Free Crochet Pattern: Soda Can Bottom T-Shirt Yarn Bracelet...all yarn friendly

All of you know how much I love creating new pop tab bracelet designs as well as selling and gifting them.  I recently realized that all this time I've been overlooking another part of the soda can that is just as beautiful - the bottom.

And this is what prompted me to design this cute little bracelet that takes absolutely no time at all to make.  

My husband doesn't find this funny but I do - as I'm hosting a yard sale to get rid of clothes that I've been holding on to since my kids moved into their own homes, a neighbor brought over a box of old t-shirts.  She asked if I could craft with these.   Who was I to turn her away.

 As I was sorting through each one, I could see they were bad enough not to wear at least out in public, but not bad enough to turn into rags.  This box definitely had t-shirt yarn potential.

I've designed so many plastic yarn (plarn) bracelets decided to design one with t-shirt yarn (tarn).

Materials needed:

• 1 Soda Can
• 1 T-shirt cut into yarn - 1/2" strip width.  My continuous strip tutorial for plastic yarn is the same way I make t-shirt yarn. 
• Measuring tape 
• Pencil  
• Hole Puncher
• Crochet Hook:  You'll need a hook small enough to go through the holes and pull the tarn through.  I used an F hook. 

Let's get started:

Pic 1:  Remove the bottom off of a soda can and trim around removing the sides.  

Pic 2:  As you can see, we're using just the inside hump.

Pic 3:  Using a nail file, it's just one that I picked up from Dollar Tree, file             away any roughness.  Even though the t-shirt yarn covers this edging, I           just like to have nice smooth edges.

Pic 4:  With your pencil, make 10 marks around for even spacing between holes.               The easiest way I found was to first punch the 2 holes on each side for the           band.   Making sure the band was even across was more important to me             (which is why you see the crochet hook in the picture).   Then I  punched 3           holes on top and on the bottom.  

The Pattern:

Designer Tip:  You'll start making the band after you finish crocheting around the piece so you want to end in the hole where you want the band to be.

1:  Join tarn with a slip stitch, chain 1 and make 2 single crochets in the next hole, chain 1.  

2:  It's always a good idea to work in your tail as you crochet to avoid weaving in later.  This pic shows how I did it.

3:  Repeat around making 2 single crochet stitches in each hole with a chain in between until you get back to the starting hole which you will make 1 more single crochet.  Then slip stitch in 1st single crochet to complete round.   Chain 1 and turn.  

Designer tip:  How wide you want to make the band is really your own preference. 

4:  Single crochet in same stitch and in the next stitch making the band 2 single crochet stitches wide.  Crochet about 14 rows, give or take.  Remember it's t-shirt yarn so there will be some stretch.  Then do a fitting. 

6: Once you have reached a desired length, slip stitch or whip stitch the end of the bracelet to the other side of the piece making sure the bands are even across.

7:  With top of bracelet facing you, join with a slip stitch to any single crochet stitch made around the piece.  

8:  Reverse single crochet around.  Join with a slip stitch to beginning reverse single crochet then complete by weaving in any ends.

Be adventurous and try making one in 2-colors ...for example, the reverse single crochet in a different color.

Let me know if you have any questions with this pattern.  

Enjoy!!!

Free Crochet Pattern - Party Favor-Plarn Pop Tab Bracelet

This design was created from a request I received for an easy-to-crochet pop tab bracelet pattern.  The requestor is throwing her tween daughter a birthday party and wanted to give as gifts each of girl a pop tab bracelet.  But, she was on a limited budget.   The pattern needed to be easy and quick to make. 

After practicing various stitches and techniques, realized I was trying too hard. Finally this is what I came up with ...  in less than 15 minutes you have a cute-fun pop tab bracelet.   

While I was having fun, decided to see what it would look like made with other types of recycled yarn - e.g. hosiery yarn, t-shirt yarn and sheets yarn. It looks fabulous ..  sorry I don't have pics. I will have to make up more and post the pics.     

So if you're looking for party favor gift idea, here it is.   

Materials:

• Size G Crochet Hook
• 1 standard size plastic grocery bag
•       How to Make Plarn Continuous Strip
•       How to Make Plarn Double Strand Loop Method
• Clean-same size pop/pull tabs:  (16 was perfect for my wrist - adult woman) 
• Craft Needle      

Instructions:

Place 2 pull tabs with right sides together - matching same size holes - wrong side facing you, join plarn with a slip stitch, chain 1, single crochet in same hole. 2 single crochet stitches in next hole, chain 1, turn.

*Open the pull tabs to flatten, place another pull tab with right sides together - matching same size holes - wrong side facing you, 2 single crochet stitches in same hole, 2 single crochet stitches in next hole.

  

*Repeat same steps, keep adding pop tabs until you have the desired length.  

To finish - match right sides together of first and last pop tabs,  2 single crochet stitches in same hole, 2 single crochet stitches in next hole.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

That's it.   Please share your bracelet pics.

This pattern is for your personal use only.   This pattern may not be sold, published, reproduced-mechanically or electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying from any website(s) or electronic mailing lists, etc… Please do not offer, sell or distribute this pattern in any way to anyone else.

