Saturday, November 12, 2011

Free Plarn Pattern - Pop Tab Ring of Elegance



Personally, deciding on what piece(s) of jewelry to wear is just as important as deciding on what outfit to wear.    And, big jewelry pieces are definitely the fad right now.  We see it all the time on tv, in the magazines as well as our own day to day social settings. 

That's exactly the concept behind my newest pop/pull tab design - Pop Tab Ring of Elegance.  This ring proves that recycling can be upcycled to something beautiful.


This ring can easily be crocheted in less than 30 minutes.  This is pattern is perfect for all skill levels.  All you need to know is how to make a chain, the single crochet and reverse single crochet. 


Materials needed:
  • 8 pop/pull tabs
  • Size G crochet hook
  • 1 plastic bag of choice
  • Button or Pin or whatever you want to use for complimenting the pop tabs.    Let your creative juices flow.   Here I've used a button that I removed from an old suit jacket that was tossed in the trash.   But, really anything can be used. 
  • Craft needle

Pattern:


Ring Base - Make 2: 
Round 1:  Using the magic circle, make 8 single crochet stitches in the ring (close the ring not tightly, leave a big enough hole for the button hole to go through), slip stitch in first single crochet stitch to complete round. 

Round 2:  Chain 1 and make a single crochet in same stitch, make 2 single crochet stitches in each stitch around, slip stitch in first single crochet stitch to complete round.

Round 3: (reverse single crochet) Chain 1, now working in the opposite direction make a single crochet stitch in each stitch around and join with a slip stitch in first single crochet stitch to complete round.  Fasten off and weave in both ends.



Now for the finger piece:
Row 1:  Chain 3, single crochet in second chain from hook and in last chain, turn.

Row 2:  Chain 1, single crochet in first stitch and in next stitch.
Repeat row 2 until desired fit. 
Determine fit by placing an end on one side of finger then wrap it around ending on other side of finger.  Don't put the ends together because you want a tight fit as there is some stretch with plastic yarn.


Whip stitch the ends to the right side of a ring base.  Noticed I said 'right side' because the wrong side will be sewn to the back of the pop/pull tabs. 


On the other ring base we'll be attaching the pop/pull tabs.  Do this by stitching the right side of 4 pop/pull tabs to the wrong side like clock  hands at 12, 3, 6 and 9.  



Then sew the remaining 4 pop/pull tabs in the empty spaces between the existing pop/pull tabs.  


Don't worry about how it looks because your stitching will be hidden with the other ring base.

Now place your button on top of the same ring base poking the stitch hole through the middle circle and stitch it to the ring base.  Remember, it doesn't matter how it looks because your stitching will be hidden.  
 

You now have 2 separate finished pieces. 


To finish the ring, stitch the 2 ring bases together.  The easiest stitching method I have found is first insert your needle from behind one of the  pop/pull tabs of your choice through a stitch in round 2 to the front.  Then insert the needle in the next stitch over through the middle and out the back of the bottom ring base.  Now working on the bottom, insert the needle in next stitch over, through the middle and to the top of ring.  Repeat this completely around the ring base until both ring bases are stitched together.  You may need to repeat the stitching for a second round just for added security.


Viola - your ring is ready to wear!!!!



Non Pop/Pull Tab Idea:

This pattern works great for those that are not into pop/pull tabs yet.  Just crochet one ring base and finish it by sewing either an oversized button or smaller button to the top.  It still looks great and gives you another fun flirty upcycled jewelry piece.



I would love to see pics of rings you've made with this pattern.    Send them to me at plastiquerecreations@yahoo.com or twooleydesigns@gmail.com.   

You can also find me on Ravelry under 'crochooley'.


MOVE OVER YARN - MAKE ROOM FOR PLARN!!!!