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What's in Your Bag?

Mar 1, 2011 by Toni Rexroat

Today kicks off National Crochet Month. An entire month devoted to my favorite craft! We are really excited around the Interweave Crochet and Crochet Me office. So for this month, we will be blogging every day. So stop in for techniques, reviews, and project diaries.

I know many of you on Crochet Me are just picking up hook, and the rest, like myself, recognize we still have so much to learn. So let's start at the beginning.

I also love bags, backpacks, and project bags. You will find at least 4 at any time in my house, each with a different project nestled inside. Unfortunately, inside any one bag, but never in all 4 bags, you may find one or more of the following:

  • stitch markers
  • scissors
  • row counter
  • tape measure
  • multiple sizes of crochet hooks
  • pen and paper
  • and other handy or necessary tools depending on my current project-I have a broomstick pin in my bag currently for the Cables and Lace Broomstick Hat.

One day I will purchase enough tools to outfit all of my project bags, but until that time, I have decided to create a smaller notions bag that can be transferred with greater ease, provided I remember, but that's another story entirely.

If you're looking for a new pattern, check out the free crochet patterns on Crochet Me. You'll find free eBooks, craftivism patterns, patterns from Crochet Corner, and patterns posted by Crochet Me members. The Cables and Lace Broomstick Hat I am currently working on is from the 8 Free Crochet Hats ebook.

One of my most visited pages of Crochet Me is the glossary. All month long we will be updating the glossary, adding more of the stitches and techniques that you are looking for. This will include Tunisian stitches complete with illustrations and links to videos for those of us who are visual learners.

We are so excited for National Crochet Month and an opportunity to get to know you better. Do you have any special crochet plans for this month?

Best wishes,


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Comments

 
Shellie2355 wrote
on Mar 2, 2011 2:27 PM

I am trying a new technique with very interesting results! I'm crocheting a hat for my cancer hat project using one strand of Sunshine yellow Simply Soft and one strand of Soft Sage Simply Soft yarn as I'm making the hat. I've decided to let the color affects add interest to the hat as opposed to the stitchwork (I usually use basketweave or cables or something interesting in my hats). I really like the look the two yarns together are generating.

I've noticed a couple of things along the way -- the hat is much stiffer than I'm used to. I made it quite a bit larger than my usual hats because it didn't seem to "drape" much. I'm not sure how stretchy it will end up, so I didn't want it to be too tight. Another thing is that it's very thick -- DUH! I've always had a tight tension which produces even stitches and beautiful work, but the 2 strands together REALLY produce a dense fabric. Once I reached the circumference I wanted, I've begun to really loosen my tension (my poor arms were getting sore keeping the stitches tight). This is adding the stretch back and giving a nice pattern, too.

yarn froggie wrote
on Mar 2, 2011 4:55 PM

I too have several bags going at once, and never the right tools at hand.  I have hair clips and safety pins which double as stitch markers, a couple of body measurements that are functional, if not accurate (38" reach fingertip to nose, 4" hand width, 7" hand span...), a pair of scissors that lives in my car so if I forget them in the bag they're not too far away...you get the picture.  Each bag has it's own project, and I have 2 or 3 more projects each in a pile near my favorite chair.  If I get stuck or bored with one project, there's usually another that I can pick up.

I'm currently playing with seamless garments.  It is an interesting challenge to do patterns which are meant for peiced construction as unseamed ones, especially around the sleeve and shoulder seams!

Toni Rexroat wrote
on Mar 3, 2011 2:24 PM

Shellie, that sounds like a really cool hat. Make sure you post pictures when you finish. I want to see!

Catdogcrow, I love the idea of measurements using your hands and body. LOL! And I am fascinated by the idea of working projects seamlessly around the shoulders and sleeves. I have converted patterns to seamless up to the armholes but not beyond that point.

bjfaison wrote
on May 30, 2011 9:09 AM

Toni,

I also enjoy various bags... so much my dad used to call me the bag lady. I have different sizes I use for different size projects and will grab one depending on where I will be going, how much time I will have to crochet. ;-)

I do love this pop top carry all case that I use to carry needles, gauge and a small pair of scissors, everything I need to crochet. I picked it up at Jo Ann's for about $2 and it is wonderful container that I can grab with yarn and a quick bag and be out of the door.

www.scrap-masters.com/-pop-top-carry-all212x714x114-assorted-colors-p-226708.html.

You can add that to your quick carry back. Happy crocheting!

Toni Rexroat's Blog wrote
on Aug 23, 2011 5:01 PM

Taking a crochet project along on a long trip is a great way to keep busy during travel time or spend

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