Copyright © 2013 Plastique Recreations

Designer, Teresa Wooley

Email: plastiquerecreations@yahoo.com

Free Pattern: Crochet Pop Tab Bow Ring

Has anyone ever asked what is the inspiration behind one your designs?  

Don't laugh .... I was inspired to create the Pop Tab Bow Ring after watching a recent episode of 'Jerseylicious'. 

The show itself doesn't do anything for me but I love tuning in to see what jewelry Tracey and Olivia will be wearing.  The earrings are so big they look heavy enough to rip right out of their ears and the rings almost swallow up the whole hand. 

So when I saw Tracey wearing this big bow ring I just had to make one for myself.

 

 

 

 So I wondered what would a pop tab bow ring look like, and here it is:

 

Here is the pattern for you to make one for yourself:

SKILL LEVEL:  Easy

MATERIALS:

• Crochet Hook - Size F
• Plastic Yarn:  1 plastic bag of choice (recommended strip width:  approx 1")
• 1 Pop/Pul Tab (cleaned with a smooth inside edge)
• Sewing or Craft Needle

*Foundation:  Join plastic yarn aka plarn with a slip stitch in a hole of the pull/pop tab, single crochet in same hole and single crochet in next hole, turn.

Row 1:  Chain 1, 2 single crochet in both stitches, turn. (4)

Row 2:  Chain 1, 2 single crochet in first stitch, single crochet in next 2 stitches and 2 single crochet in last stitch, turn. (6)

Row 3:  Chain 1, 2 single crochet in first stitch,  single crochet in next 4 stitches and 2 single crochet in last stitch, turn. (8)

Row 4:  Chain 1, Chain 1, 2 single crochet in first stitch, single crochet in next 6 stitches and 2 single crochet in last stitch, turn. (10)  Fasten off, weave in ends.

*Repeat on opposite side of pop tab.



Ring:  (Designer Note:  The # of rows on each side will determine how tight/loose you want the ring - 5 rows was a nice fit for my ring and pointer fingers and a good tight fight for my middle finger.) 

*With wrong side facing you, join plarn with a slip stitch through existing stitch, single crochet in same space, single crochet in next hole through existing stitch, turn.  Chain 1, single crochet in both stitches for 5 rows.  DO NOT BIND OFF, remove hook making a big enough loop so you don't lose the stitch.  *Repeat on opposite for 5 rows.  Do a quick fitting.  When completed, on one side complete stitches and weave in loose end.  On the other side fasten off leaving long enough tail to whip stitch both ends together.

When completed, on one side complete stitch and weave in loose end. On the other side fasten off leaving long enough tail to whip stitch both ends together.

Edging is optional: 

• The gray bow was edged using the reverse single crochet by joining the plarn with a slip stitch at the foundation row then reverse single crochet stitch in each end row stitch around back to the foundation row.  Repeat on the opposite side.
• The brown bow was edged by joining plarn with a slip stitch at the foundation row, *chain 1, slip stitch in next end row stitch.  *Repeat around to back to the foundation row. Repeat for the opposite side.

 

Optional but recommended:  After creating the design I noticed the bow didn't  want to lay flat.  It kept bending up.   To remedy this, use the extra matching plarn and needle to stitch the foundation row to the top of the ring.  I found this did the trick.

Wear it proudly or gift it to a 'Olivia' or 'Tracy' you know!!!

Feel free to email me with any questions at plastiquerecreations@yahoo.com



Tutorial - How to Flatten a Plastic Cup (Part 2 - Cut, Tape & Hole Punch)

In Part 1 I showed you several of my creative designs that I made repurposing plastic cups or containers into various fun things.  I also provided detailed instructions on how to flatten the plastic cup/container with heat using an iron.

So for Part 2, I will show you how to cut, tape and hole punch the plastic cup/container.  Why do I tape it?  Because whether you are making a notepad,  crocheting around or any other craft project, the ink will eventually fade or scratch off.  The tape protects the ink.

Let's get started - you will need the following items:

• Scissors or Desktop Paper Cutter
• Clear Tape or Clear Shelf Paper
• Hole puncher of choice ...(I absolutely love the Bind It All puncher)
  

 

1. Cutting:

Make the first cut on one side to flatten an edge.  





 

 

Turn the cup/container to even cut the top edge.

 

Turn the cup/container to even cut the other side.

 

Turn the cup to even cut the bottom edge.  You cup/container should now be completely even all around.

 

 

 

2.  Taping:

 

Before taping, I encourage you to wipe the container front and back with a clean damp cloth.  From my experience, good and bad, believe me the tape will pick up everything - stray hair, finger prints, etc.. even things you didn't know was there.



 

Starting at one edge slowly lay the tape down over the plasic cup/container to the other side using your fingers to squeeze out any air bubbles. 

Important note - once you lay the plastic down, unless it is a white background, I would not suggest lifting the tape up completely because it will remove the ink.  If you lift the tape up, do it slowly in a small section so you can easily put it back down in the same spot.  

Cover the cup/container completely front and back. 

 

 

This is the time you will want to size down the cup/container based on your intended design. 

 



3.  Hole Punching:

 

Using the tool of choice, depending on whether you want round or square holes, begin punching holes evenly spaced around.  That is why I like the Bind It All puncher because it evenly spaces the holes and is alot faster than if I punched the holes myself. 

 

When finished, you can leave the squared corners or round them depending on your project design.