Free crochet market bag pattern

Lately I have been trying to come up with easy, useful Christmas gifts for family and friends. I experimented with making a simple crochet market bag pattern when I was pregnant last summer and have finally written it down to share.  It works up very similar to me previous crochet snood tutorial, so I haven't taken as many detailed steps in this one, but if you have a basic understanding of crochet, you can make this. I can whip one up in about an hour or so, they are super quick, and use 1 average ball of 8 ply yarn. I've been using acrylic yarn, to use up some of my stash, so these bags end up quite stretchy. Cotton would be stronger and a bit less stretchy, but honestly I haven't had any issues carrying heavy groceries in mine yet, and I have been using a couple of them for a year now. 

This light blue one is one of the ones I have been using for some time, and although it looks small, I find that it is the perfect size when it stretches out

Apparently it also makes a comfortable seat.

To begin the bag, chain 6, then attach to the first chain to form a ring. Chain 3 to form the first stitch, then double crochet followed by a chain 9 times to form 10 in total, and slip stitch to the first chains to complete the first round.

Round 2: Chain 4 and then make a double crochet and 2 chains in each space, created by the previous round.

Round 3: Chain 3 and then make 2 double crochets with a single chain after each, in each space, created by the previous round.

Round 4: Chain 4 and then make a double crochet and 2 chains in each space, created by the previous round.

Round 5: Chain 3 and then make 2 double crochets with a single chain after each, in each space, created by the previous round.

Round 6: Chain 4 and then make a double crochet and 2 chains in each space, created by the previous round.

Rounds 7-20: Chain 5 and then make a double crochet and 3 chains in each space, created by the previous round. Your bag should start curling up after a few of these rounds, and once done, your bag should look something like this one (sorry for changing bags midway through) You can add more rows here if you think the bag is too small, but keep in mind they need to be a bit small to account for all the stretch. For scale, the book is A5 size (and the baby hands are 10 months old) 

Forming the handles is probably the trickiest part, but it isn't all that hard. You can choose to make your handles longer or shorter depending on your preferences. Apologies that I haven't taken photos of these steps, but hopefully they make enough sense. I will try to add photos at a later date.

Round 21: Chain 2, then make 3 single crochet in each space for 5 spaces. Chain 70 and join back after 9 spaces with a single crochet, and continue with 3 single crochet in each space for 11 spaces. Chain 70 and join back after 9 spaces, and continue 3 single crochet in each space until you finish the round. This should be 6 spaces, if yours is different, that is OK, but you will have to work out your handle spacing so that it is even.

Round 22: Chain 2, and then single crochet into each of the spaces from the previous round, with 70 single crochet stitches on each handle.

Round 23-24: Chain 2, and then single crochet into each of the spaces from the previous round.

You have the option of doing more or less single crochet rows, based on your preference and how much yarn you have. 2 is probably the minimum, but I like 3.

Once you have completed your single crochet rows, I like to make a small loop from about 20 or so chains (I forgot to count) then single crochet around the loop. This is for hanging the bags in the bagging area at the checkout at the supermarket (similar to the holes in the plastic bags). If your supermarket doesn't use these, then you can leave them off.

Hopefully you find this pattern helpful, for gifts for others, or even for yourself!

Dixie

A New Camera Bag for a New Camera!

After recently using my now sister-in-law's DSLR at her wedding about 2 weeks ago, I thought it really was about time I got myself a better camera for my blog, as my phone camera just doesn't quite cut it. Luckily, my dad gave my husband and I a $500 gift voucher for Christmas, so it seemed like the perfect thing to buy with it, as it is something we will both use.

While my sister-in-law has a Canon 1100, we decided to go for the entry level Nikon 3400, as it was slightly more affordable, and had much better specifications than the current entry level Canon. I know there are plenty of people who are very adamant about which brand is better, but for now, the Nikon is more in our price range, meaning we will be able to afford extra lenses and accessories at a later date.

My husband had a go taking a few shots as soon as we got home and charged the battery, and we are both petty impressed with it. Plus the Bluetooth capabilities means it is super easy for me to send a photo to my phone to upload to instagram. The below photo was taken while I was crocheting quite quickly, and I love how clear it is. Definitely not something a phone camera can achieve! We are also looking at taking a class with Wild Learning, to learn to use more of the manual settings on our camera.

