Free Recycled Sewing Tutorial - Homemade Pet Potty Pad

I really didn't want to call this a 'puppy potty pad because it was made for 2 rebellious cats.  I call them rebellious because when they went from being outdoor/indoor cats to indoor only cats, they started to do bad acts.

To be closer to my grandchild (and soon to be grandchildren - grandson expected at the end of this month), we moved into a house with a large pond in the back yard.  And this pond comes with duck families and beautiful birds.

Cats being cats, I didn't want to be responsible for going outside and finding any of these beautiful animals dead.  So I designated a closet in one of the rooms as 'the place'.  However, I started noticing an odor around the area.  That's when the realization  

Free Crochet Pattern - Pop Tab Broomstick Lace Bracelet/Cuff

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.  

I have recently fallen in love with the Broomstick Lace crochet stitch.  I wondered how it would look made with pop tabs.  In less than a half hour, I had a beautiful pop tab bracelet.

Designer Notes:

• The only 2 stitches you need to know are slip stitch and single crochet.

• The bracelet/cuff is made for slide on/off.  

• Whether you are using plarn, tarn or regular yarn, there is stretch which makes the slide on/off comfortable.

Materials used:
Scrap yarn
Ruler or large knitting needle
Pop/Pull Tabs - how many depends on the width and desired fit - 
   Single Broomstick Lace - 1 pop tab x 5 rows =5
   Double - 3 pop tabs x 5 rows =15
   Triple - 5 pop tabs x 5 rows = 25
each Broomstick Lace stitch requires 2 pop tab holes = 4 single crochet stitches
Size F crochet hook
(optional) Needle for weaving ends

Pattern note - As you can see in the pic below, removing the clipped piece from the inside of the pop tab gives a cleaner appearance to the exposed edge of bracelet.

Step 1:  Establishing width - 

Join with a slip stitch in first hole, make 2 single crochet stitches in same hole.  For 1 Broomstick Lace stitch, make 2 single crochet stitches in next hole.  Jump down to Row 2 instructions. 
For wider bracelet - continue to Step 2.

Lay 2nd pop tab behind 1st pop tab as shown in pic below and 2 single crochet stitches into hole through both layers.  

Continue layering 2 pop tabs for each Broomstick Lace for a wider bracelet/cuff.

  
Step 2:
Pull up a loop from each single crochet stitch made from the previous row by inserting hook into the single crochet stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop sliding it onto stitch holder.  In picture below, a standard ruler was used as the stitch holder.   Most instructions suggest a large knitting needle.   It's really the designer's choice.

Continue pulling up loops across to the last single crochet stitch.

Step 3: Pull all stitches off stitch holder - slide crochet hook through middle of first 4 stitches and chain 1, make 4 single crochet stitches in same 4 loop hole.   Insert hook through the middle of next 4 loops making 4 single crochet stitches.  Continue pattern for every 4 loops.   (This completes the pattern set.  Each set made will be used for desired fit.) 
When end of row is reached, turn.

 
Step 5:  Starting next pattern set - with wrong side facing you, place the right side of pop tab to right side of piece, pull a loop through first single crochet stitch and first hole of pop tab, chain 1.  Make a single crochet stitch in same stitch and in each stitch across. 

When finished, straighten up pop tabs.  Below pic shows back view.  Chain 2, turn piece with right side facing you.

Make 2 single crochet stitches in each hole across.

 Repeat from Step 2 until desired fit. 

To finish the bracelet/cuff - with wrong side facing you, fold piece in half matching beginning pop tab row with last single crochet row made - repeat Step 5.

As you can see, this design is very versatile. 

I look forward to seeing your finished designs.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Free Crochet Pattern - Small Tarn Veggie/Fruit Bag with RecycleZip closure

 

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.  **This and all my other recycled yarn patterns are all yarn friendly**

This bag measures 10" wide and 8" in height.  I created this bag and several more since to keep smaller veggies/fruit safe while I do my grocery shopping.  The pattern can easily be modified to the width and height of your choice.  The width of bag is the width of the ziplock bag.

Supplies:

1 Adult T-Shirt Yarn

Size I Crochet Hook

Ziplock Bag 

Hole Puncher or other tool needed

Clear Tape 

Large Eye Needle

Preparation of ziplock bag:

• Cut about 1" off bottom and slit up the sides all the way to solid color strip. 
• Lay bag on flat surface and fold over top layer.  This is to keep the layers separate while taping.  
• Working on the inside, fold bottom of bag up to solid color strip and tape across placing tape just below solid color strip.   Tape around a couple of times.   
• To avoid the ziplock closure from protruding through the sides of bag, measure approximately 1" from the bottom and with your scissors make an inward diagonal cut on both sides. 
• Hole punching method - 2 holes are made for each stitch.  Starting at the edge, punch 2 holes side by side about 1/4" apart, measure about an inch and make another set of holes.  Repeat to end.  Do the same for other side.

Pattern Directions:

Row 1:  Chain 32, single crochet in second chain from hook and in each stitch across, chain 1 turn.

