For the Yarn Lovers :)

COWLOVINGIRL

What is your favorite knit or crochet project that you have ever made?

vickeym

Dating myself here, but as a young teenager when I learned to crochet, I was really into the granny square tops that were popular at the time. So much so that I got where I could even crochet in the car in the dark. lol

MissPatricia

The one that I am most proud of is a grey wool coat that I knitted for my oldest granddaughter when she was in high school. She is 22 years old now and can still wear it. She saw the pattern in a 1939 McCall's and requested that I knit it in gray. I used a good wool because I knew it would be many hours of knitting. It had a vent at the back hem, lapels, and collar. The old pattern had directions that I found difficult to follow. My granddaughter really liked it.

csinclair461

I have made a number of crochet market bags, and given them as gifts as well as having a stash of my own. They are used for so much more than just groceries.

kbmbillups1

I learned to knit left handed in college even though I'm right handed. The person who taught me was left handed. Now I have to look up left handed knitting videos to remember just to get started! I used to knit sweaters but haven't done that in a long time. I made I don't know now probably 30 or so scarves a few years ago for Christmas presents but they were those fancy looking scarves that are simple to knit together in about 45 minutes or an hour.

I've since learned to crochet and made my daughter a swimming suit top a couple years ago when those were the in thing. I've also crocheted baby blankets and booties. I have started making a loose cover that goes over a cami and mittens but I keep getting side tracked with other things I have to do...

dipat2005

@csinclair461 do you have a link for the market bag? That would be most helpful. I used to knit sweaters and crochet them together. I also as one of my final projects knit leprosy bandages through my church.

My granddaughter was mostly a self starter at 8 and learned to crochet by herself and then wanted me to teach her knitting.

csinclair461

@dipat3005 I got the pattern off the web years ago, and eventually lost it apparently, but by then I thought I had it memorized.  

I looked at a few different bags of mine, and just like my cooking, every one I made is different. They all feel about the same to me, but the stitches vary from 48 to 56 dc on the top row, most bags have about 22-24 rows, and the strap is 14-16 rows long on each side. I am pretty sure I have used different size hooks too. Nevertheless, going from memory and from looking at the bags I've made, I reconstructed the pattern.

Its a very forgiving and versatile pattern, just like the bag is very versatile. You can add another row of increases to put in more stitches, The handle is more particular about both sides being same, and being placed properly.

I like to use cotton yarn, but have used acrylic, and even plarn (plastic yarn made from old shopping bags).

Here's a picture of one of mine - I need to make new ones, this one's getting a bit worn out (it's been used a LOT for many years). I stuffed some clothes in it to make it look a little fuller.

H hook

100% cotton yarn

Abbreviations:

ch: chain

sp: space

sl st: slip stitch

dc: double crochet

st/s: stitch(es)

R: round

dc2tog: double crochet two stitches together

sc: single crochet

Body:

Make a magic loop (or, alternatively, can chain 3, join with a sl st into first ch to form a ring and work round 1 into that)

R1: work 6 total of *dc, ch1* into magic loop, join with sl st at end of the round, (to hold ring tight and work end in at same time, can pull ring tight as you start the last dc, and pick up the end of yarn and crochet it into stitch), ch 3, turn (6 st)

R2: 1 dc in same st as join; ch1, *2 (dc, ch 1) in next sp between sts; 1 (dc, ch1) in the next sp between sts* Repeat from *; join with sl st, ch 3, turn (12 st)

R3: *2 (dc, ch1) in the next sp between sts; 1 (dc, ch1) in the next 2 sps between sts* Repeat from *; join with sl st, ch 3, turn (18 st)

R4: *2 (dc, ch1) in the next sp between sts; 1 (dc, ch1) in the next 3 sps between sts* Repeat from *; join with sl st, ch 3, turn (24 st)

R5: *2 (dc, ch1) in the next sp between sts; 1 (dc, ch1) in the next 4 sps between sts* Repeat from *; join with sl st, ch 3, turn (30 st)

R6: *2 (dc, ch1) in the next sp between sts; 1 (dc, ch1) in the next 5 sps between sts* Repeat from *; join with sl st, ch 3, turn (36 st)

R7: *2 (dc, ch1) in the next sp between sts; 1 (dc, ch1) in the next 6 sps between sts* Repeat from *; join with sl st, ch 3, turn (42 st)

R8: *2 (dc, ch1) in the next sp between sts; 1 (dc, ch1) in the next 7 sps between sts* Repeat from *; join with sl st, ch 3, turn (48 st)

R9: *2 (dc, ch1) in the next sp between sts; 1 (dc, ch1) in the next 8 sps between sts* Repeat from *; join with sl st, ch 3, turn (54 st)

R10: *2 (dc, ch1) in the next sp between sts; 1 (dc, ch1) in the next 9 sps between sts* Repeat from *; join with sl st, ch 3, turn (60 st)