When we purchased our camera, the only bag options were ugly backpack styles, or a Canon branded bag. So naturally I decided to make a bag to better suit our needs. Luckily I have quite a few pieces of leather, one of which was quite large, and far too shiny to use for historical re-enactment purposes, so was perfect for this project.

I started by making the padded insert, using some firm foam pieces, wadding and cotton fabric. I just measured roughly what size I needed (by measuring my camera and lens) then sewing sections of fabric and inserting the foam and wadding inside and hand stitching the pieces together. Once I had made the padded insert section, I measured it and made a simple leather bag to fit it into. I did sew a long shoulder strap for the bag, but the leather was so stiff, it kinda looked odd, so I didn't end up attaching it. The bag isn't perfect, but for a $2 piece of leather, a 50c zip from an op shop and fabric, foam and wadding scraps, it's pretty awesome.

The main thing is that it does it's job, which is to protect and carry my camera and accessories. Plus the cute kitty print fabric inside make me happy, and has space for other bits and pieces like the manual and extra SD cards.

Here's another shot of the progress of my crocheted blanket from earlier. I'm following a pattern that was made to recreate one from the "Call the Midwife" TV show, from the 2012 Christmas Special to be exact. It's super easy and very sweet, I want to make one in every colour! It's about half way done so far.

So that's a little of what I've been doing lately.
Does anyone else use a Nikon Camera?

Dixie

2 Lacey Wool Berets

As I get more into spinning my own wool, I like to try different things and challenge myself. So naturally I decided to try spinning a skein as finely as I could.

I was very pleased how my wool turned out. But when I finished it, I realised I now needed a lovely lacey pattern to use it on. I wasn't sure I had the patience to make several of these finely spun skeins, nor the patience to knit or crochet a large item out of such fine wool. So I decided this lace beret pattern I found on Ravelry.

The first 3 rounds

The pattern is well written, and has a diagram, which helped me immensely! I had some trouble on round 4, but after reading the comments on her blog post about this pattern, I figured it out easily enough. When it got to the point of no more increasing, I realised mine was still way too small, so I repeated the increasing pattern for a few more rows.

Unfortunately it still ended up way to small for me, but I decided to finish it anyway and keep it for a gift for a child at a later date.

So I decided to make another, in a larger wool, with a few more modifications. I used my pink and blue hand spun wool, which is about an 8ply weight (but is only 2ply)

I used the same motif at the start, but then increased more with my chains to keep it mostly flat, then I did one more of the design rows, then did a few rows with no increasing, then some slight decreasing, until it fit my head. I finished the bottom edge off with only 1 row of single crochet. I also used the small bit of wool left to make a small pom pom and attached it to the top of the beret

And of course some silly selfies so you can see how it looks on!

I've kinda made this at the wrong time of the year, as we are just into spring, but luckily we are having a bit of a cold snap in this part of Australia, so I'll get a bit of wear out of it yet before summer hits!

Dixie

Spinning!

So, over the weekend, I was lucky enough to have had my uncle teach me how to spin wool. He now has 4 spinning wheels, and so has agreed to lend me one, possibly for keeps if I really like it. I warned him I tend to pick up skills like this very very easily, but he still thought it would take me some time to get the rhythm of the wheel. However it only took me a matter of minutes and I was off and spinning like a pro (or at least not a complete novice) He was very surprised at my natural ability, and could not wait to tell people at the spinning guild he meets with.

It was difficult to spin and look at the camera

I had my first bobbin half filled within 30 minutes (you only half fill it, as you then ply 2 spun strands together)

I then took the wheel, its accessories and 500g of un-spun wool home. I didnt get any more spinning done that afternoon, as I was too tired, but the next morning, I was awoken early by one of my cats, and so decided to get up and see what I could manage before leaving for church. I managed to spin a second half full bobbin, ply the 2 together, wrap the yarn around the niddy noddy, then twist and tie it into a skein.

2 strands plied together

on the Niddy Noddy

My First Skein!

4 completed skeins

By the time I went back to work on Tuesday morning, I had completed 4 skeins! Out of interest, I weighed them on my kitchen scales and they average 30g each, which is a lot lighter than I thought they would be. I still need to wash each skein to set the ply so it doesnt unravel, which will shrink it a bit. I will then be dyeing them some sort of bright colour (I haven't decided what colour yet) and knit up something fabulous! I already have a cute little bolero/shrug pattern in mind.

