Recycled Into Yarn - a new recycled yarn website

I was perusing through the web and discovered that there are alot of talented recycled designers out there.  Of course, this isn't anything we didn't already know.  But unless you use the right search words, they are hard to find.  I found that unacceptable. 

So my 2012 resolution was to create a website that was a directory of free pattern and tutorials links.  By clicking on the picture of choice, you are linked directly to the designer's website, blog or Ravelry page.  This way everyone leaves happy - the searcher of free pattern and/or tutorial links and the recycled designer. 

Recycled Into Yarn

What will you not find on Recycled Into Yarn website??  NO REGULAR YARN IS ALLOWED!!! 

What will you find on Recycled Into Yarn??  Lots of free recycled yarn crochet and knit patterns and recycled yarn tutorials. 

I encourage you to check it out for yourself and see how different it is from other websites.....

Free Pattern - Front Post Pop Tab Plarn Bracelet ..added YouTube video tutorial

A fellow crafter buddy, KristyRecycles aka Textiles4You, volunteered to make a YouTube video of my Front Post Pop Tab Plarn Bracelet.  She did an awesome job and I know you'll enjoy it.

Kristy also has several other recycle craft videos that I know you'll enjoy.  You have to check out her YouTube Channel ...   Thank you Kristy!!!

My favorite type of bracelet is one made with pop tabs.    It is very unique and yet versatile.  I'm always trying to come up with different styles. 

Here is a pop tab pattern I came up with: 

Pop Tab Front Post Bracelet

SKILL LEVEL:  Easy

MATERIALS:
·        Crochet Hook – Size F
·        Plastic Yarn:  Approximately 2 standard size plastic grocery bags
      o    If using 2 different colors ,  1 plastic bag for each color
·        14 pop tabs (consistent in size)

Important Note:   Not all plastic is made the same.  When using plarn, achieving the desired size or gauge is dependent on the texture, thickness and strip width of the plastic yarn. 

SIZE:  Diameter – 10.25” around, 3” across
CARE INSTRUCTIONS:  Hand wash, air dry

Helpful Tips: 

·        Read through pattern instructions before beginning.
·        See ‘Tutorials’ for instructions on how-to:
      o    Double Loop Cutting and Looping method
·        Pop Tab hdcfp: Yo, insert hook through front of same pop tab back around to front of next pop tab, yo, pull back through front of 1^st pop tab, yo and pull through
         all 3 sts on hook to complete hdc st.
·        When using plarn, stretching your work after every couple of rows is important.  This will give you a more realistic view of what you have completed up to that point.
      o     Instructions:  Grab the band at one end and with other hand grab band at beginning ch row, then give a slight pull.
·       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 stitches and not through a stitch to avoid splitting the plastic yarn.
·        The edged hole of the pop tab will be considered the 1^st hole throughout this pattern and will always be placed under the previous pop tab.


Instructions:
Round 1:  Join with a sl st in 1^st hole of pop tab, 2 sc in same hole.   *Grab another pop tab and 3 sc in 1^st hole,

*repeat for a total of 14 pop tabs or desired length to fit  wrist. (Tip: If you’re making the bracelet for yourself, this is a good stopping point to measure around your wrist.)

Bring the ends together to form a circle making one more sc in the beginning pop tab.  Join with sl st to 1^st sc in same hole.  If using a different color for Round 2 - fasten off, weave in end. 

Round 2:  Sc in same st and in next st, *hdcfp around same pop tab & in next pop tab (pop tab hdcfp: Yo, insert hook through the front of hole  of same pop tab back around to front of next pop tab, yo, pull back through 1^st pop tab, yo and pull through all 3 sts on hook to complete hdc st.). 

Sc in next 2 sts, *repeat around to last pop tab.  Join with a sl st to 1^st sc.  Fasten off, weave in ends.

Repeat Round 1 and 2 for opposite side of pop tab.

Last Stretch -   With hands on opposite side of bracelet band, gently pull in opposite direction.  Repeat this around.  This will align the pop tabs more uniformly giving the bracelet a tailored-neat appearance. 

 

ENJOY YOUR NEW FASHION ACCESSORY!!!

I hope you enjoy making one for yourself and anyone.  Send me pictures of what you've made and I will show them off on this post as well as on the http://www.recycledn2yarn.com/crafters-photo-gallery.html.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks again for visiting and please come back soon!!!

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!!!!

