Zip top project bags

I keep seeing people using zip top project bags for their crochet WIP's on Instagram and felt the urge to join in and make my own. I bought this fabric several months ago with the intention of making a friend a "knitting bag" - you know the type that has a wooden frame, not just a bag?? Well, I hunted the internet for ages and just couldn't find anyone who sold just the frame and it seemed such a waste to buy a completed version and pull it apart just to use my own fabric - so that fabric never got used. Until now!

I still had the template from the zipped pouches I made a couple of years ago, so I just enlarged it a bit, then went through my stash to find a contrast fabric for the lower part and the lining. And would you believe, I also have a stash of zips...

Here's the first one I made, with a cowl I was working on at the time spilling out the top. (The yarn is lovely to work with and the stitch is crochet moss stitch. The cowl is finished but needs the ends stitching in...)

And here's a little photo shoot of the second one I made. I was going to keep the first one for me - it has lime green as the contrast and pink gingham for the lining. But once the second one started coming together with shades of greyish blue fabric, I think I might have changed my mind!!

I went back and looked at the tutorials I've bookmarked in the past for a quick refresher and how everything goes together, then I got busy getting everything cut to size and backed with iron on interfacing, so I could just crack on and sew.

If you'd like to make your own, then these are the best tutorials I found -

kelbysews

sewtogether.

handmadiya

The first is the one I found most helpful,  especially with fitting the zip. The second shows how to make your own pattern,  and finally,  the third details how to make a pouch without a seam across the bottom.


Getting everything cut to size

Adding a pin or two with the help of my pin dalek!

A little detail for the inside

Tabs on the ends of the zip

Zip installed!

Add an internal pocket - it's wide enough to lay a crochet hook in it and has a "fake" button to reduce the width of the opening

Ok. Not a good photo!  It's supposed to show the side seams where they meet the zip

Here's the corners stitched to make the flat base

Forgot to leave an opening to turn it right side out, so had to unpick a few stitches!

Turning through!

Nearly there

Ta-Dah!

I do like that blue. ... maybe I'll keep this one and list the green trimmed bag on Folksy? Or list both and see what sells first? ?

I'll take some better photos in the morning and get them listed.

I've been doing a spot of knitting this week too.

This is for my great niece - the recipient of the Tooty Fruity Blanket. I thought it might work up quicker if I made it in the round but boy, is it Slow Going! That waffle patten takes an absolute AGE! Almost wish I hadn't offered to make it...

I've started playing around with ideas for another baby blanket too. I thought a coloured centre ringed with cream, then join on round 3 with colour. But do I join with squares, or hexagons for a change??

I'll have to make some more samples, although I'm leaning towards hexagons - not made them for years.

And remember the crocheted project bag I showed you last time? Well, I have another on the go now as someone who saw it on instagram asked if I could make one for them! Woo Hoo!

Oh, and one of the harmony baby blankets has been delivered to a little cutie who arrived 5 weeks early. The grandparents  (my cousin) chose the one with all the colours.

See you again soon!  T  xXx

Project bag Ta-Dah!

Just a quick hello today to show you my finished project bag. After the hiccups with the over stiff lining and the length,  it turned out rather well and I'm very pleased with it.

It's about 10.5 inches high now and I made crochet handles for it. The lining has a full length pocket one side and a small pocket the other side. Want to see?

I'm very pleased with it and,  as you can see,  I've filled it already!! 

Before I go, can I just thank you one and all for stopping by?  I'm very grateful and it lifts my heart to see how many people from all around the world pop in.

Til next time,  T  xx

Project bag progress

Remember the project bag I mentioned last week?  Well, it's coming along reasonably okay.
I finished the sides, adding some stripes along the way and worked some half trebles around the top on a smaller hook to give a firmer edge.
Then I bought some fabric for the lining and half a metre of a sort of "padding" that I planned on using to give it a little body.
Oh yes, and I decided to make crochet handles, although I had considered using rope.
Here's everything laid out -

I didn't take a pic but I cut a piece of thick card the same shape as the oval bottom and wrapped a piece of the fabric over one side (with the help of some double sided tape), then glued an oval of the padding material to the other side. I also stitched an oval of the padding directly into the bottom of the bag.

Then I pinned the remaining padding fabric round the sides. And this happened -

A VERY upright bag suddenly appeared! I thought the padded fabric would just give it body but it actually made it quite upright. Not stiff stiff, just upright. Which is not what I wanted at all...

So I unpinned the padding  (glad I hadn't machine stitched it in!) and put it to one side.

I also decided it was too long - it was a good 12 inches but has now been frogged back so it's about 10 inches. 

I'll have another crack at it tomorrow and start on the fabric lining  (which will have pockets), so I might pop back in then.

For now though,  let me leave you with this screen shot from Attic24. Lucy wrote a post about preparing for Yarndale and included this screenshot of some of the creative hearts she's received for this year's community project for Mind. And you see that one in the middle? That's MINE!! Woo Hoo!!

I do like a good woo hoo, don't you?!

Til next time,  T  xx 

Two Harmony Blanket Ta - Dah's

(Edit: I wrote this on Sunday but kept having internet issues and couldn't publish at the time - then forgot to try again later!!! But better late than never I suppose!)

I warn you,  this is a picture heavy post! Both my Harmony Baby Blankets are finished and I've taken a good number of photos to share. ☺

When I have time  I'll jot down the instructions on how to make the circles, make them into squares,  and work the two different borders. But for now, here is some lovely blanket spam!

I must admit I am rather proud of both these blankets,  especially the one joined with all the colours. That worked better than I could ever have imagined and I'll be making another I'm sure.

Both are intended as gifts for babies due in a couple of months time - but just hpw do I decide which one to give to who???

The Tooty Harmony blanket (the BIG one!) where this colour journey began, is currently on the back burner as I have almost completely run out of yarn. I'll order another pack when I'm ready to do some more but I fancied a break from it to be honest. So it is doing a grand job of keeping me warm in the evenings while I hook something else!!

The first "something else" is a project bag to keep my current WIP's in. I'm using the gorgeous Sirdar Cotton yarn that I won in the tea cosies competition back in June/July. 

This is the base, although as I write I have already done 10 rows of the sides and even joined in a little colour. I'm using my preferred method of designing - making it up as I go along!!! I haven't decided how tall it will be, never mind an edging,  handles, lining, stiffening etc! When will I ever learn? ....

Till next time, T x