Chunky Crocheted Tote Pattern

I made this bag in one day. I love instant gratification projects. I'm going to make about 3 more. They're so easy and take very little brain power...my kind of project.

Materials

Super Bulky yarn (2-2.5 skeins) I used Lion Brand Thick and Quick in charcoal

Size K and L crochet hooks

Yarn needle

Measurements

14 inches (36mm) in height

20 inches (51mm) in height (including handles)

15 inches (38mm) in width (lying flat)

Note

The bottom of the bag is worked in rows, forming a square

Pattern

With K hook Ch 17

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch to the end. (16 sc)

Rows 2-17: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (16 sc)

You will now begin working in the round. Do not turn your work

Round 1: Working down the side, place sc in the ends of each row. I put 2 sc in each corner. Work sc across the row, then back up the other side of the work. Place sc in each st across the top. You should end with 68 sc. 

Rnd 2: Working in the back loop, place sc in each st around. Do not join. Do not turn.

Now switch to the L hook

Rnd 3-31: Working in both loops, sc in each st around.

To determine where to end, I layed the work flat and lined up the corner of the bottom

The next round will form the handles

Rnd 32: Ch 35, skip the next 17 sts, sc in the next 17 sts, ch 35, skip 17 sts, sc in next 17 sts. Do not join.

Rnd 33: Sc in back ridge of each ch, sc in next 17 sts, sc in back ridge of each ch, sc in next 17 sts. Join using invisible join method.

Weave all of the ends...and you're done.

I like the shape of the bottom because the shape of the bag changes depending on how much stuff you put in the bag. It can be oval, round, or square.

It's so easy to make the size larger. All you do is add more rows. To add to the width just make the bottom larger by adding stitches and rows. Just make sure if you expand the pattern, increase the stitch count in between the handles. Just play around with it, and don't fret, crochet is so easy to rip out and redo. This bag is so quick, messing up won't slow you down much at all.

Remember to line up your handles so they are centered with the bottom. (look at the photo above)

Please let me know if you have any questions, or if I need to correct any typos or mistakes.

(I wrote this up fast)

Have a great weekend!

Hexagon Pattern

I have at least a half a dozen projects going on. Since I have crochet ADD, I decided to start another one. I love hexagons and decided to come up with my own pattern.

Each one only takes a tiny amount of yarn, so I can use all of these little balls

Materials

Yarn of your choice (I used worsted weight)

Size G (4mm) hook

Yarn needle to weave ends

Measurements

about 3.25 to 3.5 inches (depending on your tension)

Pattern (US terminology)

Ch 4, Join with sl st, forming a ring

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 11 Dc into the ring. Make sure you crochet over the beginning tail. Join with sl st into top of first st. Pull tail tightly to close the hole. (12 dc)

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, ch 1, (2 dc in next st, ch 1) around. Join with sl st to top of first st. (24 dc and 12 ch-1 spaces)

Round 3: Sl st over to the first ch-1 sp. Ch 3, dc in same sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp. 2 dc in next ch sp. (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, 2 dc in next ch sp) around. Join with sl st. Sl st over to ch-3 space. (this will set you up to sew hexagons together). Cut tail leaving several inches for sewing. 

When sewing together, whipstitch into the back loops of the hexagon. Sew from point to point. (This will be 10 stitches)

I like to use the tails of the work for sewing. Make sure after whipstitching together, you weave at least 3 inches into your work to secure the ends.

Just a note: This is a really simple pattern, not complex at all, so if there is another out there like this one or similar...it is purely coincidental. 

If you have questions feel free to ask. I'll try to answer them.

Have a great weekend!

Still Trying to Customize Hat Sizes

Yes, I'm still trying to customize hat sizes. Over the last few months, I've gotten numerous comments and questions about hats sizes. Considering we all crochet with different tensions/ gauges, it's impossible to give definite numbers of stitches. The charts are great but they do not tell us when to stop increasing. This has always been my problem with gifts. If I make something for Ireland, I'll just put it on her head and see how it fits and then adjust from there. But when you have to make a gift, it's tough to guess.

I've decided to get all of Ireland's hats that I've made for her since birth to use for my experiment. I have compared the hats to photos of her wearing them. I've looked at the dates to determine how old she was when wearing. This is how I've measured for sizes.

This is a general chart, but still pretty helpful...Better than nothing. The measurements listed in the chart represent the size of the circle you should have when increasing. When you reach the desired size then stop increasing and just crochet evenly thereafter.


Age                                    Diameter of circle

Newborn                                      4 inches

3-6 months                                   5.5 inches

9-12 months                                 6-6.5 inches

24 months                                    6.5-6.75 inches

Toddler and small child                  7 inches

Adult woman                                7.25-7.5 inches

For instance if you are making a hat for a 12 month old... increase until you have a circle that measures 6-6.5 inches across, then continue to crochet each round evenly with no increases.

The hat in the photo above will be for a child about a year old. So as you can see the circle measures right at 6 inches.

