"Herringbone" plarn rug

I'm making this rug of plarn. But it would be lovely in yarn. I think I will make another one of denim strips. Patterns are suggestions!

First strip. For this one, I'm making the strips 8 dc wide.

So, ch 10, dc in 4th ch from hook and in the remaining 6 chains. First ch 3 counts as dc always.

2nd (and following rows) ch 3, turn, dc across row. 8 dc. 

Repeat until this strip is long enough.

The 2nd strip starts on the side of this strip, much like the woven rug. Except, it isn't folded over. This rug will be a single layer of crocheted plarn.

Work 8 dc evenly along side of first strip. For me, that's 1 dc in the side of each row,with an occasional 2 dc in the side of each row.  Continue as for first strip.

3rd strip. I'm using different colors for each strip. It's easier to see in these pictures. Also, it will use up some of the bags I only have a few of. Each strip will use fewer bags.

Instead of ch 3 to start the row, I worked ch 1, sl st in side of 1st row, ch 1. Then 7 dc in side of 2nd strip.

Next row, ch 3, turn, dc across.

Next row, ch 1, sl st in side of strip beside this strip, ch 1,  turn, dc across.

Repeat these 2 rows for desired length.

Just started the 4th strip. I'm leaving short loops on each strip to fasten on more loops, so that I don't have to think about finished length yet.

Obviously, it will take days, if not weeks for me to finish this rug. But I can already tell that it needs an edging row.

Fasten plarn to one corner, ch 1. 3 sc in same space. 1 sc in bottom of each stitch of first strip. Sc evenly across edge of next strip. (1 or 2 sc in the edge of each row, whatever comes out evenly for you). 3 sc in each corner. Join to first sc with sl st.

Plarn Rug

 It's fun to get bags from my friends. They shop at different stores than I do, so there are lots of different bag colors! Also, I don't shop enough and get enough bags to keep myself supplied with plarn. There still aren't always enough bags of one color to make something - anything!!

 I suppose I could make stripes on my bags, the way Mom does, but that seems like a lot of effort for a grocery bag.

 I could make a rug. Mom made this oval rug with different bags. I don't like to keep laying my project on the floor to make sure I'm increasing the correct number to make the rug lie flat.

So, I'm going to make a "woven" rug. Remember making woven placemats of construction paper strips? That's the idea here. Plarn strips, woven into a rug. I have 6 of these bags. Let's see how far I get. I want 2 inch wide strips. Using a size H hook, that took 7 dc stitches.
Ch 9, dc in 4th ch from hook and in remaining ch stitches. Counting the 3 skipped ch stitches as 1 dc, I have 7 stitches. Ch 3, turn. Sk 1st dc (ch 3 counts as 1st dc) work dc in each st across. Repeat.

Just over 18 inches.

 Now, using bags with a different color lettering, work 7 dc across one edge. (Working in the sides of the rows.)

 I want these edges to be well fastened, so for this turning chain, I'm going to ch 1, sl st in the stitch of strip below, ch 1, turn, 6 dc.

 I'll do that again.

 And again. These strips will be solid! Then, work in rows as you did for the first strip.

Using bags with a different color of printing, starting in the next row after the strip just made, work 7 dc. Fold it over the other side of the first strip and fasten as you did the 2nd strip made.

 4th strip: started on side of 2nd strip in the same way the 3rd strip was started on the 1st strip.

 Working parallel to the first strip, bring 4th strip over 3rd strip and fasten to at least one stitch. As I got into the middle of my rug, I didn't fasten the strips as often to the strips they were crossing over or under.

View of one side.

View of the other side.

I didn't finish off the strips, as I'm still not sure exactly how big I want it. I worked the plarn until the lengths left on other strips wouldn't twist with the plarn of the strip I was currently working.

The corner which is already double thickness is soft. I'm going to enjoy standing on it to wash dishes! When it gets dirty, I'll throw it in the washer and then let it air dry.
Now, I just need to cut lots of bags and crochet! This will take some time.....
2 days later, I'm finally starting the 10th long strip. This is 19 inches across. I don't want to carpet my kitchen, just have a rug in front of my sink!

I made the "base" short strip just big enough for this last long strip.