R11-20: 1 (dc, ch1) in every space between sts, join with sl st, ch 3, turn (60 st)

R21: *1 (dc, ch1) in next 9 sp between sts; dc2tog*, rep from * 5 times; join with sl st, ch 3, turn (54 st)

R22: 1 (dc, ch1) in each sp between sts; join with sl st, ch 3 (54 st)

R23: *1 (dc, ch1) in next 9 sp between sts; dc2tog*, rep from * 5 times; join with sl st, ch 3, turn (48 st)

R24: 1 (dc, ch1) in each sp between sts; join with sl st, ch 3 (48 st)

Strap, side 1:

Row 1: 1 (dc, ch1) in next 11 sp between sts, ch 3, turn (12 st)

Row 2: dc2tog in first sp, ch1; (dc, ch1) in next 6 sp between sts, dc2tog, ch1; dc in last sp between st; ch3, turn (10 st)

Row 3: dc2tog in first sp, ch1; (dc, ch1) in next 4 sp between sts, dc2tog, ch1; dc in last sp between st; ch3, turn (8 st)

Row 4: dc2tog in first sp, ch1; (dc, ch1) in next 2 sp between sts, dc2tog, ch1; dc in last sp between st; ch3, turn (6 st)

Row 5: dc in first sp, ch1, dc2tog, (dc,ch1) in next 2 sp, ch3, turn (4 st)

Row 6-15: (dc, ch1) in each sp between st, ch 3, turn (4 st)

Row 16: (dc, ch1) in ea sp between st, ch 1, tie off

Strap, side 2:

Join with sl st 12 sp from first unworked sp between st (there are 48 dc around top of bag, ea handle base has 12 dc and there are 12 unworked dc between handle bases).

Repeat instructions for strap, side 1, Rows 1-16. 

Sew/sc tops of straps together, and work in loose ends.

Edging:

Row 1: Join with sl st on top edge of bag, or side of strap, work 2 sc in each sp around loop formed by top of bag/edges of strap) on side of strap, sp is formed by the outermost dc of ea row). 

Row 2: sc in ea sc around loop, going through both sides of st. Tie off.  

Repeat edging in loop on other side of strap. Tie off, work in loose threads.

VermontCathy

I have managed to completely forget the crochet stitches I learned as a kid. :-( Maybe one of these days, I'll have time to pull out a book and learn them again.

kbmbillups1

@VermontCathy You can find everything you need to remember on youtube.

dipat2005

@csinclair461 Wow! Thank you so much. I for sure will need my granddaughters help on this. That looks like a strong grocery bag. I will have to get some cotton yarn.

monica197

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/907143#Comment_907143

Thank you for sharing!!!!

LaurieLovesLearning

I have never done much knitting and haven't learned crochet. Now unfortunately, my hands would not allow either.

I stumbled across this idea yesterday if anyone might want to do this for hospitals for use by grieving parents of miscarried or possibly stillborn babies. The first link has a fantastic variety of ideas.

Having miscarried in the past, had there been a body for me to see, this would have been a beautiful way to honor that tiny life.

Someone had made me a keepsake, a feather angel, which was a small gold beaded "halo" a tiny white ribbon underneath, with a beautiful white super fluffy feather, on a delicate string. I take it out each Christmas as a treasured memory ornament on the tree.

Making a miniature matching one of these ideas below to go with each larger one (for the baby) might also be a beautiful & lasting gift.

https://www.pinterest.ca/laceneedle/nicu-bereavement-crochet-bassinet/

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lavini-moses-basket

kbmbillups1

@LaurieLovesLearning several years ago our Girl Scout Troop sewed lined drawstring bags by the moms with babies in the NICU to keep the beads that they were given for the baby reaching different milestones.

Cornelius

I knitted a scarf for my brother in his college colors.

COWLOVINGIRL

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/907281#Comment_907281

What a cool idea!

silvertipgrizz

@COWLOVINGIRL My fav thing I ever made with yarn was an old old pattern for: 'Indian Paint Brush'

it was easy single/double crochet. Turned out beautiful and very warm, and big enough to top the bedspread it I needed it..

Cornelius

@COWLOVINGIRL It took me a few months and was the first project that I kept changing colors by hand (and not the multicolored yarn lol). I think it turned out really well!

gardneto76

Several years ago I crocheted a heavy wool blanket for each of my girls in their favorite colors. I am not very good a big projects so most recently I made 2 small stuffed ladybugs that will be sent to my great nephew. He has been terrified of bugs until he discovered ladybugs.

COWLOVINGIRL

@gardneto76 That is really cute!

silvertipgrizz

@gardneto76 I love lady bugs and yours is 'cute as a bug' lol....love it!

Cornelius

@gardneto76 This is so cute! Hopefully he finds it lucky!

gardneto76

Thanks for all of your nice comments everyone! I posted this then was off work for 2 weeks and focused on getting things done around the farm. It is amazing how fast time can fly by when your are not at work. Hope everyone had a great holiday time.