Craftin’
If the image at the left looks like a large blob of grocery bags, you’re halfway correct. It’s plastic bags cut into strips to make a “material” suitable for crocheting.
This weekend I went to another craft day at Lissa’s house with two other craft-a-teers. Learning to make plastic bags into a big ball of yarn that could be crocheted into just about anything I wanted is one of the things we did together. Carrie was the “pro” at the idea, and she and Lissa demonstrated how to fold the bags then cut them with a rotary cutter. While they folded & cut, I attached the strips together, making my very own ball of very plastic yarn. Now to figure out what to do with it. Carrie had a couple of bags she’d already made which were really cute, and Lissa was working on one for herself. I’m sure I’ll make a bag out of it, but I don’t know yet if I want to look for a pattern I like or just wing it. I guess time will tell what this plastic glob will become.
Among the other things we did: a knit hat was finished and we all checked the washer when it was time to see how much it had felted, a pair (actually a single) flip-flop was attempted to be made with some very thick jute, and we all crocheted and knitted, whichever was our preferred way of doing things at the time. We also talked, laughed, munched, and had an overall good time.
Jenn was a little late so she missed out on the plastic glob yarn making demonstration and the felting, but she jumped right in and started working on a market bag she’d been crocheting. I was totally delighted when she said she thought crocheting was so much easier than knitting and that she may just have to switch back to it. Now I don’t feel all alone when I bring out my hook and yarn. It’s good encouragement for me to start going to the Wednesday night “knitting” group again since she’s usually there as well.
Too, last time I was at craft day, I took a few of the things I’ve made over the year. One was a really pretty wire crochet bracelet done with gold wire and golden-hued beads (liked the one shown at the right). It was gorgeous, if I do say so myself, and I gave it to Jenn. She told me when she arrived this last time that a friend of hers wants me to make a couple of bracelets to try to sell in her store. How cool is that! So, in the next couple of weeks or so, I’m going to add some wire crochet projects to my WIPs.
All four of us decided we were going to try to get a table together at a couple of upcoming craft fairs in our area for the holidays. One can’t be signed up for until the first part of September and the other I need to call on and see what information I can find out. It’ll be my first shot at a craft fair, and having a few other people to hang out with and craft with doesn’t hurt. I’m looking forward to it. Not only are my crochet WIPs going to grow in the very near future; my other crafty venues are going to get some attention as well.
Filed under yarn, WIPs, wire crochet, jewelry, crafts, creativity, crochet, friends | Comments (3)“Marbles” Tutorial/Pattern
To make the bracelet exactly as shown, it is necessary to have some knowledge of crochet, and the following materials and supplies will be needed:
- 69 - 6mm Round Glass Beads
- 1 - Sterling Silver 9mm Toggle Set
- 30 Gauge Artistic Wire, Non-Tarnish Silver
- Steel Crochet Hooks, sizes 00/3.50 & 4/2.00
You’ll also need some kind of needlenose pliers & wire cutter. The one I have is an inexpensive one that is a 4-in-1 tool that looks similiar to this, but not the same brand. It cuts, bends, and holds.
To begin: String at least 21 beads onto the wire. (String less to make the bracelet shorter; more to make it longer.) Using the smallest hook (4/2.00), make your beginning slip knot, leaving at least a 6-inch tail. Change to the larger hook, and begin making a foundation chain as you would with yarn. With the beginning of each chain, drop a bead, working it into the chain. If you’re new to crocheting with wire, try not to crochet too tightly; allow the wire to flow freely through your fingers.
Once all 21 beads have been added to the chain, finish off using the smaller hook to bring the wire in one last time, leaving another 6-inch tail. Pull the wire taunt to close the gap on each end, being careful not to snap the wire into. Repeat this process three (3) more times.
Once you have completed all three of your strands, lay them side by side. Don’t let them twist and turn too much; you’ll want them to be as even and straight as possible. If your tension wasn’t the same on all three, it’s not a big deal. Just put the longest one in the middle. Once you have the strands situated how you want them, string three beads onto the ends of the three strands all at once, so that the three wires go through the middle of the beads. Using one piece of the toggle set, thread the three wires into the connection loop. Try to keep the tension at least a little tight. Too loose will leave the beads room to wander back and forth once the bracelet is finished; too tight will cause them to gather in an unattractive way. Work the wire around the loop, twisting it around at least twice, once on each side of where the wire first entered. (iIi <– Using this as an example, the “I” is where the wire initially entered the loop; the “i” is where you want to wrap it around twice. I’ll try to get an illustration up soon, but for now, that explanation will have to do.)
Once the wire is secured around the loop, bring the three wires back through the beads. Use the pliers to help pull it tauntly through. It may be easier to do this one at a time. Trim the ends of each as closely to the last bead as possible so that the end of the wire is basically invisible. Repeat with the other side, using the other piece of the toggle.
Ta-da! You now have your own “Marbles” bracelet.
For beads exactly as the ones shown on this bracelet, check with Hobby Lobby, which is where I bought mine. I also got the sterling silver toggle set there. The bracelet in the photo measured approximately 8.25″. Again, if you want to make it shorter, omit one or two beads on each strand. Add beads to make it longer. You could also add more beads onto the wires after your strands are made to make it longer. Your tension will play a role in how long your strands will be as well.
I’m probably not the best teacher in the world when it comes to writing it out; I do much better showing than telling. If you see any problems or need some clarification with this tutorial, please contact me and let me know.
Oh…and this is copyrighted information. Use it for your own personal pleasure, but please don’t use it commercially. Also, I’m not responsible for the results obtained from this tutorial. I just want others to have fun with it and enjoy the benefits of working with wire when crocheting.
©2007 by Tracie at Shade Tree Crochet
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
EDIT 08/28/07 - A printer-friendly version of this tutorial can be found here:“Marbles”.
Marbles for Mother’s Day
I created this wire crochet bracelet for my mom for Mother’s Day. The name “Marbles” comes from the beads, which, to me, look a lot like marbles. I plan to write out a pattern for this, since it’s fairly quick and simple. It will be posted in the near future.
