Wrap&Go Checkbook/Wallet Organizer Crochet-Plarn Along - Part 1: Let's Get This Party Started

(added excellent feedback received from plarn crocheters participating in this C-PAL)

We've been spreading the word ...  the time has finally arrived for us to get crazy.

The pattern instructions for the Wrap & Go Checkbook/Wallet Organizer will be offered in the following 3 increments:

Part 1 Instructions:  Pouch
Part 2 Instructions:  Flap
Part 3/Finale Instructions:  Wraparoundband & Flower

Here are hints/tips I offer on all my patterns:

• Read through the pattern instructions before beginning.
• When using plarn, it’s a good idea to stretch your work after every couple of rows. This will give you a more realistic view of what you have completed up to that point.
• Ch 1 at beginning of each row is not counted as the 1st stitch.
• Plastic in general is susceptible to ripping/tearing due to its very nature.
   o Weaving in ends - it is best to maneuver your craft needle in between the stitch or stitches to avoid splitting the plastic yarn.

-------------------------- 
Practice Swatch:
I typically don’t suggest making a practice swatch because achieving a certain height/width is an individual preference. However, it is suggested to ensure the Organizer is the wide enough for what you propose to put in it.


Ch 22, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each st across. Row 2-4: Hdc in each st across. Lay piece on flat surface and place the widest item that you will put in the Organizer once it is completed on top. The piece should be slightly (not much) wider than the item. If more width is needed, try again with additional # of ch sts until desired width is achieved.
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MATERIALS:

• Crochet Hook – Size F & H
• Plastic Yarn (NOTE: 12 – 1” strips per standard size plastic bag = 6 yards):
   o Main Color – Approximately 20 plastic bags
   o Contrasting Color – Approximately 10 plastic bags
• Craft needle

ABBREVIATIONS Pattern Instructions:

blo = back loop only
ch(s) = chain(s)
dc = double crochet
flo – front loop only
hdc = half double crochet
rev sc = reverse single crochet
sc = single crochet
sl = slip
sp = space
st(s) = stitch(es)
tog = together
tr (treble or triple)






With H hook and main color, ch 22 or # determined with practice swatch.
Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across.  Ch1, turn.
Row 2 – 22 (or desired height): Hdc in each st across.  Finish with right side.

 (Tip: Depth determines Height. To ensure an accurate height is achieved, fold the piece in half and place whatever you will be using the Organizer (e.g. checkbook, calculator, cell phone, etc.) for inside. This gives a more accurate way of determining if additional rows will need to be added for height. 



Photo 1



Photo 2

Ch 1, sc in end st (1^st corner) and in end st of each row to corner, 3 sc in corner, across edge to corner, 3 sc in corner, sc in end st of each row matching up with opposite side (Important:  evenly match up sts on both sides or the rows will not have a straight line appearance when stitching up the sides, refer to photo 6), 3 sc in corner, across edge back to corner, 2 sc in corner (back at 1^st corner), join with a sl st in beginning sc.  Fasten off, weave in ends.

Photo 3

Sides (repeat on both sides):

With contrasting color and wrong side facing you, join with a sl st at the corner and sc in each st across, ch 1 turn. Sc in each st across. Fasten off leaving about 6” tail for sewing sides together.

Photo 4

Fold piece in half lengthwise with right sides together (wrong side out), st sides together with tail. (Stitch Suggestion – whip st the blo of one side and flo of other side [the 2 sts back to back]).  Fasten off; weave in all loose plarn ends.

Photo 5

Turn pouch inside out and push out bottom corners. Just give the pouch a good stretch, tug and pull on both the front and sides.   a sl st in 1^st sc st.



Photo 6





Please feel free to post your comments, questions and/or progress pictures via this blog post or at any one of the following sites:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/plastiqrecreat (you will have to be a friend for real time 'chat')

Ravelry:  Group - From Trash to Treasures

Craftsters.org:  http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=364976.0

Crochetville:  http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=122076

11/28- Sharing the excellent feedback received from a few plarn crocheters - RecycleCindy and KristyRecycles ....

1) Both used a ch base of 28 w/hdc in 2nd chain from hook instead of the ch 22 I used. RecycleCindy is using newspaper sleeve plastic yarn which would have a completely different texture/thickness than the Dollar General or Lowe's plastic yarn I have used.


This confirms my previous comments of what to consider when using plarn for any project -
a) the type of plastic bag - textures/thickness differs
b) tension - loose or tight crochet stitch
c) width of plastic strip - determines gauge


2) Ch 2 at row end was used as an alternative for a more taylored edge.


