When people see the handbags some of us carry around they never believe that we’ve made them from regular grocery bags.
I bet I’ve been asked about 65,000 times in the last few years–“How can you possibly crochet with a grocery bag?”
Consequently, this story has been told quite a bit, but never here on the blog. So, for those of you who’d like to know—this is how you do it.
Take one innocent looking grocery–the thin, noisy kind–and smooth it out flat.
Fold it in half lengthwise and smooth out again.
Fold in half again, and smooth out.
Cut off the bottom seam, and the handles at the top.
Fold in half again.
Cut the strip into 1 inch pieces…
until you’ve cut the whole strip.
Open up the loops…
Remember making rubberband chains when you were a kid?
Well, it’s like that.
Pull one loop through the other until…
they knot together. Do this over and over and over until you’re sitting in a big pile of grocery bag yarn. Stuff it all into a bag and then–when you’re in the mood you can crochet with it–
-pretty much like yarn. No kidding.
It’s a great way to recycle those silly bags and make our own teeny tiny dent in the local land fill.
And now you know the true secret of the universe. But don’t tell anyone…or do.
Had a few friends ask about the sweet little headband with the dainty butterfly on the side…you know…from the other day.
We tried to get a close-up modeled by our squirmy little Chompy. It kinda worked.
I’ve put a few in the Etsy shop and am doing my darndest (is that really a word?!) to get the pattern on there as well–certainly, a much, much loftier project.
In the meantime, we’ll just stay indoors and enjoy butterflies in the winter.
Looks simple enough–wouldn’t you say? But these particular headbands have a clever secret.
These little cuties are double-buttoned–WHICH MEANS they can be adjusted to fit any size head–seriously from grown woman to toddler. Now that is good news, especially to the basketball shaped noggins we have at our place. You can wear them loose and casual or you can tighten them up a bit for a more snug fit.
Oh–there’s no head slipping going on here, let me tell you. A sort of “headband breakthrough” if you will.
I’ve tried to make a big pile of them to plop into my Etsy shop—the idea, of course would be to sell a million of them and become a zillionaire and retire on my dream ranch in Vermont…or Lindon…or something.
But I have these pretty girls of my own here and well…the risk is high that they will snag them up about as fast as I can crank ’em out. So, if you know someone that would love a lacy hair doer-uper—it’s a “get ’em while they’re hot” sort of thing.
After all…
“Christmas is coming…fa la la…fat geese…la la…some old guy’s hat…
fa…” You get the picture.
Hee hee…
Oh, and if you’d like to try your hand at it yourself, or want to learn to crochet in the first place—check out the new “How To Crochet” links in the Crafting section. Just click on the “Crafting” tab and scroll down to the bottom.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn to crochet–here’s your chance!
Here it is—“the” pattern. The reason it is called “everybody’s slippers” is because you really can adjust the size to work for babies, children and grown-ups pretty simply.
As you can see, I’ve made them for everything that walks on two legs at this place. My friend Lynnette has asked for the pattern since last year and I guess I’m about ready to try my hand at writing it all down. The pattern I’m sharing will be for a woman’s slipper. Be kind–I’m new in these parts.
If something is unclear–please email me.
Here goes…
I”m using Peaches and Cream 100% cotton–it isn’t as sturdy as wool, but I like the feel better. Choose the yarn you like most against your skin–that will be the best. I use an “I” or “J” hook.
Womens’ Slippers
Chain 29.
Row 1: Single crochet (SC) in 4th chain from hook and in each stitch across. Chain 4 at the end of row and turn.
Row 2-13: SC in back side of each stitch across. Chain 4 and turn (the chain 4 will make a small loop at the end of each of these rows).
Row 14-18: Double Crochet (DC) in each stitch across. Chain 3 and turn.
Row 19: Decrease–Insert hook into next st and draw up a loop–four times. Yarn over and draw through all loops on hook–for toe.
Row 20: Decrease this row by drawing up a loop through remaining stitches as one…
Pull stitch through all remaining loops on hook.Fasten off.
With needle and yarn, sew the top part of slipper foot together leaving the ankle area open. Sew up the back of slipper as well. Turn slipper right side out.
Chain two 65 stitch “laces” and thread them through the loops at the top of the ankle area of slipper.
Tie in a bow.
These slippers make wonderful Christmas presents and can be made to fit any foot just by increasing or decreasing the starting chain and making more or less rows to fit the individual foot.
Good luck!.
Oh, and in case you didn’t know–today is National Donut Day.
Take the appropriate precautions.
——————-
Womens’ Slippers
Chain 29.
Row 1: Single crochet (SC) in 4th chain from hook and in each stitch across. Chain 4 at the end of row and turn.
Row 2-13: SC in back side of each stitch across. Chain 4 and turn (the chain 4 will make a small loop at the end of each of these rows).
Row 14-18: Double Crochet (DC) in each stitch across. Chain 3 and turn.
Row 19: Decrease–Insert hook into next st and draw up a loop–four times. Yarn over and draw through all loops on hook–for toe.
Row 20: Decrease this row by drawing up a loop through remaining stitches as one…
Pull stitch through all remaining loops on hook.Fasten off.
With needle and yarn, sew the top part of slipper foot together leaving the ankle area open. Sew up the back of slipper as well. Turn slipper right side out.
Chain two 65 stitch “laces” and thread them through the loops at the top of the ankle area of slipper.
Tie in a bow.
These slippers make wonderful Christmas presents and can be made to fit any foot just by increasing or decreasing the starting chain and making more or less rows to fit the individual foot.