Row 2:  Double crochet in each stitch across

Row 3:  The pattern for each row is double crochet stitch, * chain 1, skip 1 stitch, double crochet.  Repeat * 6 times.  Double crochet in next 3 stitches, repeat *pattern.  

Row 4:  Repeat Row 3 thru 20 or desired height of bag.

To determine desired height, fold bag in half matching top and bottom edges.

At end of last row made, chain 1, single crochet in each end stitch.  Fasten off, leaving enough tail for whip stitching sides together.  Repeat on other side - count the number of single crochet stitches to ensure both sides are even.   

Attach ziplock closure - 

Before stitching sides together, I have always found it to be so much easier to attach the ziplock closure first.  Designer's preference really.  After you make a few of these, try it both ways and then determine what's easiest for you.

Cut approximately an 8" piece of yarn.  Open ziplock bag - place it on wrong side at edge of bag with ziplock even with top edge.  Enter needle from wrong side around a stitch on right side coming back out to wrong side in 2nd hole then make a knot with other end of tail.  Go to next set of holes entering from wrong side around stitch on right side and back out through 2nd hole.  Repeat to opposite end.  Repeat stitching in opposite direction going back to starting point.  Fasten off, weave in remaining tail.  Using same stitch method, attach ziplock bag to opposite edge of piece.  Weave in remaining tail.

Stitching sides:  Stitch method to use is really the choice of each designer.  The method used here and with the majority of my designs is stitching through the back loops of each side.  It gives an attractive appearance on the right side.  Pull the bag through the ziplock opening so wrong side is out.  Using tail, whip stitch each side together.

Making Straps:

First determine placement of straps.  Join with a slip stitch 2 stitches to the right where one strap will be.  

Round 1:  Single crochet in each stitch around.  Join with a slip stitch to complete round.

Row 1:  Single crochet in next 3 stitches,  chain 30 or desired length of strap, single crochet on bag and in next 2 stitches.  Chain 1 and turn.

Row 2:  Single crochet in same stitch and in each stitch across.  Fasten off, weave in ends.  

Repeat on opposite side for 2nd strap.

Let me know if you have any questions. 

Free Crochet Pattern - Pop Tab Earrings made with Hosiery Yarn

All patterns posted on this blog are copyright protected by TWooleyDesigns. 

Please respect the copyright.

Yes, making earrings with pantyhose may sound somewhat strange and to some maybe a little gross but that alone is reason enough to make them.

Pantyhose yarn is very lightweight and easy to work with.  Majority of my pantyhose yarn creations are kitchen scrubbies.  This type of yarn has just the right texture for scrubbing and yet gentle enough not to scratch the surface.

Materials Needed:

• 12 pop tabs - same size and cleaned
• Crochet Hook size F
• Pantyhose - 1 pair of 2 colors:  primary and secondary color
• 2 earring wire hooks
• Pliers

This step is optional - I have found when making pop tab jewelry, it looks more refined without that edge piece that comes off the can.  This can be easily removed turning the pop tab over to wrong side, starting at one edge corner and slowly rip off the edge.   

Pattern:

Join primary color with a slip stitch in first hole, single crochet in same stitch.

Place another pop tab behind the first pop tab as shown in the picture below. Make 2 single crochet stitches in same hole. 

Repeat the pattern for the third pop tab as shown in the picture below. Make a single crochet stitch in same hole, make a decreased single crochet stitch through same hole and in next hole.  Place the fourth pop behind third pop tab and make a decreased single crochet through same hole and next hole.  Make a single crochet in same hole.  Place fifth pop tab behind fourth and make 2 single crochet stitches.  

Place a 6th pop tab behind the fifth and make 7 single crochet stitches around end corner to work on opposite side.  Based on your yarn weight, feel free to add more or less around the corner.  Do what works best for the yarn type being used.

Working opposite side, make 2 single crochet stitches in next 2 holes.  In 4th hole, make 3 single crochet stitches.  In 5th and 6th hole, make 2 single crochet stitches and in starting hole finish with 6 single crochet stitches. Join with slip stitch in beginning single crochet stitch to complete round.  Fasten off, weave in any loose ends.

Join 2nd color with a slip stitch in 2nd stitch as indicated in pic below.  You'll start and end there.  The edging is slip stitch, chain, slip stitch, chain - around bottom and corner ending at first corner stitch on opposite side of same hole.

The next 14 stitches will finish as one stitch - you'll start the stitch but won't finish until the last stitch.  Start with single crochet, half double, double crochet in each stitch to the last 2 stitches which will be half double crochet and single crochet, yarn over and go through all the stitches on your hook finishing with a tight stitch.  Make a chain then slip stitch into the first slip stitch made.  Fasten off, weave in all ends.  Attach the earring hook to the middle stitch.

If you want a matching pair, make another just like it.  

This design is very versatile.  I made this same design but instead of an earring hook, attached an o ring and wore as a pendant on my necklace.

I'm quite proud of this design.  Nobody could tell it was made of pantyhose yarn.

Leave a note if you have any questions on the pattern or send me an email at plastiquerecreationsatyahoo.com

Free Crochet Pattern - Tarn Market Bag

Free Crochet Pattern - Pop Tab Tarn Potholder