More feedback to received -
11/30 - Received progress update from a fellow Craftster crocheter participating in this C-PAL:

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=364976.msg...  / Reply #18 … she even included pics …

This is so awesome!!! Keep the feedback coming -luv it!!!

Pop Tab Flower Keychain Pattern

I would have never thought in a million years that I would enjoy crocheting different things with pop tabs.

As a recycle artisian, not much gets thrown away. It is just routine that before something is thrown away, anything that can be salvaged is removed from the item (e.g. pop tabs from soda cans, etc.) then placed in individual containers. From that point the stash continues to grow until I'm struck with a creative thought. Until then, I just keep removing and stashing.

One day I noticed my stash of pop tabs was increasingly growing. So I got out the plastic yarn and decided to make a flower. I like flowers. I've seen in Etsy and on other sites where various crafters used the pop tab for the petals. I wanted to be different so instead I used the pop tab as the center instead of the typical adjustable ring method to crochet in the round.

Below is my Pop Tab Flower Keychain pattern:

SKILL LEVEL: Easy
MATERIALS:
· Crochet Hook – Size F and G
· Pop Tab (any size)
· Craft needle for attaching handles and for weaving in ends
· Key Ring
· Plastic Yarn - Main Color (MC): 1 plastic bag / Contrasting Color (CC): 1 plastic bag

Round 1: With F hook and CC, join with sl st in pop tab and sc completely around pop tab (14 sts needed for 7 petals on 1st layer. Note: Make sure you end up with an even number of sts. This determines the # of petals.) Join with a sl st to 1st sc.

Round 2: With MC in flo - for each petal around – *in same st make a sc, hdc, sc, sl st in next st. *Repeat around. Join with a sl st to 1st sc.

Round 3: With G hook and CC in blo of Round 1 sts, for each petal around - *in same st make a hdc, dc, tr,dc, hdc, sl st in next st. *Repeat around. Join with a sl st in a st behind the 1st hdc made. Still working behind the petals, sl st over to tr st, *ch 3, sl st in next tr st. *Repeat around. Join with a sl st to 1st sl st made.

Round 4: With MC and in each ch sp, make an hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, 3 dc, hdc. (Note: Add more tr sts for height. Add more dc sts for fullness). Join with a sl st to 1st hdc. Fasten off, weave in all ends.

With G hook and both MC and CC, sl st in any st in between round 3 and 4, ch 10 or desired length of key chain. Working behind the ch place the key ring in front of plarn then sl st in the last ch made. (The key ring is now part of the ch) Sl st around the key ring to reinforce strength then sl st behind each ch of the keychain across to 1st sl st made. Join with a sl st to 1st sl st. Fasten off, weave in ends.
Let me know if you run into any trouble making this and I'll talk you through it.

ENJOY!!!!
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.

Thanks for visitng - come back soon as I'll be showing off more pop tab designs.

FANTASTIC PLASTIC ....Environment Hero

Back in January I did a blog post 'Until Plastic Bags are Banned' drawing attention to the harm plastic bags are to the environment and even moreso, what they do to our animal friends. Until a permanent fix is in place, we have a responsibility to do whatever we can to keep as many plastic bags out of the landfill.

There are multiple Etsy shops that take this responsibility very seriously whom I refer to as 'Environment Heroes'.

Let me introduce to you ..... Environment Hero -

Q: What is the creative process you use to decide what to create for your Etsy store?
Plarn (plastic yarn) has become an increasingly popular material to work with. I started playing around with it about 4 or 5 years ago. Once I discovered the possibilities behind making wearable forms I was pretty much hooked. I am always looking to diversify, but for the time being the plarn accessories take up the majority of the shop. I have a few grocery totes as well.

Q: Are you selling your products on any other online venue other than Etsy?
Not at the moment, but perhaps sometime soon.

Q: Do you have any interest in selling your product in an actual store/market place?
Absolutely. For a potential customer to be able to handle and try on a product would definitely have its advantages.

Q: What are your favorite things to make with plastic bags?
I really enjoy the freeform accessories. Taking something like a plastic bag and making something sculptural and chic is a satisfying venture. It also just seems a little funny. Not to mention that moment others have when they see what you’re wearing isn’t yarn or hemp. Working with something that is intended to be worn provides an extra challenge. Aside from working with what can sometimes be an awkward material, I’m working with the body. I like knowing that each accessory is totally unique. Since I’m not working from a pattern each time I make something new it can become more complex with even more skillful construction. Good times.

