Plarn shopping bag-granny squares

My plastic bag collection was taking over our home recently, so I sat down and spent a few hours turning it into a few large balls of plarn. Then it was time to go "Pinterest Shopping" for inspiration as to what to do with these balls.

I found this picture, and decided to use it as a springboard.

Here's how mine turned out:

The pattern I used was pretty basic, just a chain 4, then join into a circle. Next sc 12 in the chain 4 circle, then 20sc, (3 in each corner, 2 on each side) then 28sc. Finish off. 

I made a bunch of the squares, then sl stitched them together, and made a border and a handle. 

Now I have a nice bag for my farmer's marketing, general shopping, or just taking things around here and there. What's not to like about that?

Cable Crochet Ear Warmers Pattern

Since I was in ear warmer mode, I went ahead an made up another one--this one to coordinate with my signature fingerless glove pattern.





Cable Crochet Ear Warmers

Size G crochet hook

Ch 34

Rnd 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, *sc in end of row, ch 11, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, sc in same st as * hdc in next free loops of ch, hdc in last free loop. *Sc in end of row, ch 11, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, sc in same st as here*, sl st in first sc. Finish off.

Rnd 2: hdc in next sc, dc in next sc, *fptrc in next 2 dc on other side of foundation ch, sk 2 sc behind, dc in next 3 sc, rep from *4 times, fptrc in next 2 dc on other side of foundation ch, sk 2 sc behind, dc, hdc, and sc in next 3 sc, sc in the next 10 free loops of the ch 11 you made in Rnd 1. Sc in end of row, sc in next 10 sc, sc, hdc, dc, in next 3 st. *Fptrc in each of next 2 fptrc, sk 2 st behind, dc in next 3 st, rep from * 4 times, fptrc in next 2 fptrc, sk 2 sc behind, dc, hdc, sc in next 3 st, sc in next 2 sc and the next 11 free loops of the ch 11 you made in rnd 1, sc in end of row, sc in next 10 st, sl st to beg ch 2.

Rnd 3: ch 2, hdc in next st, dc in next st (*), sk next st, fptrc in next st, then fptrc in skipped st, "X" made. Sk 2 st in back of "X" just made, dc in next 3 dc, rep from * 4 times, sk next st, fptrc in next st, then make "X" in last fptrc group, dc, hdc, sc in next 3 st (*) sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 10 sc, hdc in next st, dc in next st, rep from (*) to (*) 1 time, sc in next 11 sc, 2 sc in next sl, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 9 sc, sl st to ch 2.

Rnd 4: Ch 2 hdc in next 31 st, sc in next 10 sc 2 sc in next sc sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 10 sc, hdc in next 31 st, sc in next 13 2 sc  in next sc, sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 9 sc, sl st to ch 2.

Rnd 5: Ch 2, sc in the next 106 st ch 4 sc in next st 2 sc, 4 sc in loop just made, sc in next 11 sc, sl st to ch 2, finish off.

Ear Warmer Pattern

I've dabbled a bit here and there with ear-warmers, but up till now, had never worked up a pattern that really felt right. But, a month or two ago, I started working with a pattern in the round, with varying stitches, and it finally felt good enough to pursue.



So, here it is, in all it's "Charlotte-ese" crochet language glory. I call it the . . .

Crossing Lines Ear Warmer Pattern
(!!!! Catchy eh? I'm just full of unique titles over here)




Size G Hook

Chain 34

Sc in 3rd ch from hook and to end, 32 st

Round 1-Ch 2, Hdc in same st, make 15 dc "X"s in next 30 loops of chain, hdc in next free loop, *sc in  end of row, ch 13, sc in 3rd ch from hook and next 10 ch sc in same stitch as was done here * Hdc in next sc, make 15 doc "X"s in next 30 sc's. Hdc in next sc, *sc in next st. Ch 13, sc in 3rd ch from hook and next 10 st, sl st in same st as this * End row.

Round 2- Ch 2, Hdc in same st, Hdc in each st across to "tail" (32 st). Sc in next 11 free loops of ch, sc in end and in next 11 sc's, sl st in next sc.

Round 3- ch 2, Hdc in same st, Hdc in each st across to "tail" (33 st). Sc in next 11 free loops of ch, sc in end of row and in next 11 sc, sl st to beginning.

Round 4- Ch 2, Hdc in same st and in next 2 sc's. Make 13 dc "X's" in next 26 st, Hdc in next 15 sc's, 2 Hdc in next sc, 1 Hdc in next, 2 Hdc in next, Hdc in next 15 sc's, make 13 dc "X's" in next 26 sc's, Hdc in next 14 sc's, 2 Hdc in next sc, 1 Hdc in next 2 Hdc in next. Hdc in next 9 sc's, sl st to end.

Round 5- Ch 2 Hdc in same st and next 33 st, *sc in next 11 Hdc, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next st,*  sc in next 11 st  Hdc in next 34 sc's rep from * to * sc in next 8 st, sl st to beginning.

Round 6- ch 2, sc's in same st and in next 110 sc's. Ch 4, turn, sc in next 2 sc's, turn back to front side and 4 sc's into loop just made, sc in next 11 st, sl st to beginning, finish off.

FLOWER

Ch 4, join in a circle, ch 4, sl st in circle made, repeat 5 times, six "petal frames" made

Sc, hdc, dc, hdc sc in first "petal frame", repeat in next 5 frames, sl st to first frame

Sl st around post between frames, ch 4. Repeat from beginning 5 times, sl st around first post

Sc in first ch 4 sp, dc 4 times, sc. Repeat in next 4 ch spaces, sl st to beginning, finish off

Plarn, the multi-faceted material

I made this bag ages ago, took pictures of it, and never posted it here. So, better late than never, eh?

I made it out of plastic grocery sacks, which I turned into plarn, following the directions that I posted here. Once I had the plarn, I followed this pattern  for a box-bottom tote at kaylaksthriftyways.com. I found the pattern easy to follow, and pretty enjoyable.

To be honest, the most time consuming part of it all was making the plarn, but it's a really handy bag and I love it. Although I'm sure it would make a great grocery bag, I use it for swimming mostly, I fold it up and put it inside a large canvas bag along with our suits, sunscreen, etc. Then when we're done swimming and have changed into our street clothes, I wrap the wet suits in a towel and toss them in this bag. It means that I leave the pool with two bags (my canvas bag and my plarn bag), but it also means that I don't end up getting everything in my canvas bag all wet from the suits. It's an awesome solution to what can often be a pesky problem.