FREE Written Crochet Pattern: Off to the Market Bag

FREE Written Crochet Pattern: Off to the Market Bag

I love this season! The season of fresh flowers and farmer’s markets. The time of the year when we can casually stroll through the booths of fresh veggies and locally grown produce and fill ourselves up with their goodness. I made my Off To The Market Bag for this exact reason. It’s roomy and airy making it perfect to handle lots of goodies you find-long enough for zucchini and cucumber and a pattern perfect for keeping in berries and other small items as you breeze through the market. I added a cross-body strap to help with bearing the weight of all your finds. Besides, it looks awesome, too! Now, before you hit the farmer’s markets in your area, why not make yourself one of these today?

My dad will continue to be the videographer, editor, and photographer for our videos when I move away.

Support YARNutopia today so we can continue to bring you clear, quality crochet tutorials even after I move into my new home!
There will be an added expense of more travel and hopefully this won’t deter our ability to provide consistent videos on a weekly basis.

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**You can always contact me via Facebook if you have any problems with the pattern. I am happy to help if you have any questions along the way.
***These patterns are copyright YARNutopia © so PLEASE DO NOT COPY, SHARE, ADJUST OR RESELL MY PATTERN. I wrote and tested this pattern myself, from beginning to end. It took a lot of time and work, and I would really like to have it remain “my pattern.”
***You can sell anything you make from my patterns, please just link back to my website YARNutopia.com. Thank you!

Teacher: Nadia Fuad
Video and Editing: Fuad Azmat (My Daddy)
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Designed by Nadia Fuad
You *may* sell items made from my pattern, but please reference my website YARNutopia.com.
Please do not copy, sell, and/or post this pattern and claim it as your own.

Materials you will need:

Get the supplies individually by clicking the links below
-Any cotton yarn (use 2 strands held together) or use 1 strand of bulky yarn
Size J-6.00mm Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle
Scissors

NOTES:
-Use a smaller hook to make these smaller
-Use a bigger hook to make these bigger
-You can use any size 4 medium, worsted weight yarn for this project (Use 2 strands held together to make it thicker, or use size 5 bulky yarn to make this bag)
-This bag is approximately 12 inches wide and 16 inches deep.
-You can check out yarnsub.com to see yarn substitutions that are equal to the yarn I used in this project.

Special stitches:
Ch(s): chain(s)
YO: Yarn Over
St(s): Stitch(es)
Sl st: slip stitch
SC: Single Crochet
DC: Double Crochet

 

Pattern:

There is no video tutorial for this pattern.

Using 2 strands of yarn held together to make a bulky yarn, OR use bulky yarn

Start with ch 3, DO NOT turn your work after each round.

Rnd 1:  [DC, Ch 1] 6 times in 3rd Ch from hook, sl st to first st. (6)

Rnd 2:  sl st into ch 1 sp, Ch 2 (does not count as st), [DC ch 2, DC] in each Ch 1 sp around, sl st to first st. (12)

Rnd 3: Sl st into Ch 2 sp, Ch 3 ( counts as st), [DC, Ch 2, 2 DC] in same ch sp, [2 DC, Ch 2, 2 DC] in each ch sp around, sl st to beginning ch 3 st. (24)

Rnd 4: Sl st BACKWARDS into the gap between the groupings, Ch 3 (counts as st), DC in same gap, *[2 DC, Ch 2, 2 DC] in next Ch 2 sp, 2 DC in gap between groupings, repeat from * around, sl st to beginning ch 3 st. (36)

Rnd 5: Sl st between the 2 first sts, Ch 5 (counts as DC + Ch 2 sp), DC in same spot between the DC sts from previous round, * [2 DC, Ch 2, 2 DC] in next ch 2 sp, [DC, Ch 2, DC] between the next 2 DC grouping from previous round, repeat from * around, ending with [2 DC, Ch 2, 2 DC] in last Ch 2 sp, Sl st to 3rd ch of beg. ch 5. (36)

