2014/75 – really cute top idea – great for tops that are too short!

So this one is a bit of a weird one.

I found a picture tutorial for it on pinterest and it links to a blog but the post is gone. So you won’t be able to see the full explanation, but I still recommend you go explore the awesome blog it came from!

Pin Them All has created a quick tutorial for turning granny squares into a really cute top decoration. I guess you could use any granny square pattern you like as long as you fit the dimensions of the shirt you’re adding them to.

And with winter on its’ way, what better way to convert summer tops into winter ones?

The key (middle right) translates the stitches into US patterns so click here for our translation.

Check out the blog it came from here:

http://pinthemall.net/pin/52849e050991b/

2014/70 – upcycling old jumpers with crochet

So this is another of those clothing amendment tutorials, like the t-shirt one. Except this one is a bit more wintery. It’s pretty easy. I think you could use a similar technique for any number of different fabrics or items of clothing, to decorate or just make clothes bigger. Though it does involve some sewing.

Find it all here:

http://trash-collector.livejournal.com/9794.html

– Leeloo the Tall

Pattern translation – Upcycle a tote bag

This is a very simple way to jazz up a bag you already own, or even, as the designer of the pattern has done, some very plain and cheap bags.

Where the pattern asks for an SC, crochet a UK DC. Where it asks for a DC, crochet a UK TR.

It’ll take you no time at all and is easy peasy!

Visit Annoo’s Crochet World for the pattern!

Tutorial: how to make and crochet with “Plarn” – plastic yarn

You’ve probably never heard of this but it’s becoming more and more popular!

Plarn!

It’s plastic yarn, made from carrier bags. Yep, the type you bring your shopping home in! If you have a wander around the Interwebs and Pinterest in particular, you’ll find people crocheting all sorts with it.

Today, we’re going to show you how to make and use your own. The process we’re going to follow can also make you t-shirt yarn (one of us would crochet with nothing else, if she could!).

First, find yourself a carrier bag (or a bin liner). Straighten it out really well.

Next, cut off the handles and the bottom like this.

Now make cuts about an inch wide from one end of the bag to the other – but not all the way across. Stop cutting about an inch from the other side, as in the picture.

At this point, I like to put my hand through all the loops we’ve made to make the next stage easier.

Finally, you’re going to cut along the lines marked in the picture. Cutting diagonally like this results in one big strand of plarn, which means no knotting up loads of little strands!

Ta-da!

All you need to do now is roll it up … and decide what to make with it!

We’ve seen lots of simple ideas for plarn, including washing up pads. We turned ours into a dispenser for yet more carrier bags! Shove ’em in the top and pull ’em out the bottom! We used an 8mm hook and crocheted nothing but dc.

Lampshade pattern

This gorgeous beast is an idea from a sillymoo. That’s what she calls herself. I’m not being mean :P. This is so cheery and happy, but I’m tempted to make goth themed one in black. You could make them pretty much any size you want and in any theme.

LOVE!

Visit sillymoo for the tutorial!

Another new idea!

I’ve said previously how scared I am of attaching yarn to fabric, but this pattern may actually tempt me! This stunning top is by the lady at Sans Limites (French for “without limits”).  Not only is this tutorial on her blog, but so are loads of others!

It’s in US terms so:

crochet a UK dc when it says sc;

crochet a UK tr when it says dc;

And there’s a video tutorial here from CrochetGeek for the filet crochet.

This wonderful idea would go with so many things and breathe new life into old items! Even beachwear … children’s clothes … curtains …

Visit SansLimites for the tutorial.

Crochet + upcycling!

If, like us, you’re a bit of a greenie or you just like sewing, this one’s for you! This tutorial will show you how to make something from a scrap of fabric and a quick bit of double crochet! We love chopping up old t-shirts and turning them into other things, but are often left with perfectly good bits of fabric and no idea what to do with them. We don’t want to throw them out – and Jill Goldberg in sunny South Africa came up with this clever idea!

The possibilities are endless. With some carefully placed holes (and we’d love to know how you would make yours), you can crochet something fancy or cute or sophisticated or seasonal along the bottom (or top or side …).

Visit Jill’s blog to find out just how quickly you can make this.