I got sidetracked for the last couple weeks with my new crochet blanket. The yarn is quite a lovely and soft texture, however, trying to find the middle-pull end was most frustrating. I finally, started with the outside end of the skein and wound it in a ball. It took me a few hours over the course of a day, between housework, to wind the over 1000+ yards.
Since I wound the yarn into a ball, I’m having an enjoyable time making the blanket. I still have over 200 rows to go. Thankfully, it’s a C2C stitch pattern and the last half of the blanket pattern rows will get shorter and faster to finish with every row. (Did that make sense. 😀 )
Yesterday morning, as I picked up my crochet blanket to work on, it occurred to me, that perhaps, I should put it down for the day and try and finish my Burgundy & Gray Tote Bag.
And that is what I did.
It took me the rest of the day, while also doing my housework, to finish it. I finished it right before supper time.
It turned out quite nice.
It’s large enough to hold my laptop.
It has 2 zippered pockets, one large and one medium size.
I decided not to put a closure on it (at the moment) I might later on, if I see that one is needed.
And with this finish, I can get back to happily crocheting on my latest blanket.
Wishing you all a weekend of pleasant temperatures and happy thoughts.
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This ‘Checkered Tote Bag’ was one the unfinished projects that was in my ‘
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 ‘
It has a zipper-pocket on each side inside.
I’m ever so much happier with my old Bright Tote Bag now.
I crocheted a tote bag, although I suppose it could be considered a handbag.
My plans for this bag changed, as I went along. For the straps, I originally was going to use loom knitted icords.
I decided to set zippers in the pockets. It was risky for me, since I’m not very skilled at zipper setting. However, I figured out a way to set the zipper that turned out pretty decent.
I’m surprised the lining turned out as well as it did.
All along, I played with the idea of either a simple flap closure or a zipper on the top. Well, I figured I’m this far into it, might as well go for it. It took me a few days to figure out how to set the zipper in the top that required only my limited skilled.
Tah-Dah! The zipper looks okay and works great.
Here’s a few things that I’ve found to be helpful.
In my opinion, most zippers are a bit pricey. I don’t mind so much if I’m buying a specific zipper to match fabric to make a piece of clothing, special projects or home decor type stuff, however, there’s some craft projects that need a zipper and I’d rather not sink a lot of money in them. After thinking about the problem awhile, I figured out an inexpensive way to buy zippers . I buy the really cheap zipper bags and take the zippers out of them. When I want to use the zippers, I can cut them to whatever length I need. The bags in the photo were a dollar each. The smaller one has 2 in it, so I got two 16 inch zippers for a dollar. The other 2 bags are of really long and extra long lengths, I don’t know their exact lengths, I haven’t disassembled the bags yet to measure them. These zippers probably won’t last in a heavy duty project like jeans or sleeping bags… and then again I could be wrong and they might hold up well. This is a relatively new idea of mine and I haven’t used them yet. But even so, I think it’s a good idea anyway. (as for the plastic part of the bags, I fold it neatly and store it away because I hope to find some uses for it too someday)
Here’s an idea for an inexpensive and small heavy duty hand-fan (duel duty if you want). It’s a small cutting board. lol I discovered what a great fan it made, when a hot-flash hit and it was the smallest lightest weight thing in my reach that I could use to wave in the air and help cool me off. lol Seriously, though, you can’t tell it from the photo, but it’s not very big. The handle is a nice advantage; it’s light weight enough to tote around the house or take outside or most anywhere.
I bought these ‘Incredible Hooks’ at a dollar store. You may have seen commercials for hooks like them. You may have wondered if they’re as easy to use and handy as the commercials say. I’m here to tell you that they most definitely work for me in drywall (Sheetrock). I love the ease of putting them where I want and removing them if I want too. I was truly surprised these work. These are great. There’s 20 in the pack and I haven’t needed to buy anymore, but I won’t hesitate to buy more if/when I run out.
I usually have several projects going at the same time. I find it’s handy to keep them in 2 gallon Ziploc bags with their supplies. This makes them easy to pick up and take with me to work on them most anywhere. I use much bigger plastic bags for my crochet blanket projects. Keeping the projects in plastic bags helps keep them cleaner too.
Joys Of Creating 