Rnd 6: Sl st in ch 2 sp, Ch up 5 (counts as DC + Ch 2 sp), DC in same ch 2 sp, *[2 DC, Ch 2, 2 DC] in next Ch 2 sp, [DC, Ch 2, DC] in next ch 2 sp, repeat from * around, Sl st to 3rd Ch of beg. ch 5. (36)

Rnd 7: Repeat Rnd 6. (36)

Rnd 8: Sl st in ch 2 sp, Ch up 3 (counts as st), [DC, Ch 2, 2 DC] in same ch 2 sp, *[2 DC, Ch 2, 2 DC] in next Ch 2 sp, repeat from * around, Sl st to beg. ch 3 st. (48)

Rnd 9: Sl st in ch 2 sp, Ch up 3 (counts as st), [DC, Ch 2, 2 DC] in same ch 2 sp, * Ch 1 [2 DC, Ch 2, 2 DC] in next Ch 2 sp, repeat from * around, Sl st to beg. ch 3 st. (48)

Rnd 10: Sl st in ch 2 sp, Ch up 3 (counts as st), [DC, Ch 2, 2 DC] in same ch 2 sp, * Ch 2 [2 DC, Ch 2, 2 DC] in next Ch 2 sp, repeat from * around, Sl st to beg. ch 3 st. (48)

Rnds 11-20: Repeat Rnd 10. (48)

Rnd 21: Ch 1, SC in same st, SC in next st, * SC in ch 2 sp, SC in next 2 sts, 2 SC in ch 2 sp, SC in next 2 sts, repeat from * around, sl st to first st, ch 1, do not turn.

Rnds 22-25: SC in each st around, sl st to first st, Ch 1.

After Rnd 25, Fasten off, weave in all ends.

Strap:

Use 2 strands of yarn at the same time or use 1 strand of bulky yarn.
Start with long strand for sewing and then make your slip knot. You will use the long strand to sew to the bag after the strap is finished.

Ch 7

Row 1: HDC in 2nd Ch from hook and across, Ch 1, Turn. (6)

Rows 2-70: HDC in each st across, Ch 1, Turn. (6)

(you can make your strap handle as long or as short as you want)

Fasten off with long tail for sewing, Sew handle to bag.

Weave in any extra loose ends.

Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links, which I may be compensated for when you make a purchase. That means if you click on any link and buy from the linked websites, I will receive a small percentage of the value of your order. The amount you pay is not changed. Thank you for all your support in clicking the links in my blog!! You all are so amazing!! ~Nadia

Let’s Play A Game!

Let’s Play A Game!

Below is a fun checklist of things found in a yarn bag! We carry our lives around in our totes and this game gives points for all the things we can find in there! Take a moment to go through your bags and tally your points for this activity. What is the craziest thing you have in your bag today?? How many points did you get??

Here’s My Score: 148 Points!

This activity was prompted because I was cleaning up my bag and found some packets of hot sauce and a diaper in my yarn tote! LOL I realized that I can’t be the only one who has this problem. I remembered playing a “What’s In Your Bag?” game at a bridal shower some time ago, and decided to make a game out of this to share with all of you!

Share your score in the comments!

Crochet Tutorial: Tic Tac Toe Game and Tote

Crochet Tutorial: Tic Tac Toe Game and Tote

Summer is here and the kids are home all day long! What better way to bring in the summer than with great activities that don’t require the TV or any electronic devices.

Do you have a roadtrip planned? How about a day at the beach? Camping anyone? No matter where you go, even if it is just outside to your back yard, this totable Tic-Tac-Toe game board will promise loads of entertainment for all ages. Perfect for around the campfire when you are hanging out with the kids, perfect to pull out at the beach for some fun in the sand, perfect for picnics where you can open this up for some competition across the picnic table. There is nothing like an old fashioned game of Tic-Tac-Toe to bring on a some competitive spirit!

 

This is the perfect solution to long boring “I don’t have anything to do” blues! This game board easily cinches up into a bag or satchel and stores all the game pieces. Open it up and you are ready to play. Make up rules, make competitions, make point goals to claim a winner! First person to get 25 Tic-Tac-Toes takes the prize!! Whatever way you play, it is sure to provide lots of old school fun without relying on modern technology to fill those hours.

