Dice bag for LadyU

This is the first thread project I've attempted (other than some earrings many years ago). I couldn't find my thread-size hooks (except for a 1mm hook that would be too small) when I wanted to start working on this (I really need to take some time to get my craft supplies organized!!) so I used the smallest hook from my standard Clover ergonomic set — 2.75mm — which turned out fine for my needs. I tend to crochet tightly anyway and so I'm used to having to go up in hook size for most patterns. Gauge really isn't an issue for this project since it's a bag. This is made with Aunt Lydia's Classic Crochet Thread in size 10, color black. The green scales are 0.35-inch anodized aluminum tags from TheRingLord.com.

Besides using a different hook size I deviated from the written pattern in a few other (minor) ways. First I made a double-thick base as described in Jessie Alameda's Dragonscale Dice Bag tutorial. Second I didn't string all the scales onto the thread before starting to work; I crocheted them in place one by one by using my 1mm hook to pull the thread through the opening of each scale when working the scale SC. Third I worked only four rows of DC above the scales before working the row of loops for the drawstring; I felt like the bag was tall enough at that point. Fourth I worked two rows of SC above the drawstring loops.

My biggest challenge for finishing this was figuring out which kind of cord to use as the drawstring. I didn't want to use thread chains (too bumpy to operate smoothly) ... I tried to knit some i-cord using the thread and 2.25mm needles, but that was taking forever and really hurting my hands ... I thought about making some monk's cord using the thread (there are several tutorials for this on YouTube; I've done it before and it isn't hard to do) but I just wasn't feeling it ... so then I went to Walmart to see if they had anything suitable there in the crafts section, but the only black cording they had was cotton and waaay too thick at 3/16-inch. I finally found some 2mm black satin cording at Amazon.

Attempt at i-cord 2.25mm needles

Bag with 3/16-inch cord as drawstring (ugh)

I cut two 20-inch pieces of cord and wove them through the loops at the top of the bag so that the ends came out on opposite sides for cinching the top closed. I tied an overhand knot on each pair of ends at a position to allow the bag to be fully open. Then I strung one bead on each tail, knotting the cord on each side of each bead to hold it in place.

 

I love how this turned out and hope LadyU feels the same way when she receives it. 😊

Dangle lotus earrings free pattern

I came across the chart for this simple but pretty crochet hoop earring quite by accident on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/flordecactus/crochet-earrings/

However, I was unable to locate the pattern chart at what was listed as being the originating site (crochet-plaisir-over-blog.com).

As you can see in the photos, I made my first pair of earrings without the beads indicated in the chart.

I tend to find it easier to work from written instructions rather than charts, so I transcribed the chart below.

CROCHET DANGLE EARRINGS WITH BEADS

Supplies: 1 pair of 3cm diameter latchback hoop earrings; size 3 cotton thread; size C (2.75mm) hook; 10 beads of your choice (5 for each earring), optional. (If not using beads, see alternate instructions below.)

String 5 beads onto cotton thread. Leaving a long tail, make a slipknot in the thread and place slipknot on the hook.

Row 1: Working around the earring hoop, sc 38. Turn.

Row 2: Sl 7; ch 6; sl in 5th sc from ch. Ch 6; dc in 5th sc from ch. Ch 6; dc in 5th sc from ch. Ch 6; sl in 5th sc from ch. Ch 6; sl in 5th sc from ch. Turn.

Row 3: In first ch loop: (sc, hdc, 3 dc, place bead, dc, hdc, sc.) Repeat ( to ) in second ch loop. In third ch loop: sc, hdc, 2 dc, 2 tc, place bead, 2 tc, 2 dc, hdc, sc. In fourth ch loop: ((sc, hdc, dc, place bead, 3 dc, hdc, sc.)) Repeat (( to )) in fifth ch loop. Sl to join to foundation sc row. FO. Weave in ends. Repeat process for second earring.

CROCHET DANGLE EARRINGS WITHOUT BEADS

Supplies: 1 pair of 3cm diameter latchback hoop earrings; size 3 cotton thread; size C (2.75mm) hook.

Leaving a long tail, make a slipknot in the thread and place slipknot on the hook.

Row 1: Working around the earring hoop, sc 38. Turn.

Row 2: Sl 7; ch 6; sl in 5th sc from ch. Ch 6; dc in 5th sc from ch. Ch 6; dc in 5th sc from ch. Ch 6; sl in 5th sc from ch. Ch 6; sl in 5th sc from ch. Turn.

Row 3: In first ch loop: (sc, hdc, 4 dc, hdc, sc.) Repeat ( to ) in second ch loop. In third ch loop: sc, hdc, 2 dc, 4 tc, 2 dc, hdc, sc. Repeat ( to ) in fourth and fifth ch loops. Sl to join to foundation sc row. FO. Weave in ends. Repeat process for second earring.