 Fold it over, opposite side from previous long strip.

 Make sure the fold is right on the attachment line. Slip stitch the edges together, using the plarn from the short strip.

 One sl st for each st of last row of short strip.

Finish off and work in the end.

With the rest of the short strips, work until they are even with the edge of the last strip. Make sure they are correctly woven. Then slip stitch the edges together, using the plarn from the short strip. Finish off and work in the end.
This will take some time....
When I get it long enough, I will finish off the long strips on the last short strip. Then finish it off on the last long strip.
I doubt I'll take it to my daughter's to work on it again. Her cat seemed to think it was some multi-legged monster!

Farmer's Market Bag (another Pinterest project)

Years ago I had a string bag which I used until it wore out. I think it was macrame. I was very happy to find these directions on Pinterest. The directions say to use acrylic or cotton yarn, worsted weight. The bottom of the bag is a flat circle.

Ch 4. In 4th ch from hook, work 11 dc.

Working in rounds (no joining or turning), work 2 dc in each st around.

Work 1 dc in next st, work 2 dc in next st. Repeat around.

Work 1 dc in next 2 stitches, work 2 dc in next st. Repeat around.

Repeat last round until the base is big enough for you. I worked 5 and a half rounds. Hdc in next st. Sc in next st. *Ch 5. Sk next 2 st, sc in next st. Repeat from * around.

I left a slightly longer than usual tail on the beginning chain to be able to pull it through the first stitch to mark the beginning of the round.

I can leave it like that because it doesn't show on the outside.

 Since my last sc of the first round is in the hdc of the previous round, I can continue to work in rounds of ch 5, sc in ch 5 loop of previous round. I'll continue until it's deep enough for me.

Deep enough is a personal decision. This bag will stretch.

 For the top band, work 2 hdc in the ch 5 loop, 1 hdc in sc around.

I made another bag with 4 hdc in each ch 5 loop, just because I wanted a large opening.

It does flare out at the top, which is why I'm trying for a different effect with the blue bag. Again, the size of the top opening can be easily changed to suit your personal taste. (Patterns are suggestions.)

I worked 2 rounds of hdc, then 1 round of sc. The pattern called for handles of 2 sc rows. I think that would be fine for drawstrings, but I like wider handles, if I'm going to be holding the bag by the handles. So, 5 sc, ch 1, turn. Repeat until the handle is desired length. For me, that's 14 inches.
Then I counted how many unused stitches were in the top round. 64 This number would be bigger if I had made the bottom bigger or if I had put more hdc stitches in each ch 5 loop. I'll need 15 stitches for the ends of the handles. That leaves 49 stitches. Divide by 4. 12 (13 in one place) so the handle ends will be evenly spaced.
Imagine that! Those hated word problems from math class really do come in handy!

Be careful to not twist the handle. Skip next 12 stitches. sl st handle to bag. Fasten off and work in ends.
Sk next 12 stitches. Fasten yarn in next stitch with s sc. Sc in next 4 stitches. Work 5 sc rows until handle is same length as other handle. (57 rows this time). Sk next 12 stitches. Fasten handle same as first handle.

Yay! One less w i p. One more finished project!

Works in Progress

I like that phrase better than unfinished projects!

I was already using zip lock bags for my w i p, before I saw it on Pinterest. I like the 2.5 gallon bags. Pattern (books) fit in easily. I don't have to worry that a loose hook will fall out and get lost. I like having something ready to go. I generally carry something with me, just in case I'll find a chance to crochet. Especially if I'm going to be waiting for an appointment. That is often a big block of time which would otherwise be wasted. I'll never finish these projects if I waste so much time!

A "tote"

 Plarn cushion. I'm waiting on more grey bags.

 Shoulder bag of hobby lobby bags. I'm waiting on more bags.

Shoulder bag of dollar general bags. I'm waiting on more bags.

 Another baby blanket.

 My 12th doily, not sure which month I'll use this one.

 My afghan for March.

Star afghan.

At least my capelet is finished!

I also finished a plarn grocery bag for my daughter.

She was very happy to start using it!

Eventually, I'll finish the tote and the turquoise farmer's market bag and be able to show them here.