Q: Take a wild guess on how many plastic bags you have used to-date for your creations?
I’m not sure I could guess. A lot. To give you a reference, many of the cuffs are anywhere from two to five bags. The necklaces are about double that. I have made larger items that took hundreds of bags. Also, I have a few large baskets of plarn skeins. This stash consists of hundred of bags. A decent amount for a one woman operation. Although, as we all know this is not even a dent in the massive amount of bags that still make their way to the landfill.

Q: What will you do when plastic bags are officially banned in the U.S.?
Well, when I run out… I run out. I suspect it will be a little while yet, particularly for those of us here in the Midwest. I have friends that save them for me. This keeps me fairly stocked up. There are always materials to be repurposed. Despite the current green movement, we are consumers. There will always be some waste. I’m a scavenger. I will adapt and find other materials to work with.

Q: For someone to get to know you, how would you describe yourself?
I’m an artist and college art instructor, both which I thoroughly enjoy. I prefer summer to winter, the city to the country, and dogs to cats. I have a tendency to speak my mind even when I shouldn’t. I love word and strategy games and can be a bit competitive. I watch a lot of movies and if I love them I will indeed watch them many times. I’m a scavenger and a collector and a domestic. I’ll make something out of anything that lands in my little paws.

Here are additional jewelry pieces for you to enjoy:

I hope you enjoyed meeting Fantastic Plastic as much as I have!!!!

Sunshine but Windy Day Plart (plastic art) Yarn

As I was looking around my plastic bag collection, the Dollar General bags jumped out at me. I had to figure out what to do with them - something different. As the wheels were churning in my head, I noticed my Louet wheel sitting there looking sad and lonely.


That's when I decided, it was time to introduce another plarn color combination. I thought the yellow with black (Dollar General) plastic yarn and white with black (Winn Dixie) plastic yarn would be a perfect match. It reminded me of a sunshine day.




I looked outside my window and saw how windy it was and decided that my new concoction needed to reflect that as well. That's when I decided to throw into the mix the Raffeta. After it was all spun, this was exactly what I envisioned it would look like.

My spinning of this was a little different than normal. I plied the plastic yarn with the raffeta using different alternating combinations. My combinations were:

• holding the yellow plastic yarn and raffeta while spinning the white around it;
• holding the white with raffeta while spinning the yellow around it;
• holding the yellow and white plastic yarn and spinning the raffeta around it

I wanted to make sure that all 3 colors stood out and not one dominated more than the other. I did discover that while spinning with raffeta was fun it was also challenging because it kept getting caught in the spokes on my wheel.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38762662

I haven't quite decided what type of bag/tote to make with this yet. But one thing I know for sure, what ever the finished product ends being, it will definitely be ooak.

Plastique Buyer's Choice Holiday Promotion

Are you looking for something different and/or unique either for yourself, friend, co-worker or loved one? Look no further!!

Starting today Thursday, 11/26 through end of day Monday, 11/30 - Make a purchase in either of my shops:

http://www.crochooley.etsy.com/

http://www.plastiquerecreations.ecrater.com/

Receive either 20% off your total order or get Free Shipping

Don't see anything you like in the current or sold listings? No problem, a customized order can be accomplished.

You've purchased from my store before? Fantastic!! That's even better. Because I am a firm believer that a returning customer is one of the best forms of flattery, you get to choose from the following options:

• 10% off total order and receive Free Shipping

OR

• 20% off total order or Free Shipping

Note to Buyer:

• Refunds will be made after payment of purchase
• Don't forget - you still get a free gift with every purchase

If you have any questions, you can reach me via one of the following of your choice:

• email: plastiquerecreations@yahoo.com
• Etsy: Convo
• eCrater: Ask Seller a Question
  

Plastique Recreations wishes you a safe but Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Plastique Fall Tote Featured on Craftgawker

As I was weeding my way through the various Etsy forums, I encountered a title indicating '...acceptance on Craftgawker..'. I had never heard of them before and from what I read, getting accepted was difficult.

What is Craftgawker - here is a copy and paste from their website of what they are all about:

"craftgawker is a gallery where anyone can showcase their art, crafting and photography skills. It's a place for you to discover new artists and handmade goods to inspire your own creations."

It was indicated in the Etsy forums that in some circumstances, it has taken an artist multiple to several submissions before getting accepted.

So I decided to give it a try. I had just finished creating my Plastique Fall Eco-Friendly Tote (made from Home Depot plastic bags) and had received several compliments on it. This is one of my favorite totes because of the gorgeous color combination of orange, green and brown.

Can you believe it, my first submission was accepted: http://craftgawker.com/post/2009/11/14/7958/

Other than a purchase, that is the second best form of flattery.

Thanks for letting me share this experience with you.

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