending on row 19

Finishing Rows: (reverse of first 11 rows)

Row 22. Knit

Row 23 purl

Row 24 knit

Row 25 through row 33 * k2 p2 *

Bind off , weave in ends.