TUTORIAL: Crocheted Market Bags -Step 2

Before we begin building the height of this bag, i'd like to introduce an alternative method for starting the base. It's easier than the first method i posted, so i hope you're not mad at me for wasting any time or curse words over the original pattern.

Instead of slip stitch joining the begining circle, simple skip the slip stitch and work the pattern in a SPIRAL. Using this method, you will always crochet around the entire chain, instead of the stitch at the top of hte 'posts.' This will make a more flexible mesh that is probably stronger than the first way i showed you. To build the round base, simply chain 1 more between double or triple crochets in each round. This is also how i usually make this bag... i guess i got excited by a recent hat pattern i was following that used the slip stitch method and decided to use it for this pattern... but perhaps i was wrong to do so.

Note, for a visual on how to triple crochet, visit the Flickr Group!

Okay, now it's time for some height! And it's so easy! Simply stop increasing and continue to chain the same number for the next dozen or so rounds. We left off at round 6, so here's the rest of the pattern:

Round 7-15/20: Ch 5, TC (triple crochet) around previous row's chain, crocheting all the way around the chain, not into the stitch, repeat all the way around for 13 or more rounds. (no need to move your market, just leave it where it is to help you count rounds)
Next Round: Ch4, DC (around the whole chain), *CH1, DC *repeat three times per mesh hole all the way around
Next Round: When you get all the way around, slip stitch into the next verticle mesh post/dc and tie 2 knots
Tie another piece of yarn, or a double up piece of string and weave it through the holes you just created at the top of the bag to create a draw string.

Admire your work! 
Mine turned out pretty huge, great or long term storage or big shopping purchases, but you may prefer to make many smaller bags that are more conducive to purchase a few apples or tomatoes, etc.

The size of your bag will depend on a few things: the size of your string, the size of your crochet hook, the tightness of your stitches, how large you decided to make your base and continue your height. If you want a large bag with smaller mesh, simply choose a tinier hook, finer string, and crochet more rounds to create the same effect. It is important, though to not let the 'holes' of the mesh get too large, or objects will slip out! SO use your common sense, play with this pattern and make it your own! But please, do follow the rules of the *disclaimer below.

These bags really are strong, especially if you choose quality string. I hope you enjoy your new bag, and that you'll comment back with all the fun things you use them for!


*Our market bag pattern, and all tutorials found on this site are presented for your personal use only. Tutorials and/or objects made from my tutorials may not be sold commercially (that includes Etsy or Ravelry!). If you want to sell something based on one of my tutorials, please email me at gonudesoap at gmail dot com and we'll try to work out a fair deal. Please play nicely!

TUTORIAL: Crocheted Produce/Market Bags - Step 1

Crocheters: grab your hooks, string and savvy and let's make some reusable bags! 

These bags are great to take to market, hold onions or potatoes in the kitchen, and even for storing yarn and other goodies in. They roll up fairly small, so you can keep on in your purse or car without taking up much space, yet they expand quite large, depending on how big you crochet the base.  If you already rock at crochet, this will be easy. I've done my best to post this pattern as both an easy to read description for those folks who aren't great at reading patterns, as well as in normal pattern lingo. I wrote in the first tutorial post that we'd be using three stitches: chain stitch, slip stitch and double crochet, and i left instructions for these stitches. However, i remembered that i usually like to use triple crochet for the majority of the bag, so please do your homework and get ready to triple crochet in the next post.
So, without further ado: we commence the tutorial!

* I must first start out with a disclaimer.... i am not a master crochetist. I often make mistakes, crochet into half the stitch instead of the whole stitch, am notorious for 'winging' most 'patterns' and have never written a pattern before. That being said, this bag pattern has lots of room for error, there are many ways to skin this cat, and i think you'll have fun doing it. Hopefully you even have fun trying to decipher my instructions. Please also see the second disclaimer at the bottom of this here post. *

Abbreviations used: ch: chain, slst: slip stitch, dc: double crochet
Round 1: ch5, slst into 1st ch after slip knot to join: makes a tiny circle
Round 2: ch2, dc3 into eatch st of the foundation chain (makes 16 stitches)
Round 3: ch5, place marker in st on hook, dc into next st (meaning skip 1 stitch and crochet into the next stitch), *ch3, dc in next st, repeat from * 6 times, stopping at marker
be sure you're crocheting under the two loops of the stitch, not just one. If you crochet 'incorrectly' you'll get a ridge between your two rows. Check out this diagram )
Round 4:  ch3, dc around the chain (instead of into it), move marker to this chain, chi5, *dc into next dc "post", ch5, repeat from * 7 times, stopping at the marker
Round 5: dc into the stitch with the marker, ch3, move marker to this chain,  ch3, * dc into next "post", ch3, repeat from * to the marker
Round 6: add to more ch to make a chain of 5, dc around chain, move marker to this stitch, ch5, skip the next "post" and dc into the chain

Sound like jibberish? Here's an 'english' version, with pictures!