The finished length will also vary according to age

Age                                          Finished Length

Newborn                                       5 inches

3-6 months                                    6-6.5 inches

9-12 months                                  7 inches

24 months                                     7-7.5 inches

Toddler and small child               7.5- 8 inches

Adult woman                                8.5-9 inches

Large adult                                    10 inches

The blue hat above will be for a 12 month old, so I'll need to keep crocheting for a couple more inches.

This green hat is for a teen or adult woman, so I'll stop at about 9 inches.

Edit: If you are making an ear flap hat, then the length will decrease slightly.

Of course these measurements are not exact for each child and adult. I have made hats for large adult women heads that measure more than 10 inches in length. These are general measurements intended to offer a little bit of help, instead of trying to make a hat blindly without a clue:D

I hope this helps.

Have a great week!

Chunky Beanie Pattern

Well, I made a trip to the Post office this morning to mail out the hats from the giveaway. Sure enough, the USPS is closed today due to the holiday. I do this every single time they are closed. It seems like I always have orders to mail out on holidays. Anyway this worked out well, because I had the chance to take more photos.

Materials

One skein Chunky or Bulky 5 weight yarn (I used Patons Shetland Chunky in Oxford Grey)
For the magenta round I used a small amount left over from my Isar scarf
Size I (5.5mm) crochet hook
Yarn needle

One size fits most

Pattern

Ch 3

Rnd 1: 7 hdc in 3rd ch from hook (which is the 1st ch made) Join with sl st to the top of first st. (8 hdc)

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as first st here and throughout). Hdc in same st. 2 hdc in each st around. Join with sl st. (16 hdc)

Rnd 3: Ch 2. Hdc in same st, hdc in next st. (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st) around. Join with sl st. (24 hdc).

Rnd 4: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 2 sts. (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts) around. Join with sl st. (32 hdc).

Rnd 5: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 3 sts. (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts) around. Join. (40 hdc).

Rnd 6: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 4 sts. (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts) around.
Join. (48 hdc).

Rnd 7: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 5 sts. (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 5 sts) around. Join. (56 sts).

Rnd 8 - 15. Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join.

Rnd 16: Ch 2, hdc in the back loop only in each st around. Join and finish off.

For the magenta rnd you will work around the post of each hdc of rnd 16.

Attach with sl st and work a sl st around each post. You will insert the hook from the front and go under like you are working a front post stitch. When you make it around to the last stitch, cut the yarn.

The following photos will show you how to finish off. I like to use this special finishing all the time. It eliminates the need for a knot. I hate using knots in crochet. Most of the time they are not necessary.

When you get to the last sl st pull the tail up through the top of the stitch.

Now take your hook and slide it under the first sl st and pull the tail all the way through

Take the hook and place it up through the center of the last sl st

Take the tail and pull down into the center of the last sl st. You end up with a seamless finish. Cool, huh?

Years ago a lady taught me lots of shortcuts and tips when crocheting. I use this tip all the time.

Enjoy!!!

Tip: Head and Hat Measurements

After posting the pattern for the Owl Hat I have received numerous comments on here and Ravelry asking how to make one in a larger size. So this has given me the idea to offer a tip on how to help with this dilemma.

I had already given the hat away as a gift so I couldn't expand on the size. I didn't even have the gauge to post. A comment from AbyBay prompted me to search out a chart with hat/ head sizes. AbyBay generously offered to send me a chart that she uses.

The chart does not tell you how many stitches or rounds to crochet but it will give you a general idea about how large you should make the hat.

So now when making a hat, no matter how loosely or tightly you crochet, or how bad you blow the gauge...you can still come up with the right size hat.

I found a great chart here
It is the most detailed chart that I've seen. I think it's my favorite.

I found the chart below on Crochet Geek here, and here it is:

Newborn

Head Circumference 13" - 14 "

Hat Circumference = 11.5" - 13"

Hat height = 5.5 to 6"

3 to 6 months

Head Circumference: 14" - 17 "

Hat height= 6.5 - 7"

6 to 12 months

Head Circumference: 16" - 19 "

Hat height = 7.5"

Toddler -12 months - 3 years

Hat height = 8"

Head Circumference: 18" to 20 "

Child - 3 - 10 years

Hat height =8.5"

Head Circumference: 19" - 20 1/2"

Teens

Hat height 9-10"

Head Circumference: 20 1/2" - 22"

Adult Woman

Head Circumference: 21.5" - 22.5"

Adult Man

Head Circumference: 23" - 24"

Edit: I found another chart here at Woolly Wormhead (mostly about knitted hats) that I am currently using. I really like this one, but the measurements are slightly different from the other one I found. Probably due to the differences in stretch between knit and crochet. Try both and see which you prefer

To Fit	Preemie	Newborn	6mth (Baby)	12mth (Toddler)	Child or Teenager	Adult	Large Adult
Circumference
inches	12	14	16	18	20	22	24
cm's	30.5	35.5	40.5	45.5	50.5	56	61
Length (crown to base of ear)
inches	4.25	5	5.75	6.5	7.25	8.25	9.25
cm's	11	12.5	14.5	16.5	18.5	21	23.5