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.

MOLLY J. WALTER ... Environment Hero

As most of you know, back in January I did a blog post 'Until Plastic Bags are Banned' which was to draw attention to the harm plastic bags are to the environment and even more so, 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 shops on Etsy that take this responsibility very seriously. I refer to them 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?Functionality is always first! If I can make something out of plastic that is usable and beautiful, I will! I don't follow any patterns, but just go, and then I get to see what comes of it. No two items are the same, which I really appreciate as an artist.

Q: Are you selling your products in any other online venue other than Etsy? At this point, no. But I have plans to launch my own website in 2010!

Q: Do you have any interest in selling your product in an actual store/market place? Yes! I have discussed some consignment with a few different outlet, but nothing seriously yet. I'd like to get a few more art shows/events under my belt first and have a few already scheduled for 2010.









Q: What are your favorite things to make with plastic bags? Rugs. They are so functional, practical, and can be machine washed, if desired. Rugs are fun to make with all types of plastic, in all colors and kinds of crochet stitches (i have even knit a rug or two lately!) and the BEST part is that guests in my home are surprised to find they are standing on hundreds of plastic bags (ie: my entry room rug).

Q: Take a wild guess on how many plastic bags you have to-date been able to keep out of the landfill? 6 - 10 thousand so far. I hope to use twice that much in 2010.

Q: What will you do when plastic bags are officially banned in the U.S.? I would just find something else to crochet with! It is a challenge to upcycle, a challenge I really enjoy. If plastic bags are no longer availabe, which would be great for the Earth, I'm sure I will find something else to create with.

Q: For someone to get to know you, how would you describe yourself? Creative, passionate, and dedicated. I'm always striving to improve my craft and stretch my abilities, in all areas of my life.

To receive additional information about her fantastic plastic bag creations, she can be contacted at: mollyjwalter@gmail.com.

See more of her designs at mollyjwalter.etsy.com.

And, if you want to meet her in person, she will showcasing her talents at the following upcoming shows:

• Crafty Wonderland, Oregon Convention Center in Portland Oregon, May 1st and 2nd (tentative)


• Recycled Arts Festival, Vancouver Washington, Esther Short Park, June 26th and 27th
  
  I hope you enjoyed meeting Molly J. Walter as much as I have.....

Please come back and visit soon so you can meet the next Environment Hero!!!!

How to Make Blue Jean Yarn

Since posting my Blue Jean yarn in Etsy, I've received several requests for a 'how-to'.

Below are the steps I take to make blue jean yarn. I welcome your feedback. If you do it differently, I would love to know how you do it.

To start -

• Take a pair of blue jeans and cut the legs off at the crotch.



• Lay pant leg flat on cutting surface with one seam on top and other seam on bottom. (If you have a really sharp rotary cutter or good scissors, this can also be done in a double layer. Not sure I would go more than that but feel free to give it a try.) Cut off the bottom seam.



• Fold the bottom seam up to within 1" to 2" from top seam. (Note: the top seam is used as your stopper to keep from cutting straight thru.) Use the continuous strand method, (here is my tutorial: http://plastiqrecreation.blogspot.com/2009/04/continuous-single-strand-strip-cutting.html) to cut up each leg. (Note: The width of the strip cut will depend on the project needs to achieve an accurate gauge. For example, 1/4" cut would work for a scarf; 1/2" to 1" would work for a rug)

Keep each strip in a separate pile.

After all jeans are cut up, either by hand or with your sewing machine - stitch the ends of each strand together with clear thread. You now have 1 very, very long strand.

Throw this very long strand in the washing machine. (If the jeans were cleaned before you started cutting, the 'rinse and spin' cycle is sufficient. If not, wash as normal.)

Then into the dryer. Be prepared for a nice surprise when the dryer stops. (Note: When it does come out of the dryer, it'll be a big mess. Be prepared to spend alittle time untangling.)

Quite honestly, the blue jean yarn is ready to go now. Feel free to get out the knitting needles or crochet hook and let the creative juices take over.

OR - go one step further and spin -

For Handspun (either with a drop spindle or spinning wheel) -
I used a single ply, so really either an 'S' or 'Z' twist is sufficient. It really doesn’t matter because you're just wanting to achieve that tight twist affect.

(My Disclaimer - I'm new to the wonderful world of spinning so my use of terms may be alittle spotty.)

Copyright 2009 Plastique Recreations. All rights reserved.

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