Does anyone else spin their own yarn?

Dixie

Miss Dixie's picks for a hand-made Christmas - Decorations

Hello Lovelies! As promised here is Part 2 of my Hand-made Christmas Series, today, we are looking at decorations for your Home and Tree

Photo from Pinterest

Crochet Christmas tree Garland
This is a project on my to do list this year (but we'll see if I find the time...) The crochet pattern for the trees is from The Royal Sisters and it has been strung together on what looks like a chain stitch of white yarn, but you could easily use plain ribbon, or twine or anything that suits your decor.

Found here on Etsy

Also from Etsy

Red & White felt ornaments
I love the look of red and white felt ornaments. Last year I made my own version of the above cat shaped ornaments by cutting out of 2 layers of felt, putting a bid of wadding in the middle and blanket stitching around the outside in the contrasting colour. But really, any simple shape, out of either red or white, with the opposite colour used for some embroidery or just the blanket stitch around the outside, look stunning, and have a lovely vintage appeal to them.

Half eaten Gingerbread man
This has to be one of the cutest tree ornaments ever. I made mine some years ago using the free pattern from Elsie Marley, and had a lot of fun customising them for friends. Some had hats and bow ties, other's dresses, and one even had fangs and wings. I only have my plain little one left to show you, but don't be afraid to personalise your's to suit.

After a felt ornament that is a little less traditional, but still very, very cute? How about these Adorable Deer and Fox Ornaments? The pattern is FREE and can be found here on the Cutesy Crafts blog (and there's more to be found on the blog, so look around)

Photo and Free Pattern from Sew like my Mom

I know Christmas stockings aren't as much of a big thing here in Australia as they are in other countries. I myself had a santa sack as a child, as it fits way more presents. But for those more Traditional people, there is a certain appeal to a well made stocking hanging from a Mantle (or in my case. a hanging rack I made to sit on a windowsill) They are very easy to make, even beginner seamstresses could manage it, and you can make them as plain or as ornate as you like. I currently have cheapo sequin stockings from the reject shop with all our names (with one each for all 3 kitties) added to the cuff with felt, but if I find the time, I may upgrade to some nice hand-made ones.

Tutorial here

A Decorating staple in many homes at Christmas time is the humble wreath. I recently saw an adorable one posted on facebook by Va-Voom Vintage and it reminded me of a tutorial for a similar one I saw some years ago, that I wanted to make, but never got around to. So a bit of internet research (read: googling) later and I found it! The full tutorial can be found here. I'm pretty sure I saw some foam wreath forms last week at one of my local op-shops for about 10c but didn't buy them, but now I'm thinking I need to go back and buy them all (if they are still there) Seeing as I recently nabbed a bunch of vintage-y type ornaments that were for sale at my church, that I can use to decorate my own vintage bauble wreath.

Beccie from Sew Retro Rose's Dining table
The Santa hats were made for her by her mum!

If you truly want to go all out with your Christmas decorating how about Santa hats for your chairs? The ones in the above photo were handmade by a friend's mum, but I found this tutorial online if you want to try your hand at making your own. To see the rest of Beccie's Christmas Decorating, check out this post from 2013

Photo from Craftiness is not optional

Of course if the chair hats are too fabric heavy for your budget you could always try some of these adorable stocking cutlery holders, with a free pattern and tutorial which you can find here, along with heaps of other tutorials and patterns for Christmas and for other times of the year too. I'm sorely tempted to make some, but my family Christmas gathering is more of an informal BBQ, rather than a formal sit down meal, so they probably wouldn't get used. I've also seen some very cute knitted versions as well, but I'm a pretty slow knitter......

From Sew Craft Jess

If you are up for a little bit of math, you could make your own festive Christmas Tree Skirt using this great tutorial. I made my own very simple gold tree skirt last year, but I've seen so many beautiful intricately detailed ones since then, I wouldn't mind making another one that isn't so plain.

Only time will tell if I will be able to get any of this stuff made for myself this year, with all the gifts I have to make, I really should have gotten started earlier. Do any of you guys have plans to make any hand made decorations?

Happy Holiday Crafting!

Dixie