Free Pop Tab Bracelet Crochet Pattern - Lazy 'P' Pop Tab Plarn Bracelet

Pop Tab Bracelets are one of my favorite fashion accessories so I am always thinking of new designs and techniques to create with them.  

I recently completed a new plarn handbag using the traditional Puff Stitch as part of the design.  Impressed by the character the stitch offered to my handbag, it has been added to my list of favorite stitches.  

As I was thinking of my next pop tab bracelet design, I decided to see what a pop tab bracelet would look like using the traditional Puff Stitch.  At first, it lacked the finesse I was expecting.  Then I decided to make the chain 1 through the next pop tab giving the appearance the Puff Stitch was 'laying down on the job' so to speak.  That was it. 

That's how I came up with the name of Lazy 'P'. 

Made with Dollar Tree plastic yarn aka plarn

SKILL LEVEL:  Easy

MATERIALS:

·        Crochet Hook – Size G

·        Plastic Yarn:  Approximately 2 standard size plastic grocery bags (width of strip – approx  ¾”)

·         Approx 18-22 Pop/Pull Tabs (clean & consistent in size).  The # needed will be determined by size of wrist

·        (optional) Craft Needle for weaving in ends

Important Note:   Not all plastic is made the same.  When using plarn, achieving the desired size or gauge is dependent on the texture, thickness and strip width of the plastic yarn. 

ABBREVIATIONS
ch(s) = chain(s)	po = plarn over
sl = slip	st(s) = stitch(es)

Helpful Tips:

·        Read through pattern instructions before beginning.

·        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 behind a puff st and not through the stitch to avoid splitting the plastic yarn.

      ·        The edged hole of the pop tab will be always be placed behind a non-edged hole. 

 

Special Stitch:

Puff Stitch:  Po, insert hook in pop tab, po, pull through and bring plarn up higher than normal (3 loops on hook), po, insert hook in same pop tab, po, pull through and bring plarn up to height of rest of stitches (5 loops on hook), *po, insert hook once again into the same pop tab, po, pull through and bring plarn up to height of rest of stitches (7 loops on hook), [IMPORTANT NOTE:  For more puff,  repeat from * until enough puff is achieved.] po, pull plarn through ALL loops on hook. 

Instructions:

With 2 pop tabs overlapped, join plarn with a sl st in overlapped hole, ch 1, place a new pop tab under previous pop tab, make a puff st in that hole.

        

*Place another pop tab under the previous pop tab, in new overlapped hole make a sl st, ch1 and Puff st.

*Continue overlapping pattern until desired length is achieved ending in last overlapped hole.

Continue until bracelet is long enough to fit around wrist.  [Fitting Tip – wrap bracelet around wrist overlapping the first and last pop tab.  There is some stretch so no additional tabs are needed to maneuver finished bracelet over hand.] 

Remove hook from st (make a big enough loop so completed work doesn’t come out because you’ll be coming back to it).

Working on opposite side, in 1^st overlapped hole join with a *sl st, ch 1 and Puff st.  *Repeat pattern in each overlapped hole to last overlapped hole.   Before connecting the ends, do a second fitting.

                                                             The 1st  hole is skipped as it will be worked when forming the circle.

 

Form Circle - Overlap the ends together to form a circle.    

Both ends pulled together

 

*Work pattern of sl st, ch1 and puff st in this hole. Finish by making a sl st in 1^st puff st.  Fasten off, weave in ends behind the puff st.

*Repeat pattern on opposite side.

ENJOY YOUR NEW FASHION ACCESSORY!! !

Download the Lazy 'P' Pop Tab Plarn Bracelet

ABBREVIATIONS

ch(s) = chain(s)

po = plarn over

sl = slip

st(s) = stitch(es)

Both ends pulled together

(This link will take you directly to my (Crochooley) Ravelry pattern page)

I would love for you to share pictures of your Lazy 'P' Pop Tab Bracelet with me whether it is made with plarn (plastic yarn), tarn (t-shirt yarn), blarn (blue jean yarn), harn (hosiery yarn) or even regular yarn. 

PERMISSIONS

Feel free to make and sell your finished product from this pattern.  LOL - I can't stop you anyway from doing it so I might as well offer you the permission.

However, please do not take credit or offer the pattern as your own.  Please direct them to this page.  If you have any trouble accessing the pattern, feel free to contact me at twooleydesigns@gmail.com and I will email the pattern to you.