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Sizes and Materials List …
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Size: | Body of tote = 16” tall x 14” wide , Tote plus handle = 25” tall x 14” wide |
Hook(s): |
US K/10 ½ (6.5 mm) |
Yarn: | Unraveled 100% cotton sweater, bulky weight |
Colors & Approx. Yardage |
Yarn: Off-white, light tan, approximately 200 yards Tee-Shirt Strips (Tarn): Various colors cut from adult-sized Med/Lg t-shirts, 2 ½” W x width of t-shirt |
Notions | Yarn needle Stitch marker Sharp sewing scissors |
Gauge: | Not important for project, Model gauge 10 sc sts and 6 rows = 4”/10 cm |
Notes …
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Reclaimed Yarn |
Unraveling sweaters in order to reclaim the yarn for other projects is a rewarding, green craft. Not only does one save money while harvesting yarn from sweaters, oftentimes knitted/crocheted with fine yarns, but the environment benefits as well. See http://www.neauveau.com/recycledyarn.html for a wonderful tutorial on unraveling sweaters. There are several tutorials on making tarn (strips made out of tee-shirts). However, for this project I simply laid the t-shirts on a flat surface, making certain to smooth both layers, and cut across in approximately 2 ½” strips from left to right side. Rotary scissors and a straight edge are not required for this project as the strips will fold in on themselves when they are woven through the stitches. |
Stitches Used | Chain (ch) Slip Stitch (sl st) Single Crochet (sc) Double Crochet (dc) |
Abbreviations | Around (arnd) Each (ea) Rounds (rnds) Stitch(es) (st / sts) Together (tog) Yarn over (YO) |
Special Stitches |
Sc two together (sc2tog) Insert hook into next st, YO, pull through, insert hook into next st, YO, pull through, YO, pull through all loops on hook. |
Instructions …
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Bottom Gusset | |
Base Chain | Ch 35. |
Row 1 | Working in the back bumps and starting with the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in each chain bump across. (34 sts) |
Row 2 | Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across, do not finish off at last st of last rnd, but continue on with instructions for the sides. |
Sides |
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Round 1 | Begin side, ch 1, rotate 90 degrees, (working in row ends sc 7 sts evenly spaced, working in front loops only sc in ea st across) twice, join last st to first with sl st. Place marker. (82 sts) |
Rounds 2-5 | Ch 1, sc in ea st arnd. (82 sts) |
Rounds 6-27 | Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in ea st arnd, join with sl st. (82 sts) |
Round 28 | Ch 3, dc in ea st arnd, join with sl st. |
Round 29 | Ch 1, sc in ea arnd. |
Round 30 | Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, (sc2tog, sc next 8 sts) arnd. (74 sts) |
Round 31 | Ch 1, sc 2 tog, (sc2tog, sc 8) arnd. (64 sts) |
Round 32 | Sc in ea st arnd, finish off. |
Straps (make 2) | |
Base Chain | Ch 37, leaving long tail for sewing to tote. |
Row 1 | Working in 2nd ch from hook and in back bumps, sc in ea ch across. (36 sts) |
Row 2 | Ch 3 (counts as 1st st), turn, dc in ea st across. (36 dc) |
Row 3 | Ch1, sc in ea st across, finish off leaving long tail for sewing to tote. |
Finishing … |
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Weave tee-shirt strips (tarn) through the rounds of double crochet, alternating colors as desired. Tie the ends in a simple square knot and cut the ends off, leaving about 1 “ to form a bow shape, as in photo. Repeat for all dc rounds, alternating placement of the bow knots. |
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For strap, weave tee-shirt strip through row of dcs, leaving several inches at the ends. Carefully cut strip down the middle just to the last dc. Weave 1 of the cut sides through the last dc. Tie the 2 ends together to form bow knot. | |
Add Straps: Lay bag flat on surface, to locate strap placement, count 8 stitches inward from the side edge & pin strap starting at 8th stitch, sew strap securely along top edge of bag. Repeat for other side & for 2nd strap. | |
Pattern and photos © Nancy Anderson |