This project is a great stash buster for using up that extra yarn. It also would be a nice project to make in cotton for all-weather, all-terrain play. I would also suggest that you can put velcro on the back of the X’s and O’s as well as the squares to provide more stability. Make the O’s in one team color, the X’s in a rival color and make this a sport related rivalry game! The possibilities are endless! There are so many options with this game board!

Get yours started today and watch how much fun this pattern will provide! Follow along with my step by step tutorial and written pattern for year round enjoyment!

Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make this fun game:

My dad will continue to be the videographer, editor, and photographer for our videos when I move away.
Support YARNutopia today so we can continue to bring you clear, quality crochet tutorials even after I move into my new home!
There will be an added expense of more travel and hopefully this won’t deter our ability to provide consistent videos on a weekly basis.

Donate Button with Credit Cards

**You can always contact me via Facebook if you have any problems with the pattern. I am happy to help if you have any questions along the way.
***These patterns are copyright YARNutopia © so PLEASE DO NOT COPY, SHARE, ADJUST OR RESELL MY PATTERN. I wrote and tested this pattern myself, from beginning to end. It took a lot of time and work, and I would really like to have it remain “my pattern.”
***You can sell anything you make from my patterns, please just link back to my website YARNutopia.com. Thank you!

Teacher: Nadia Fuad
Video and Editing: Fuad Azmat (My Daddy)
Share your work on Facebook!
Add me on Snapchat: YARNutopia
Follow me on Instagram
Visit My Ravelry Store and add this to your Favorites!
Follow me on Twitter: @YARNutopia
Enjoy this video and subscribe to my channel on YouTube for more tutorials on how to crochet!
Leave a comment, and share with your friends!

Pattern:

Designed by Nadia Fuad
You *may* sell items made from my pattern, but please reference my website YARNutopia.com.
Please do not copy, sell, and/or post this pattern and claim it as your own.

Materials you will need:
Get the supplies individually by clicking the links below
Red Heart Super Saver in Royal, Rouge, Aran, Green, Carrot, Yellow, Aruba Sea, Gray Heather, Baby Pink

G-4.25mm Crochet Hook
Polyfil
Yarn Needle
Scissors

NOTES:
-Use a smaller hook to make these smaller
-Use a bigger hook to make these bigger

Special stitches:
Ch(s): chain(s)
YO: Yarn Over
BLO: Back Loop Only
St(s): Stitch(es)
Sl st: slip stitch
SK: Skip
SC: Single Crochet
SC2TOG: Single Crochet Decrease
DC: Double Crochet

Pattern:

If you have any confusion or difficulty with reading this pattern, please watch the video tutorial to have visual instructions.

Board:
Ch 62
Row 1: DC in 4th Ch from hook and across, turn. (60)
Row 2: Ch 3 (Counts as DC), DC in each st across. turn. (60)
Rows 3-31: Repeat Row 2
Be sure your piece is square, if it is not, do more or less rows to make it square.
Continue to SC around entire piece.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Assembly:
Make a very long chain and weave it around the outer edge of the whole board and tie together. (This is the drawstring)
Surface crochet straight lines to make the Tic-Tac-Toe  Lines (See video tutorial for visual instructions)

O’s (Make 5)
Work in continuous rounds and in BLO

Ch 21
Rnd 1: SC in 1st ch to form a ring, SC in each ch around. (21)
Rnd 2: [2SC in next st, SC in next 2 sts] 7 times. (28)
Rnd 3: [2SC in next st, SC in next 3 sts] 7 times. (35)
Rnds 4-6: SC in each st around. (35)
Rnd 7: [SC2TOG, SC in next 3 sts] 7 times. (28)
Rnd 8: [SC2TOG, SC in next 2 sts] 7 times. (21)
Fasten off with long tail for sewing.
Sew “O” Closed  and stuff with stuffing  (see video tutorial for visual instructions)

 