Remember that if you don't have cute little markers, you can use a loop of different colored yarn or string, a twist tie, or even a paper clip. 

At this point, i like to use triple crochet for the next round and the rest of the bag. SO please do your homework and learn the triple crochet stitch. Hint, it's just like double crochet, but you yarn over TWO times before crocheting into the stitch, and pull through three times instead of two times: thus triple crochet. We'll stop here for now and continue on Friday with the base of this market bag, continuing to get you on your way to completing your very own market bag! You get to decide how big you're bag will be based on how wide you get the base circle and how long you continue crocheting up the sides of the bag.

As always, i welcome emails and questions, and want to see your progress! So, be sure to join the Flickr group and post images of YOUR creations!

A few resources to help you out if you have questions:
learntocrochet.lionbrand.com/www.anniesattic.com/crochet/
Ravelry.com
www.crochetspot.com/category/tutorials-and-help/


*Our market bag pattern, and all tutorials found on this site are presented for your personal use only. Tutorials and/or objects made from my tutorials may not be sold commercially (that includes Etsy or Ravelry!). If you want to sell something based on one of my tutorials, please email me at gonudesoap at gmail dot com and we'll try to work out a fair deal. Please play nicely!

Market Bag Tutorial: Gather Your Supplies!

It's almost time to get your crochet on, people! A few of you have already clamoured for details, but for those of you who waited, this is what you'll need:

• 1 spool of basic cotton string. You could use any sturdy yarn, but you don't want anything bulky, fuzzy, or woolen. Hemp would probably work, but it's a bit stiff. This basic string from the hardware store will do just fine
• Medium sized crochet hook. You can use the lightweight plastic ones if that's all you have, but i recommend a metal or bamboo hook as i've been known to snap a hook during heavier projects.
• That's it! Though a crochet marker or extra piece of thread tied in a half inch loop would be helpful.

Now for the skills needed. I meant it when i said only basic crochet skills are needed. We're going to be using three stitches: chain stitch, slip stitch and double crochet. That's it. You can find instructions for these stitches in ANY crochet book, online, from a friend and from these ridiculous videos i filmed yesterday. Which means you will now hear my actual voice, not just the type written one. Let's see how many of you make fun of my lisp!




I'm sure you could also find many more and better tutorials on YouTube. If you're a total beginner, check out that site for lots more how to videos. I should have filmed over my shoulder so that you're not looking at the stitches backwards...  but here are some photos to help out as well:

So now you know what you need to get ready for our crochet along on Monday. Head to your local yarn, fabric or hardware store, your basement or your private stash and let's get crackin! For fun, i've created a flickr group for showing off our progress. I hope you'll join the group and share with us! You don't have to join to see what others are doing, but it would be even more fun if we could see your projects too! You can also post any recipes or other projects inspired by this blog, up to 10 images a day! Yay!

What to expect on Monday: bring your thread, hooks and savvy and get ready for a free pattern* with some variations and room for personalization. We'll start with developing the base of the bag, using chain stitches and double crochet, crocheting in the round. Having a stitch marker on hand will help you to count your stitches.


*Our market bag pattern, and all tutorials found on this site are presented for your personal use only. Tutorials and/or objects made from my tutorials may not be sold commercially (that includes Etsy or Ravelry!). If you want to sell something based on one of my tutorials, please email me at gonudesoap at gmail dot com and we'll try to work out a fair deal. Please play nicely! 

Excited? I sure am!  See you next week!

Are You Ready for Some Crochet!?

Football season is gearing up and winding down at the same time, so it's time for 'us girls' (total gender stereotype there, sorry) to get something to do with our hands during the big games, other than stuffing our faces with nachos. I mentioned it before and got resounding support to host a crochet tutorial, so it's time to get your hooks out, crochet-savvy ladies and gents! Let's make some market bags! They're great for picking up produce in the store or farmer's market (be sure and weigh your bags at home so that you can subtract the cost of the bag when weighing your produce), for carrying your purchases, or even for storing onions or potatoes, etc in the kitchen. For the purposes of this tutorial, we'll be calling our project "market bags."

I will post this tut in a few posts, first with materials needed, then with the first step for the bottom of the bag with several variations, and then the completion of the bag.

Here's what we'll be making:

Excited? Tantalized? Eager to learn this basic but sometimes hard to find (esp for free!) pattern? You should be. It's great fun, totally customizable and only requires basic crochet skills. Gather your friends (tweet this post, share on facebook, email to your bestie) and get ready for some crochet! Step one coming THIS FRIDAY, WOOT!. You'll have the weekend to gather your supplies before we start the meat and potatoes of the project on Monday and finish the next Friday.... just in time to hone your skills before Superbowl Sunday.

I hope you'll play along, too!