Tote Bag Handle – Practice crochet project

I’m using the ‘Knifty Knitter’ icord spool loom to make the handles for my Burgundy and Gray Tote Bag. Well, right now, that’s my plan. If they don’t look good, I’ll make some other kind.

For the first time, (as best as I can remember), I bought a ‘crochet kit’. It’s C2C pattern, (but not the C2C block stitch pattern I usually use.) called ‘On the Bias Square Afghan’.
I’m practicing with scrap yarn before I use the yarn that comes with the kit. It’s a good choice on my part, because, as you can see in the picture, I’ve got quite a few mistakes on my practice piece. I’ll start on the actual Afghan when I’m more comfortable with the stitch pattern. I’m looking forward to making it.

Happy Crafting!


 

Another Finish – Checkered Tote Bag

This ‘Checkered Tote Bag’ was one the unfinished projects that was in my ‘Sewing Project Bag’ because it needed a lining.
I originally started this tote-bag way back in 2019 when I first got my ‘KB All-In-One’ loom. I mentioned it in a post, 3-8-2019 ‘Random 5 For Friday
I finished the basic body pieces by the end of March 2019, but I didn’t join all of them together. I rolled them up with the yarn, put it in a bag and stored it in a drawer. I did that because, I wanted to put zipper pockets in it and at that time, zippers were not in my skill level. I’m so thankful I’m finally able to set zippers fairly well.
Like my other tote bags:
‘It has a zipper-pocket on each side inside. One side zipper-pocket is big enough for my 8-inch kindle fire and the other side pocket is big enough for a mobile phone and some other small stuff.’ (Yep, I cut and pasted that bit from my other post. 😀 )
I put a tasseled icord closure on it. I made the icord using 2 pegs on my KB Loom. I’m using button flowers at the moment to tether it to. The flowers don’t look too bad. I might keep them or I might change them when/if I find different buttons.

Wishing you all a pleasant rest of the week.


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Another finish – Bright Tote Bag Lining

2013-brighttote
I’ve finished another project from my sewing project bag. I made a new liner for a tote bag that I made back in 2013. This Bright Tote Bag was the first big loom knit project I made. I used a Martha Stewart knitting loom. I single-crochet-chained every inch of yarn I used. It took a long while, but it was really enjoyable and worth the effort. Making this tote bag project helped me better my loom knitting skills.
The stitch pattern is what I call a ‘basket-weave’. I’ve heard it called a tile stitch and a cobblestone stitch. Doesn’t matter what it’s called, it was a fun stitch to do. I think it looks pretty good for my no-pattern first attempt at a loom knit project.
I’ve always liked the look and colors of this tote. I’m happy with the beads and oblong toggle button, both of which I sculpted out of polymer clay.
However, I never liked my open-pocket lining (lower left side of the collage-photo). Since I’ve figured out the method for setting zippers in the pockets in linings, I decided it was time to replace the lining in my old Bright Tote Bag.
It has a zipper-pocket on each side inside.
One side zipper-pocket is big enough for my 8-inch kindle fire and the other side pocket is big enough for a mobile phone and some other small stuff.
I’m ever so much happier with my old Bright Tote Bag now.

Wishing everyone a happy week of sunshine and smiles.

February 2021 Weather Gifts and Crafts

I hope everyone had a pleasant Valentine’s weekend and was able to spend some time with loved ones. I also hope that you all are staying warm and aren’t too iced and/or snowed in.
We had a beautiful snowfall a week ago on February 7th. It was like a winter wonderland, It melted away rather quickly.
We were fortunate over this past weekend, we got just a bit of ice. Right now we’re having a cold rain. According to the forecast, things are about to change for the worse. I’m thankful we did our grocery shopping Sunday morning.. We may be iced/snowed in for a while… hope not… we’ll see. :/

This year we wasn’t much in the mood for Valentine’s celebrating with flowers, chocolates or jewelry activities: flowers die and I rarely wear ornaments other than my wedding ring. So, no gifts is no big deal.
However when my husband hit on the perfect gifts this year, I accepted them with joy and appreciation.
Instead of a dozen roses, I got a fine gauge kb knitting loom.
Instead of gaudy pieces of jewelry, My husband and I gave each other an electric start generator. This is something we’ve wanted since we got hit by a tornado last spring 2020 and we were without electric for a week.
Right now, with threats of bad weather and possibilities of power outages in our area, it’s the perfect time for us to invest in a generator.
In crafting news… My husband and I have started a couple more diamond dot paintings. His is a fish setting and mine is mason jars with flowers. We figure, as long as we’re grounded at home still, we might as well continue to be creative. We really do enjoy this form of crafting. It’s amazing how relaxing it is.

Wishing you all a good week.
Keep warm and stay safe.

 

 


 

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Crochet Cast On Loom Knitting

Here’s my video tutorial of sorts of the method
I use to ‘crochet cast on’ on a knitting loom.
Hopefully it’ll help to show others how to
‘Crochet Cast On’ on a knitting loom.

It’s my first tutorial video for loom knitting,
so if I need to add or change anything,
leave me a comment and let me know.

Happy Crafting!