X’s (Make 5)
Work in Continuous Rounds and in BLO

First and Second Arm of the X:
Make 2 of these pieces:
Ch 2
Rnd 1: 6 SC in 2nd Ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: 2 SC in each st around. (12)
Rnds 3-7: SC in each st around. (12)
For first piece, fasten off. For 2nd Piece, DO NOT fasten off

This next part is Attaching the First and Second Piece (See video tutorial for this part)
Rnd 8: SC around current piece, continue to SC in each st of the other piece. (24 sts)
Rnd 9: SC in each st around. (24)
Sew the hole between the arms closed (See video tutorial for visual instructions)
Next part is creating the third arm of the X
Rnd 10: SC in 12 sts, Sk the last 12 sts. (12)
Rnd 11-14: SC in each st around. (12)

Assembly:
Stuff the piece of what you have done so far then continue with round 15

Rnd 15: [SC2TOG] 6 times.
SC 1st and 4th sts together. Fasten off.

Next part is creating the 4th arm of the X
Attach yarn to  the free stitch on round 9
Rnd 10-14: SC in each st around.
Stuff the rest of the X then go onto the last round.
Rnd 15: [SC2TOG] 6 times.
SC 1st and 4th sts together.
Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

Assembly:
Tie a string around the center of the X to cinch it in to create an X letter.
Weave in all ends.

Enjoy!!

This post contains affiliate links, which I may be compensated for when you make a purchase. That means if you click on any link and buy from the linked websites, I will receive a small percentage of the value of your order. The amount you pay is not changed. Thank you for all your support in clicking the links in my blog!! You all are so amazing!! ~Nadia

The yarn provided for this pattern is courtesy of Red Heart Yarns

 

 

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BOHO SLING CROSSBODY BAG

Shark Week Crochet Round-Up

Shark Week Crochet Round-Up

Shark week 2017 starts now! What better way to DIVE in than with a great round-up blog just SWIMMING with some great shark crochet patterns? HOOK yourself a great new project that is sure to make a few JAWS drop! There’s an OCEAN of possibilities for gift giving ideas in this one great place. So FISH out your favorite yarn and get ready for a FIN-tastic week of patterns you can really sink your TEETH into.

Ok, I know, I know, I get carried away with the puns!! I promise I am at the TAIL end of them. Seriously. Last one. Have a great Shark Week everyone!

Click the links or the photo to take you to each pattern.

Adult Shark Blanket
YARNutopia

 

Crochet Shark Amigurumi
One Dog Woof

Hammerhead Shark Free Crochet Pattern
Spin a Yarn Crochet

Shark Bag
YARNutopia

Shark Puppet Scrubby
Red Heart Yarns

Great White Shark Hand Puppet
YARNutopia

Below are some fabulous Shark crochet patterns for sale!

Shaaark Hooded Scarf
Snappy Tots

 

Shark Hat
Snappy Tots

Below there’s BONUS Under Water crochet patterns!

Mermaid Tail Afghan Pattern—3 Sizes
YARNutopia

Fish Amigurumi
YARNutopia

Mermaid Outfit For a Baby
YARNutopia

My Contribution to an Eco-Friendly Fashion Show!

For those of you following my blog posts, I had showcased back in early May, a blog about a recycled halter top that I created using plastic bags. The item was created for an eco-friendly fashion show: Catwalk for Water held on May 7, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. This environmentally friendly fashion show featured “creative and inspiring hair, makeup, and fashion created by area artists. This event was sponsored by Indira Aveda Salon Spa in Chicago. All proceeds benefit their Earth Month Partner – Alliance for the Great Lakes.”


I was contacted earlier this year by a friend who was the driving force behind this Chicago event. She asked me if I could create a piece using plastic bags, and together we collaborated on a vision. Using her guidelines, I created this fun piece that used 70 recycled plastic grocery bags that I cut into “plarn” and crocheted into this wild halter top.


I sent the piece to Chicago for it to be added to an ensemble created by my friend Tracey, owner of Indira Salon and Spa, and used in her vision for this outfit. All items used were recycled, re-used, re-purposed pieces that were put together to make amazing fashion statements.


Many incredible creations were part of the show and it was a lot of fun to be a small part of such a great event even from a distance. The photos from the event show a lot of amazing talent! What a great event for such a fabulous cause that inspires change for our planet and environment besides providing enormous inspiration for creating environmentally fashion.


The ensemble created for the event included my eco-friendly plarn halter top, vintage sunglasses from Fiore in Green Bay, WI, a handmade up-cycle necktie skirt, braided rags to riches Coachella inspired hair both done by Tracey herself. Her entire vision came together perfectly and was worn by a remarkable model who flawlessly showcased all of these items together! She SLAYED! This attire won Best Interpretation of the Theme: Coachella-Art and Music Festival! What an awesome win!


I want to say a special thanks to Tracey and Indira for asking me to take part in this project. It was a great experience to create a piece for this event and expand my talent in such an imaginative way. It was a lot of fun! I hope to do more events like this in the future!


Photos from event were provided with permission by Tracey (Indira Salon and Spa, Chicago Illinois)

Earth Day: Using Plarn to Make a Market Bag

Earth Day: Using Plarn to Make a Market Bag

“Plarn is short for “plastic yarn.” Plarn is made by cutting plastic grocery bags into strips, which are then strung together into a single long strand. You can use plarn instead of regular yarn to crochet sturdy, reusable tote bags, purses, doormats, and more.” ~Plastic Bag Crafts

We all collect bags from various shopping centers. If you don’t have an option for paper bags at your local stores or if you don’t carry-in your personal market bags, you end up stock-piling a collection of plastic bags that can one day end up in our landfills. BOOOO!! We don’t want that!!! So, what do we do with this accumulation? Well, I’ve got a solution! I did an experiment to make my own reusable market bag recycling about 35 plastic bags.

Once you determine what you plan to make, and you have accumulated a significant amount of plastic, the biggest “chore” of this entire project is cutting the strips to make the plarn. In this case, I use the term “chore” lightly. This literally takes little to no time, but I find it to be the one thing most people complain about.


I followed the instructions in this link to make my plarn. This information is very helpful in helping you create the amount of plarn needed for your project!

Once my plarn was cut, I rolled each bag up into a ball of plarn! I used a variety of Target bags and some gray grocery bags. I used a J-6.00mm crochet hook and a single crochet method to make this bag.

These are very easy to make and end up being very durable! There are various tutorials online to show you how to make your own! Then, you’re all set to use your new bag the next time you go to the market! I gave this one to my sister-in-law and she uses it ever summer at the farmers market! Use this idea on a smaller scale to make your own lunch bag or for other creative ideas using plarn! Enjoy!!


Have you tried this technique before? Share what you’ve made with plarn in the comments section!!
~Nadia

Crochet Tutorial: Desert Sunset Tote Bag

Summer is here and I needed a bag to take with me to the farmers market to hold all my goodies! I stumbled upon this lovely bag designed by Lily’s Sugar ‘n Cream This bag can be used in so many different ways! Take it to the beach, use it as a purse, use it as a book bag if you’re a student, use it as a project bag and take it wherever you go to continue your crochet projects!

I used different colors than the pattern calls for, so you can use my color choices, you could stick to the original written pattern color scheme, or you can make up your own color scheme! Make it one solid color if you’d like! The creativity possibilities are endless!

Here is the video tutorial on how to make this tote bag.

Here is my color scheme row by row:

1. White            16. Red            31. Green

2. Red               17. Purple        32. Orange

3. Blue              18. White        33. White

4. White           19. Blue

5. Orange         20. Orange

6. White           21. Red

7. Green           22. White

8. Purple         23. Green

9. White          24. White

10. Yellow       25. Purple

11. White         26. Orange

12. Green        27. Blue

13. Blue           28. Yellow

14. Orange      29. Red

15. White        30. White

Teacher: Nadia Fuad
Video and Editing: Fuad Azmat

Share your work on Facebook!

Shop Here

Add me on Snapchat: YARNutopia

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Follow me on Twitter: @YARNutopia

Enjoy this video and subscribe to my channel on YouTube for more tutorials on how to crochet!
Leave a comment, and share with your friends!

Happy Hookin’
~Nadia